Pompoir

Sexual intercourse technique

"Singapore grip" redirects here. For the novel, see The Singapore Grip.

In the cowgirl position, the man is passive while the woman takes the initiative (1906 illustration by Édouard-Henri Avril)

Pompoir (/pɒmˈpwɑːr/ POM-PWAR)[1], also known as the Singapore grip[2][3], is an ancient sexual technique in which a woman uses her pelvic floor muscles, particularly the pubococcygeus muscle of the Levator ani, to rhythmically stimulate a man’s penis while both partners remain still. The practice emphasizes internal vaginal control to massage the penis with subtle, wave-like contractions, usually performed in a woman on top position.[4][5][6][7][8]

The term pompoir is the French transliteration of the Tamil city name "Pahmpur".[9] Originating over 3,000 years ago in India,[10][11] the practice was performed by Devadasis, female temple attendants skilled in dance and sexual techniques. It spread throughout Asia, particularly among elite escort communities, and was refined in regions like Thailand and Japan.[12]

## Pompoir vs Kegels

[edit]

Basic Pompoir moves: Pulling and Pushing

A similar exercise, known as "Kegel", was developed in the 1950s by gynecologist Arnold Kegel. In 1952, he created exercises specifically designed for women experiencing urinary incontinence.[13] While Pompoir targets the same muscle group, its primary focus is sexual mastery and pleasure.[14][15]

Pompoir involves more specific control than traditional Kegel contractions, incorporating three primary motions:[16]

* Pulling ▲ - Performed with the inner pull of the back vaginal wal, the same as a Kegel contraction.
* Pushing ▼ - Release of the front vaginal wall to create a downward pressure (unique to Pompoir).
* Squeezing )( \- Uses the side vaginal walls to tighten around the penis (advanced Pompoir move).

## Techniques

[edit]

Pompoir techniques

The pompoir techniques are a combination of the advanced and basic moves:[17]

* Sucking \- literally sucking the penis into the vagina after only the glans has been inserted.
* Strangulation \- squeezing the base of the glans penis with one of the three vaginal muscle rings.
* Expelling \- to force the shaft of the penis out of the vagina leaving only the glans inside.
* Milking \- massaging the penis in a manner reminiscent of milking, always using the vaginal muscle rings.
* Twisting \- squeezing and turning the penis with the above mentioned vaginal rings.
* Locking \- contract the vaginal muscles in order to prevent and literally block the advancement of the penis into the vagina.

## Benefits

[edit]

* Increased sexual pleasure: Muscle control allows for more intense and varied orgasms, including vaginal, G-spot, cervical, and uterine orgasms (according to anecdotal reports).[18]
* Improved pelvic floor health: Can help combat urinary incontinence and facilitate childbirth by strengthening the pubococcygeus muscles.[18][19]
* Sexual empowerment: Gives the woman greater control during intercourse, reversing traditional power dynamics.[18]

Although pompoir offers many benefits, it should be practiced under the guidance of a pelvic floor specialist.[20] Overtraining or performing these exercises excessively can increase the risk of incontinence or uterine prolapse, in some women.[21]

## Curiosities

[edit]

There is a variant called Kabzah or "Kabza" (Hindi: कब्ज़ा, Urdu: قبضہ, Arabic قبضة), originating from South Asia, in which the woman also uses abdominal muscle contractions to stimulate the partner, who must remain completely passive. The term translates as "holder," and the sensation is likened to "milking." Women reportedly spend years training to master this technique, which is considered highly difficult and is associated with tantric practices to prolong and intensify intercourse.[22][23][24][25]

The title of The Singapore Grip, a novel by J. G. Farrell, as well as its 2020 television adaptation, refers to pompoir.[26] This technique is said to have been practiced by historical figures such as Cleopatra and Wallis Simpson.[27]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Schowalter, Garrick. "pom-pwar". A Guide to Pompoir for Womens Health (Online ed.). p. 8.
2. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (8 September 2020). "ITV Drama 'Singapore Grip' Called 'Harmful Non-Representation' For Colonialism Portrayal (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.com. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
3. ^ "The title references a slang phrase for a sexual technique said to be used by local sex workers". Wearebeats.wordpress.com. 8 September 2020.
4. ^ Suzie Heumann, Susan M. Campbell, The Everything Great Sex Book: From Sensuous to Sizzling, the Hottest Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for Spicing Up Your Sex Life, Everything Books, 2004, ISBN 1-58062-739-0, p. 63
5. ^ Bobby Dempsey, Tantric Sex, David & Charles, 2007, ISBN 0-7153-2835-2, pp. 229-230
6. ^ Suzie Heumann. "Pompoir and the mare's trick: Beyond sex positions". Netplaces.com. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
7. ^ John, A.Pearcy. "Sivananda Yoga - Beyond sex positions". Nostringsdating.net. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
8. ^ "Asanas - Beyond sex positions". Tantra.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
9. ^ kittyonapedestal (2023-04-25). "History of Pompoir". kittyonapedestal.
10. ^ Blackledge, Catherine (2004). The Story of V: A Natural History of Female Sexuality. Rutgers University Press. p. 231\. ISBN 978-0813534558.
11. ^ kittyonapedestal (2023-04-25). "History of Pompoir". kittyonapedestal. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
12. ^ Cacciari, Licia P.; Pássaro, Anice C.; Amorim, Amanda C.; Sacco, Isabel C.N. (August 2017). "High spatial resolution pressure distribution of the vaginal canal in Pompoir practitioners: A biomechanical approach for assessing the pelvic floor". Clinical Biomechanics. 47: 53–60\. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2017.05.015. PMID 28600995. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
13. ^ Yi-Chen Huang; Ke-Vin Chang (2022). "Kegel Exercises". National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). PMID 32310358. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
14. ^ Suzie Heumann, Susan M. Campbell, The Everything Great Sex Book: From Sensuous to Sizzling, the Hottest Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for Spicing Up Your Sex Life, Everything Books, 2004, ISBN 1-58062-739-0, p. 63
15. ^ Bobby Dempsey, Tantric Sex, David & Charles, 2007, ISBN 0-7153-2835-2, pp. 229-230
16. ^ "How to Do Pompoir Exercises".
17. ^ Dempsey, Bobby (2007). Tantric Sex. David & Charles. pp. 229–230.
18. ^ a b c A Guide To Pompoir For Womens Health.
19. ^ "Working your pelvic floor · The pelvic floor · Pelvic Floor First". Pelvic Floor First. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
20. ^ "How To Start Training Pompoir & Become A Vaginal Olympic Gymnast". MysteryVibe. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
21. ^ "Weak Pelvic Floor: Exercises To Avoid | Kegel8". Kegel8 UK. Retrieved 2025-05-25.
22. ^ Kick, Russ, ed. (2006) Everything You Know about Sex Is Wrong: the Disinformation guide to the extremes of human sexuality (and everything in between). New York: The Disinformation Company ISBN 1-932857-17-6; p. 125.
23. ^ Love, Brenda (1992) The Encyclopedia of Unusual Sex Practices. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade Books ISBN 1-56980-011-1; p. 146.
24. ^ Quentin, Rod (2001) The Art of Sex. (Body Works.) Sheffield: Quentin Publications ISBN 1-872709-10-9; p. 56.
25. ^ Kuriansky, Judith “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Tantric Sex”; p. 208.
26. ^ "What is the 'Singapore Grip'? The meaning behind the name of ITV's new period drama". Radio Times. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
27. ^ "Was Wallis Simpson a Vaginal Gymnast?".

## Further reading

[edit]

* Kadosh, Carlos, Celine Kirei (2015) Pompoir - The Path of Pleasure - Health, Sexuality and Quality of Life. Eden Publishing ISBN 978-85-98691-19-0
* Kadosh, Carlos, (2015) Male Sexual Potency - Pompoir - The Kama Sutra`s Gymnastic. Eden Publishing ISBN 978-85-98691-20-6

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