Try Out These Popular Positions From The Kama Sutra

The Kama Sutra, which is around two millennia old, has been guiding people on how to fall in love, woo a person of interest, and most importantly, pleasure one another between the sheets. Written by philosopher Vãtsyãyana, the ancient Indian text talks about the nature of love, dealing with sexual chemistry, finding a suitable mate, and several aspects of erotica. However, for most people, the lovemaking positions journaled in the Kama Sutra still remain elusive.

For those who wish to experiment with fresh positions to spice up their sex lives, the Kama Sutra offers a plethora of moves to get your kink on. While flexibility does help, contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to have a gymnast’s body to try these out, since it’s the technique that matters. Let’s look at some positions from the manual to satisfy those carnal desires.

Parshva Samputa Or Lateral Box
This is something you may have tried out unintentionally. Lie down on your side, facing your partner, and make sure you’re positioned correctly and closely enough so that he can enter you easily. This boosts intimacy while allowing you to relax while having sex.

Expert Tip: Dr Santhanam Jagannathan, Chennai-based sexologist says, “To add a little extra zing to this position, loop your leg over your partner’s hip. This allows for easy penetration and also gives you added control over the movement. This position is ideal for kissing as well.”

Utphallaka Or Blossoming
Just like the flower blossoms, this posture is reminiscent of a woman unfurling her vagina during sex. Here, your partner kneels and tilts his thighs to place your butt on them as you lie down, lifting your vagina up, while your head is still lowered. Your legs are on either side of your partner’s hips, ensuring deep penetration and pleasure to the clitoris.

User Tip: Parvati Hari*, a 28-year-old PR executive from Chennai says that she and her husband use this position often. “I have a small vagina while his penis is large, so penetration tends to be difficult in missionary. This position gives me more leverage, in the sense that I am able to accommodate the width of his penis easily.”

Virsha Or Reverse Cowgirl
If the cowgirl position works for you, you might want to try this variant as well. Virsha literally translates to ‘bull’, and it’s not hard to see why this is similar to riding a bull. It requires your partner to lie down, and for you to sit on him with his penis inside your vagina, while facing his feet, and then moving up and down rhythmically.

 Expert Tip: Dr Manjula MK, Chennai-based psychologist says, “This position requires a lot of trust, since you can’t rely on your partner’s body language and facial expression for cues. It is recommended that you start with the cowgirl, and only once you’re fully comfortable with your partner, try this variant.”

Sammukha Or Face-to-Face
The Sammukha involves you standing, leaning against a flat surface with your legs spread out, while your partner stands in front of you and enters. Make sure the penis and vagina are at the same height—use a step or stool if necessary. While this may seem arduous, it is very erotic. Don't be deterred, it is easier than it sounds!

User Tip: Bangalore-based homemaker Namita Shetty, 32, says, “We live in a joint family and have two kids, so there’s little privacy to get naughty between the sheets. We first tried this position three years ago, and it’s really worked for us because it’s easy, and we can sneak into the shower, or even grab a moment in the guest room when no one is around.”

Indrani Or Queen Of Heaven
This position is named after the wife of Indra, the King of Heavens. Apparently, it brought him and his queen into the throes of ecstasy. Here, you’re on your back, with your knees bent into your chest. Your partner penetrates you while taking his thighs outside your legs, and using his hands to pleasure you. This posture not only ensures to give your partner’s penis full-throttle access to your vagina but also ensures that the pressure is off you.

Expert Tip: Dr Jagannathan says, “While traditionally the man’s hands are used to open the vagina, or play with the clitoris, you can ask your partner to use it to squeeze your breasts, caress your thighs, or run his fingers across the length of your torso—whatever turns you on the most.”

Venudaritaka Or The Broken Flute
This one is a bit high on the difficulty scale, but apparently worth the pleasure, if you can master it! Lie on your back, while your partner kneels in front of you, spreads your legs and penetrates you. Now, keep one leg down beside his hip, and lift the other to put your foot on his shoulder. Then switch legs. The change in movement will impact the pace and the nature of the penetration, making sex more enjoyable.

Expert Tip: Dr Manjula says, “While this may provide adequate pleasure to the man, the woman needs to get the hang of switching legs before she starts enjoying the position. So, it is perhaps best to work your way up in stages. Try a session without raising your legs, then a second one where you keep just one leg raised, and then a third where you switch with a gap in between.”

Tips From The Kama Sutra
- The Kama Sutra recommends that both partners can climax together. Instead of the focus being on thrusting in and out, a to-and-fro rocking motion can help both partners achieve orgasm almost simultaneously since they are aware of the build-up and crescendo.
- Do your Kegel exercises regularly for this one. During sex, the Kama Sutra says that clenching your vaginal muscles in a rolling motion can steam things up and drive your man insane in the bedroom.
- Don’t be afraid to demand satisfaction leading up to your climax. Your erogenous zones, according to the Kama Sutra, are your lips, nipples, and your clitoris. Tell your partner to kiss you, tweak or suck on your nipples, and gently rub your clitoris the way you like.
- The Kama Sutra was way ahead of its time. It recommends the need for lubricants to ensure that women’s vaginal passage is smooth and slick enough for pleasurable sex. While natural concoctions and emollients have been written about, today, it is recommended that you stick to sanitised and suitable versions of store-bought vaginal lubricants.