When you hear “kama sutra,” chances are, contortionist sex positions come to mind. It’s not entirely wrong, but the concept goes beyond what you’ll find on page 69.
“Thousands of years ago, humans thought that sexuality was sacred,” explains the late Psalm Isadora, an intimacy and tantra expert, in her Tantra Touch program on Mindvalley. (She, unfortunately, passed away in 2017, but her teachings are still available.)
“It’s only now that we have so much taboo around it that’s caused us to shut down around ourselves,” she adds.
That might be why people toss the term around like it’s a sexy brand name. But behind it is a philosophy with roots older than most belief systems still practiced today.
It shaped how ancient Indians approached pleasure, connection, and the experience of being fully alive. And it still matters… maybe even more now than ever.
What is “kama sutra”?
Kama sutra is an ancient Indian philosophy that teaches how to experience desire with depth, awareness, and grace. It sees pleasure as a natural part of life, one that deserves curiosity, intention, and skill.
Sensuality is treated as a human strength, not a distraction. The body, the senses, and connection with others are all part of the learning.
This philosophy was later captured in a text that most people now recognize by name: the Kama Sutra.
“It is not a book about sex,” writes Seema Anand, a mythologist and the author of The Arts of Seduction, “but rather a vade mecum on the arts of seduction…driven by an exquisite refinement.”
The heart of kama sutra is, after all, presence, not performance. Intentional pleasure, not technique.
And kama (desire) itself is one of the four life goals in Hindu philosophy. The others are dharma (moral duty), artha (prosperity), and moksha (spiritual freedom).
Together, they form a complete life.
The “kama sutra” meaning in English
The phrase is rooted in Sanskrit, but what does kama sutra mean in English?
- Kama refers to desires that awaken both the senses and the spirit. The word can mean “love,” “desire,” or “pleasure.” This pleasure is not limited to sexual desire but rather is a broad term encompassing all the pleasures of life.
- Sutra means “line” or “thread.” It has the same root as the English word suture, the strands of a line that are used in medicine to seal wounds. However, sutra, here, refers to a thread of verses that form a manual.
Put together, kama sutra roughly translates to “scriptures of desire,” as per Psalm.
She says, “Our soul is here to have an experience.” And kama sutra is one to practice for a life of pleasure and virtue.
The origin of the Kama Sutra
The Kama Sutra book (sometimes spelled Kamasutra) was written somewhere between the 3rd and 5th centuries CE, during India’s classical age when art, poetry, and philosophy flourished.
The Kama Sutra stated that not only do women have an independent source of pleasure but that a man is not even necessary to the process.
— Seema Anand, The Arts of Seduction
Ironically, Vatsyayana Mallanaga, the man behind the world’s most famous sex manual, wasn’t exactly living la vida libido. He was a celibate monk.
He compiled the Kama Sutra from older oral and written traditions, especially the Kama Shastras, which are a body of earlier texts on love, desire, and relationships. These teachings offered practical tools to reclaim your sexual power through knowledge and self-awareness.
As Seema points out, the book challenged the ultimate myth: female pleasure depended on men.
“For centuries, religious belief had held that a woman did not have an independent source of pleasure, that her pleasure depended not that of a man,” she explains. But according to the Kama Sutra, “not only do women have an independent source of pleasure but that a man is not even necessary to the process.”
That wasn’t an attack on men. It was a call for partnership built on presence. The text encouraged men to develop emotional awareness and sensual finesse, and encouraged women to step into pleasure with agency, confidence, and depth.
The thing is, Vatsyayana was writing at a time of cultural shift. As Indian society became more codified and conservative, knowledge of sensuality (especially from a woman’s perspective) risked being buried. The Kama Sutra preserved it.
Centuries later, in 1883, the book got its first English translation. British explorer Sir Richard Burton (with lots of help from Indian scholars, who were often uncredited) brought the text to the West. But the Victorian gaze filtered what it didn’t understand or approve of.
That’s how the Kama Sutra became reduced to acrobatic sex and taboo curiosity. The nuance? Lost in translation.
6 popular kama sutra positions
While sex positions are only a fraction of what the Kama Sutra teaches, they’re the part everyone remembers. And that’s not entirely a bad thing.
These physical practices are meant to awaken energy, build trust, and deepen connection. Not, despite popular belief, getting creative with furniture.
Here are six positions that reflect the spirit of kama sutra: conscious, playful, and designed for more than just release.
1. Cowgirl
Welcome to the rider’s seat. This position puts the woman on top, literally and figuratively.
It gives her full control over rhythm, depth, and angle, which means it’s easier to tune into what feels good and go at her own pace.
For anyone exploring sex after menopause or navigating body changes, cowgirl is a great option because it can reduce discomfort and boost confidence.
How to do it: Lie back and let her take the reins. Whether she kneels or squats, she’s calling the shots.
Think horseback riding, but with a lot more moaning. She can lean forward for clitoral stimulation or sit upright to change the intensity.
Hands can roam freely, turning the whole thing into a slow, intentional dance.
2. Spooning
This one’s cozy, sensual, and all about full-body contact. It creates a cocoon of warmth, one partner nestled against the other, like puzzle pieces that just make sense.
It’s the position of sleepy morning kisses, lazy Sunday sex, and that delicious sense of being wrapped up in someone else’s energy. And it’s gentle, relaxed, and leaves room for plenty of stroking, whispering, and connection.
How to do it: Lie on your sides, both facing the same direction. The receiving partner curls up slightly, knees bent. The penetrating partner aligns behind, pelvis to pelvis, and enters from the back.
You can add a pillow between the legs for comfort or play with arm placement for even more closeness.
3. Doggy Style
It may not be the most face-to-face position, but what it lacks in eye contact, it makes up for in intensity. Doggy style is all about depth, angle, and raw sensation, which might explain why it ranked as the second most Googled sex position in America in 2020.
It’s also one of the best positions for G-spot stimulation and lets the penetrating partner control pace and rhythm. Add in a little dirty talk or hair pulling (if that’s your thing), and you’ve got a setup that’s primal and powerful.
How to do it: There are plenty of ways to do doggy. The classic version has the receiving partner on all fours, with the penetrating partner behind. But for a more grounded feel, the “belly” variation lets the woman lie flat on her stomach, legs extended.
A pillow under the pelvis can lift the hips and change the angle. The penetrating partner kneels behind and enters from the rear, which allows for slower, more deliberate thrusts (or not, depending on the vibe).
4. Happy Boyfriend
Think of this one as missionary with a plot twist. It’s intimate, intense, and hits different angles, especially if you’re looking for more G-spot contact. But fair warning: it’s not for stiff hips or creaky knees.
While Psalm calls it “happy boyfriend,” it’s a pose that both parties can actively participate in. It creates the kind of deep penetration and body-to-body closeness that lets both partners stay tuned in.
Eye contact? Check. Moans that turn into full-body language? Double check.
How to do it: The receiving partner lies on their back and brings their knees toward their chest, opening the hips. Their legs rest over the shoulders of the penetrating partner, who kneels or crouches between their thighs.
Want a little more control? Place your feet on your partner’s chest instead. It’s great for adjusting angle and depth and keeps the power dynamic nice and balanced.
5. Sixty-Nine (69)
Sixty-nine is rather a love-it-or-hate-it position. It takes some coordination, given that it requires both parties to give oral sex while enjoying each other’s performance simultaneously.
Love it or leave it, it’s iconic. And when done right, it’s a wild ride for both.
As Psalm says, “This is great for foreplay or when you’re both turned on for that climax to come quickly from the lightest touch.”
How to do it: Both partners position themselves so their heads are near each other’s pelvises, allowing for simultaneous oral sex.
One can lie on top of the other, or you can do it side by side if neck strain’s a concern. Either way, the visual does resemble a 6 and a 9 curled into each other.
Clever name, clever sensation.
6. Yab-Yum
Turn a regular position into tantric sex and energy orgasms with Yab-Yum. It combines meditation, yoga, and sex, so it isn’t an experience to rush.
The position requires both partners to be extremely close with lots of skin-to-skin contact, which builds immense sexual tension. And when they can sync their breathing, it opens the gates to great pleasure.
How to do it: The receiving partner (often the woman) sits on the penetrating partner’s lap, facing them. She wraps her legs around their waist and her arms around their neck or shoulders. He supports her by holding her around the hips or lower back.
From there, it’s slow rocking, deep eye contact, and breath synchronization. Try inhaling together, exhaling together. Let your pelvises guide the movement while your chests and hearts stay close.
This position activates the chakras and amplifies sexual energy. And when done with focus, it can lead to full-body, energetic orgasms—yes, even without climax.
Kama sutra vs. karma sutra: Clearing the confusion
This is not a same-same but different situation.
While kama means desire, karma means action. (It originates from the Sanskrit word “karman,” which translates to “act,” “action,” or “deed.”)
One guides you toward pleasure. The other tracks what happens when you steal someone’s lunch money.
The bottom line is, there’s no such thing as “karma sutra.” That is, unless you mean the cosmic payback for ghosting your Hinge match…
Common misconceptions about the Kama Sutra
The Kama Sutra was never meant to be a manual for adventurous nights and novelty bedsheets. Yet, many of us think of it as such, no thanks to Sir Richard Burton.
Wendy Doniger, a scholar of Sanskrit and Hinduism, critiques his translation for stripping the text of its original nuance. In her book Redeeming the Kamasutra, she explains how his Victorian lens flattened a layered work on human connection into a one-note curiosity. That framing still shapes how many of us see it today.
So what else have we misunderstood?
- It’s not all about sex. Only a small portion of the text guides you through physical intimacy. The rest helps you understand relationships, communication, compatibility, emotional intimacy, and how to live well with others.
- It’s not a list of positions. It offers sexual acts, yes, but within a wider philosophy on how you connect, when you move, and what kind of energy you bring to it.
- It’s not just for men. The text emphasizes mutual pleasure, emotional insight, and the power to awaken your inner sex goddess. Radical ideas for its time and still powerful now.
- It’s not outdated. Many of its teachings, like respect, emotional literacy, and sensual confidence, still shape how you show up in love and in life.
- It’s not porn. It’s more poetic with language wrapped in imagery, metaphor, and mindfulness.
“The real [Kama Sutra] is a book about the art of living,” Wendy highlights in her book. And each of these ideas reflects something we’re still learning: how to relate with care, connect with depth, and bring meaning to pleasure.
Modern interpretations of the Kama Sutra
Sure, the current generations may hear “kama sutra” and think: bam, bend, repeat. Quick performance. Instant finish. Swipe to close.
But treating it like a novelty strips away what was once considered sacred. The Kama Sutra was written with devotion, with intention, and with a view of intimacy as something worth mastering.
“According to ancient wisdom,” Seema explains in her TED Talk, “this complete knowledge of the arts of seduction and the ability to practice it, this was known as the elixir of youth.”
In today’s world, modern teachers are bringing that spirit back, blending tantric principles with Kama Sutra techniques to turn sex into a practice of presence, energy, and emotional depth.
Psalm, in her Tantra Touch program on Mindvalley, shared her approach through what she called Urban Kama Sutra. Her teachings focused on breathwork, conscious touch, and emotional connection.
One of the core aspects of her tantra teachings is to treat sex as something sacred and intentional. Because, according to her, when you approach your own body and your partner’s with reverence, you turn the experience into more than just physical connection.
“Think of it as approaching a temple of love, a place of worship and a place of prayer,” she explains. “You can transform ordinary sex into that act of prayer between two souls.”
This is what modern interpretations of the Kama Sutra can offer: A return to the body, to awareness, and to intimacy that feels real instead of rushed.
Frequently asked questions
How many positions are in the kama sutra?
There are 64 types of sexual acts described in the Kama Sutra. But not all of them are positions.
“Sixty-four is not the number of ways that you could seduce somebody,” Seema explains in her TED Talk, which has racked up more than 14 million views. “Sixty-four was the totality of your life.”
The number isn’t random, though. It comes from a structured model of learning in ancient India:
- Life was divided into four stages.
- Each stage had four key branches of knowledge to master.
- Each of those branches was then divided into four aspects.
Four stages, four branches, four aspects. Do the math, and you get 64.
This framework also refers to the broader category known as chatushashti kalas, or the 64 arts of seduction. These range from singing and dancing to perfume-making, poetry, and emotional finesse. Some sound romantic. Others? Not so much. (Quail fighting, anyone?)
But the point of these arts was about confidence, creativity, and presence—in and out of the bedroom. Or as Seema puts it, “optimizing and harnessing the power of the mind, the body, and the spirit.”
When was the kama sutra written?
The Kama Sutra dates back to somewhere between the 3rd and 5th centuries CE. But that’s just the paper trail.
According to Wendy, its ideas were already flowing through India long before it was ever written. Passed down through oral traditions and practiced in daily life, the Kama Sutra was the social script of its time.
Who created the Kama Sutra?
The written text is attributed to Vatsyayana Mallanaga. But he didn’t invent the philosophy from scratch. He compiled and codified existing knowledge passed down through oral traditions and earlier texts like the Kama Shastras.
As Wendy writes in Redeeming the Kamasutra:
“Vatsyayana tells us something important about his text, namely, that it is a distillation of the works of a number of authors who preceded him, authors whose texts have not come down to us. Vatsyayana cites them often—sometimes in agreement, sometimes in disagreement—though his own voice always comes through, as ringmaster over the many acts he incorporates in his sexual circus.”
So while he authored the text we now know as the Kama Sutra, the ideas behind it were part of India’s cultural fabric long before.
Related resources & further reading
The Kama Sutra may just be the beginning. But these resources unpack the teachings beyond the clichés.
Books
- Kamasutra by Vatsyayana. Nothing beats the OG source. If you want a version that’s sharp, unapologetic, and as close to the original vibe as it gets, go for the 2002 English edition translated by Wendy Doniger and Sudhir Kakar.
- The Arts of Seduction by Seema Anand. This book reframes sensuality as an art form rooted in ancient wisdom. Seema explores rituals, storytelling, and the forgotten feminine power that the Kama Sutra celebrated long before it was reduced to a list of positions.
- Redeeming the Kamasutra by Wendy Doniger. A deep dive into how one of the world’s most misunderstood texts got lost in translation. Wendy unpacks the cultural, political, and sexual layers of the Kama Sutra with clarity, wit, and zero patience for colonial nonsense.
Podcasts
- Tantra Illuminated with Dr. Christopher Wallis. Dr. Wallis offers scholarly insights into classical Tantra, addressing common misconceptions and exploring its philosophical foundations. This podcast is ideal for those seeking a deeper understanding of traditional Tantric teachings.
- The Tantric Glow with Sylvia Adriana. The tantra coach explores how sacred sexuality is connected to self-love, conscious relating, and personal growth. Her discussions include practical techniques and personal experiences aimed at fostering deeper intimacy and self-awareness.
- Talk Tantra to Me with Leola. A playful perspective on sacred sexuality, this podcast delves into the depths of Tantra with engaging discussions. Leola blends personal storytelling with practical wisdom, making each episode feel like a conversation with your favorite wise (and cheeky) friend.
Courses
- Tantra Touch with Psalm Isadora. This 30-day program guides you through breathwork, sacred touch, and connection as a gateway to healing and pleasure. Psalm’s teachings merge ancient tantric practices with contemporary perspectives on intimacy, helping you reconnect with your sacred sexuality.
- Neo-Tantra: Discovering Energy Orgasms and Deepening Your Sexual Connection with Layla Martin. Layla’s five-part program blends ancient traditions with modern techniques to unveil the deep connection between sexuality and spirituality. Through daily video lessons, you’ll explore breathwork, movement, and energy activation to experience full-body energy orgasms and profound levels of healing from trauma.
- The Science of Great Sex with Dr. Amy Killen. Her course combines medical expertise with practical techniques to enhance vitality, libido, and satisfaction. You’ll learn science-based tools and lifestyle shifts aimed at transforming your sexual health and overall well-being.
Awaken your “kama”
Most of us never got a guidebook on intimacy. We picked things up from sitcoms, parents, or trial and error. And while that might get us through, it rarely gets us deeper.
You might not want to name your feelings. Or say what you want in bed. Or stop talking past each other.
But if you don’t, you miss the good stuff…the spark, the surrender, the kind of sex that leaves you wildly alive.
Thankfully, Mindvalley’s got free resources for love, intimacy, and communication that build meaningful and conscious relationships.
Because when it comes to all things kama, it should feel like it’s yours. Not just something you settle for.
Welcome in.
