What Is Coital Alignment Technique (CAT)?

The Coital Alignment Technique (CAT) is a sexual position that modifies the traditional face-to-face position to enhance pleasure for both partners. In this approach, the person on top positions themselves slightly higher up than usual, creating better alignment between both partners' bodies. This positioning creates gentle, consistent pressure in the right places during intimate moments.

Instead of traditional movements, CAT focuses on a rocking or grinding motion. This shift in technique often leads to more satisfying experiences, especially for people who find that traditional approaches don't always provide enough stimulation.

This technique was developed by therapist Edward Eichel in the 1980s. Eichel introduced CAT in his 1988 research paper, presenting it as a method to help couples enhance their intimate experiences together.

Eichel's approach was groundbreaking because it addressed a common challenge: many couples found that traditional approaches weren't equally satisfying for both partners. He designed CAT specifically to ensure both partners could experience maximum pleasure simultaneously.

Throughout the 1990s, the technique gained popularity as researchers and therapists began recommending it to couples looking to enhance their connection.

Benefits of Coital Alignment Technique (CAT):

Research supports several benefits of this technique:

• Studies show that many people need more than just traditional approaches to feel fully satisfied. CAT addresses this by providing more comprehensive stimulation.
• Research examining Eichel's claims found that couples who practiced CAT reported more synchronized experiences compared to couples using traditional positions.
• The consistent pressure and rhythmic movement in CAT stimulates a broader range of nerve endings, potentially activating different pleasure pathways.
• The rocking motion naturally engages important muscle groups that play a crucial role in arousal and satisfaction for everyone involved.
• Beyond the physical aspects, CAT emphasizes intimate connection through face-to-face positioning, eye contact, and synchronized movement, which can enhance the emotional aspects of intimacy.

The technique continues to be recommended by therapists and educators as an effective approach for couples looking to enhance their connection and satisfaction together. If you're interested in adding spontaneity to your love life, our guide to couch-based intimate positions offers creative ideas for different rooms in your home.

Getting ready for the Coital Alignment Technique starts with talking openly with your partner. Have a simple chat about trying this together, and share why you're interested and what you hope to feel. This talk helps build trust between you.

Set up a cozy space where you both feel relaxed. Soft lighting, a comfortable bed, and quiet time without interruptions let you focus just on each other. Take time to touch and kiss in ways you both enjoy before trying CAT. This helps your bodies get ready and makes the new position feel better.

Having some lubricant nearby can help make movements smoother and more comfortable. Most importantly, be patient and playful with each other. Learning something new in the bedroom takes practice, and it's okay if it's not perfect right away.

The main idea of CAT is getting your bodies lined up just right and moving together in a gentle way. Start with one partner lying on their back, while the other gets on top. Unlike the usual on-top position, CAT needs the person on top to move their whole body higher up, so that their chest is higher on their partner's chest.

This higher position creates the right contact between the lower parts of your bodies. Once you're positioned, both of you should rock together in a gentle back-and-forth motion instead of the usual in-and-out movement. This rocking comes mostly from your hips and feels more like a gentle wave. Focus on keeping steady pressure between your bodies as you rock together, letting the gentle movement slowly build good feelings.

Remember that everyone's body is different, so what works in pictures might need some changes for you and your partner. Make adjustments freely and keep talking as you find what brings you both pleasure. Most importantly, don't worry about doing it perfectly. When you focus on exploring and connecting rather than getting a specific result, the experience becomes better for both partners.

Ready to expand your intimate repertoire beyond alignment techniques? Discover what positions many women find most satisfying in our reader-favorite guide.

While the Coital Alignment Technique offers one approach to improving intimate satisfaction, many couples benefit from exploring other options. Here are three additional positions designed to help partners experience deeper pleasure:

1. Spooning position:

The spooning position offers both comfort and the potential for intense pleasure. In this side-lying position, partners face the same direction with the penetrating partner behind.

This position creates full body contact and allows for deep connection. Since both partners' hands remain free, they can easily add manual stimulation to enhance the experience. The angle of penetration often provides satisfying depth while maintaining a relaxed, intimate feeling.

Many couples appreciate spooning for longer, unhurried sessions, as it requires less physical exertion than many other positions.

2. The chair position:

The chair position creates an opportunity for face-to-face intimacy with a unique angle of stimulation. The penetrating partner sits upright on a sturdy chair or the edge of the bed, while their partner straddles them, facing forward.

This position gives the straddling partner control over depth, speed, and angle, allowing them to find the perfect movement for their pleasure. The natural grinding motion in this position often provides excellent stimulation for the receiving partner, while both can enjoy the closeness of full-body contact and the ability to kiss and maintain eye contact.

The chair position also supports both partners in using their hands to touch and stimulate each other, creating multiple sources of pleasure.

3. Modified missionary:

A simple change to traditional missionary, with the receiving partner on top, can also increase the pleasure potential. In this position, the receiving partner straddles their partner who lies on their back.

This arrangement gives the person on top complete control over the angle and pressure, allowing them to position themselves exactly where stimulation feels best. Many people find that leaning forward slightly creates the perfect friction against sensitive areas.

Partners can enhance this position by maintaining steady eye contact and using their hands to caress each other. The penetrating partner can also help guide movement by holding their partner's hips, creating a shared rhythm.

Looking for other ways to enhance your bedroom connection? Our article on doggy style techniques offers step-by-step guidance for maximizing pleasure and comfort.

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