Full Bridge

One partner pushes up into a full backbend, the yoga wheel: hands and feet flat on the floor, belly toward the ceiling, hips raised high. The other partner stands astride their hips, facing their head, feet planted on either side of the arched body. They bend their knees and lower down, steadying themselves with their hands on the bridging partner's chest or shoulders. The standing partner does most of the moving with small bounces from the knees, because the partner in the backbend can only hold still. Keep it short: thirty seconds to a minute is plenty before the bridging partner needs to come down. A version on the bed, with the bridging partner's shoulders on the mattress, is far easier and nearly as dramatic.

Couples with a yoga or gymnastics habit who want something completely different. It's more of a playful challenge than a place to stay.

Try a shoulder bridge instead: the bottom partner keeps shoulders and head on the bed and lifts only the hips, while the top partner straddles with knees down.

Plan the exit before you start. The partner on top steps off first, then the bridging partner lowers slowly, chin tucked.

This one takes real strength, flexibility and balance. Skip it with any back, neck or wrist trouble, use a padded floor or rug, and stop the moment anyone feels strain.

A thick rug gives hands and feet grip and makes the floor kinder if someone has to come down fast.

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