There’s a reason that the Kama Sutra has been the go-to sex position guide for thousands of years.

When most people think of the  they might think about detailed illustrated books entailing acrobatic poses to create the most awesome sexual experiences ever.

The actual Kama Sutra, however, has quite a bit more information in it. The Kama Sutra is an ancient book of love – it is not just a book of sex positions.

The Kama Sutra was written as a point of reference for young men. It discusses the balance between the inner self and our duties to family and community. The author includes the science of sex – and the famous 64 positions – in the section about our need for love and erotic fulfillment.

There are also some other handy tips in there, such as how to sneak into a harem, if the need for that information should ever arise!

Not all of the 64 positions Vatsayana describes in the are acrobatic moves that require you to be a contortionist to pull off. Thanks to the Internet, most of them are probably already familiar to you.

Indrani Pose

In Hindu cosmology, the process of creation emerged from primordial chaos and a frenzied sensuality. The idea is our world was created as an act of love between the gods and goddesses; making the formation of the universe both sacred and erotic.
Because making love is a sacred act, it is very important for both individuals to respect each other as though you are in the presence of a god or goddess.

The first posture of the Kama Sutra is called “The Queen of Heaven Pose,” or the Indrani Position. Like many Kamasutra poses, it’s a variation on the Missionary pose.
She should lay on the bed, with her legs drawn to her chest in a fetal position. Her feet are near his armpits.
Every guy I’ve ever slept with has thrown my legs over his shoulders at some point during sex, but I’d rather him push my knees toward my chest between our arms, like the Indrani Pose.
It still tilts my pelvis up to the right position, but makes for such a tighter fit, which benefits both of us.

The Lotus

This is a beautifully intimate position and one of my favorites. In the lotus position (padmasana), he sits cross-legged and his lover sits in his lap.
You may choose to sit on the edge of the bed and have your lover sit on top of you and lock her legs around your back. From there you can embrace like a padlock.
By leaning back as you rock together, she can let you kiss her breasts.

The Clapper

Another gorgeous and playful rear-entry position, the (Virsha) is reasonably easy to do.
You probably know the Virsha by another name: the Reverse Cowgirl. In this position, you lie flat on your back while your partner sits or kneels on top of you, facing your feet. Your partner then lowers themselves onto you and leans forward, gripping your ankles.

Camel Style

Back in the era of the Kama Sutra, it was known as “the cow,” (Dhenuka,) but it’s not only one animal worth imitating in the bedroom.
The author of the Kama Sutragoes on to note that “one can imitate other animals, mounting the woman like an ass, playing with her like a cat, attacking like a tiger, stamping like an elephant, pawing the ground like a pig, riding horse-fashion. Thus, one learns a thousand ways to copulate.”

Lap Dance

In my opinion, this is the most erotic position found in the Kamasutra.
“Sitting erect, grip your lover’s waist and pull her on to you, your loins continuously leaping together with a sound like the flapping of elephants’ ears: this is ‘Kirtibandha.’”
A great moment to kiss her breasts while you slide in, moving her back and forth. Sneak into the office if you’re in the mood for a quickie, or perhaps in your living room.

Blossoming

Many of the positions described in the Kama Sutra are variations of the missionary pose. Pleasurable sex isn’t necessarily acrobatic sex.
“The blossoming is realized by lowering the woman’s head and raising her vagina,” writes Vatsyayana.
Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet hip-width apart and have your partner kneel facing you. Keeping your shoulders resting on the floor, plant your feet and raise your hips to meet your partners thrusts.
It’s perfect for both deep penetration and G-spot stimulation. Plus, there’s plenty of room for your partner (or you) to rub your clit at the same time. Win!

Deep Impact

For this position (Shulachitaka,), the woman lies on her back but allows her weight to shift slightly onto one hip. Her lover straddles one leg and gently raises her other leg toward his head.
Also known as “The Splitting of a Bamboo,” this pose is exactly what you might think from the name. Deep.
He can also choose to bite and kiss the ankle of the leg rested on his shoulders for added eroticism.

Loves Fusion

One of the more initimate Kama Sutra sex positions (parshva samputa), both partners lie side-by-side facing one another, where they can kiss, touch each other, and engage in intercourse while being on the same level and looking into each other’s eyes.

The Elephant Posture

Animalistic, primitive, and positioned to hit super-sensitive spots, this steamy sex move is inspired by the mating of elephants.
In the  she lowers her head and shoulders to the bed while raising her butt. Her lover penetrates from behind, supporting his weight on his arms, straddling the outside of her thighs.

Rear entry positions like the Elephant are fantastic for fantasizing because you can pretend your partner is whoever you want him or her to be! Her hands are free to reach underneath, and he’ll hit the sensitive front vaginal wall, so there’s more chance of a G-spot.

Spider

The Piditakaposition is a comfortable, laid-back position that has the benefit of being incredibly pleasurable
The Spider Sex Position is sure to stimulate you in ways you would never expect – and your man will love it too.
To do this position, the woman must lower herself down onto her partner’s penis, and then SLOWLY lean herself back until she is lying backwards, with her legs extended by his head.
When you are correctly in the position, you should look like an “X.”

Supported

The supported congress or standing position (sthitarata) is a challenging upright position in which the penetrative partner stands upright against a wall and holds the receiving partner in the air by interlocking their fingers under their partner’s buttocks.
The receiving partner may wrap their legs around their partner for extra support, then grind their hips against their partner for intercourse.

Dancer

The Kama Sutralists several standing or upright poses for couples — while not recommended for beginners, standing positions can be a fun goal for adventurous couples to work towards. For this pose (tripadam), both partners stand facing each other, and the penetrative partner lifts one of the receiving partner’s legs and holds it up around their torso.