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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.
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 phyisically difficult or tireing 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.
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.
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.
These positions are more innovative, and perhaps not as widely known and practised as the ones listed above.
The following activities are only possible between partners of the same sex:
These are less commonly encountered practices.
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.
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.
Various assemblages of people, having the common characteristic structure of participating in a sexual act.
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.
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.
Compare with: Flash animations for sex positions
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