Bondage and BDSM - an introduction

Posted on: June 21, 2008 16:06 | Posted by: Richard

Spanking, whipping, tying, scratching... Become a sexual tigress and bring out your dominant side with our guide to BDSM and bondage...

What does Madonna's Human Nature video have in common with the films 9 1/2 Weeks and Secretary? They've all featured acts of BDSM (Bondage and Discipline, Sadism and Masochism).

Hell, even the boys from Jackass indulged in a spot of S&M for one of their more memorable episodes. But before you go and check out those films, you'll need a bit more information about BDSM and what it actually involves.

BDSM is the term given to the patterns of sexual behaviour that make up this thriving 'underground' scene. Pain, physical restraint and servitude would be frowned upon, maybe even considered illegal, in a non-sexual scenario.

In BDSM circles, however, these practices are engaged in with the consent of both people involved for mutual satisfaction and excitement. And it's not just leather-clad biker dudes who indulge in such sexy antics, either – women are just as crazy for being tied-up and ravished, or being the dominant partner and controlling the naughty proceedings.

Up until the early 1990s, many psychiatrists believed that sadomasochistic activities were pathological, although now they are regarded as fairly common sexual practice among certain groups who straddle the pain/pleasure barrier.

Recently, bondage and S&M have become more mainstream with the advent of bondage gatherings, S&M soirees and fetish parties. While these kinky get-togethers concentrate more on the look of BDSM activities rather than carrying out the acts religiously, more and more people are getting their kicks from S&M and bondage.

What is S&M

If you feel that the look of bondage is just as important as the act itself, then kit yourself out in the Latex Pinhole Hood Mask, while teasing your nipples with the Squeezer Teaser Nipple Clamps, Deluxe Pulsating Nipple Clamps and Nipple Chain Clasps.Although we'll be concentrating more on bondage than S&M, we'll still give you the basics to whet your appetite for this erotic practice. S&M is growing in popularity because of fetish gatherings and S&M soirees.

People bring along whips, paddles, canes and nipple clamps to act out their S&M fantasies with their partner in front of a small crowd, or with a willing participant who's looking for an S&M buddy. These fetish parties can be excellent fun as well as a great way to see modern S&M in action.

Whips and paddles, etc, are all designed to help you and your partner straddle that pain/pleasure divide with varying degrees. Exactly how much pain you cause to one another is something you must discuss beforehand and try out through safe experimentation.

Pain is an incredibly intense sensation, which involves the release of endorphins to increase your orgasm to unbelievable heights, but it must be done properly while respecting the threshold of your partner and what he/she finds bearable.

If you and your partner want to try your hand at some light-hearted S&M, load up on spanking paddles such as the Sportsheets Love Hearts, Love or Slut Spanking Paddles and lightly spank each other's bottoms or other erogenous areas lightly to begin with, eventually building up the vigour of each spank.

You could also indulge in some pleasurable whipping with the Sportsheets Rubber Whip, Joyce Jones Cat O Nine-tails whip, the Dildo Whip (which sports a handy six-inch dildo) and the extremely naughty Hand Whip that will a kinky imprint on your lover's backside!

What is bondage?

Bondage is the sultry act of tying up your partner (or them tying you up) so that they are helpless, writhing and at your sexual command.

One of the reasons why bondage is among the more popular of all BDSM activities is because it provides your partner with that feeling of helplessness and you with a feeling of being masterful, and vice versa. The knowledge that you can do what you like to your partner (within reason!) for your pleasure or for theirs, controlling each and every orgasmic shudder, is mind-blowing and extremely satisfying.

Other people simply crave the feeling of being tied up, the feeling of constriction and writhing against constraints in a sexual scenario. Bondage is excellent for allowing you and your partner to each develop your array of sexual techniques and to learn to lie back and enjoy what your partner is doing without having to worry about anything. After all, if you're the one tied up you have no choice but to lie back and enjoy the experience.

While the physical act of bondage – tying up your partner with rope, silk or handcuffs, for example – is a major turn-on, the verbal form of bondage is just as exciting. Commanding your lover, or being told what to do by your lover, is an intensely sexy feeling that will lead you to do and command things you would normally be too embarrassed to mention.

Bondage beauties

If you're a newcomer to bondage, set your sights on the Sportsheets Beginner's Bondage Kit or the virgin-white Sportsheets Tie The Knot Bondage Kit. You can then work your way through the Sportsheets Sexy Slave Bondage Kit, Lover's Prisoner Kit or Under The Bed Restraint System.

Handcuffs should also be a bondage staple, so bring out your authoritive but kinky side with a set of Furry Handcuffs, or enjoy the cold sensation of Steel Wrist and Ankle Cuffs.