Kama Sutra Positions & Teachings

In this article we will discuss 11 different Kama Sutra positions. Each of them bear a name associated with man’s relationship with the natural world.

Before we review the love positions let's talk about the Kama Sutra teachings. Adapted from a long history of rich oral tradition, the Kama Sutra, or Aphorisms on Love, is probably the best known of all love manuals. Written in Sanskrit by a man named Vatsyayana, the manual comes from the words Kama meaning desire and Sutra meaning rules. It was then translated by an intrepid adventurer, the Englishman Sir Richard Burton, for the benefit of the English-speaking world.

The Kama Sutra teachings contain over one thousand two hundred verses or slokas reviewing the spiritual angles of sexuality and presenting many sexual Kama Sutra positions and techniques for enhancing sexual relationships. It includes in-depth techniques in the art of courting, seduction, kissing, gift giving, preparation and use of aphrodisiacs. It covers also, the ethical and moral behavior in a couple's life.

The ancient Hindus had three important beliefs with respect to our role as humans in life : material success (Artha), religious piety (Dharma), and sexual pleasure (Kama). All three were equal, and the erotic was celebrated as the seat of earthly beauty.

Now that we know a bit about the history, let's learn some of the positions included in the Kama Sutra teachings. Most of the following Kama Sutra positions are named after animals and nature, to emphasize the relationship of men with the natural world. Take note that the sexual organ of the woman is called yoni while the man's is called lingam.

Kama Sutra Positions

• The Missionary Position

This is one of the most common Kama Sutra positions. It is well known and appreciated by both novices and experts. The woman lies on her back and the man puts himself between her legs to penetrate her. A few cushions can be placed under the woman’s buttocks to change the penetration angle and allow a deeper penetration.

• The Swing

The man lies down on his back while the woman turns her back on him and crouches down on his lingam with her legs on either side of her partner’s hips.

• The Wheel

The man and woman starts in the classic Missionary Position. The man rotates slowly on his partner using his lingam as the axis of rotation until he has come back to his initial position.

• The Lotus

The woman lies on her back as the man, sitting facing her, fastens her ankles around his neck. She grips her toes as she presents her well-opened yoni to her partner.

• The Dog

A classic position when the woman is on all fours. The man, kneeling, grips her waist and enters her from behind.

• The Cat

The woman lies on her stomach while the man lifts her ankles to make love. Both partners then rock slowly from side to side.

• The Deer

The woman goes on all fours and straightens her back. The man kneels down and penetrates her from behind.

• The Tortoise

The woman lays on top of the man with her legs open allowing his partner’s lingam slide inside her yoni. Once in place, they both straighten their legs rubbing their bodies laterally and horizontally against each other.

• The Elephant

The woman lies down so that the man can enter her from behind. She can leave her legs open for easier penetration, or tighten her thighs to firmly squeeze her partner’s lingam in her yoni.

• The Bee

The woman sits on the lingam of her partner with her feet drawn up, himself seated with his legs outstretched. She can then revolve her hips so that her partner’s lingam circles deep within her yoni. He arches his body or lifts her buttocks or thighs to accompany her movements.

• The Monkey

The man lies on his back, with his legs straight up. The woman sits on top of his thighs, using his feet as backrest. He then lifts her with his feet, to start up and down stimulation. The woman adds to this stimulation by undulating her pelvis in a lateral or circular motion.

It's important to understand that The Kama Sutra philosophy preaches the use of Kama Sutra positions and teachings as an instrument for obtaining the mastery over our senses and attaining higher levels of consciousness. It is more than just a way to satisfy our sexual pleasure and desires.