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A Beginner’s Guide To Rope Play

girl with rope

Congratulations! So, you’ve decided to tie the knot?

You’ve already introduced the idea of bondage games, you’ve established safe words, and successfully brought bondage into your bedroom – now it’s time to take it up a notch. Rope work is kinky, fun, and a staple play for the majority of BDSM enthusiasts; it can be used to wrap, suspend, decorate, or restrain a person. So, if you’re ready to be tied down, let us show you the ropes.

Safety First

It may sound obvious, but always check that you’ve not tied the ropes too tightly. Movement and pressure can cause the knots to tighten, so leaving additional space for squirming is highly recommended. As a general rule, try to leave space for one or two fingers between your partner’s skin and the rope. As with all forms of rope play, plan ahead and bring scissors or a knife and don’t be afraid to cut someone out if things go awry.

Bondage is never risk-free, the biggest concern when it comes to rope play is nerve damage and circulatory problems. If your partner reports tingling or a loss of sensation, or you spot a change in temperature or skin colour – stop the scene immediately. Check in with your partner often using safe words and safe signal, and keep new bottoms in bondage for no more than 15-30 minutes at a time.

Communication is Key

As mentioned above, you really need to communicate beforehand. So before you start tying things up, you should discuss a safe word. Double check that you are both aware of the word and that when it is said the session is stopped completely.

Bondage is all about mixing pain and pleasure, but you must always be aware of your partner’s needs. Communication, whether verbal or physical, is what bondage is about. You should take note of your partners’ reactions and tailor your games and techniques to that.

Choosing Your Rope

Generally speaking, all forms of rope and string could be used for bondage. Nevertheless, for first timers, we recommend investing in some good quality rope. Silk ropes like Fetish Fantasy Japanese Bondage Rope (€17.22, kinky.ie), are friction free, feel smooth against the skin, and are extremely comfortable – an ideal rope for beginners. Natural fibre ropes, although more expensive than synthetic fibre, grip better and are more durable. Many people find these uncomfortable and difficult to untie, but it does soften after being a washed a few times. Cotton rope is soft and comfortable, but it doesn’t hold knots so well – this is ideal for those prefer to be wrapped in rope.

As with other toys and restraints, it’s a good idea to clean ropes before a scene. Soak the ropes in warm water and soap, and leave to try. Make sure that the rope is completely dry before putting them in storage. Some choose to soften their ropes with fabric softener, but this can really reduce the life span of your ropes.

Types of Rope Bondage

There are many different types of rope bondage to try. The most common type is symmetrical bondage. It’s an easy and comfortable choice, making it ideal for beginners. A simple example of symmetrical bondage is tying your partners hands together. This is symmetrical in that both sides of the body are tied in the same way. Symmetric bondage is the best way to allow a sub to be calm and at peace while drifting into subspace.

If you want to mix things up, A-symmetrical rope bondage is a good choice for punishment as it can be uncomfortable and is harder to endure than symmetrical rope bondage. There is no natural balance to it which makes it harder to adjust to. An example of a-symmetric bondage is tying one arm behind her back, one arm above her head, one leg straight and one leg bent.

Looking to keep you sub in suspense? Suspension Bondage is an extreme form of rope bondage that is often avoided and considered off-limits due to the higher risk it carries. It is a highly technical topic but if you and your partner learn the ropes, play within your abilities, and have an expert present the first few times; you are guaranteed to have a lot of fun.

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