6 yoga-inspired sex positions that offer pleasure and a good stretch

Posted by Jenniffer Sheldon on Thursday, August 8, 2024
This article was medically reviewed by John Mutziger, LMHC, a sex and relationship therapist at the Long Island Institute of Sex Therapy.  Medically Reviewed Reviewed By Check Mark Icon A check mark. It indicates that the relevant content has been reviewed and verified by an expert Our stories are reviewed by medical professionals to ensure you get the most accurate and useful information about your health and wellness. For more information, visit our medical review board.

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  • You can make common yoga poses like lotus into a sex position by simply adding penetration.
  • Some poses, like happy baby and downward dog, are especially great for deep penetration.
  • Reclined butterfly is another great sex position since it increases blood flow to your pelvic area. 

If you've ever been to a yoga class and thought some poses felt pretty sexual, you're not alone. Some postures don't even require that much imagination – poses with legs spread wide or butt in the air, anyone? 

Both yoga and sex require you to be present and in touch with your body, mind, and breath for the best experience. Merging your yoga practice and sex life can be a fun (and healthy) way to spice things up with your partner.

Here are six yoga-turned-sex positions to enjoy, recommended by sex therapists and yoga instructors.

1. Downward dog

This classic yoga position allows for lots of versatility in the bedroom. It can be adapted for oral sex, vaginal sex, and anal sex, says Julia Simone Fogelson, LCSW, sex therapist and yoga instructor in private practice. 

It can feel especially good for the receiver since it allows for deep penetration, which may stimulate your G-spot.

Additionally, if you and your partner are curious about kink, this is a great position to play around with flogging or spanking, Fogelson says. Using sex toys or props is an excellent way to bring novelty into your sex life, as long as both partners consent.

How to get into the position:

  • The receiving partner starts on all fours, with hands shoulder width apart and feet hip width apart.
  • The receiving partner lifts their knees off the ground, pushing their hips up and back until their legs and arms are straight so their body is in an upside down "V" shape.
  • The penetrating partner stands behind and enters, holding onto their partners hips for support.

    • If you're opting for oral sex in this position, the giving partner can simply kneel behind the receiving partner and go to town. 

    2. Happy baby

    With legs wide open and lots of genital surface area exposed, happy baby can be a blissful sex position. 

    In this pose, the penetrating partner has easy access to stimulate their partner's clitoris, says Fogelson.This is great since a 2017 study found that 36.6% of women said that they needed to have clitoral stimulation in order to orgasm during penetrative sex. 

    Plus, the receiving partner can adjust the pose as needed (spreader their legs further apart or closer together) to find what feels best for them.

    How to get into the position:

  • The receiving partner lies flat on their back and brings their knees into their chest so they can grab onto the outsides of their feet with each hand. 
  • The receiving partner spreads their bent legs wide open while keeping their hands on their feet.
  • The penetrating partner gets in between their partner's legs and enters. 

    • 3. Legs up the wall

    This is a classic restorative yoga pose that is sometimes used as a modified savasana at the end of a yoga flow, Fogelson says. Restorative poses like this are meant to help the body and mind relax, which can certainly be helpful during sex.  A 2009 study found that lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol are linked to greater arousal and sexual satisfaction. 

    The traditional position calls for lying on the floor with your butt against the wall and legs straight up, but a partner's chest makes an excellent substitution during sex by resting your legs straight up against their chest instead of a wall.

    How to get into the position:

  • The receiving partner lies flat on their back on the bed or on the floor on a yoga mat. They can also put a pillow or bolster under their hips, making it more comfortable and giving their partner better ease of entry.
  • The receiving partner lifts their legs up in the air so they're perpendicular with the ground.
  • The penetrating partner kneels facing their partner and enters. Their head is in between each of their partner's feet while their partner's legs rest against their chest.

    • 4. Lotus

    For super sensual and intimate sex, try lotus with a partner. "This pose promotes perfect alignment for shared breath, eye gazing, chest to chest, and genital contact," says Cat Meyer PsyD, LMFT, sex therapist and yoga instructor at SexLoveYoga.

    How to get into the position:

  • The penetrating partner sits up cross-legged.
  • The receiving partner mounts on top, facing their partner, wrapping their legs around their partner's back.

    • 5. Reclined butterfly

    To kick missionary position up a few notches, have the receiving partner lie back in reclined butterfly pose, which is great for opening up the hips for a wider range of motion. 

    Plus, the pose improves blood flow to the pelvic area, which is directly linked to increased arousal, says Meyer. As a matter of fact, a 2010 study found that regular yoga practice can improve sexual function, including arousal, lubrication, and orgasm. 

    How to get into the position:

  • The receiving partner lies flat on their back, or reclined on a pillow or bolster. This can be done on the bed or on a yoga mat.
  • The receiving partner brings the soles of their feet together, forming a diamond shape with their legs.
  • The penetrating partner gets on top and enters as they would in missionary.

    • 6. Wheel pose

    More experienced yogis who love backbends can try wheel pose. 

    Meyer says the unique angle of entry and the way the pelvises meet to allow for direct clitoral stimulation, increasing the chances of orgasm. Not to mention, the view for the penetrating partner will be super arousing in this wild sex position.

    How to get into the position:

  • The receiving partner lies on their back with their feet on the floor, hip-width apart and close to their butt.
  • The receiving partner brings their arms overhead, bending them so their hands are flat on the floor.
  • Slowly and with control, the receiving partner lifts their hips and shoulders off the ground, before fully extending their arms and legs to bend their torso into the wheel or upside-down-u-shape, letting their head hang down and relax.
  • The penetrating partner stands in between their partner's legs, aligns their pelvises, and enters.

    • Insider's takeaway

    Utilizing yoga poses as sex positions is an extremely sexy way to multitask. You'll stretch your body and get your blood flowing while experiencing sexual pleasure, giving a whole new meaning to the phrase "Namastay in bed." 

    Start with these poses and don't hesitate to test out your other favorite poses to see if they work in the bedroom, too. 

    Ashley Laderer Ashley Laderer is a freelance writer from New York who specializes in health and wellness. Follow her on Twitter @ashladerer Read more Read less

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