Looking to move beyond missionary? Try turning to the Kama Sutra—the ancient sex bible that’s full of bizarre, awkward, and ridiculously acrobatic sex positions that most of us have never tried.
While that might sound uninviting, there’s a reason that the Kama Sutra has been a go-to sex position guide for thousands of years. We asked experts for their favorite Kama Sutra positions that couples should try at least once—and aren’t impossible for you to master. “If you really want to try a certain position, you’re going to need a positive and excited energy that will make it fun and pleasurable for her no matter what the angle,” says Laura Berman, Ph.D., Durex’s resident sexpert. So if you’re ready to spice up your sex life, try these 5 bizarre-but-hot sex positions you’ll both love—or love trying!
1. Sammukha
The Sammukha position is a relatively easy position to get started with, and one you’ve probably never thought to try. In this position, she leans back against a wall while standing and spreads her legs as wide as she can while you enter her. This position does lower her a bit, so shorter women may need to stand on something—like a long ottoman—and taller men may have to kneel if she’s really flexible.
Although this position might seem a little awkward at first, it’s actually an incredibly passionate and romantic position thanks to all the eye contact, says Eric M. Garrison, a sex expert and author of Mastering Multiple Position Sex. Because she’s supporting herself against a wall, this position also offers some of the deepest penetration possible.
2. Janukurpara
The Janukurpara position will probably require some extra gym time, but it’s worth it. In this position you lift her up, locking your elbows under her knees and gripping her butt with your hands while she places her arms around your neck to hold on. Janukurpara offers extra-deep penetration, lots of eye contact, and it has the added benefit of making you look like a champion. “A lot of acrobatic positions offer just bragging rights, but some offer bragging rights and pleasure,” says Garrison. “Janukurpara allows for great penetration, and can be the reward for time in the gym.”
3. Piditaka
As Garrison notes, acrobatic doesn’t necessarily mean pleasure. The Piditaka position is a comfortable, laid-back position that you can do any time—even on a leg day. In this position, she lies on her back and pulls her knees into her chest, resting her feet on your chest as you kneel in front of her. With your knees on either side of her hips, you raise her hips onto your thighs and enter her.
She’ll feel tighter in this position because her vagina is narrowed when her legs are up, says Yvonne K. Fulbright, Ph.D., Astroglide’s resident sexpert. She can also press her legs together or cross her ankles, increasing pressure for both of you. “This position is great for those into positions offering female vulnerability,” says Fulbright. “For those desiring the auspiciousness of the Kama Sutra even more, the guy can draw her feet up to touch his mouth and forehead, conveying tenderness, humility, and devotion.”
4. Virsha
The Virsha position isn’t actually that bizarre, you just know it by another name: The Reverse Cowgirl. That said, it’s a position that’s used a lot in porn but not so much in everyday sex—but it should be. Because Virsha is a “girl on top” position, it makes her feel sexy, strong, and in control, while still giving you an awesome view of her ass, Fulbright says.
In this position, you lie flat on your back while she sits or kneels on top of you, facing your feet. She lowers herself onto you and leans forward, gripping your ankles. “Virsha is Sanskrit for bull, and, as simple as it sounds, it’s no bull when I say that this is very difficult,” says Garrison. “Even the best can’t master it without practice—and what better reason to have lots of sex!”
5. Tripadam
Tripadam is the perfect position for a quickie because it doesn’t allow for deep penetration, but it does allow for “short and fast” fun, says Garrison. In this position, you both stand, facing each other. You put your hand under one of her knees and raise it off the floor, turning the two of you into a “tripadam”—or a tripod—and enter her while standing. (This position works best if both of you are around the same height.) Another benefit to this move, like all standing positions, is that you both get maximum blood flow to your erogenous zones for sexual function, says Garrison.