June Position of the Month: Naval Gazing

 Written by Katie Mitchell, M.A., NCC, CST, LPC

Lead Therapist at Heights Family Counseling

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH, Y’ALL!  June’s highlighted position of the month is here, Navel Gazing, is here just in time to celebrate!  While a sexual experience can certainly aid in feeling emotionally connected, it is also an opportunity to get your blood pumping and release physical energy together.  A sexual experience will release Oxytocin and other beneficial endorphins that help you feel bonded to a sexual partner and release stress/tension.  As always, I will give my recommendation of starting any sexual experience by doing some light stretching to help avoid injuries and/or muscle cramps that might arise, as this is the most common sexual injury.  This might prove especially helpful with this position, as it does challenge flexibility for the receiving partner. 

FYI this is an oral sex position.  Since it’s pretty common to have mixed feelings about giving and/or receiving oral sex – this month we are actively challenging the negative connotations associated with oral sex and embracing the positive vulnerability of these shared experiences.  Ideally, you and your partner(s) would try out the Navel Gazing on any supportive soft surface, such as a bed, couch, or cushioned blanket on the floor.  The giving partner will sit back on their heels (kneeling).  The receiving partner will fold their legs over their partner’s shoulders (this partner can also leave on leg in the air if they choose), while having their upper body supported on the surface in front of their partner’s knees.  The receiving partner can help to support themselves by placing their hands on the mid portion of their own back and leaning their elbows on the supportive surface.  The giving partner can also help to support their partner by holding onto their hips.  The giving partner now has easy and perfect access to provide oral sex to their partner.  The giving partner can also look into their partner’s eyes while providing oral stimulation.

For the giving partner, this position will work their biceps and abdominals.  For the receiving partner, this position will work their core, quads, and hamstrings.  It is recommended to try this position out for 1 to 5 minutes.  Again per my usual recommendations,  if you or your partner are not feeling well, you might consider delaying sexual encounters until feeling up to par.  

I hope you and your partner(s) are able to carve out some specific time to engage emotionally and sexually with one another.  For more information for this specific position (including image) can be found on page 95 of The Kama Sutra Workout, and this book can be purchased from Amazon here.

 If you’re struggling with physical intimacy, reach out to learn more about how sex therapy can help.