Now, more than ever, we are a society of sitters.
And that’s a problem!
According to the CDC, 1 in 4 Americans spend more than 8 hours a day sitting. And 44% get little to no leisure-time activity.
That stagnation causes a very concerning decline for our overall health and vitality…
A reduction in libido!
That reduction not only impacts how we feel about ourselves, but also can trigger sexual dysfunction. And a study conducted at Nova Southern University shows there is a direct relationship between physical fitness, self-concept and sexual functioning.
“But I hate going to the gym!” you say?
We know, we know. The gym is a haven for some of us. For others of us, not so much.
And that’s okay! If you love the gym and it’s a place of pleasure for you, keep up the great work!
For those of you who seek a way to get physical, that’s athletic AND FUN…
Let’s find a better way for you to be fit.
“Pleasure First” is our Number One core value after all.
If you don’t find pleasure in the ways you usually “work out”, it’s no surprise that you avoid it like the plague and feel deep suffering when you do make yourself “get it done.”
Why not find a way that is fun for you to have an active life?
Are you ready to shift out of stagnation and get that libido boost that gives you a drive to thrive?
Try these practices to turn up the pleasure in your fitness plan:
Vibe to the Beat
If you find yourself in a state of, “I don’t wannnnnaaaa”, then turn on some can’t-stop-moving tunes and just let your body move. Think ‘Happy’ by Pharrell or ‘Conga’ by Gloria Estefan if you want to go old school.
The rule here is: Let yourself move!
Close your eyes and feel your body in movement. There’s a lot of sensation to tap into. Gentle to raucous movements, they all offer an opportunity for self-expression, self care and self-pleasuring with your body.
Try consciously breathing with your movements.
Slow and deep breathing.
Intense and deep breathing.
(The healthiest practice is to breath in through the nose and not the mouth.)
Breath activation and embodied movement can lead to endorphin release, and orgasmic states.
These endorphin releases are the thing that can get you addicted to “working out”.
Sound like a good idea to trigger more endorphin response in your body?
Our suggestion is to make all of this pleasurable movement with no pressure to go-hard or spend-every-moment-sweating in intensity.
Try having your sound track start mellow and then rise in intensity with some relaxation at the end. The music, movement and conscious breath mixed together may take you to a place of intense movement naturally. You’ll be sweating and not even know how you got there…
Ah, the feeling of being free and in flow!
(If you want someone else to make your mixes for you, check out Ian’s Blueprint Themed and Event playlists on Spotify. His handle on Spotify is: theecstaticlife)
By the way, that study conducted by Nova Southern reported it doesn’t take much of a commitment to reap the benefits.
So just hit play and MOVE!
Rhythmless Movement
Some of us are terrified that we won’t get the rhythm right, therefore identify as “can’t dance”.
But here’s the good news: You don’t have to DANCE. You only have to move.
That movement may be freestyle or it may be yardwork, deep cleaning the house, or even decluttering the garage. Your movement can even be helping neighbors move.
Just make sure it’s movement that you enjoy… movement that gives you pleasure.
Disclaimer: Cleaning is definitely a pleasure-filled movement for some, when you consider the reward at the end of the process.
Let’s try something a bit more naughty…
Erotic Wrestling
If you have a partner who is willing to play a little tug of war with each other’s bodies, there are lot’s of ways to get into erotic wrestling.
You can stay clothed or get naked.
Layout some cushions (no need for anyone to get hurt), then play with one or all of the following:
- Use the places on the body that have bony handles (hip bones and shoulders are two examples) to push and pull each other’s bodies. Gently at first, so you learn each other’s edges
Make the object of the wrestling match to get each other’s clothing off!!! So fun to resist
You could even get oiled up and play slip and slide (and perhaps devour each other after!)
Getting each other wet and getting wild can be a super hot way to get your body moving – incorporate movement – it’s so fun and you don’t even think, “Blargh! I have to do something ‘HEALTHY’ now!”
Long Meandering Strolls
While running has been shown to have negative effects on the body like putting stress on your back and joints, making arthritis worse and, especially for long distance runners over 40, shown to sometimes create arrhythmia issues with your heart, walking has been shown to have many of the health benefits of running, without the undue stress to the body.
Drop into meandering, leisurely walks.
Solo time, feeling the rhythm of your feet on the path, this allows space for the mind to open and relax.
If you have a partner and they are down for the stroll, go out together.
The forest trails, the beach or the city streets.
Pleasure-filled movement, walking and letting your mind get lost in your surroundings and adventure.
Try leaving behind all electronic devices a few times – no texting, no music or podcast to take you out of the here and now.
And then try walking and jamming to tunes or that podcast you’ve been dying to listen to.
Discover the ways you love to meander.
Create the circumstances where you WANT to get active and discover what gives you pleasure.
Until next time…
Fill your heart with love and your life with pleasure,
Ian Ferguson and Tania Dakka
