Rope Bondage
Certain BDSM practices, both of the erotic and non-erotic classification, may involve the use of different types of rope for the purpose of binding participants in a given BDSM act. This is a practice that has its origins in ancient times, and has been exemplified by a number of different cultures throughout the ages.
The act of rope facilitated knot and hitch bondage practicing can be an especially stimulating experience for many couples, since the contrast between the submissive and dominant elements within a typical rope bondage activity are very exciting for a large number of couples and other types of sexual and non-sexual BDSM experimenters.
When seeking to engage in this kind of extreme sensual experience, there are a number of important areas of skill to familiarize yourself with, in order to avoid any potential injuries or unpleasant complications.
First and foremost, the areas of specific knot and hitch tying methods should be carefully studied and practiced by the participants of a BDSM rope bondage event.
These are the primary means by which the submissive role player in the rope bondage act will actually be bound and restrained. For the benefit of experienced bondage enthusiasts who would like to learn a bit more about their craft, or even those individuals who are only marginally interested in the subject of rope bondage, some of the different types of rope bondage acts, and types of rope bondage knots and hitches will now be explained briefly.
An Introduction to Bondage Via Rope and Hitch
For many couples, the dynamic of control and submission offered by rope and hitch style BDSM bondage is a very erotic one. The general helplessness imposed on the submissive role in an act of this kind of bondage is, for most participants, the main focus of the action.
Although rope tying and hitching can be some of the best and most intricate ways to engage in exciting BDSM rope bondage acts, beginners should be aware that there are some methods of binding that do not require any ropes or specific knot tying knowledge.
These methods consist of using leather ankle and wrist cuffs in order to properly restrain the submissive role player in a BDSM bondage action. In many instances, these leather restraining devices work almost as well as their rope-tied counterparts do.
Fundamentally, rope and hitch style bondage methods can be used for erotic stimulation, as well as punishment, humiliation, or disciplinarian style BDSM role playing.
Punishment Oriented Rope and Hitch Style Bondage
When engaging in a type of rope and hitch style bondage that is geared toward a punishment theme, usually participants will be bound in relatively less restrictive ways. This is for the purpose of allowing the submissive role player to become increasingly uncomfortable over time, and also it helps to insure that this submissive participant will not be injured if they remain in their punishment oriented bondage restraints for an extended period of time.
By leaving the submissive participant in a loose binding restraint, the goal is to allow them the ability to stand or move around slightly so that they will become more bored and uncomfortable, which can serve to greatly heighten the bondage experience that its participants are trying to cultivate.
Restraint Oriented Rope and Hitch Style Bondage
Unlike the punishment oriented bondage style mentioned before, restraint oriented binding practices feature extremely restrictive rope and hitch structuring. The object of this rope bondage niche is to make the submissive participant experience as little mobility as possible.
This restraint oriented rope binding takes the helplessness component of rope bondage to a whole new level, and could probably be characterized as the standard or normative method of restraining a BDSM participant.
When restraining the submissive participant, there are basically two different ways to achieve restrictively successful binding positions; one of these ways is symmetric binding, and the other is asymmetric binding.
By alternating between the more conventional symmetrical rope binding patterns and some of the more unique asymmetrical ones, participants in this type of bondage activity can always be doing something different and spontaneous with their BDSM rope binding activities.
Types of Rope Used for BDSM Style Binding
Once it comes time to actually select the rope you’ll use in your bondage activities, there are a few different options to choose from. Each one of the available options for bondage rope has its own set of pros and cons, which is why each of these options will now be detailed briefly.
Nylon rope is generally a good rope to use for your bondage needs, since it is strong, as well as being waterproof and easy to untie.
Another option to use is cotton roping, but this option is generally not recommended since it does not usually wear well over time, and it retains moisture in such a way that predisposes it to also retaining potentially dangerous germs.
There are a few other types of rope that are sometimes used in rope knot and hitch bondage practices, but generally speaking the braided nylon roping will almost always be the best option to use for your BDSM bondage endeavors.
Types of Knots and Hitches Often Used in Rope Bondage
One of the most often utilized knots in bondage activities is the square knot (otherwise known as a reef knot), which is a relatively flat knot used to evenly distribute pressure onto the participant being restrained. This type of knot can be easier on the skin and flesh than many other rope bondage knot variations.
The anchor hitch is a somewhat complex hitch design, and it is much stronger than its cousin, the half hitch. This is a knot that will not give way or deform even under intense stress, and actually becomes only tighter when resisted against.
All three of these knots are great examples of the knot and hitch designs than can best facilitate an enjoyable BDSM rope bondage experience.
Disclaimer: Any activity that involves ropes is potentially hazardous. Lives may be at risk – possibly your own. Considerable attention and effort have been made to ensure that these descriptions are accurate. However, many critical factors cannot be controlled, including: the choice of materials; the age, size, and condition of ropes; and the accuracy with which these descriptions have been followed. No responsibility is accepted for incidents arising from the use of this material.
For those lovers who wish to venture into uncharted waters in the bedroom, BDSM practices can be great outlets for expressing erotic, and some non-erotic desires. 
Using restraints and other means of binding can be a stimulating twist for all parties involved. These interesting and tantalizing ways of expressing sexual desires are a safe way of feeling a rush of extreme sensation with your partner. 
Fundamentally, BDSM etiquette comes down to establishing a mutual understanding between participants. It comes down to effective communication, and a sense of respect. With regard to communication, BDSM participants should discuss such subjects as individual BDSM interests, needs, desires, health requirements, and respective STD statuses. 
It is important to negotiate the terms and limits of a given BDSM activity before beginning, so that all participants can feel comfortable about what is going to happen. 
Safety plays a huge role in successful and enjoyable BDSM experiences, and for this reason it is important for participants to fully understand the risks and dangers that can sometimes be involved, and also how to minimize and reduce these risks. 
Percussion play can be a more fun and lighthearted area of BDSM, or it can be heavier and more serious if desired. Involving light to heavy spanking, whipping, and the like, percussion play is a form of BDSM activity that can be relatively safe. 
A specific variation of percussion play, whipping is a popular activity among BDSM enthusiasts. One thing to always remember when engaging in whipping style BDSM activities is that open cuts or sores should always be covered up before starting. 
