Basic positions
While not moving, a human is usually in one of the following basic positions:All-fours
This is the static form of crawling which is instinctive form of locomotion for very young children. It was a commonly used childbirth position in both Western and non-Western cultures, in which context it is known as the Gaskin Maneuver.G.J. Engelmann (1883). ''Labor Among Primitive Peoples'', St. Louis: J.H. Chambers. pp, 89-93. (Engelmann calls this the ''knee-hand or knee-elbow position'') This position is sometimes viewed as sexually explicit due to its association with sexual initiation or availability.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 and squat with 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 buttocks sit back on the heels with the upper body vertical - for example as in Seiza,Lying
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 *Sitting
Sitting requires the buttocks resting on a more or less horizontal structure, such as aSquatting or crouching
Squatting is a posture where the weight of the body is on the feet (as with standing) but the knees and hips are 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 a chair 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,Standing
Although quiet standing appears to be static, modern instrumentation shows it to be a process of rocking from the ankle in theContexts
Asanas
CertainAtypical positions
Atypical positions are common to break dancing,Childbirth positions
In addition to the lithotomy position still commonly used by many obstetricians, childbirth positions that are successfully used byDance positions
Dance position is a position of a dancer or a mutual position of a dance couple assumed during aEating positions
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 the_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_following_positions_are_specifically_used_in_medicine:_Recovery_position
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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 following positions are specifically used in medicine:Recovery position
The recovery position or coma position refers to one of a series of variations on a lateral recumbent or three-quarters Prone position">prone position of the body, into which an unconscious but breathing casualty can be placed as part of first aid treatment.Resting positions
A large number of resting positions are possible, based on variations of sitting, squatting, kneeling or lying.Riding positions
A "straddle" or "astride" position is usually adopted when riding a horse, donkey, or other beast of burden, with or without the aid of a saddle. The position is also used for sitting on analogous vehicles, such as bicycles, motorcycles, or unicycles, and on furniture, such as certain types of seating, and bidets. The posture is also used on some types of specialized workbenches (such as a shaving horse). By definition, an essential feature is having one leg on each side of whatever is being straddled. The related sidesaddle position allows riding ''without'' straddling, 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 and dynamic balance during vigorous or extended motions.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
*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 aStress 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. Forcing prisoners to adopt such positions is a method of ill-treatment used for extracting information or as a punishment, possibly amounting toSubmissive 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. *See also
References
Further reading
* Hewes GW: "The anthropology of posture" ''Scientific American'', 196: 122–132 (1957)External links
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Human Positions Posture