Sexual fitness is inherent to the human body's function -- sex is, after all, how each of us got here -- and keeping your mojo in perfect working order is beneficial to your health for a host of reasons. But have you fallen off the shaggin' wagon? No worries, here are some ideas to get your sex life back on track. (From the Jan. 8 story "Sexy Resolutions" by Alexis McKinnis.)

COUPLES THERAPY

• Yogi Date Night -- Flexibility and muscle endurance are key to enjoying the more adventurous sex positions, but who wants to pull a hammy while trying? Enter yoga. The 2-hour couples' workshops at the Yoga Center of Minneapolis are so popular, they offer various sessions several times per year. The Chakra Balancing Workshop includes basics on assessing each other's energy centers, while the Partner Yoga is more the stretchy-bendy variety. First-timers are welcome with open arms, and awkward laughter is tolerated and even encouraged. The special Thai Yogi Workshop (Feb. 13 & 14) is just for couples and focuses on relaxing stretches and massage. It's a popular Valentine's date destination, so sign up early. All couples' workshops are $50 for two. 612-436-4700; http://www.yogacentermpls.com/; 212 3rd Ave N, Ste 205, Minneapolis; 4200 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park

• Couples' Massage -- Nothing kills the mood like everyday stress. Alleviate it with a relaxing massage for two and reap the attractive benefits of a post-rubdown glow. A lengthy list of couples' massage packages can be found at Sabai Body Temple, where even the basic side-by-side service comes with a complimentary pampering gift to take home. Prices range from $175 to $290 for 9 different couples' massage options, but you can't go wrong with the Playing Dirty package: a regular side-by-side massage, a hands-on mud masking session, a candlelit shower for two and a luxurious after-bath moisturizer. Bonus: book any couples' massage on a Sunday and get 2 free movie passes to the nearby Lagoon Theater. 612-872-8354; http://sabaibodytemple.com/; 2753 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis
  
  
• Exercise Together -- OK, fatty, maybe you really do need to make an extra fitness-oriented New Year's resolution. How about a little friendly competition? Using the buddy system while working out is a free and effective motivator, with a built-in safety feature to make sure you're not straining too hard. You don't even need a gym membership, just kick open some space in the living room. Fun workouts like pilates and hula hooping are great for indoors, and they focus on core and pelvic region strength. Biking, hiking and running rule the outdoors when the weather's nice, and the cardio boost is key to endurance in the sack. If you're total homebodies, check out the Wii Fit system from Nintendo. It has a roster of activities, as well as goal-setting, progress charts and an activity log to help keep each other on the fitness wagon.

NOT-SO-STRICTLY SOLO ACTIVITIES

• Flex Your Love Muscle -- Kegels aren't just for the ladies; men also seriously benefit from shaping up their pelvic floor muscles. In women, it's the PFMs that contract during orgasm, so the stronger these muscles are, the stronger the sensation will be. For men, a powerful set of PFMs helps control orgasm internally so you can pop off at the right time, not 10 minutes prematurely. Just clench you PFMs by pretending to hold back a urine stream, hold for a few seconds, then release. To start, do three sets of 10 reps, three times daily, and eventually work your way up to 200 squeezes a day. You'll notice a difference after just a month of daily flexing, which can be done anytime, anyplace.

• Eat to Your Libido's Content -- Screw Viagra and Cialis; there are far more delicious and nutritious ways to fortify your sex drive. Zinc is a rockstar mineral for boosting desire; find it in pumpkin seeds, parmesan cheese and pine nuts. Bananas and avocados both have high levels of vitamin B-complex and potassium, both of which contribute to lowering high stress levels. Vitamin A promotes testosterone production (a.k.a. the mojo) and can be found in melons, berries and citrus fruits. Get the blood flowing to your nether regions with some fresh ginger, whirled into a fresh fruit smoothie or muddled in a cocktail. Another unisex circulation-booster is maca, also called "nature's Viagra." Clinical studies show it heightens libido and increases sexual activity in laboratory mice and men. This little radish-looking root from Peru is hard to find in the flesh, but plenty of powdered versions are readily available at health stores and online.
  
  

• Get to Know Thyself -- ...with the help of a bunch of your friends, of course. Smitten Kitten now offers private sex toy parties in the loft upstairs from the shop. Not your mother's Passion Party, these personalized workshops are hosted by the store's sex educators. Partygoers get a lesson in pleasure and are encouraged to ask questions they wouldn't dare bring up in the company of mom's coworkers. Workshops can be scheduled during or after store hours, with full access to the Smitten Kitten's product offerings. The only requirements are a call-ahead reservation and a total merchandise purchase or purchases that cover $10 per lady or gent in your party. 612-721-6088; http://www.smittenkittenonline.com/; 3010 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis

Sexual fitness is inherent to the human body's function -- sex is, after all, how each of us got here -- and keeping your mojo in perfect working order is beneficial to your health for a host of reasons. But have you fallen off the shaggin' wagon? No worries, here are some ideas to get your sex life back on track. (From the Jan. 8 story <a href="http://vita.mn/story.php?id=37234854">"Sexy Resolutions"</a> by Alexis McKinnis.)<br /><br /><b>COUPLES THERAPY</b><br /><ul><li>Yogi Date Night -- Flexibility and muscle endurance are key to enjoying the more adventurous sex positions, but who wants to pull a hammy while trying? Enter yoga. The 2-hour couples' workshops at the Yoga Center of Minneapolis are so popular, they offer various sessions several times per year. The Chakra Balancing Workshop includes basics on assessing each other's energy centers, while the Partner Yoga is more the stretchy-bendy variety. First-timers are welcome with open arms, and awkward laughter is tolerated and even encouraged. The special Thai Yogi Workshop (Feb. 13 &amp; 14) is just for couples and focuses on relaxing stretches and massage. It's a popular Valentine's date destination, so sign up early. All couples' workshops are $50 for two. 612-436-4700; <a href="http://www.yogacentermpls.com/">http://www.yogacentermpls.com/</a>; 212 3rd Ave N, Ste 205, Minneapolis; 4200 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park</li></ul><ul><li>Couples' Massage -- Nothing kills the mood like everyday stress. Alleviate it with a relaxing massage for two and reap the attractive benefits of a post-rubdown glow. A lengthy list of couples' massage packages can be found at Sabai Body Temple, where even the basic side-by-side service comes with a complimentary pampering gift to take home. Prices range from $175 to $290 for 9 different couples' massage options, but you can't go wrong with the Playing Dirty package: a regular side-by-side massage, a hands-on mud masking session, a candlelit shower for two and a luxurious after-bath moisturizer. Bonus: book any couples' massage on a Sunday and get 2 free movie passes to the nearby Lagoon Theater. 612-872-8354; <a href="http://sabaibodytemple.com/">http://sabaibodytemple.com/</a>; 2753 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis </li><li>Exercise Together -- OK, fatty, maybe you really do need to make an extra fitness-oriented New Year's resolution. How about a little friendly competition? Using the buddy system while working out is a free and effective motivator, with a built-in safety feature to make sure you're not straining too hard. You don't even need a gym membership, just kick open some space in the living room. Fun workouts like pilates and hula hooping are great for indoors, and they focus on core and pelvic region strength. Biking, hiking and running rule the outdoors when the weather's nice, and the cardio boost is key to endurance in the sack. If you're total homebodies, check out the Wii Fit system from Nintendo. It has a roster of activities, as well as goal-setting, progress charts and an activity log to help keep each other on the fitness wagon.</li></ul><strong>NOT-SO-STRICTLY SOLO ACTIVITIES<br /><br /></strong><ul><li>Flex Your Love Muscle -- Kegels aren't just for the ladies; men also seriously benefit from shaping up their pelvic floor muscles. In women, it's the PFMs that contract during orgasm, so the stronger these muscles are, the stronger the sensation will be. For men, a powerful set of PFMs helps control orgasm internally so you can pop off at the right time, not 10 minutes prematurely. Just clench you PFMs by pretending to hold back a urine stream, hold for a few seconds, then release. To start, do three sets of 10 reps, three times daily, and eventually work your way up to 200 squeezes a day. You'll notice a difference after just a month of daily flexing, which can be done anytime, anyplace.</li></ul><ul><li>Eat to Your Libido's Content -- Screw Viagra and Cialis; there are far more delicious and nutritious ways to fortify your sex drive. Zinc is a rockstar mineral for boosting desire; find it in pumpkin seeds, parmesan cheese and pine nuts. Bananas and avocados both have high levels of vitamin B-complex and potassium, both of which contribute to lowering high stress levels. Vitamin A promotes testosterone production (a.k.a. the mojo) and can be found in melons, berries and citrus fruits. Get the blood flowing to your nether regions with some fresh ginger, whirled into a fresh fruit smoothie or muddled in a cocktail. Another unisex circulation-booster is maca, also called "nature's Viagra." Clinical studies show it heightens libido and increases sexual activity in laboratory mice and men. This little radish-looking root from Peru is hard to find in the flesh, but plenty of powdered versions are readily available at health stores and online. </li></ul><ul><li>Get to Know Thyself -- ...with the help of a bunch of your friends, of course. Smitten Kitten now offers private sex toy parties in the loft upstairs from the shop. Not your mother's Passion Party, these personalized workshops are hosted by the store's sex educators. Partygoers get a lesson in pleasure and are encouraged to ask questions they wouldn't dare bring up in the company of mom's coworkers. Workshops can be scheduled during or after store hours, with full access to the Smitten Kitten's product offerings. The only requirements are a call-ahead reservation and a total merchandise purchase or purchases that cover $10 per lady or gent in your party. 612-721-6088; <a href="http://www.smittenkittenonline.com/">http://www.smittenkittenonline.com/</a>; 3010 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis</li></ul>

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