Written by the Indian philosopher Vatsyayana, the Kama Sutra has gotten a lot of attention as a guide to every sex position, but the ancient Sanskrit text is much more than a reference book of complicated sex exercises. Read more about Kama Sutra and its history here.
As for specific sex positions, the book’s section on sexuality contains numerous suggestions for encouraging emotional intimacy between partners through touch and physical contact. So go ahead! Time to try these 17 Kama Sutra sex positions:
1
The basic law of the Kama Sutra is to bring pleasure to your partner, and what better way than to give it orally? Enjoy foreplay, pleasing your partner and vice versa.
How? Lie on your back. Have your partner position himself on top of you. Your partner’s head should be near your genitals and vice versa – your face will be on the same level as your partner’s genitals. (Here you can vary both position and angles – who will be on top, who will be on the bottom.)
A pillow can be placed under the buttock – this way your partner will be closer to EVERYTHING.
2
The one sitting on the lap is in the driver’s seat here, which means they are in control of everything from pace to angle and depth.
Kama Sutra teaches that when you are on top, you should only move your hips and not your entire upper body. Moving more than just your hips can injure your back.
How? Have your partner sit on the edge of a chair or bed while you settle on his lap.
3
Also in this position, the person sitting on the lap takes control. It is recommended to make flowing body movements. Lean forward and lift yourself up slightly, resting your weight on your partner’s knees.
4
This position has a great amount of eye contact.
How? Lie on your back and lift your right leg so that your partner can position his body between your legs at a 90-degree angle and enter you. Your left leg can be straight on the bed, or you can bend it to vary the depth of penetration.
5
This fun pose gives you all the benefits of a doggy style position while still allowing you to look at each other. Stroke your partner’s back, stimulate nipples, and use direct clitoral stimulation.
6
Of course, technically you’re not face-to-face when you’re doing it in doggy style, but there’s a workaround: use a mirror. Looking in the mirror enhances the sexual experience and also gives a touch of eroticism.
How? Get down on all fours. Then have your partner kneel behind you.
7
The face-to-face element is essential here. This position offers free access to nipple stimulation, kisses and of course clitoral stimulation.
How? This is similar to the cow-girl position, but there are some differences. You kneel on top of your partner, moving up and down your partner’s thighs. A partner helps by supporting some of your weight and holding onto your hips or thighs.
8
The Kama Sutra book calls this the Padmasana. This is an extremely passionate position and is best done by ‘rubbing’ along your partner in a way that stimulates the clitoris rather than jumping up and down.
How? Your partner sits cross-legged (yoga style); you sit on his lap facing him. Wrap your legs around your partner’s hips and hug each other.
9
This is a good choice if you and your partner are not particularly flexible, as the movement only requires bending at the waist. If you have a height difference, you can place a couple of pillows under your buttocks.
How? With your partner sitting on his knees, lie down with your legs resting on your partner’s shoulders.
10
Although this “scissoring” position is suitable for mixed-sex partners, it also works for same-sex couples where partners can manually stimulate each other with sex toys or hands.
How? Your partner is sitting with his knees bent, resting on his hands. You do the same and then move closer to your partner until you can make a contact.
11
This is another sex position where you might think jumping up and down is the way to go, but moving your hips is definitely the way to go. This position is perfect for deep penetration, allowing your partner to kiss your shoulders and neck, as well as gove touches dedicated to your breasts.
Want to make this position even better? Put your favorite sex toy in your partner’s hand so that he can give you even more pleasure.
How? Your partner sits on the edge of the bed. You sit on his lap, face away and lean against him.
12
The missionary position is one of the most underrated. Sure, it’s basic, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t make you feel closer to your partner—it’s included in the Kama Sutra, after all. Plus, it has so many different variations – it’s very intimate because of the close eye contact. Try to keep pillows under your pelvis so that your partner can move up diagonally, indirectly massaging your clitoris.
How? Lie on your back while your partner lies face down on top of you.
13
This is the top position for deep penetration. However, if you can’t hold the bridge pose or your partner can’t support your lower body with his hands, it’s better to move on to another Kama Sutra sex position (because overexertion is not sexy).
How? You settle into a partial bridge position so that your weight rests on your shoulders. Your partner enters you while on his knees.
14
This position will be a bit more of a challenge, as most of the time the natural curvature of the penis doesn’t really suit this position.
To increase range of motion when you’re up, we recommend placing a pillow under each knee.
How? Your partner is lying on his back; you sit on top of him, facing his feet.
15
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, try this standing sex position. It is a Kama Sutra-approved and it is good for shallow penetration. If you’re looking for a deeper penetration, you can both go down on your knees. If you are afraid that you might fall face forward, you can support yourself with your hands against a table or a chair.
How? With both of you standing, you bend at the waist; he enters you from behind.
16
If you want to try this position, but balance is not your friend, try the following: when you start to lose balance, kneel down and give your partner oral sex. After a moment you can resume what you started.
How? Standing on one leg, face your partner and wrap the other leg around his waist.
17
This intimate position is easier than it looks, and you can both be joined by a sex toy in this position. The seated partner is the one who moves in this position by rocking back and forth.
How? Sit on the bed facing each other with your feet forward. Put your partner’s right leg over your left shoulder, and you put your right leg over his left shoulder. Slide together so he can enter you. Now you both lie with your legs forming an X. The movements should be slow.