Harmonious Sexual Relationships and Health Preservation: Techniques and the Eight Essentials of Sexual Intercourse

Harmonious Sexual Relationship Health Preservation Method

Sexual intercourse, while a physiological need for married men and women, should be conducted with appropriate steps, positions, and methods-the so-called "art of sexual intercourse." Only through close cooperation and proper methods can harmony and fulfillment be achieved, enhancing the physical and mental health of both partners. Ancient physicians proposed many methods for harmonious sexual intercourse, some of which still hold practical significance for couples' emotional exchange and harmonious sexual relations today. However, due to the constraints of feudal ethics and various historical prejudices, the principles of sexual health have long been considered taboo, and even slight exploration was inevitably labeled "obscene," making it difficult for physicians to delve into. Nevertheless, as a aspect of medical health care, mastering certain principles of sexual intercourse is essential. The study of sexual methods from a health perspective should be distinguished from obscene content that unilaterally pursues pleasure and seeks sexual stimulation.

Before engaging in sexual intercourse, couples should first prepare themselves mentally, maintaining emotional stability and a relaxed state of mind. As the saying goes, "When a man and woman are aroused and their spirits are in communion, then they can act, allowing yin and yang to harmonize and essence to condense" (Wan Mi Zhai Gynecology). They should not rush into things or be impatient for results. Ancient physicians discussed this extensively. For example, the *Qian Jin Yao Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces) states in its section on "Supplementing Sexual Intercourse": "In the way of engaging with a woman, one should not engage in intercourse before the qi is stirred and the yang qi is weak. One must first engage in slow, playful play, allowing the spirit and intention to be in harmony for a long time, until the yin qi is obtained. The yin qi will then push, and one must gradually strengthen oneself. This is what is meant by 'receiving internally when weak, and withdrawing quickly when firm.' The advance and retreat should be slow and deliberate, stopping when the passion arises. One should not throw oneself around, as this will disrupt the five internal organs, damage the essence and blood vessels, and cause various diseases. However, those who engage in frequent and meticulous intercourse will cure all diseases and increase their lifespan." This illustrates that before engaging in sexual intercourse, couples should engage in slow, playful play, allowing both parties to be in harmony and their passion to be intertwined, gradually allowing the yin qi to be obtained before intercourse, which is beneficial to health. Otherwise, if the yang energy is weak and intercourse is hasty, it will "cause a hundred diseases." Shen Jin'ao of the Qing Dynasty proposed the theory of the Eight Signs of Sexual Intercourse, which elaborates on this in more detail. The so-called Eight Signs refer to eight signs that the couple should exhibit during sexual intercourse, namely, three for the man and five for the woman, totaling eight. Only when all eight energies are present is it an opportune time for intercourse, and it will have a beneficial effect. As he said in "The Jade Ruler of Gynecology": "Before intercourse, men have three energies, and women have five. The three energies for men are: when the penis is erect and vigorous, it is the arrival of liver qi; when it is strong and hot, it is the arrival of heart qi; when it is firm and lasts long, it is the arrival of kidney qi. When all three energies are present, it pleases the woman's heart. If there is no erection, it is because liver qi has not arrived. If intercourse is forced before liver qi has arrived, it will injure the tendons, and the semen will drip and not be ejaculated; when it is strong but not hot, it is because heart qi has not arrived. If intercourse is forced before heart qi has arrived, it will injure the blood, and the semen will be cold and not warm; when it is firm but does not last long, it is because kidney qi has not arrived. If intercourse is forced before kidney qi has arrived, it will injure the bones, and the semen will not be released, or if it is released, it will be little." ...When a woman experiences five signs of sexual activity: her face flushes and her eyebrows darken, indicating the arrival of heart energy; her eyes gleam with desire and she glances sideways, indicating the arrival of liver energy; she lowers her head and remains silent, with snot flowing from her nose, indicating the arrival of lung energy; she intertwines her neck and leans against him, her body moving naturally, indicating the arrival of spleen energy; her vulva opens wide and is moistened with vaginal fluid, indicating the arrival of kidney energy. When all five energy signs are present, a man should engage in intercourse with her, resulting in perfect harmony and pleasure. There are also five signs: soft moans and whispers, indicating the heart; closed eyes, indicating the liver; dry throat and shortness of breath, indicating the lungs; legs slightly bent or extended, lying supine, indicating the spleen; cold breath from the mouth and nose, and sticky discharge from the vulva, indicating the kidneys. These five signs indicate the opportune moment for pleasure; a man who recognizes these signs should seize the opportunity. Not only will it bring pleasure, but it will also provide nourishment.” This explains that before intercourse, the couple should be calm and peaceful, caressing each other to achieve a harmonious connection and reach a psychological and physiological climax before engaging in intercourse, which is beneficial to their physical and mental health.

The *Yixin Fang* (Medical Prescriptions for the Heart) discusses the principles of sexual intercourse in great detail. It quotes the *Su Nu Jing* (Classic of the Plain Girl): "The Yellow Emperor asked: 'How should the intercourse of Yin and Yang be conducted in moderation?' The Plain Girl replied: 'The way of intercourse has its forms. The man's sexual function remains undiminished, and the woman's illnesses are cured. The mind is joyful and the energy is strong. However, those who do not know this practice gradually decline. Do you want to know the way? It lies in calming the breath, settling the mind, and harmonizing the will. When these three energies are all present, the spirit returns to its proper place. Neither cold nor hot, neither hungry nor full, the body is upright and well-defined, the sexual desire is naturally slow and gentle, the movements shallow and slow, the desire for penetration minimal. The woman is satisfied, and the man's vitality remains undiminished. This is the principle to follow.'" This explains that calming the mind, concentrating the spirit, calming the breath, maintaining a joyful mood, and gentle movements are the principles to be followed in sexual intercourse.

Harmonious sexual relations depend on the consistency of both partners in terms of libido, emotions, and orgasm. Analyzing the physiological characteristics of men and women, men have a stronger libido, are more easily aroused, and reach orgasm quickly, with their sexual impulse subsiding rapidly after intercourse; women have a slower libido, with sexual impulse and orgasm occurring more slowly and lasting longer, and their sexual impulse dissipating more slowly. This necessitates close cooperation between both partners to maintain consistency in achieving orgasm and thus achieve harmony and fulfillment. Otherwise, "it will not only harm the man, but also the woman." As quoted in the "Medical Prescriptions for Harmony" from the "Mysterious Woman Classic," the Yellow Emperor said: "When intercourse occurs, the woman may not be pleased, her body may not move, her fluids may not flow, and her penis may not be strong, small, and lacking in power. Why is this? The Mysterious Woman said: Yin and Yang are mutually responsive. Therefore, Yang is not pleased when it does not receive Yin, and Yin is not aroused when it does not receive Yang. When the man desires intercourse but the woman is not happy, and the woman desires intercourse but the man is not, their hearts are not in harmony, and their essence and energy cannot be felt. In addition, if there is a sudden and violent erection, the pleasure is not given. When the man desires the woman and the woman desires the man, both have pleasure in their hearts, so the woman's body is aroused and the man's penis is strong."

The positions and postures used during intercourse also have a certain impact on the quality of sexual life. Generally speaking, comfortable positions and appropriate postures play a positive role in maintaining good contact between the sexual organs, enhancing sexual pleasure, and coordinating and enriching sexual life. Regardless of the position, the premise must be that both partners are comfortable, happy, and able to achieve satisfactory orgasm. Intercourse positions should not be monotonous, nor should one unilaterally force variety. The aim is to enhance marital harmony, coordinate and enrich sexual life, and promote physical and mental health. Positions that make one partner feel strained or unhappy should be avoided as they may affect marital harmony or even cause sexual dysfunction or other diseases.