Sex Scandals Surround Yoga Practices

by Linda Franklin

The New York TImes had an eye-opening article about the relationship between yoga and sex.  Here’s the gist of the article but it’s an interesting read so here’s the link. Times article. 

The wholesome image of yoga has taken a hit as a rising star of the discipline came tumbling back to earth. After accusations of sexual impropriety with female students, John Friend, the founder of Anusara, one of the world’s fastest-growing styles, told followers that he was stepping down for an indefinite period of “self-reflection, therapy and personal retreat.”

But this is hardly the first time that yoga’s enlightened facade has been cracked by sexual scandal. Why does yoga produce so many philanderers? And why do the resulting uproars leave so many people shocked and distraught?

One factor is ignorance. Yoga teachers and how-to books seldom mention that the discipline began as a sex cult — an omission that leaves many practitioners open to libidinal surprise.

Hatha yoga — the parent of the styles now practiced around the globe — began as a branch of Tantra. In medieval India, Tantra devotees sought to fuse the male and female aspects of the cosmos into a blissful state of consciousness.

The rites of Tantric cults, while often steeped in symbolism, could also include group and individual sex. One text advised devotees to revere the female sex organ and enjoy vigorous intercourse. Candidates for worship included actresses and prostitutes, as well as the sisters of practitioners.

Hatha originated as a way to speed the Tantric agenda. It used poses, deep breathing and stimulating acts — including intercourse — to hasten rapturous bliss. In time, Tantra and Hatha developed bad reputations. The main charge was that practitioners indulged in sexual debauchery under the pretext of spirituality.

The drama with Mr. Friend is still unfolding. So far, at least 50 Anusara teachers have resigned, and the fate of his enterprise remains unclear. In his letter to followers, he promised to make “a full public statement that will transparently address the entirety of this situation.”

Knowledge is power so just be aware of the underlying intentions of some so-called spiritual yoga masters.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Beauty Offers Real Cougars Can’t Refuse

Beauty is an expensive business but thanks to the rise of social coupon Web sites such as Groupon and LivingSocial, Real Cougars are able to bargain-hunt for goods and services that were once rarely, if ever, discounted. Recent sales include an oxygen facial at Bliss Spa in South Beach for $112 (30 percent off) on Gilt City and two 60-minute massages at Balanced Health in Boston for $95 (53 percent off) on LivingSocial.

Users of Lifebooker, meanwhile, can book health and beauty services at discounted rates at off hours any day of the week, and take advantage of daily promotions, which the company calls “loot.” A Brazilian blowout at Gavert Atelier in Los Angeles for $129 (68 percent off) was a recent offer. Membership on all these sites is free.

Women’s Sexual Pleasure & The Double Standard

You know, if you've been reading my blogs, that I have a big gripe – and that is the existing double standard which is so unfair to women. Many would argue that it doesn't exist, but it really does and it's keeping important issues out of the public spotlight.  But, yesterday there was big breakthrough.  The outdated double standard was outed by none other than The New York Times.

Abby Ellin at Times wrote a fabulous article on my new blog sexperts Mary Jaensch, CEO and Rachel Braun Scherl, President of Semprae. They are the fabulous twosome who manufacture Zestra, the all natural product that enhances a women's sexual pleasure. This is an article you need to read because it highlights the double standard at work – and it ain't pretty. 

Small Breasts – The Latest Trend?

Did you happen to read the story in the New York Times about the lastest trend — small breasts? According to the article, it's cool these days to have tiny boobs. In fact, The Daily Beast recently ran a stroy about all the celebrities who were so unhappy with the size of their breasts after implants, that they decided to have them removed.

I decided to talk to an expert on the subject of small breasts. Gayvin Powers, A.K.A. "Eve" of the online lingerie site Eve’s Apples — luxury lingerie for small-breasted women http://evesappleslingerie.com. 

Infidelity On The Rise – So What Else Is New?

Infidelity is on the rise but that comes as no surprise does it?  Have you ever cheated or even thought of cheating on your significant other?   Even if you did you probably wouldn't go around broadcasting it.  That's why it's almost impossible to get accurate data about just how many people are actually indulging in the pleasures of the afternoon delight.

New studies do suggest that infidelity is alive and well, particularly among older men and young couples. And, women are closing the adultery gap: younger women appear to be cheating on their spouses in the same numbers as their male counterparts.  I'm not going to bore with the numbers, but if you're interested you can read Tara Parker Pope's  New York Times article on the subject.

The change in women's fidelity is creating the most buzz..  Men cheat and brag about it – women tend to lie about it to everybody including themselves.  Men want to think women don’t cheat, and women want men to think they don’t cheat, and therefore both sexes have been playing these silly game with each other forever. 

The question that keeps cropping up in my mind is are we programmed  to be monogamous?  Personally I don't think so – the pleasures of the flesh are mighty powerful.

Cougar’s Testosterone Levels Affect Who They Trust

We all know how important trust is.  Without that important ingredient relationships fall apart pretty quickly.  Well, now it appears that our testosterone levels directly influence the levels of that all-important trust factor. I never knew that before.  I thought that marvelous male hormone controlled only our sex drive and sometime our overly aggressive behavior.

Our trust levels are apparently mediated by a brain hormone known as oxytocin. Too much of it and our levels soar.  But now  researchers at Utrecht University in Holland have found an antidote for trust and it's testosterone.

They gave young women a dose of the hormone in the form of a drop of liquid placed under the tongue, then asked them to judge the trustworthiness of a series of men’s faces shown in photographs. The women were significantly less inclined to trust a face when given testosterone than when they had taken a placebo.  They concluded that "testosterone decreases interpersonal trust.

To check out the rest of these findings. read the story in yesterday's New York Times.  

Women are always faced with new challenges.  Now we can add this one to the list.  At the moment when we are most turned on – we are least likely to trust the person who is making that happen.