Bondage is arguably the most accessible part of the erotic quadruplet we call BDSM. You can approach is as a type of sexual play, or you can enjoy it aesthetically via subcultural style or high fashion. Regardless of why those who practice bondage like to be tied up, bound, or tightly constricted, there can be a psychological benefit to bondage in helping to reduce anxiety. A recent New York Magazine article features a group of Shibari (also called Kinbaku or Japanese rope bondage) practitioners who enjoy the sensation of being tied up with breathtakingly intricate knots and sometimes hung from hooks in that state.
When interviewed about the process, these female Shibari enthusiasts said they enter an "altered state of consciousness" where they felt "totally released from stress and present in the moment." So, basically, engaging in a rope bondage session could yield similar results to hitting the gym, soaking in a hot bath, or getting a massage. There is a bit of a stigma attached to Shibari, however, in the sense that some see victimization where there is actually empowered submission to pleasure. Once you get your head around the fact that these women are getting off on this practice, it looks less like abusive hog tying and more like sensual rope art. These beautiful images from Instagram only begin to do this tradition justice.
Images: Instagram (12)
