In the context of BDSM, bondage involves people being tied up or otherwise restrained for pleasure. Bondage is usually, but not always, a sexual practice. The paraphilia of being sexually aroused by bondage is sometimes known as vincilagnia.

The fact that mainstream ‘high street' adult shops find it worthwhile to also stock some bondage equipment suggests that some otherwise ‘vanilla' couples incorporate elements of bondage into their sex lives at some point in their relationships. Leaving aside those couples who are themselves part of the BDSM ‘community', the use of bondage within couples tends to be very different from and separate from that normally associated with BDSM. Couples' private bondage games largely take place behind closed doors, and constitute foreplay, usually as a prelude to the couple having sex. There may or may not be some elements of dominance and submission involved as part of role play, but sadism and/or masochism rarely play any part unless the couple already has such leanings. This contrasts with activity in the BDSM subculture, where the emphasis is often more on bondage for its own sake, frequently ending in masturbation only, or indeed involving no sexual contact at all. These differences can lead to misunderstanding if couples who have tried private bondage games encounter the BDSM subculture. Trusting couples can't understand the need for safe-words, while the members of the subculture can't understand why couples mainly see bondage as a part of sexual intercourse.

A Pleasure Guide to Bondage by Suie Roberts In its simplest form, bondage can be holding someone's hands down whilst giving them a lap dance. In this situation there are no restraints at all. Bondage... Readmore

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BDSM: What It Is, What It Is Not By: David KamauTo some people, the term BDSM brings to mind images of people tied up in chains, for some dark secret dungeon being whipped senseless in some type of... Readmore

Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down By: George Bestsecks Depending on you and your companion-for-the-moment’s interests, you may want to explore something more than just the "plain vanilla" sex practices from time to time. If you... Readmore

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A Pleasure Guide to Bondage Newbies Guide To Dominance and Submission The Roots of Masochism BDSM: What It Is, What It Is Not Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down Our More Fully Realised Selves