List of human positions

"Pose" and "Posing" redirect here. For other uses, seePose (disambiguation)andPosing (disambiguation).

The human body is capable of a wide variety of positions, as exemplified by this energeticyogaposition, "astavakrasana".

Human positionsrefer to the different physical configurations that thehuman bodycan take. There are several synonyms that refer to human positioning, often used interchangeably, but having specific nuances of meaning.

• Positionis a general term for a configuration of the human body.
• Posturemeans an intentionally or habitually assumed position.
• Poseimplies an artistic, aesthetic, athletic, or spiritual intention of the position.
• Attituderefers to postures assumed for purpose of imitation, intentional or not, as well as in some standardcollocationsin reference to some distinguished types of posture: "Freudnever assumed afencer's attitude, yet almost all took him for a swordsman. "
• Bearingrefers to the manner of the posture, as well as ofgesturesand other aspects of the conduct taking place.

Basic positions

While not moving, a human is usually in one of the following basic positions:

All-fours

This is the static form ofcrawlingwhich is a form of locomotion instinctive in very young children. It was a commonly usedchildbirth positionin both Western and non-Western cultures, in which context it is known asthe Gaskin Maneuver.This position is sometimes viewed as sexually explicit due to its association with sexual initiation or availability.

Kneeling

Main article:Kneeling

Inner two vertical kneeling. Outer twosquatting/kneeling.

Kneeling is a basic human position where one or both knees touch the ground. It is used as a resting position, during childbirth and as an expression of reverence and submission. While kneeling, the angle between the legs can vary from zero to widely splayed out, flexibility permitting. It is common to kneel with one leg andsquatwith the other leg.

While kneeling, the thighs and upper body can be at various angles in particular:

• Vertical kneel:where both the thighs and upper body are vertical – also known as "standing on one's knees"
• Sitting kneel:where the thighs are near horizontal and the buttockssitback on the heels with the upper body vertical - for example as inSeiza,Virasana,andVajrasana (yoga)
• Taking a knee:where the upper body is vertical, one knee is touching the ground while the foot of the other leg is placed on the ground in front of the body

Lying

Main article:Lying (position)

Jupiter et Antiope,byAntoine Watteau

When in lying position, the body may assume a great variety of shapes and positions. The following are the basic recognized positions:

• Supine position:lying on the back with the face up
• Prone position:lying on the chest with the face down ( "lying down" or "going prone" )
• Lying on either side, with the body straight or bent/curled forward or backward
• Fetal position:is lying or sitting curled, with limbs close to the torso and the head close to the knees

Sitting

Main article:Sitting

Paul Cézanneportrait of a man in a sitting position

Sittingrequires the buttocks resting on a more or less horizontal structure, such as achairor the ground. Special ways of sitting are with the legs horizontal, and in an inclined seat. While on a chair the shins are usually vertical, on the ground the shins may be crossed in thelotus positionor be placed horizontally under the thigh in aseiza.

Squatting or crouching

Main article:Squatting position

Squatting is a posture where the weight of the body is on thefeet(as withstanding) but thekneesandhipsare bent. In contrast,sitting,involves taking the weight of the body, at least in part, on the buttocks against the ground or a horizontal object such as achair seat.The angle between the legs when squatting can vary from zero to widely splayed out, flexibility permitting. Squatting may be either:

• full– known as full squat, deep squat,groksquat, Asian squat, third world squat, (sitting) on one's haunches, (sitting) on one's hunkers, or hunkering (down)
• partial– known as partial, standing, half, semi, parallel, shallow, intermediate, incomplete, or monkey squat

Crouchingis usually considered to be synonymous with full squatting. It is common to squat with one leg andkneelwith the other leg.One or both heels may be up when squatting. Young children often instinctively squat. Among Chinese, Southeast Asian, and Eastern European adults, squatting often takes the place of sitting or standing.

Standing

Main article:Standing

Standing couple, January 1873

Although quiet standing appears to be static, modern instrumentation shows it to be a process of rocking from theanklein thesagittalplane. The sway of quiet standing is often likened to the motion of an inverted pendulum.There are many mechanisms in the body that are suggested to control this movement, e.g. a spring action in muscles, higher control from the nervous system or core muscles.

Although the posture is not dangerous in itself, there are pathologies associated with prolonged intervals of unrelieved standing. One short-term condition isorthostatic hypotension,and long-term conditions are sore feet, stiff legs, and low back pain.

Some variations of standing are:

• Standing with armsakimbo,that is with hands on hips, elbows pointing outward
• Standing withfolded arms
• Standingcontrapposto,with most of the weight on one foot so that its shoulders and arms twist off-axis from the hips and legs in the axial plane
• Standingat attention,upright with an assertive and correct posture: "chin up, chest out, shoulders back, stomach in", arms at the side, heels together, toes apart

Contexts

Asanas

Main article:List of asanas

Certainasanaspostures were originally intended primarily to restore and maintain a practitioner's well-being, to improve the body's flexibility and vitality, and to promote the ability to remain in seated meditation for extended periods.

Atypical positions

Atypical positions are common tobreak dancing,gymnastics,andyoga,and may include:

• standing on one leg
• handstand
• head stand
• spreadeagle
• crab position

The human body can be suspended in various stable positions, where the support is above thecenter of gravity.The positioning may be voluntary or involuntary.

Childbirth positions

Main article:Childbirth positions

In addition to thelithotomy positionstill commonly used by manyobstetricians,childbirth positions that are successfully used bymidwivesand traditional birth-attendants the world over includesquatting,standing,kneeling,and on all fours, often in a sequence.

Dance positions

Classical ballet position

Main article:Dance positions

Dance position is a position of a dancer or a mutual position of a dance couple assumed during adance.Describing and mastering proper dance positions is an important part of dance technique.

Eating positions

Main article:Eating

People sharing a meal in Uzbekistan

Eating positions vary in different regions of the world, as culture strongly influences the way people eat their meals. For example, in most of the Middle Eastern countries, eating while sitting on the floor is most common, and it is believed to be healthier than eating while sitting at a table.

Eating in a reclining position was favored by theAncient Greeksat a celebration they called asymposium,and this custom was adopted by theAncient Romans.Ancient Hebrewsalso adopted this posture for traditional celebrations of aPassover Seder,to symbolize freedom.Thebiblical prophetAmosassociates "those who recline at banquets" with the false sense of security among the Israelites whom he is warning to repent.

Heat escape lessening position

Main article:Heat escape lessening position

The heat escape lessening position (HELP) is a way to position oneself to reduce heat loss in cold water. It is taught as part of the curriculum in Australia, North America, and Ireland for lifeguard and boating safety training. It essentially involves positioning one's knees together and hugging them close to the chest using one's arms.

Medical positions

The knee-chest position

See also:Surgical positions

The following positions are specifically used in medicine:

• Anatomical position
• Bozeman's position
• Decubitusposition
• Fowler's position
• High Fowler's position
• Knee-chest position
• Knee-elbow position
• Lateral position
• Lithotomy position
• Mayer position
• Prone position
• Rose's position
• Semi-Fowler position
• Sims' position
• Supine position
• Tripod position
• Trendelenburg position
• Verticosubmental position
• Waters' position

Recovery position

Main article:Recovery position

The recovery position or coma position refers to one of a series of variations on a lateral recumbent or three-quartersproneposition of the body, into which an unconscious but breathing casualty can be placed as part of first aid treatment.

Resting positions

Main article:Resting position

A large number of resting positions are possible, based on variations of sitting, squatting, kneeling or lying.

Riding positions

See also:Equestrianism,Cycling,andMotorcycling

A "straddle" or "astride" position is usually adopted when riding ahorse,donkey,or otherbeast of burden,with or without the aid of asaddle.The position is also used for sitting on analogous vehicles, such asbicycles,motorcycles,orunicycles,and on furniture, such as certain types of seating, andbidets.The posture is also used on some types of specializedworkbenches(such as ashaving horse). By definition, an essential feature is having one leg on each side of whatever is being straddled. The relatedsidesaddleposition allows ridingwithoutstraddling, but is somewhat less secure against accidental dismounting or falling.

The straddle posture is often intermediate between standing and sitting positions, allowing body weight to be supported securely, while also affording a high degree of upper body mobility anddynamic balanceduring vigorous or extended motions.

Sex positions

Main article:Sex positions

Sex positions are positions which people may adopt during or for the purpose of sexual intercourse or other sexual activities. Sexual acts are generally described by the positions the participants adopt in order to perform those acts.

Shooting positions

See also:ShootingandThree positions

• Kneeling position
• Prone position
• Standing position
• Sitting
• Squatting

Sleeping positions

Main article:Sleeping positions

The sleeping position is the body configuration assumed by a person during or prior to sleeping. Six basic sleeping positions have been identified:

• Fetus (41%) – curling up in afetal position.This was the most common position, and is especially popular with women.
• Log (15%) – lying on one's side with the arms down the side.
• Yearner (13%) – sleeping on one's side with the arms in front.
• Soldier (8%) – on one's back with the arms pinned to the sides.
• Freefall (7%) – on one's front with the arms around the pillow and the head tilted to one side.
• Starfish (5%) – on one's back with the arms around the pillow.

Stress positions

Main article:Stress positions

Stress positions place the human body in such a way that a great amount of weight is placed on just one or two muscles and joints. Forcingprisonersto adopt such positions is a method of ill-treatment used for extracting information or as a punishment, possibly amounting totorture.Such positions also are sometimes used as apunishment for children.

Submissive positions

Submissive positions are often ceremonial and dictated by culture. They may be performed as a mutual sign of respect between equals or as a sign of submission to a higher-ranking individual or to a ceremonial object.

• Bowingis the lowering of the head and torso towards the person or object of reverence, often briefly. The extent of a bow ranges from a simple head nod to a 90–degree bending at the waist. Though less common in Western cultures, it remains an important sign of respect in many Eastern cultures, and is also used in the ceremonies of various religions.
  • Inbowing and scraping,the right hand is placed across the abdomen while the right leg is drawn or "scraped" back during a bow.
  • In Western cultures, it is often considered proper for women to perform acurtseyby bending the knees instead of a bow.
• Genuflection(or genuflexion) is bending at least one knee to the ground, was from early times a gesture of deep respect for a superior.
• Kneelingis associated with reverence,submissionandobeisance.
• Kowtowingis the act of deep respect shown bykneelingandbowingso low as to have one's head touching the ground.
• Prostrationis the placement of the body in areverentiallyorsubmissivelyprone position.

See also

• Abnormal posturing
• Anatomical terms of location
• Alexander Technique
• Contortionism
• Ergonomics
• Feldenkrais Method
• Gait (human)
• Human anatomical terms
• Mitzvah Technique
• Neutral spine
• Positional asphyxia
• Posture release imagery
• Rolfing Structural Integration
• Terrestrial locomotion in animals

Further reading

• Hewes GW: "The anthropology of posture"Scientific American,196: 122–132 (1957)
• Instinctive sleeping and resting postures: an anthropological and zoological approach to treatment of low back and joint pain

External links

• Media related toHuman positionsat Wikimedia Commons