It's extremely or moderately important to try new tricks in the bedroom — so say 88 percent of those responding to a Discovery Health Online poll. Yet the survey says that more than half of those who responded stick to a single position or two during intercourse, and more than two-thirds of respondents hanker for more sexual variety.

Want to mix it up from just man-on-top, but don't know where to go from your missionary mainstay? Take some tips from Patti Britton, Ph.D. (the sex coach, popularly known as "Dr. Patti," would have you play a variety of positions rather than settling for a single, stale one), and accept some age-old advice from Vatsyayana, whose Kama Sutra positions have spiced up people's sex play for upward of 15 centuries.

On Animal Attraction
Dr. Patti recommends these exciting options for your next lustful interlude:

• Doggie-style. Rear entry is an arousing way to go — in addition to the woman's pleasure from the deep penile penetration, a man can put the finishing touch on this sexual technique by reaching around and caressing his lover's clitoris. Or he can touch another arousing area, be it her breasts, buttocks or back.
• CAT. This position isn't actually named for the furry felines, but stands instead for "coital alignment technique." To position himself purr-fectly to bring a woman to the peak of pleasure, the man moves forward from the missionary position so that he and his partner are lying pelvis-to-pelvis (bodies flat against each other). The base of his inserted penis will be rubbing her clitoris, and while the woman pushes her pelvis up, the man gently counters. Repeating this rocking motion over and over can bring both partners to the pinnacle of pleasure. Thrusting is out of bounds, though the man might be tempted.

Secrets of the Kama Sutra
Consider adding some tantric positions to your carnal choreography. The Kama Sutra, viewed as the sexual bible since it was written in the 4th century, suggests the following techniques (and many more) that are meant to merge sexual enjoyment with spiritual enhancement:

• Yawning Position. In this variation on the old missionary, the woman straightens and raises her legs, and parts them widely. Like the traditional man-on-top, little clitoral stimulation is achieved, so the man might enjoy this one more than his partner can.

• The Widely Opened Position. This is another twist on the traditional man-on-top. It offers deeper penetration, though, and more clitoral friction — and thus sexual fulfillment — for the female. From the missionary posture, the woman arches her back so that her body meets her mate's (rather than him thrusting toward her as she lies back), and opens her legs wide.
• The Pair of Tongs. This woman-on-top position has the female sitting astride the man, who is lying flat on his back. With her weight on her knees, the woman uses her vaginal muscles to squeeze her mate's penis. (The vaginal muscles grow stronger with practice.) Penetration is deep in this position, and little sexual movement is needed to give you and your main squeeze a mutual thrill.

Putting Sexual Positions to the Test
Steve and his fiancée, Diana, who were assigned the enviable homework of testing a variety of positions and reporting the pros and cons to Drs. Laura and Jennifer Berman, favored the CAT position above some others. Steve selflessly liked it for the enjoyment it gave his wife-to-be. "It allowed more contact and stimulation of the woman," he says.

Both Steve and Diana disliked positions that called for a contortionist's coordination and flexibility. "I'm as gymnastic as the next guy," Steve insists, "but I would rather focus on the feelings in my sexual organs, not on my hamstring that's getting pulled." Diana seconds that sentiment, adding, "You can't focus on the fun when you're balanced on one foot and feel like you're about to fall over."

Do your sexual preferences lie in the realm of the gymnastic or more romantic? Either way, when you're ready to focus on some adventurous sexploration, turn to these resources for a carnal treat to suit everyone's tastes.

Sources:
Kama Sutra (a reinterpretation in mini-manual format) by Anne Hooper (Dorling Kindersley Publishing, 2000)

101 Love Positions (VHS, DVD, R Rating) by Patti Britton, Ph.D.