1. Trust is Key

A good place to start with bondage for beginners is to establish complete and utter trust in one another. You need to feel 100% comfortable with your partner when it comes to bondage, as some scenarios can make you feel very vulnerable. It is important to feel safe at all times.

2. Set Boundaries

Before you begin, it is vital that you have a discussion in which you set personal boundaries with regards to the activities that you try. Once you know each other’s limits, there won’t be the risk of crossing the line and turning the experience in to an unpleasant one.

3. Agree a Safe Word

Agree on a safe word to use before you begin. A safe word is a word or phrase that either of you can say when you are feeling uncomfortable (or pain), and by saying the word your partner will know that it is time to immediately stop what you are doing and perhaps take a break and re-evaluate.

4. Take Turns

Keep it fresh and exciting for the both of you by taking turns in the dominant and submissive positions. By switching it up every now and then, neither of you will start to feel particularly oppressed, and you will also come to discover which parts of bondage you enjoy the most.

5. Be Respectful

Just because you are indulging in role-play and bondage scenarios, it does not mean that you have to stop treating your partner with respect. Understand that the activities you are engaging in are all ‘acting’ to a degree, so don’t get carried away and let some other side of you take over.

6. Dress Accordingly

If you really want to get in to the bondage frame of mind, then ditch the pajamas and invest in something a little sexier for the occasion. Leather is always great, and let’s face it, the less material, the better! By dressing for the occasion there will be a sexy vibe in the air before the fun has even started.

7. Start Small

Don’t go in thinking it’s going to be 50 Shades from the very beginning. Beginning bondage is about starting small and working your way up to bigger things, making sure you are comfortable with every new activity on each step of the way.

8. Be Creative

If you are just trying some light bondage out to see if you enjoy it, you don’t have to go down to the local sex store and buy all the accessories! Use some simple household items like scarves for blindfolds and maybe even something like plastic wrap. If you like it, then you can go shopping!

9. Never Leave a Bound Partner Alone

You should never leave the room when your partner is bound and cannot move. It can be a very vulnerable position to be in and in order to maintain their trust and their level of comfort, you should always be with them in this situation and untie them if you are taking a break.

10. Amp up the Anticipation

Don’t dive straight in to the big games. Build up the anticipation and it can get really exciting both for the dominant and for the submissive. Think about how much better sex is with foreplay; bondage activities are exactly the same!

11. Be Sober

Make sure that both you and your partner are sober when you try out bondage. You need to have full control of your bodies when participating in some kinky and potentially harmful (if done incorrectly) sexual practices.

Got your silk scarf or furry handcuffs ready?