Advanced Bondage Techniques ​|​ A Passion for Rope Play

Many people in the BDSM community have a lifelong fascination with rope bondage. But how do you get into rope play, and what can you expect? Writer Stella Harris takes a look.
 

I often call spanking a gateway kink because it’s one of the first things people try. But I think bondage isn’t far behind. Handcuffs, fuzzy or otherwise, are one of those things young people will snicker about as the epitome of naughtiness. As young as 16, I wore a little handcuff necklace, and I felt absolutely scandalous doing so. Little did I know that 15 years later, I’d be teaching rooms full of people much more advanced bondage techniques for rope play.

Bondage goes right to the heart of playing with vulnerability and control, and there are many entry-level ways to try it. Most people start with things from around the house like stockings or neckties to restrain a partner to the bed. Many never get beyond those explorations— which is fine. There’s no shame in dabbling in kink to spice things up now and then. But for the dedicated bondage enthusiast, there’s so much more you can do.

Advanced bondage techniques

At any bondage rope event, you’ll hear people talking about a life-long fascination with ropes and knots. Whether it was from scouts, or sailing, or childhood games of cops and robbers, some people have been playing with rope for a lifetime. For people who have a passion for rope, there are endless ways to explore rope play. For the rigger, there are more and more complicated ties to learn, and for the rope bunny, there are increasingly strenuous poses they can challenge their bodies and stamina with.

With all of this interest in bondage and kink in general— and rope bondage in particular— it has been elevated to an art form. Whether it’s Japanese style Shibari, Western-style rigging, or fusion bondage, there is a great deal of creativity and artistry being enjoyed and celebrated across the world.

Most cities of any significant population have at least one regular rope group where people meet up to share their advanced bondage techniques and learn new things. More than just a way to have sex or a way to explore kink, rope play has become a way to build community.

Rope play can take place in the bedroom or in a performance space. Image: via Shutterstock.com
 

Beyond bedroom rope play

Rope bondage is something special; it’s moved far beyond bedroom play and kink into performance spaces and art galleries via photography, and even into several recent music videos. There are conferences across the globe as well as performance-based events like Morpheous’s Bondage Extravaganza where riggers and rope models can show off their talents to not only a live audience— but a virtual audience worldwide via live stream.

Most of the advanced bondage techniques you’ll see getting mass attention are suspension based. This method means that someone’s body is held up off the ground using nothing but rope. Suspension bondage is one of the most dangerous forms of kink play. It can lead to injury and even death.

So this increased visibility and popularity can have a downside. As more, and sometimes less experienced people start trying their hand at advanced rope play and bondage techniques, the reports of injuries increase as well. The most common injury you’ll hear about is temporary nerve damage, but it’s by no means the only risk.

Rope for performance v rope for play

From my perspective, rope for performance and rope for play are two different things. By its very nature, a performance takes its audience into account, and as such, the performer/rigger has their attention divided. This can mean that the focus is no longer about the intimacy and connection that rope can be so good at building. Additionally, it can mean that early warning signs of trouble are missed.

But that’s why we call it Risk Aware Consensual Kink (RACK). As long as the people engaging in more advanced bondage techniques and rope play know what they’re getting into, there's no reason they can’t explore these edgier forms of expression. And the increased visibility has an upside, too. As bondage and kink break into the mainstream, more people realise that there are a wide variety of ways to explore and express their sexuality. And I’m a fan of anything (consensual) that helps people explore their fantasies and desires. 

Stella Harris is an author, educator, and coach who focuses on sex, kink, and intimacy. Through her writing and teaching, she explores the complex world of love and lust and strives to help people explore their sexuality safely and free of shame. 

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Cover image: NFGphoto via Flickr.com CC BY 2.0 license