Bondage is both a common tool in many fetishes and a fetish in its own right. Done correctly it can bring a feeling of helplessness to a submissive, allow the Dominant to control exactly what the submissive can and cannot do and even, in some cases, approach the level of art. Done incorrectly it can be ineffective, expensive and downright dangerous.

Safety should always be paramount and there are dozens of sites on the web that deal with this topic in some detail. Essentially the most important thing is to take extra care with any part of the body where nerves, sinews or blood vessels can be found directly under the skin. This includes the insides of the wrists, elbows, knees and ankles. Always keep a close eye on your partner for potential signs of trouble including numbness, feeling cold or blue-coloured joints or appendages.

Common bondage items include handcuffs, anklecuffs, rope, scarves and tape. All should be used with care, sourced from a reputable supplier and, where possible, tried before purchase. For more information on specific restraints click here. Whatever you use to secure your partner (or be secured yourself) always make sure that you can release them quickly in an emergency and that you safely remove them from the position they’re in if they are not able to support their own weight. Basically whatever you’re using to restrain your partner should have a quick release tool so, for example, if you’re using rope have a sharp pair of scissors handy, if using chain then either quick release catches or chain cutters should be available.

Assuming that care is taken however bondage can be a devastatingly effective tool for increasing the enjoyment of all participants in a scene. For the submissive(s) it can be an intensely erotic experience to feel their control of a situation physically stripped away, the awareness of their plight growing with each knot and restraint added to their bondage. The joy of bondage however is that these feelings can be achieved either through some elaborate rig where every limb is tied and held immobile or through a simple pair of handcuffs where the submissive can release themselves if they choose (or any point in between of course). Once their bondage is complete the realisation that they are helpless and have no choice but to submit to the desires of their Dominant is at once a terrifying and liberating experience and can be both enjoyable in its own right and the gateway to a whole range of new and different experiences and sensations.

For the Dominant the sight of a submissive being restrained, gently testing their freedoms even as the Dominant takes them away, can be an almost-addictive sight. The satisfaction of devising a particularly imaginative or cruel position and the possibilities for bringing the submissive a genuinely new experience can bring an unmatched feeling of power and control. It also allows the Dominant to work without having to worry about being hurt as a result of an instinctive reaction from their submissive - very handy for the tickling fetish in particular.

In summary - bondage can be an intense, erotic and liberating experience or a gentle, mostly-symbolic act according to the wishes of the participants. There is a huge range of possibilities and an even bigger market of toys so you really are only limited by the scope of your imagination.

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