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When you're performing cunnilingus, it can be oh-so-tempting to just slide down your partner's body or kneel in front of them. And there's nothing wrong with this classic position -- or the others that might be in your oral rolodex, like face-sitting or 69. But what if I told you there's an oral sex move that might make the entire sexperience even more comfortable for the giving partner, and more pleasurable for the recipient?
Enter: The Kivin method. With this oral sex technique, the giving partner lies perpendicular to the receiver, positioning themself under the receiver's leg, says Stefani Goerlich, PhD, a clinical sexologist and author of The Leather Couch: Clinical Practice with Kinky Clients. Although the origins of this technique (and its name) are unknown, sex therapists tout its benefits, which include easier access to other parts of the receiver's genitals, less neck strain, and more. "Traditional cunnilingus often means approaching the vulva 'head on,' which can put strain on the giver's neck and make breathing trickier," says Goerlich. "But the Kivin method positions the giver to access more of the vulva, clitoris, and perineum in a way that's often far more comfortable."
As for receiving partners, the Kivin method can be downright orgasmic. "Because of the sideways angle, people with vulvas can experience more intense pleasure and orgasm -- with most reporting orgasm within 10 minutes, and some reporting orgasm in as little as two to three minutes," says Mandi Long, LMHC, an AASECT-certified sex therapist based in Florida. This method is particularly beneficial for receiving partners who find traditional cunnilingus too intense, according to Goerlich. "The shift in positioning can lighten [the impact on] the clitoris in a way that feels pleasurable without being overwhelming," she says.
POV: You're kissing, touching, and officially in the heat of the moment. Once you're ready to take things sideways, the first step is to get into the proper position. "The receiver should lie on their back and prop their leg up so their knee is raised," says Goerlich. From there, the giving partner -- from a perpendicular angle -- "slides" under the raised knee so that their mouth is aligned with the receiver's vulva.
The receiving partner can rest their raised leg on the giver's back for stability, says Long. But if that's uncomfortable for either party, the receiver can also pull their leg to their chest once the giver is in position. Or, a pro tip for kinkier couples: If you and your partner are into bondage, the giver could also use ties or sex position straps to keep the receiver's leg in place, Long says.
From here, you can use any of your tried-and-true cunnilingus techniques. If you're having a harder time finding your partner's clitoris because of the new angle, try placing your fingers on either side of the clitoral hood, suggests Long. (This also has the added bonus of providing gentle pressure to the labia, which can feel great, too!)
Not sure where to start? "Try out different sensations and techniques," says Long. "Use your tongue to stimulate the clitoris, vulva, and labia." A few techniques you can try: sweeping your tongue sideways across the clitoris, gently circling it at varying speeds, or lightly sucking on it.
To make this oral sex technique even hotter, use your hands to provide some added stimulation (with your partner's consent, of course). "This could mean placing the palm of your hand on the abdomen and applying gentle pressure to the pelvic bone area between the belly button and the vulva," Long says. "You can also use your fingers for G-spot stimulation."
One bonus of the Kivin method is you have prime access to the perineum, or the nerve-packed spot between the vulva and the anus. Stroking this area -- or even just applying pressure against it with your fingers -- can also be extremely pleasurable, says Long.
As important as it is to keep exploring new techniques, constantly switching up patterns and stimulation can make it difficult for the receiving partner to build arousal and reach orgasm, certified sexologist Marla Renee Stewart previously told Women's Health. So, you'll want to follow your partner's verbal and physical cues. It might sound obvious, but "if they say, 'Don't stop, right there, keep going,' that's not the time to change this up," says Long. "It typically means to do exactly what's happening right now, because [their] orgasm is close."
That said, helping the receiver achieve orgasm shouldn't be the be-all, end-all of trying a new position. "Not everything we try works the first time, or ever," says Long. If the Kivin method doesn't seem to be doing the trick, you can simply move your body so you're lying or kneeling in front of the receiving partner -- and consider trying again another time.
After all, experimenting with positions, angles, and techniques is almost always a net positive. When a new kind of sexual experience goes well, it can improve your self-confidence, pleasure (obviously), and connection, according to Goerlich. And if it goes less well? "It gives you the opportunity to embrace the playful side of sexuality, laugh together with your partner, and build your sense of emotional closeness," she says. Win-win.