Welcome back, everyone! Since we've talked about male and female bodies, we can now move on to talk about what to do with those bodies. 

So, we’ve learned about the erogenous zones most directly linked to genitalia, but there are so many other important spots on the body that can be stimulated and can make the experience of sex much more pleasureable and intimate.

I would like to introduce the Kama Sutra to those of you who are not familiar with it or who only know it in its most extreme form. When people talk about the Kama Sutra, they often associate it with sack sessions that last for hours and strange contortionist positions. The real Kama Sutra, however, stresses the joining two people in a way that is both physical and mental. The Kama Sutra is great for monogamous couples in that it brings a new level of intimacy to “lovemaking.” But everyone can benefit from what the Kama Sutra teaches us about erogenous zones on the body that are more subtle than just the penis, breasts, and vagina.

The Kama Sutra was written by an Indian nobleman for the rest of the Indian nobility sometime between 100 AD and 400 AD. It was based in the religion of India which stressed a certain amount of balance between the spiritual, material, and sensual parts of human nature. Interestingly, although women had very low status in this period, their sexual pleasure is greatly taken into account in the Kama Sutra, and today’s lovers can find great tips to make sure that both partners achieve sexual pleasure and climax.

I have compiled some of the key sections of the Kama Sutra that include ideas for foreplay as well as drawing attention to some erogenous zones that often get overlooked.

Erogenous Zones

The Kama Sutra features an entire section on erogenous zones. To give you an idea, erogenous zones tend to be places that we think of as ticklish areas. The Kama Sutra’s major erogenous zones are:

Inner Thighs- The inside of the thighs are highly sensitive to touching, stroking and licking. Be careful here, and do not bite.

Behind the Knees- There are a surprising amount of nerve endings here, and the back of the knee can be kissed, licked, rubbed, or lightly nibbled.

Buttocks- Not necessarily the anus, but simply the buttocks themselves. A gentle squeeze or even light spank can feel good, as can caresses and even kisses. Because of the proximity to the anus, some people are a little hesitant to have this area touched, so move slowly.

Nape of the Neck- Even just breathing on this part of the body can be very arousing. Many people also like to have their necks kissed, licked, sucked on, or even bitten. Be very careful here, though—marks on the neck are very visible, and some people don’t like them.

Ears- Like the neck, this area is very arousing, and many people like to have their ears kissed, licked, sucked on, or even nibbled. Just watch out for the saliva factor—no one wants to feel like a large dog has slobered on them! Also, make sure that those ears are clean before you explore beyond the lobe.

Feet- The concept of the “foot fetish” has been played on in countless movies, but the reality is that the feet are quite sensitive and touching and massaging the feet, ankles, and calves can be very sensual. Some people do like to have their toes licked or sucked on, and some people enjoy doing it, but if this isn’t for you, a little gentle touch is certainly sufficient.

Wrists- Specifically the inside of the wrist, where the skin is thinner, making the nerve endings closer to the surface. Typically wrists are kissed or licked, and sometimes simply nuzzled.

Lips- The Kama Sutra focuses on this spot quite a bit. Of course we all know that kissing is a nice sensation, but trying other things around the lips can be quite qrousing. Try kissing with different speeds and pressures, licking your partner’s lips, or gently nibbling on them. Check out the Kama Sutra’s section on kissing for more tips. The Kama Sutra also includes a section on biting, if you’re interested.

Kama Sutra Foreplay

All those years ago, the author of the Kama Sutra ralized how important foreplay is for arousal, pleasure, and increasing intimacy. The Kama Sutra features a few ideas for foreplay, including:

Mutual Grooming- Although it sounds like that thing monkeys do to each other, mutual grooming for humans can be erotic. First of all, washing another person is a caring act that strengthens intimacy; the Kama Sutra recommends shaving a man’s beard or washing a woman’s hair. But most of us also know that simply being in a shower with another person can be very arousing. Just be careful about a few things. One, soap should never come near any orifice. Two, water washes away natural lubrication, so sex itself may be painful.

Massage- Most people will agree that massage almost always feels good. Massage can become sensual between two people because it shows a level of care and because the massging partner can focus on erogenous zones. To make a massage truly arousing, try focusing on zones like the buttocks or inner thighs. And oil or lotion can make a massage sensual as well, so feel free to indulge!

Hair play- Most of us ignore the scalp, but the Kama Sutra includes a section on hair and the scalp. If you have long hair, trying running it over the length of your partner’s body. Also, try running your fingers through your partner’s hair or using your nails to lightly scratch the scalp.

Mouth play- This means kissing, licking, and performing oral sex. Our mouths are quite fascinating in that their evolutionary purpose has nothing to do with sex, yet they are one of the most effective sexual organs we have. Experiment with your mouth and see what works for you and your partner.

So there we have it: advice that is almost 2000 years old and yet extremely effective. What is so great about the Kama Sutra is that it provides a lot of options, including some for people who want to be intimate with their partners without having intercourse. Keep the Kama Sutra in mind and foreplay will always be exceptional. And if you are looking for those contortionist poses, they’re there—just check out any version of the Kama Sutra. I recommend Anne Hooper’s Kama Sutra, which helped me write this article.