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List of the best sex positions and different styles with color pictures. Positions for pregnant women, gay and lesbian couples, anal sex and other great sex positions.

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Great Sex Guide: Sex Positions

Over the centuries various sexual positions (ways in which couples physically position themselves for sexual intercourse) have been used. In ancient texts it reveals that it was an art form among certain cultures, as in the Indian Kama Sutra and Arabic Perfumed Garden.

There are many sexual positions which are mostly variations on a few basic positions. As with any other desire you have to find the positions that are most enjoyable to you and your partner. Everybody's needs are different. Some couples are very innovative, some prefer the standard missionary position (man-on-top). The aim of lovemaking, however, should be measured by fulfillment and satisfaction for both partners.

The sexual positions a couple uses depends on a variety of factors:

 

 

 

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You can vary these positions by performing them:

  • lying down
  • sitting
  • standing
  • kneeling
  • combination of these

There are many different ways of enjoying sex and countless sexual positions. Some positions offer:

  • chance to embrace and kiss more with all-over body contact
  • deeper penetration
  • greater intimacy
  • more excitement and tension as they are quite difficult to maintain.

Lovers will always find variations of their own. The important thing is to explore each other's feelings and needs and enjoy yourself.

The Man-On-Top Position/Missionary Position

Missionary position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

The Man-On-Top Position/Missionary Position is named after the 19th century Christian missionaries who believed that the man on top was the only natural and proper position for intercourse, and preached to their converts to give up their animal positions in favor of the man-on-top position.

The missionary position is the most common lovemaking position because:

  • it is comfortable
  • it allows a great deal of body contact
  • it allows good depth of penetration
  • you can kiss and hold each other at the same time

How to Do

In the man-on-top position:

  • The woman lies on her back with her legs spread and her knees raised while the man enters her vagina with his penis
  • The man can either lie flat on the woman if he is not too heavy in weight and it is not uncomfortable for her, or he can support some or all of his weight on his elbows, hands or knees (sometimes the weight of the man on them can restrict a woman's pelvic movement)
  • The woman can wrap her legs around the man's hips, back, or over his shoulders, the higher her legs the deeper the man may penetrate with his penis

The woman can use her hands freely to caress the man or stimulate her clitoris as the man has limited use of his hands, but it is a good position for being able to see each other and for kissing and to caressing.

Some women do not like the deep penetration of this position.

More pictures and further information on the Missionary Position

Variations of the Missionary Positon information and pictures

Back to the list of different positions

The Woman-On-Top/Astride Position

Woman on top sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

How to Do

In the woman-on-top/astride position:

  • The man lies on his back and the woman sits on his erect penis
  • Facing him, she may squat on her haunches
  • Facing him, she may kneel, supporting herself with her hands, making it easier to lean forward and kiss his mouth.
  • Sitting on top, facing away from him, increases the depth of penetration
  • Lying with her whole body along his increases the intimacy

On top the woman can control the pace of lovemaking and regulate the depth of penetration and the rate of thrusting of the penis.

The woman-on-top position allows:

  • for maximum indirect stimulation of the clitoris by the penis
  • some women to reach orgasm more easily
  • freer hand movements for caressing
  • couples to see each other

Some women do not like the deep penetration of this position. This can be regulated by limiting how far down they lower themselves onto the erect penis.

Due to the vigorous movements the penis can slip out of the vagina which can cause frustration.

More pictures and further information on the Woman on Top position

Variations of the Woman on Top Positon information and pictures

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The Side-By-Side Position

Side by Side sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

Some couples do not like the side-to-side position as deep pelvic thrusting is difficult. The partners can kiss and touch each other's genitals while making love in this position.

How To Do

In the side-by-side position:

  • The partners lie on their sides facing each other
  • The man enters the woman's vagina with his penis
  • The woman wraps her leg around her partner's body to facilitate deeper penetration pulling him towards her with her leg as he thrusts.

    This position is useful:

  • during later pregnancy to accommodate the woman's belly
  • for people who need to avoid strenuous activity

More pictures and further information on the Side by side position

Variations of the Side by Side Positon information and pictures

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Rear Entry

Rear entry sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

Rear entry position is not the same as anal intercourse. In rear entry position the man's penis enters the woman's vagina when she has her back to him. Whereas, in anal intercourse the man's penis is inserted into his partner's anus (rectum).

Rear entry allows for deep penetration and vigorous thrusting rather than tender lovemaking so is not really suitable during pregnancy.

How To Do

This position allows for deep penetration.

  • The woman gets on on her hands and knees and her partner kneels behind her (commonly known as 'doggy style')
  • Both partners may stand with the woman bending forward and supporting herself against something, bed, furniture, wall, etc.
  • Both partners lie on their sides, her back to his front
  • The position allows the man to caress his partner's breasts, buttocks and clitoris

An alternative rear entry position known as the Spread-eagle Position:

  • The woman lies face down with the man on top of her and spreads her legs, while lifting her bottom off the bed slightly (with a pillow, etc.), to achieve deeper penetration
  • The man supports his weight on his arms or lays with his full weight on his partner


Standing Position

Standing sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

This position is often used in spontaneous or unexpected encounters.

How To Do

  • Both partners stand using the wall as support but it is not easy to move in this position

More pictures and further information on the Standing position

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Standing and Carrying Position

Standing & Carrying sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

This is quite a strenuous position.

How To Do

  • The man stands holding his partner in his arms
  • The woman wraps her legs around his waist and her arms round his shoulders
  • The woman moves against him by pulling herself up and down while the man helps her with his arms

Back to the list of different positions


Spread-eagle

Spread Eagle sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

In this rear entry position, the woman lies face down with the man on top of her. She spreads her legs and he supports his weight on his arms.

How To Do

  • If she raises her bottom off the bed slightly, perhaps with the aid of a pillow under her hips, then it will be possible to achieve deeper penetration.
  • The man can also lie with his full weight on his partner, from which position it is easy to roll into 'spoons'.

More pictures and further information on the Spread Eagle position

Back to the list of different positions

Leapfrog Position

Leap frog sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

This position is ideal when the woman starts to feel uncomfortable with the man's weight pressing down on her. It also protects her belly from over-enthusiastic thrusting.

How To Do

  • The woman kneels on the bed with legs spread wide falling forwards as the man enters her from behind
  • The man can then caress her back and control the depth of thrust

More pictures and further information on the Leapfrog position

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The Cross Position

Cross sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

This position is somewhat easier to maintain if the man lies beneath on his back and the woman is in control.

How To Do

  • The woman lies on her back on the bed and the man lies diagonally across her.
  • She opens her legs to allow him to enter and he rocks gently from side to side.
  • She can guide his movements with the pressure of her hands.

More pictures and further information on the Cross position

Scissors

Cuissade/Scissors Position

This position is known as cuissade, from the French cuisse, meaning thigh. The woman can exert a certain amount of restraint with her thigh, which can make it more exciting. The position is a very intimate one and the lovers can hold one another and kiss.

How To Do

  • The woman lies on her back with the man at her side
  • She raises the leg nearest to him and rests it on his body
  • He enters from under her thigh with his nearest leg crossing her body

More pictures and further information on the Scissors position



Armchair Position

Armchair sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

How To Do

  • The woman sits comfortably in an armchair with her hands and legs around the man
  • The man kneels in front of her and enters her
  • He can support himself with his hands on the back of the chair which will allow him more thrust.

Back to the list of different positions

More pictures and further information on the Armchair position

Furniture Position

Furniture sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

This position allows the man greater control and very deep penetration.

How To Do

  • Find furniture that is the correct height
  • The woman lies on the edge of a table, futon or bed covered with quilts and pillows and spreads her legs wide
  • The man begins by kneeling and giving the woman cunnilingus
  • The man enters the woman supporting himself on his knees and holding her legs.

Back to the list of different positions

Head to toe

head to toe sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

The woman is very much in control in this position.

How To Do

  • The man lies on his back with his legs spread and his penis inside the woman
  • The woman lies on her back with her legs spread across her partner's and her toes pointing to his head and her head away from him.

More pictures and further information on the Head to Toe position

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Lap Dance

Lap dance sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

The woman is very much in control of the the pace of lovemaking in this position.

How To Do

  • The man sits with the woman facing him straddling his lap, kissing and caressing her breasts
  • The woman moves up and down on him supporting herself with her knees on the bed, sofa, chair, etc. with her arms around his neck
  • The woman may also face away from him supporting herself against furniture, etc. in front of her allowing deeper penetration

Back to the list of different positions


Split level Position

Split Level sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

The man is in total control in this position.

How To Do

  • The woman lies on her back with her legs around her partner's waist while he kneels
  • The man can stimulate the woman's clitoris with his fingers
  • The man can let the woman's legs drop and lie on top of her in the missionary position
  • The man can raise the woman's legs and rest them around his shoulders while bending forward to kiss her mouth

Back to the list of different positions



Spoon Position

Spoon sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

This position is called the spoon position because of the close fit of the two bodies.

How To Do

  • The partners lie on their sides and the man enters from behind

This position is:

  • good for slow sensual lovemaking before going to sleep, or on waking during the night, as it is very intimate and relaxing
  • a comfortable position in later pregnancy which does not put to much pressure on the woman's belly

More pictures and further information on the Spoon position

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Swimming Position

Swimming sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

Many women find this position very exciting and are more likely to reach orgasm without direct clitoral stimulation. This is a good position for kissing and total body contact.

How To Do

  • The man lies on his back spreading his legs
  • The woman lies on top of him with her legs along his and her feet on his
  • The woman controls the pace of lovemaking by dragging herself up and down against him.
  • The woman can vary the position by closing her legs tight while his remain spread or by getting him to close his, or both

More pictures and further information on the Swimming position

Back to the list of different positions

Spontaneous Position

Spontaneous sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)

This position is very suitable for spontaneous urges to make love as it is able to be done just by loosening of the clothes. It is good for fast exciting sex, giving both partners the opportunity to thrust against one another.

How To Do

  • The woman leans over the nearest available piece of furniture, etc. and the man enters her vagina from behind.

Homosexual Positions

Gay and lesbian couples do not differ much from those of heterosexual couples. The many sexual positions that same or opposite sex couples may experience remains basically the same. However:

  • Gay men usually have anal intercourse more often than heterosexual couples
  • Gay women are more likely to use sex toys in their lovemaking

Positions for pregnancy

Pregnancy sex position picture (Image credit: Another Sex Tutorial)


Spoon Position

This position puts no pressure on the woman's abdomen and is suitable for the most advanced stages of pregnancy.

How To Do

  • The woman lies comfortably on her side and the man enters her from behind fitting his body closely to hers
  • The man can cuddle up close and caress her breasts while kissing her shoulders and the nape of her neck

Leapfrog Position

This position is ideal when the woman starts to feel uncomfortable with the man's weight pressing down on he. It also protects her belly from over-enthusiastic thrusting.

How To Do

  • The woman kneels on the bed with legs spread wide falling forwards as the man enters her from behind
  • The man can then caress her back and control the depth of thrust

Woman-On-Top/Astride Position

This is a good position for the middle months of pregnancy when other positions have become uncomfortable.

How To Do

  • The woman sits astride the man's lap and supports herself with her arms
  • The woman moves up and down on top of him

In this rear entry position, the woman lies face down with the man on top of her. She spreads her legs and he supports his weight on his arms.

How To Do

  • If she raises her bottom off the bed slightly, perhaps with the aid of a pillow under her hips, then it will be possible to achieve deeper penetration.
  • The man can also lie with his full weight on his partner, from which position it is easy to roll into 'spoons'.

 

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