When people think about positions, what generally comes to mind? Political positions? Democrats and Republicans? Nah. Maybe yoga positions? A little downward dog?

Instead, more than likely, thoughts go to the dark side – sex positions.

Couples engaging in sexual intercourse have a variety of options, position wise, to fulfill their needs.

There are different reasons for different positions. Age, gender, physical ability and alleviation of boredom are all factors going into why different poses of body parts work.

The most commonly used position would be good old missionary, human sexuality professor Patricia Woodward said. It’s a standby for those traditional or sexually inexperienced folks.

This particular position originated when missionaries came to spread Christianity to the Americas, Woodward said.

“Different cultures had sex in different positions,” Woodward said. “Missionary position was a way to have sex the missionaries encouraged. Other positions were considered not advanced culturally.”

The significance of missionary seems to be the male superiority, Woodward said. In this arrangement of limbs and hips the male is more powerful. He is required to hold and support weight with his legs and arms, Woodward said.

The response to this seemingly boring lovemaking posture is the “Kama Sutra,” a book Woodward credits as the manual for sexual experimentation.

The “Kama Sutra” itself dates back to between A.D. 100 and 400, close to the birth of Christ, Woodward said. It was written for different reasons, but mostly for the pleasure and enjoyment of its readers, Woodward said.

The second most common of positions would be the female superior, also known as “woman on top.” Some advantages of this position are the ability for men afflicted with the Bob Dole disease (erectile dysfunction) to retain blood flow to the penis.

Many women credit “woman on top” sex to control over how their sexual experiences go when they get their “O” on.

“I prefer on top. It’s more fun to watch their facial expressions,” senior English major Autumn Yates said. “You can tease them – go a little slow, a little fast.”

Reverse the girl’s position and you’ve got “reverse cowgirl,” a visually stimulating position for those boys that dig a rear view. This position can also be an ideal power role for females.

A universal winner for both teams would be rear entry, or “doggy style.”

“Doggy style” is a hugely popular position. Not only is this a visually stimulating set-up for the male, it is also the only semi-conventional position most likely to give your lady a “G-spot” orgasm.

“Doggy style is all about when you’ve got a zit on your face and you’re feeling bloated,” Yates said. “Or if you don’t like the person anymore so you don’t have to look at their face.”

The “G spot” is named after Ernst Grafenburg, a German gynecologist, Woodward said. Essentially, it is tissue within the vagina two inches in on the anterior wall. Stimulation of this tissue produces an intense orgasm.

The “lateral position” (side entry) is a helpful switch-up for pregnant women, Woodward said. No weight bears against your hot, with-child honey and provides less strain on joints and muscles.

Are you a little more adventurous? Or just curious how far you can stick your leg up in the air? Delving into the “Kama Sutra’s” legendary pages might be in your future.

Some interesting positions to do a little nude research on include the cleverly named “fixing of a nail,” “crab’s position,” “suspended congress” and “the pair of tongs.” Use your imagination. These are visual ones.

The bottom line here is enjoying yourself and finding out what you and your partner enjoy. However, there are important elements to consider and keep in mind.

“The better physical condition you are in, the better sex you’ll have,” Woodward said. “If you smoke, stop. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. Sex fitness depends on circulation. Anything that hinders circulation can ruin your sex life.”

Briana Monasky can be reached at [email protected]

For more sex talk and advice, listen to the Sexcapades podcast at https://www.statehornet.com/podcasts.