The arousal function can be divided in two components:
Using ultrasound technology, the arousal reflex can be observed in the male fetus in utero. All other components pertaining to sexuality, i.e. components of experience, sexuality-related cognitions and relationship components – develop in close interaction with the arousal function.
The wish of many clients to connect genitality with the experience of intimacy, is essentially based on the arousal reflex.
Once arousal is successfully elevated, the journey culminates in a second reflex, i.e. an involuntary process leading to orgasm. We can make the “space” between both reflexes “inhabitable” through learning processes. Learning enables the conscious experience of sexual arousal. Learning steps pertaining to the arousal reflex directly influence the quality of the erotic action and experience; hence, we consider them to be direct causes of sexual problems.
Our clients often wish to feel more sexual pleasure and to reach orgasm. Learning steps, on the physical level, are required for this. Thanks to these learning processes, the intensity of sexual arousal and the experience of pleasure can be influenced at will by playing with movement, rhythm, muscle tone, and breathing.
On the one hand, the ability to diffuse sexual arousal throughout the body is prerequisite to intensifying the experience of sexually pleasurable sensations and sexual arousal. On the other hand, the ability to channel sexual arousal in the genitals facilitates reaching an orgastic discharge or an orgasm. Thus, every person can learn to consciously influence the arousal reflex through physical learning steps.
In order to help people improve the quality of their sexual lives with appropriate learning steps, we must first evaluate their primary mode(s) of arousal and any related limitations.
Laboratory observations and descriptions from numerous clients provide a basis for the typology of several arousal modes, i.e. ways to increase arousal based on different use of the movement, tonus, rhythm and breathing. We distinguish modes that rely on tension or movement to intensify arousa.
Pressure arousal mode
This mode of arousal functions via stimulation of the proprioceptive receptors (deep sensory receptors) in the genital region. It is distinguished by intensive squeezing and pressure, often accompanied by strong rapid movements. The musculature of the entire body is rigid, and breathing is highly restricted.
A woman might increase her arousal by pressing their thighs together – with or without an object between (pillow, etc.) –, by strongly tensing the pelvic musculature or by pressing the genital region against a stationary base. A man might clamp the penis between the thighs, press it with the hand or the weight of the body against a stationary base, strongly squeeze the glans with three fingers, etc..
This arousal mode is usually very efficient, allowing for quick orgastic discharge. In order to increase arousal to the point of no return, all attention is concentrated on receptors in a small, specific area – which focuses the perception of pleasurable sensations to a limited area, not the entire body. While the physical state of high tension can be experienced as uncomfortable, pleasure is experienced when and after letting go during orgastic discharge.
High muscular tension, associated with restricted circulation and/or an overly stimulated sympathetic nervous system ("fight or flight mode") can lead to problems during sexuality. This includes problems reaching orgasm, erection problems, pain during and after sexual activities, lack of lubrication, difficult emotions around sexual activities, troubling sexual fantasies etc.
Mechanical arousal mode
This mode also facilitates a quick orgastic discharge. Superficial sensory receptors in the genitalia are rapidly and rhythmically ("mechanically") stimulated. In women, the focus is usually on the clitoris. The muscles throughout the entire body or in the thighs, buttocks, abdomen or pelvic floor are often rigid. Movement and breathing become more restricted as arousal increases.
Some utilize a very exact masturbation ritual in order to raise arousal to the point of orgastic discharge. If the focus of attention is restricted to sensory receptors in very precise and small areas of the body ("half a centimeter left of the clitoris"), the buildup of arousal is easily disrupted, and sexual pleasure as well as the orgastic discharge are limited in intensity. The physical tension that accompanies increased arousal can be experienced as uncomfortable, and orgastic discharge may be sought primarily to relieve this tension.
People who utilize this arousal mode exlusively may experience problems during intercourse. Muscular rigidity in the pelvis and the back leads to the typical in-out thrusting motion by men that often does little in the way of stimulating their partner. The increased muscular tension in the buttocks and pelvic floor further increases sexual arousal that can quickly cross the point of no return. Hence, difficulties with ejaculatory control are not uncommon. With aging, men will sometimes develop coital erectile dysfunction because the friction within the vagina no longer provides sufficient stimulation.
If a woman is used to stimulating only her external superficial receptors, she doesn't support the sensory perceptions inside the vagina. Consequently, she may have difficulties reaching orgastic discharge or orgasm during intercourse and may not even enjoy or desire intercourse at all.
Vibration or combination of pressure and rubbing
Rubbing and pressure are often combined. The use of vibration is more common in women – using a vibrator or showerhead, for instance. The characteristics and limitations are similar to the above mentioned arousal modes. When vibrating toys are exclusively used, women sometimes feel restricted because they "have to" use them and everything else feels bland in comparison.
Wave arousal mode
In this mode, superficial and deep sensory receptors in the whole body are activated by the „double swing”. Here, the pelvis and shoulders swing simultaneously in the body axis, powered by profound respiration. The double swing is essentially a reflex movement that can be observed when laughing, coughing or sobbing. For humans, its maintenance and application during sexual arousal is not preprogrammed (as in animals) and requires learning.
A distinction is made between the pelvic swing (the pelvic movement) and the upper swing (movements of the chest, shoulders and head). The pelvic swing intensifies sexual arousal, the upper swing intensifies pleasurable emotional sensations. There is an interplay of finer and more intense movements, as well as variations in rhythm and muscular tension. Sexual arousal is intensified via the resonance caused by moving in increasing waves – up to the point of orgasm. Deep breathing and playing with pelvic floor muscles are an integral part of intensifying.
Orgasm is reached through the combination of sexual arousal and intense feelings of pleasure and lust. During orgasm, a double release occurs: at the genital level, arousal is increased by the pelvic swing, and after diffusing throughout the entire body, it is channeled back into the genitals to allow discharge. On the emotional level, “letting go” via the upper swing induces perceptions of pleasurable feelings and lust that accompany this discharge.
This mode allows people to more intensely perceive sensations during vaginal intercourse, since the blood circulation is promoted through the movement of and inside the body. This addresses subcutaneous and pelvic receptors not addressed by superficial stimulation. The percetion of both the vagina and penis becomes more intense and pleasurable, and the body movement will help exeperience a "dance" of penetrating the vagina and "taking in" the penis.
The wave mode is the least frequently observed mode in solosex. This might have to do with the fact that it is not based on efficiency, and it might take more steps to learn. In solo sex, the focus is usually on a larger area of the genitalia – penis and testicles, citoris, vulva and vagina, for instance –, and the hand usually moves less, while the body moves more.
The wave arousal mode is often used alternating with the undulating arousal mode:
Undulating arousal mode
In this mode, the person maintains a state of sexual fluidity, that is – their movements flow throughout the entire body; the muscles are not tense – a bit like a plant in the water. Consequently, arousal diffuses throughout the entire body – leading to sensations full of pleasure and an intense erotic experience. Play with rhythms and movements is very diverse, and muscle tone varies, tending towards being low. This arousal mode occurs more frequently with women.
The tension buildup – the ability to channel sexual arousal in the genitals through increased muscular tension – is not enough for an orgastic discharge. A person might then switch to a different mode to channel their arousal to discharge: Some use an interplay of undulating and wave arousal modes, others switch to a mode utilizing tension, and their body will stop moving to reach discharge.