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by Mary Winter
We all know sex feels good. But can it be good for us too? A trial involving more than 100 college students in 1999 found that the levels of immunoglobulin, a microbe-fighting antibody, in students who engaged in intercourse once or twice a week were 30% higher than in those who were abstinent. (Park, Alice, "Sexual Healing" , Time, January 19, 2004) Studies such as this one are showing that yes, sex can be as good for us as it feels. The same article goes on to mention studies that talk about sex's influence in lifting depression, helping with pain tolerance, and a possible reduction in rates of breast and colon cancers. |
Our bodies are our temples. Those who practice sacred sexuality believe that their actions are a form of worship. Sex celebrates life. It signifies the joining of two into a greater whole. It can be the great rite of the horned god and the moon goddess reenacted in the center of a charged circle, or it can be the fertility of spring and the plowing of fields played out in our own bedrooms. With this mindset, it's easy to believe that sex can heal us on many levels.
Obviously, if we have any serious medical, emotional, or other issues it's best to seek the advice of a trained professional. Relying on any single thing as the sole cure for a condition doesn't work well, whether it's a physician prescribed drug, or some new cure. The causes of illness in the body are many, and it usually takes a combination of factors, such as diet, exercise, mental work, and possibly medical attention (whether traditional western medicine, homeopathic, or others). So I'm not going to advocate to use sex as a way to heal yourself all the time. However, it is possible that our natural affection for each other has some positive effects on our well-being.
And why wouldn't it? The body is so much more than our physical selves. We have many layers of self including our mental, spiritual, and emotional bodies. Our chakras function as wheels spinning our energies throughout all the layers of our bodies. When we have sex, especially in the missionary position, we align our chakras with those of another partner. Starting with the root chakra which is located in the groin area and is related to grounding and physical, earthy needs, through the solar plexus, heart, throat, even the third eye chakras can be aligned. If the woman (or one partner) is shorter than the man, she may press her forehead (the third-eye chakra) to the man's chest while they're making love. This connects her psychic chakra to his heart one. Not only is there the intimacy of the actual sex act, but also it adds a spiritual element, even if it isn't apparent at the time.
Sex, because it naturally generates a lot of energy, is a good way to clear blockages in the chakra system. The energy roaring through our body does so like a burst of water clearing out a pipe. Nothing can stand in the way of this powerful force. Connecting chakras with another person can be a powerful and moving experience. And when this happens, it really makes you believe that sex can heal. Different positions, different ideas…there's a variety of ways to connect. So the next time you reach out and touch that special someone, do so knowing that may be the first touch on the road to health.
Bio
Mary Winter prides herself on being a new age girl (just like the song