A powerful erotic aspect of the BDSM repertoire is the sub’s feeling of being exposed and vulnerable, under the control of another’s desires. Predicament bondage is no exception.
For the Dom or Domme, it is the control and responsibility, the power to command a willing submissive. This exquisite sensual consensual balance of forces works in perfect harmony to fulfill complimentary sexual desires.
Bondage is one perfect realm where these opposing needs meet for play and mutual satisfaction, and bondage is a vast playground. There are ancient and modern rope arts, various devices and hardware, suspension arts, mummification, and much more.
Predicament bondage is another world of possibilities, where bondage can be enacted by command or with the help of literal bonds. Because it is erotic, challenging, and creative, it has tremendous psychological and emotional potential for satisfaction for both master and servant.
Read: Why People Like Bondage and Being Tied Up
What Is Predicament Bondage?
Predicament bondage in BDSM practice refers to a kind of bondage activity that centers around obtaining and holding challenging poses. For example, any uncomfortable position could work well, or athletic positions.
A simple example of predicament bondage is standing on tiptoes or standing with arms above the head, or just kneeling for a long period of time. More intricate or intensive examples would be to take on a bridge position or stand with one leg elevated.
Read: Suspension Bondage for Advanced BDSM
Predicament bondage can be by command only without props, bonds, or other erotic aids and fetish paraphernalia. The Dom’s command alone is all that is needed. More commonly, and more elaborately, changing positions will punish the sub with painful rope tension, choking, pressure from spikes, restraint pressuring flesh, or possibly a dildo penetrating deeper.
There are multiple predicaments in predicament bondage. One predicament is how to maintain the position for the desired period of time and avoid disappointing the domme. The other is how to move to lessen the discomfort or pain when such a move can cause a different kind of pain or punishment from the dom.
Predicament Bondage Ideas and Positions
Predicament play scenarios include any bondage position that is uncomfortable or difficult. Tiptoes or hands up over the head are poses suitable for most people. Kneeling, cross-legged, all fours, squatting, propped on shoulders with legs overhead (halasana or plow yoga pose), on one foot, doubled over, sideways plank—the list is literally endless for folks who are flexible and healthy.
The trick in most predicament bondage scenarios is that shifting positions—whether allowed or by disobedience—will cause some kind of consequence, an alternate pain. This pain can be rigged by bonds and devices. For example, lowering a leg may cause pulleys to choke the sub. Stepping aside may mean stepping on something sharp or hot. The alternate pain may be punishment from the Dom or domme—their disappointment alone, perhaps, or the whip.
Read: Bondage for Beginners: How to Get Started
Using command and control alone is sometimes called mental bondage, emotional bondage, or psychological bondage play. Predicament BDSM does not require any restraints or bonds at all if they are not desired by the sub or mistress. It can be very erotic to serve and be served by invisible bonds and emotional punishments.
Read: Types of Bondage Restraints and Gear
Punishments can range from a disappointed dominant to humiliation, like cold water, orgasm denial, ruined orgasms, erotic isolation, forced orgasm, whipping, spanking, cock and ball torture, golden showers, or really anything from the broad range of fetishes that interest participating players.
If leather and discipline are the Dom’s thing, punishments may include intense leather restraints or a leather paddling. If a sub is into stilettos and cock and ball torture, the arrangement for punishment and discipline may include ball crushing with her boots.
Read: Sexual Punishments for Your BDSM Submissive
Safe Sex during Predicament Bondage Play
Kinky predicament bondage play can be very safe sex or it can be extremely dangerous. It all depends on how far you take the risks and punishments.
At a psychological level, there may be no props and no touching, and this would be extremely safe sex. A much more intense scene that involves the possibility of falling into a pool while mummified would obviously be very dangerous and considered edge play.
Predicament play is a physically demanding fetish. Even simple kneeling or standing on tiptoe can be painful and damaging. A submissive may need to train physically to build muscles and stamina, the same way a ballet dancer or yoga practitioner must train regularly before being able to contort or hold various poses safely. Stretching and strength training can be beneficial.
A domme always holds a deep respect for her sub, of course, and knows his body intimately. A dom can read her body language and knows the boundaries before harm.
Any kind of rope bondage play can result in nerve damage at its extremes, or circulation issues, as can suspension play. Mummification bondage and suffocation play or choking can literally suffocate or choke. This is of course true for all kink and fetish play, and common sense and mutual respect are usually all that’s required to make predicament play very safe.
Read: RACK, PRICK, and Other BDSM Safety Protocols
Predicament Bondage Aftercare
Aftercare for predicament bondage is an important aspect of play when the scenes are intense. During the subspace that the submissive may be experiencing, nurture and physical attention are very important. The sub needs to be rewarded after responding to punishments with improved discipline.
Physical aftercare is very important for involved predicament play. Stretching gently and thoroughly, massage, a relaxing warm shower on sore muscles, and some tea or electrolyte beverages can work wonders, as can snuggling, reassurance, making love, and more.
Read:Â Bondage Ideas: Types of Bondage Play
Do you engage in predicament bondage? Please share your experience!
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