Bondage
Definition
Bondage is the restriction of a person’s freedom of movement by means of rope, handcuffs, chains, foil, latex, or other materials. It is one of the most recognizable and widely practiced forms of BDSM and can have a profound physical and psychological impact.
Explanation of bondage
Bondage forms the basis of many BDSM experiences and can vary from simply tying the wrists to complex artistic patterns such as shibari. Tying up a sub is not only about physical restraint, but also about the feeling of surrender and power that comes with it.
For the Dominant, bondage provides control, while the sub often experiences a mixture of excitement, vulnerability, and security.
There are countless forms of bondage:
Rope bondage: Classic and versatile, ranging from simple knots to artistic and aesthetic shibari or kinbaku.
Foil or plastic bondage: The body is tightly wrapped in cling film or industrial wrapping film. This gives a feeling of total fixation and immobility.
Chains and padlocks: Heavy, cold, and industrial, giving bondage a rougher and more intense character.
Handcuffs: Comfortable in leather or neoprene, or tighter and harder in metal. Often used in combination with rings, bars, or furniture.
Latex or rubber bondage: The sub is fixed in tight latex suits or vacuum beds. It can provide a strong sensory experience of pressure, heat, and confinement.
Bondage can have a purely physical function, but it also plays with psychological dimensions. Being restrained often reinforces feelings of powerlessness, surrender, or erotic tension. For some, it is a way to relax and entrust themselves completely to the other person.
Safety & points of attention
Check blood circulation: Tingling, numbness, or cold limbs are signs that it is too tight. Loosen immediately.
Breathing: Pay extra attention with chest or foil bondage. Avoid pressure on the chest or neck that impedes breathing.
Quick release: Always make sure you have the means to release quickly, such as safety scissors or panic hooks.
Choice of materials: Always use clean, strong materials without sharp edges. Avoid thin rope that cuts.
Do not leave unattended: Never leave a sub tied up alone.
Prolonged use: Limit bondage to a safe duration, especially in cases of complete immobilization (foil, latex, vacuum).
Related terms bondage
Bondage frame
Foil bondage
Handcuffs
Hogtie
Rope
Self bondage
Shibari
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