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You may ask, but isn’t all sex intimate? Lexicographers would agree that it is, but let’s also see what mental health professionals have to say:
- “Intimacy has been identified as being important to the psychosocial development of adults.”
- “Intimacy plays a developmental role in identity formation, through the consensual validation of personal worth by providing individuals with the opportunity to feel understood and accepted as they are, within the relationship.”
- “Married couples reporting a deficiency or an absence of intimacy have a significantly higher proportion of symptoms of a nonpsychotic emotional illness.”
- “Intimacy has been identified as a key component in individuals’ satisfaction with their social support.”
Our experienced sex educator, Maggie Hart, has identified ten sex positions that help couples foster intimacy.
Table Of Contents
1. Spooning
Spooning can feel very intimate because you are completely wrapped up in each other with full-body contact. The big spoon can kiss, caress, and stroke the little spoon. It also lends itself to slow, sensual lovemaking.
Plus, you can fall asleep together afterwards without disengaging. Either partner can use a small vibrator on the receiving partner’s clitoris if desired.
What We’re Doing
- The receiving partner lies on their side with knees slightly bent.
- The penetrating partner lies on their side behind the receiving partner, facing the same direction.
- The receiving partner lifts their top leg and arches their back towards the penetrating partner.
- The penetrating partner angles their hips and uses their hand to guide their penis in.
2. The Lotus
In this position, the penetrating partner is literally supporting the receiving partner and that can feel very intimate for both partners. It also offers the opportunity for eye contact and plenty of kissing.
The lotus position is one of the top tantric sex positions. If you are not familiar with the principles of tantric sex, they focus on deliberate and spiritual connection over a drive to orgasm.
Even if you don’t want to go fully tantric, you could incorporate some techniques such as synchronized breathing (start slowly, take deep breaths together, and focus on how those breaths merge).
What We’re Doing
- The penetrating partner sits cross-legged. They can lean against a headboard for support if desired.
- The receiving partner sits on the penetrating partner’s lap, face-to-face. The receiving partner wraps their legs around the penetrating partner’s waist.
- The penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in. The receiving partner can grasp the penetrating partner’s shoulders or chest for support.
3. Ballet Dancer
The ballet dancer position is intimate because it offers full-body, face-to-face contact. It’s also intimate because it requires partners to synchronize their movements and communicate both verbally and non-verbally throughout.
This position works best when partners are close in height; if you are not, you can modify it by having the receiving partner stand on a (very sturdy) riser of some sort. Or, just take the good parts — synch-ing your bodies and minds — to a position that works for both of you.
What We’re Doing
- Partners stand facing each other with pelvises aligned.
- The receiving partner raises one leg and wraps it around the penetrating partner’s hip or waist.
- The penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.
- The receiving partner can brace their hands against the penetrating partner’s chest or shoulders for support, and the penetrating partner can grasp the receiving partner’s hips.
4. The Hound
Doggy-style is one of the most popular positions in the world, and there are lots of good reasons why. It’s generally comfortable for both partners. It facilitates deep penetration and targets the G-spot, and either partner can also stimulate the receiving partner’s clitoris.
This variation on doggy-style is somewhat more intimate, because it offers more upper-body contact. The penetrating partner can also kiss and caress the receiving partner’s upper body or whisper in their ear.
What We’re Doing
- The receiving partner kneels on all fours with legs spread. They can place a firm pillow under their hips for support or to adjust the angle if desired.
- The penetrating partner kneels behind the receiving partner, between their legs.
- The penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in, and then leans forward so that their upper body is sort of spooning the receiving partner’s upper body.
5. Missionary With CAT
We talked about doggy above, and now it’s time for CAT. CAT stands for Coital Alignment Technique, and it is where the penetrating partner “rides high” on the receiving partner’s body so that the penis shaft makes contact with the clitoris.
This position generally does not allow for deep penetration, unlike standard missionary. It focuses more on moving together and maintaining contact, which feels pretty intimate to us! It also offers the opportunity for plenty of kissing and eye contact.
What We’re Doing
- The receiving partner lies on their back with legs spread and knees slightly bent. They can put a firm pillow or sex wedge under their hips for support or to adjust the angle if desired.
- The penetrating partner lies on top of the receiving partner, between their legs.
- Partners adjust their bodies so that pelvises are aligned and the penetrating partner’s shoulders are above the receiving partner’s shoulders.
- The penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in (deep penetration may not be possible) and presses their pelvis against the receiving partner.
6. The Lazy Man
This is an unappealing name for a very appealing, and very intimate, position. Both partners are relaxed and comfortable, which makes it easier to open minds and hearts. Partners are face to face, so there is plenty of eye contact and (hopefully) kissing.
The sex is slow and sensual, and the receiving partner can even hold their body still and use internal muscles instead of thrusting.
What We’re Doing
- The penetrating partner sits with legs straight out in front. They can recline against a headboard or cushion for support, which will in turn make it easier for them to support the receiving partner.
- The receiving partner straddles the penetrating partner, face-to-face.
- The penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.
- The receiving partner can brace against the penetrating partner’s shoulders and chest for support.
7. Carry Me
Like the ballet dancer position, this standing sex position requires partners to be completely in tune with each other (and also, balance and stamina). Depending on each other is a fast track to intimacy!
There is also full-body and face-to-face contact. This position allows for deep penetration, and the receiving partner may be able to grind against the penetrating partner’s pelvis.
What We’re Doing
- The receiving partner lies on their back at the edge of the bed with legs spread.
- The penetrating partner stands between the receiving partner’s legs and leans forward slightly.
- The receiving partner wraps their legs around the penetrating partner’s waist and the penetrating partner lifts up the receiving partner. The receiving partner can brace against the penetrating partner’s chest and shoulders.
- The penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.
8. The Pretzel
This position allows deep penetration and clitoral stimulation, so it’s a winner from the start. It also allows partners to caress and admire each other’s faces and bodies as they make love, so the potential for connection and intimacy is very high.
What We’re Doing
- The receiving partner lies on their side with their knees slightly bent. The receiving partner lifts their top leg.
- The penetrating partner kneels between the receiving partner’s legs and puts the receiving partner’s lifted leg over their hip.
- The penetrating partner uses their hand to guide their penis in.
9. Boss Chair
Much of the intimacy of this position comes from the giving partner’s vulnerability. They are kneeling in front of the receiving partner and performing for their pleasure while the receiving partner is watching them. This submission is actually very powerful and so is the connection that it builds.
What We’re Doing
- The receiving partner sits in a chair, legs spread. They can lean back on the chair for support and to open their pelvis.
- The giving partner kneels between the receiving partner’s legs and performs oral sex.
10. Mutual Masturbation
Masturbation is one of the most personal things that a person can do, so sharing it with a partner is deeply intimate. It also lets your partner learn even more about you and your body, and that’s pretty intimate too.
Physically, this is not a very demanding sex position, but you may be surprised by how much of a challenge it can be to be so open and vulnerable. Partners should be sure to engage in quality aftercare.
What We’re Doing
- Make yourselves comfortable on the bed, couch, chairs, or wherever feels best. Be sure that you can both see each other’s faces and bodies.
- Set up lube, sex toys, or anything that you’ll want to have handy. Start pleasuring yourselves.
Maggie
- STIMULATE Sexual Wellness Show 2026: Purpose to Pleasure - August 17, 2026
- 7 Best Spooning Sex Positions, Ranked by a Sex Educator - August 11, 2026
- 8 Most Quiet Sex Positions - August 8, 2026
