BDSM has attracted a great deal of mainstream interest since50 Shades of Greyhit the screens.
However, there is some woeful misunderstanding about what it is and isnt.
And many people are unaware of the playful, consciousness-expanding, and even healing opportunities that BDSM offers.
Here are five things I wish more people understood about BDSM:
1.
Fundamentally, BDSM is about sensation and power play.
involving genitals) although it often includes play that is erotic.
Sensation is often explored via impact play (such as flogging, spanking, etc.
), pushing boundaries around play and pleasure, restraint, blindfolds, and objects.
You MUST have consent and safety for BDSM.
Consent and an in-depth discussion of boundaries and physical safety are the absolute hallmarks of BDSM.
This also means that you must know the signs of physical distress if you’re playing with intense sensation.
If you are not given a choice about your part in the dynamic, steer clear.
For this reason, its not advisable to dive into BDSM with strangers!
It can be playful!
In adulthood, we have even more options to explore this concept.
Eroticism and power play happen to be a good fit.
Likewise, sensation can be an endless source of enjoyable exploration.
Not to mention,exploring fantasieswith a trusted partner (with discussion and consent) can be wildly entertaining!
It can be consciousness-expanding.
Surrender is so key to experiencing an expansion of consciousness.
It can be healing.
Even the most dominant, flogging, handcuff-wielding pro knows the importance of the well-timed cuddle.
All the more reason to take consent and safety seriously from the beginning.
