Standing Lean-Back

Start close to the bed, both standing and facing each other. The standing partner bends their knees, wraps their arms around the other's lower back or under their hips, and lifts as the receiving partner wraps their legs around their waist and crosses their ankles. Once secure, the receiving partner holds the standing partner's forearms or shoulders and slowly leans back, letting their upper body tip away until their arms are nearly straight. The standing partner keeps their feet wide and knees soft and moves with small rocking motions from the hips, rather than walking or bouncing. Leaning back further changes the angle and gives a dramatic view; staying more upright is steadier and kinder to the standing partner's back. Keep it brief and lower the receiving partner onto the bed edge when either of you tires.

A short, showy moment, often as a bridge between positions. The lean-back gives a striking angle and lots of eye contact.

Do it with the standing partner's back near a wall or the receiving partner's hips resting on a dresser or the edge of the bed, which takes most of the weight off.

Agree on a word for "put me down" and use it early. Ending gracefully onto the bed is half the fun.

This one takes real strength and balance. Skip it with a bad back, wrists or knees, and try it near the bed so there's somewhere soft to land.