A Couple’s Guide To Bondage Play

While for many people the idea of bondage conjures up images of a man or woman chained to a bedpost, possibly by some fluffy pink handcuffs, bondage is about a lot more than that. Though the aspect of being tied up – or doing the tying – is a big, and fun part of bondage, there is a lot more to explore.

Whether you want to pull parts of the body together, spread other parts, secure one limb to another or the entire body to an object, there are ways and means to do so in the most thrilling of ways.

Whatever you want to try, bondage is a great way to broaden sexual horizons, enliven your bedroom activities and, in many cases, create an intense physical and mental experience to titillate both you and your partner.

Introducing bondage to your relationship:

Exploring new adventures in the bedroom can be simultaneously exciting and daunting. It’s important to embark on these new antics within a framework of trust and communication.

You and your partner should be able to have an honest and open discussion about your desires and limitations beforehand. This conversation should focus on questions of who should be in charge during sex, and how they feel introducing certain items into play such as ticklers, blindfold and restraints. This will ensure you’re clear about about where your partner’s interest and limits lie.

Communication is essential for pleasureable bondage play and whether or not you enjoy your first experience of it, will rest heavily on this. A clear and deep understanding of your partner’s desires and concerns will no doubt strengthen your bond.

Bondage play with a partner normally encompasses two defined roles: that of the Dominant and the submissive. The Dominant (or Dom) will be in control of the submissive’s safety, experience and pleasure while the submissive (or sub) will leave themselves at the will of their partner.

Often there is a question of which role people will fall into as there isn’t automatically a clear orientation for each person. It’s important not to force yourselves into a traditional role; and certainly do not base your role on gender as that may not align with your orientation.

Give you and your partner time to figure out what works for you. Most partners will eventually settle on a role that works for them permanently however there are couples who happily switch between roles.

Essential kit:

Once you’ve decided to take the first steps, ensuring you’ve got all the necessary kit is vital. Whether it’s a simple blindfold, or a full set of body restraints, it’s important not to fall at the first hurdle.

A great all-round option for beginners is the Tease by Lovehoney Luxury Bondage Kit (7 Piece) which has a plethora of options to tease and titillate. Once you’ve got everything you need in place then the only limits are those set by your imagination. Get experimenting and enjoy exploring the wonderful world of bondage.

Anna Lee is a blogger and sex toy expert who writes for Lovehoney Australia. You can see a list of their best-selling products here.