The Kama Sutra opposed Victorian British values and was dismissed as ‘pagan nonsense’ and something to be actively stamped out. Burton, even had he wanted to accurately translate the text as it stands, would have most likely fallen afoul of anti-obscenity laws. As it was, his wildly inaccurate text had to be printed under the imprint of a publishing house that Burton himself set up for the purpose, and was designated ‘for private distribution only’. So, if the Kama Sutra isn’t just the sexual playbook many sources in Western culture have touted it to be, then what exactly is it—and what can it teach us about sexuality, sensuality, and more? Below, experts explain what the ancient text is really all about. What is the Kama Sutra?

Contrary to popular belief, the Kama Sutra explores many aspects of love, marriage, and a connection with a partner. There's a reason why this ancient text has endured as a source for erotic pleasure for centuries. Something as simple as changing where you place your legs or your partner's bum can add excitement to your sex life and hit pleasure points you didn't even know existed! Of course, the Kama Sutra is best known as a picture book of sexual positions – some people even today have the erroneous impression that there is no text at all. But the Kama Sutra in its original form never had any pictures included at all. There is a large section on courtesans: how to find and engage them, how much and when to pay them, and what to expect for your money. Although this could be construed as a misogynistic chapter, the text recommends being polite and respectful to the courtesans for no other reason than civility and good manners. Courtesans are not at all looked down on for their career choices, instead, they are mentioned as being providers of a vital service. Sexual Union The text places a lot of importance on the pleasures of sex and the various sex acts – understanding that a good and healthy sex life is a sign of a happy marriage and partnership. Alternative Lifestyles

5. iKamasutra

Burton "wanted to create a fantasy for his English-speaking audience by portraying people of the East as hypersexual and unchanging, without history," notes Mitra. But, she adds, "Unfortunately, people still use these reductive, racist ideas to think about Indian sexuality in the past and present." Same-sex relationships are discussed, and not – as one might superficially assume – in a disapproving way. While some early translations have rendered the practices as being unsavory, the original text does not condone same-sex relationships. The term Kama Sutra comes from an ancient Hindu textbook written in Sanskrit about erotic love called The Kamasutra. Very little is known about its author, Vatsyayana Mallanga, other than his name. It was written probably sometime in the third century.

The Kama Sutra is divided into five sections – only one or two which deal with sex and intimate matters. Get naked, listen to your favorite song, tell yourself how awesome and beautiful you are. Do you, girl!

1. Dirty Game - Hot Truth or Dare

Part two goes straight into the sexual content that many people associate with the Kamasutra. There are details on 64 different types of sexual acts, everything from embracing and kissing to more aggressive acts like grabbing and slapping. OhMiBod is an app for couples that connects to a variety of vibrators, providing a new way your partner can help you get in the mood. Because it works over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, OhMiBod can also help long-distance couples stay physical, even if they are on different continents. The Big Book of Kamasutra is another app that includes a massive amount of sex positions and illustrations that you can put into life. This position is a great one as it allows the man to deeply penetrate the woman, which feels great for him, and – unlike many other missionary-based positions – will give her a good chance of enjoying a blended orgasm. The Tigress Ahead of its time, the Kama Sutra offers some progressive perspectives on sexuality and love. The ancient text even teaches that men should prioritize a woman’s pleasure over their own, by focusing on making sure she climaxes before even thinking about their own orgasm. The Kama Sutra section on sexuality "was designed to teach a man how to make sure that the woman was fully pleasured," says sex expert Seema Anand, author of The Arts of Seduction. "They believed that if the woman was fully pleasured, sex would go on for longer in a marriage. It even says that if a man can pleasure a woman properly, his business will do better because she won’t spend your money needlessly, and that a man would even be a better warrior."

While most people think the Kama Sutra is all about sex, it's actually about the philosophy and theory of love. It covers topics including finding a life partner, flirting and the nature of love. Contrary to popular belief, The Kamasutra is not only a book about lovemaking and different sex positions. It covers other topics such as the art of living well, the nature of love, finding a life partner, and taking care of your love life. The sexual concepts that most people associate with the Kama Sutra became known in Western culture at the end of the 19th century, with the adaptation of the Kamasutra manual by a British explorer named Richard Francis Burton. Part six explores a man’s use of courtesans, or prostitutes, to build confidence in his sexual abilities before pursuing a wife. It also gives advice on fixing past relationships with friends and lovers, how to become wealthy, and what to look for in a committed partner. Of course, we’re talking about sex games, adding to a relatively long list of saucy surprises, including red lingerie, massage candles, sex toys and more that all make an appearance for 14 February. The text stresses the importance of sexual intercourse as a measured expression of consensual love between male and female and prohibits ‘unrestrained’ sex with women who are not willing. Intercourse, the book counsels, should follow thought and even discussion beforehand.

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Pressing is when the whole weight of the active partner (usually, but not always, the male) presses the other against a bed or pillar. Rubbing and pressing embraces are often combined with sexual intercourse, or precede it. There is guidance about finding a life partner, ways of courting a woman for marriage along with some concepts that modern couples might find very out of date, including duties expected of wives (cooking, cleaning, etc) and the use of courtesans to build sexual confidence before marriage. While many of the activities and suggestions are specific to ancient India, there is still much in the Kama Sutra that can be applied to modern life. Including, of course, the advice on giving and taking pleasure in bed! Durba Mitra, PhD is an assistant professor of women's, gender, and sexuality studies at Harvard University, and author of Indian Sex Life: Sexuality and the Colonial Origins of Modern Social Thought.

The book finishes with a section on sexual legends, myths, and practices. This includes personal grooming, the use of perfumes and oils, and homeopathic remedies for sexual problems. Instead, the author painstakingly broke down men and women into categories – for example, based on their libido, indicating which matches would be evenly balanced and which might end up in strife, such as if a woman with a high libido ended up with a man who had a lower sex drive.

The verdict: Sex games for couples

This position is a variation of the missionary position. Both partners lie down across a comfortable surface, their legs stretched out, and aligned. One partner lies on top of the other, bellies touching, while the other partner thrusts from the bottom position. So, what is sexercise? Plain and simple, sexercise translates to working up a sweat while you’re doing the best thing ever: Having hot sex! When you’re getting it on, your muscles are working hard to get the blood flowing to all the … um… important areas. Sexercise workouts build up a sweat and increase your heart rate, leaving you huffing and puffing by the end. Splitting the bamboo will fire up your core, hip flexors, thigh, and hamstring muscles! Warn your partner before moving into this posture to not put all of their weight on you, to prevent crushing you or causing any pain. Although it can take some maneuvering to find the sweet spot where both partners feel comfortable in this pose, that’s part of the healthy communication and fun! Plus, once you find your groove, the position can provide an intense level of pleasure. It’s definitely a deep stretch so if you missed your yoga class this week or you listed “improving flexibility” as a personal goal, this position is your new best friend! Position 2: Suspended Congress One partner sits in a chair, preferably one with no arms. The other partner sits on top of them, facing away.