Friday Five: Kama Sutra Crash Course
Feeling bored with the standard rotation of your routine sex positions? Increase your flexibility, intimacy and sexual connection with your partner ~ Kama Sutra style. Take 5 minutes to learn new sex positions from ancient erotica.
What is Kama Sutra?
Before we dive in, let's briefly touch on the origins of Kama Sutra, which loosely translates to “Teachings on Desire.” The Kama Sutra consists of seven books written in the ancient Indian Sanskrit language and discusses how to attain pleasure through the senses.
Sexual acts are only one part of the discussion, which also encompasses how to live a fruitful and fulfilling life and “how to attract partners, how to obtain a wife, here concubines fit into the scheme of marriage,” according to Classical Studies Expert Riley Winters.
Many believe that Kama Sutra is all about tantric sex positions, but in reality, sex is only talked about in one chapter of one book to explain how desires released through mindful sex “can aid in unleashing the full extent of an individual's personal power,” states Winters.
2. Utphallaka or The Blossoming Position
Also known as the butterfly position, in Utphallaka, the person getting penetrated lies on their back with their legs open and their partner kneels or stands in front of them, between their legs.
In one variation, the person laying down will bring their knees in towards the body so their partner can rest their hands on the thighs for support.
“This position is considered very pleasurable because of deep penetration. Also, the clitoris can be manually stimulated in this position.”
— Dan Brennan, MD, What is the Butterfly Sex Position
3. Janukupara “The Lift”
This position requires strength, but deep penetration and intense eye contact will be worth the effort. The person who is penetrating will lift their partner up facing them, locking elbows underneath their knees for support. The receiving partner wraps the legs around the standing partner’s waist and arms around their neck. If you can’t lift each other, you can modify it, so your partner is sitting on a counter or higher surface to relieve the full body weight.
4. Padmasana “Lotus”
Try this position if you want a more intimate experience, perhaps integrating deep breathing exercises and eye-gazing with your partner. To do the Lotus pose, one person will sit cross-legged while their partner sits in their lap, wrapping their legs around them.
Photo Source: O.School
5. Virsha or Reverse Cowgirl
This one is popularly known as reverse cowgirl, where one partner lies on their back as the receiving partner sits or kneels on top of them, facing the opposite direction.
“This is an ideal position if you’re interested in incorporating anal play, as it gives full access to the anus of the person on top, allowing for stimulation with hands, a toy, or a butt plug.”
— Emily A. Klein, Kama Sutra Positions To Make Sex A Mindful Practice
If this feels uncomfortable because of the curvature of some penises or strap-ons, experts share: “You can try rocking back and forth to change the angle, or place pillows or folded towels under your knees for extra support.”
