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List of sex positions

This is a list of sex positions. This includes common and not so common positions for sexual intercourse and other sexual activities between people. This is a list of usual modes, particulars, and features in which couples physically position themselves for sexual intercourse. Some sexual positions are variations on fundamental positions, while some are more innovative. In fact, some of these positions are also found among bonobos.

Contents

Introduction

Note that the sex positions listed are descriptive, not prescriptive. Real sex between experienced partners will usually shift from position to position during a single session, at the whim of those involved.

In the Indian Kama Sutra and Arabic Perfumed Garden, the act and manner of sex was an art-form. In the Khajuraho statues, it has religious meaning. The Joy of Sex was one of the first widely accepted modern sex manuals to describe sexual positions.

In the Kama Sutra, sixty-four sex positions are explained as arts. These may be considered yoga positions for a couple. Tantric yoga, as applied to couples is sometimes called the yoga of union and is the larger spiritual context for these positions.

There are also a vast number of positions for oral sex (including cunnilingus and fellatio) and mutual masturbation, which are too numerous to list here.

While not all of these positions will necessarily be as stimulating or as satsifying for both partners as other positions, a couple may develop a rotation among these positions. Some may be more physically difficult or tiring for one partner, while others offer a break or resting point that will maintain a particlular level of passion. In a sense, a set rotation though favored positions may be likened to a complex and progressive musical piece, such as a sonata or symphony. An alternation of positions favored by each partner can be particularly delightful when understood in the larger give-and-take common in interpersonal relationships. Each couple may in this way develop their unique "song of love". The musical symphonic work Bolero, writen by Maurice Ravel, is thought by many to be intentialy evocative of the progression of caressings, positions, intensiities, and satisfactions of lovemaking. Note that the piece is about 22 minutes long - thought by many men to be rather long for this use and by many women to be too short.

Since the most common sexual activity worldwide is heterosexual vaginal intercourse, the positions listed are described in terms of one male participant and one vaginally receptive female participant. However, most of these positions can also be adapted as anal sex positions, although some with difficulty due to the different angle of rectal vs. vaginal entry. Similar provisions apply for frottage, tribadism, the use of double-ended dildos or strap-on dildos, and so on.

Warning: some positions which require the penis to be bent backwards relative to the normal erect position can only be accomplished with the penis in a semi-soft state. Great care should be taken in positions that risk bending the erect penis to avoid the danger of damaging the penis through penile fracture.

Nomenclature

There is no single agreed standard for nomenclature of sex positions. The medical literature tends to use very general terms such as "male superior sex position" and "female superior sex position", or Latin terms such as coitus more ferarum ("intercourse in the manner of a beast"). The terms used in sex manuals are often fanciful, and differ from manual to manual. The jargon of the pornography industry for sex positions has entered the mainstream vocabulary in some cases, and has at least the benefit of being specific.

The terms used here draw on all of these sources. Where possible, the most commonly used term is used.

Common positions

The missionary position
The missionary position

These are the most widely known positions, and are widespread and prevalent during the act of sex. Some of these positions can be used in sex between two men or two women.

Missionary – most common position; man on top with direct penetration; woman on bottom, legs open.
Side entry missionary – variant on the missionary position; woman on side; man kneeling penetrates from behind.
Squashing of the deckchair – woman on bottom, legs pulled up; man on top, holds woman's legs.
Peace Sign – woman on bottom, legs tightly closed.
Butterfly position – woman lies on her back, man stands and lifts her pelvis for penetration
Coital alignment technique – variant on the missionary position
The Doggy position
The Doggy position
Doggy – man penetrates from behind; woman on all fours, facing down.
Leapfrog – variant on the Doggy position; woman torso is lower; also known as "face down ass up".
Upright doggy – variant on the doggy position; woman kneels upright.
Spread-eagle – woman lies facing down, legs spread open; man on top.


69 – simultaneous oral sex; often side-by-side, or either a man or woman can be on top; known as 'Congress of the Crow' in the Kama Sutra.


Spoons position – side by side, both facing in same direction; man penetrates from behind.
Feet on his shoulders – her feet behind his head resting them on his shoulders.


Cowgirl – The man lies on his back; the woman sits on top of him facing him; also known as Woman-On-Top or Amazon.

Less common positions

These positions are more innovative, and perhaps not as widely known and practised as the ones listed above.

Reverse cowgirl – variant on the cowgirl position; also known as 'Riding of the Steer'.
Horizontal reverse – variant on the reverse cowgirl; woman on top, facing down with torso lower; man on bottom.
Cross – woman on bottom; man on top perpendicular.
Head to toe – man on back, legs spread; woman on back on top, legs spread; both facing different directions,
Rocking chair – man on bottom; woman on all fours, facing up.
K – Man and woman lie on backs, heads pointed away from one another; each places one leg on other's shoulder (using it for bracing) and the other leg out somewhat to the side so that they form a capital K.

Sitting / Kneeling sex positions

Armchair – variant on the watching the game; woman sits in a chair; man kneels in front of the woman.
Black bee – man sits, hands behind on the floor; woman sits on top, hands on shoulders.
Furniture – woman on the edge of furniture, legs spread; man kneels.
Persuading of the debtor – man penetrates kneeling; woman on back, ankles on each side of man's shoulders.
Playing of the cello – woman on back, ankles on one of the man's shoulders; man kneeling penetrates from back; also known as Playing of the violin.
Proposal – woman kneels, legs apart; man kneels, one knee on ground.
Split level – woman on bottom, legs around man; man kneels.
Watching the game – variant on the cowgirl position; man sits in a chair; woman sits, facing the man; also known as the Lap dance.


Standing sex positions

Reverse piggy-back – man penetrates standing; woman lifted, wrapping legs around man; can be done free-standing or up against an upright surface. Also know as the tree position.
Stand and carry – man stands, holding woman; woman wraps legs around man's waist and arms around man's shoulders.
Standing – Both stand using a structure for support.
Wheelbarrow – man penetrates standing; woman on bottom lifted by thighs; also known as 'Hoovering of the floor'.

Non-penetration or low-penetration sex

Same-sex activities

The following activities are only possible between partners of the same sex:

  • tribadism: rubbing of female genitalia against female genitalia
  • "frot": rubbing of male genitalia against male genitalia

Unusual positions

These are less commonly encountered practices.

Acrobatic skill / extreme agility required

  • Advanced black bee – variant on the Black bee; man sits, hands behind on the floor; woman sits on top, hands and legs on shoulders.
  • Toilet – variant on the reverse cowgirl position; man on back upside down, knees bent; woman sits on man.

Use of special apparatus

Most sex acts are typically performed on a bed or other platform. As the range of supports available increases, the range of positions that are possible increases (for example, see the sitting and standing positions above).

Various forms of erotic furniture and other apparatus such as fisting slings and trapezes have been used to facilitate even more exotic sexual positions.

Same-sex activities

The use of a double-ended dildo enables same-sex partners to engage in either anal-anal or vaginal-vaginal sex, including in positions where sexual acts would not otherwise be possible.

Group sex

Various assemblages of people, having the common characteristic structure of participating in a sexual act.

Positions to obtain pregnancy

The goal is to bathe the entrance of the cervix with semen - difficult since the cervix is itself a mound (the lower end of the uterus) within the vagina.

  • Missionary sex position, with the woman using a pillow under her pelvis and remaining in this position with added pillows after intercourse.
  • Doggie sex position, with the woman keeping her pelvis high and sholders as low as possible after intercourse.

Positions during pregnancy

The goal is to prevent excessive pressure on the belly and to restrict penetration as required by the particular male partner.

Some of the positions below are popular positions for sex during pregnancy.

See also

Compare with: lordosis behavior in other animals

Books

  • Hooper, Anne J., "Sexopedia". DK Publishing; 1st American ed., Dec. 1, 2002 ISBN 0789489589 272 pages
  • Hooper, Anne J., "Anne Hooper's Kama Sutra". DK Publishing. 1st ed., January 1, 1998. ISBN 1564586499 160 pages
  • McMeel, Andrews and Lisa Sussman. "Sex Positions". October, 28 2002 ISBN 184222266X
  • Bodansky, Steve and Vera Bodansky "The Illustrated Guide to Extended Massive Orgasm". Hunter House. 1st ed., June 2002. ISBN 0897933621 235 pages
  • Kemper, Alfred M. "Love Couches Design Criteria", 1972, ARCHINFORM, publisher, Los Angeles. Library of Congress #75-36170. 101 pages. Design criteria for assistive furniture, with sections on accommodation of disabled persons.

External links and references


Last updated: 10-24-2004 05:10:45