Kneeling appears in a wide variety of situations, from exercising to praying. Depending on the angle or pose of the upper body, the whole vibe can shift, from serene to strong, repentant to dramatic.

Get grounded with this collection of illustrations featuring kneeling.

When we’re exercising, trying to pick something up from the floor, or placed in the front row of a group photo, we often find ourselves assuming a kneeling position. While it might not seem remarkable in real life, this simple pose can make for a captivating composition choice as it emphasizes a character’s upper body and brings your gaze closer to the ground. Seeing these characters frozen mid-action makes them seem all the more alive, don’t you think?

Did any of these characters’ alluring silhouettes bring you to your knees?