While “bondage” is the all-inclusive term for tying someone up, we can break it down into sub-categories; things like cock and ball, feet, suspension etc. – and in the case of today’s article … breast bondage.
Today, we’re going to look at the basics – what it is, safety precautions, and some harness examples.
WHY JUST THE BOOBS?
You can’t simply say that you’re “into bondage”. There are just too many WAYS and REASONS to whip out your rope. Tying up a submissive can be solely for aesthetic purposes (it looks pretty), domination, punishment, humiliation, historical reproductions (Japanese culture has lots of historical and non-sexual ways they used rope and knots), the list goes on.
Then there are styles that focus on specific body parts.
Reasons for breast bondage…
- To lift and emphasize so they look bigger, perkier, or more voluptuous (one of the most common reasons).
- To bind the chest as a demonstration of the Tops domination over the bottom’s.
- To cause a sub’s pleasure or discomfort for punishment. Notice I said discomfort, not pain.
- To create a foundation to tie other knots and body parts from.
FUN FACT: You might hear the term Shinju used as a term for an “authentic bikini harness” but it doesn’t actually exist in past or present Kinbaku (Japanese bondage). It seems to be more of a modern slang.
SAFETY ISSUES
1. CAUTION, NEWBIES
Bondage isn’t something new players can dive into when they’re feeling frisky (which is why I get REALLY pissed when I see rope as part of a beginner bondage set).
You need to know where you can and cannot tie knots, how snug you can make things without causing damage, how to tie safe knots (forget the bunny ears you do on your shoes), how to interpret your partner’s body sensations (numbness, pinching, burning, aching) and what you’ve done wrong to cause this sensation as well as how to fix it etc.
It requires a lot of research.
If you’re interested in this kink, PLEASE look into taking classes from an experienced master. However, if you’re too nervous to be around other people during this part of your journey, at least find a credible online video or how-to book that shows you the basics (I’ve included a couple later in this article).
After that, continue practicing until you can complete a rig without help.
2. BREAST SENSITIVITY
Everyone has their own level of breast sensitivity. This means that one person might like a tighter harness that makes their boobs turn rosy, while another prefers it very loose and more for the look rather than the restriction. It’s up to the Dom to communicate with their sub what works and what doesn’t. It should be enjoyable for BOTH parties.
Even if the harness is linked to a punishment in some way, it should NEVER cause permanent harm or damage (long or short term). At most (as I mentioned before), it should only be uncomfortable and not for an extended period of time.
3. SKIN AND BLOOD
With any BDSM activity, you need to be careful you don’t restrict blood flow or cause the deep kind of bruising that can cause deeper problems. This goes for any other play you want to do with the chest while it’s tied up.
In general, there are a pile of ways you can harm the breasts (especially for women) – many of which can lead to bigger problems (like lumps and cysts). This is why you should be extra careful.
4. HAVE SCISSORS AND KEYS
Always have a pair of emergency medical scissors on hand if you need to cut the sub out of their ropes – meaning, if there’s an emergency or something seems wrong, don’t take the time to untie the ropes. Cut them.
The same goes for chains.
Have a pile of extra keys or (preferably) the kind of lock that doesn’t need a key and has an emergency “out” built into it. Even go the extra mile and have a bolt cutter.
You can always buy more rope or chain, but you cannot replace the trust and health of a sub you’ve mishandled.
5. FOOD AND WATER
Longer play sessions might put a strain on the sub. Make sure they’re hydrated and have had an adequate meal beforehand. Also, keep some chocolate in your BDSM kit if they need a quick energy boost (we want to avoid exhaustion or fainting.)
6. SAFE WORD
With any BDSM play, make sure you and your partner agree on a SAFE WORD beforehand.
PORN AND UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
You’ll see plenty of videos that show a girl’s boobs a deep blue hue and stretched to the max, with her face in utter ecstasy as someone slaps or flogs the shit out of her.
Are there people who enjoy this?
Yes.
There are also people who like having nails hammered through their breasts or needles pushed through their skin.
There are extremes of everything. However, any extreme acts (bondage or otherwise) come with a mountain of risks, and these people usually choose to accept (or ignore) the consequences. Think of those who know they might get lung cancer but still choose to smoke or walk a tightrope but still know they could fall.
Whether this follows the SSSC rule (between two consenting adults), is still a matter of huge debate within the BDSM community. What is agreed upon is that these practitioners are a very small percentage of the kink pool and not an example to be followed by the inexperienced.
BREAST CANCER??
There has been a few emails and health scares floating around the internet about breast bondage and its link to breast cancer.
I’m not going to include any of the correspondences (and that’s all they are – there have been no formal studies), because I don’t believe in unwarranted fearmongering. BUT, since it’s out there, and you might be worried, remember that there’s been no evidence linking the two, and is probably not causative to anyone who is unfortunate enough to get it.
STARTING OUT
You might be scared out of your pants by now. On one hand, if it makes you take a serious look at the safety around this kink, that’s good. However, don’t let this steer you away from your curiosities in trying it.
It is possible to practice SAFE and FUN breast bondage.
Let’s take a look at two simple examples you can try. And remember, you can TOTALLY do breast bondage on men too!
COMBINING WITH OTHER KINKS
If you want, you can add other kinds of bondage or kink with breast tying. There are nipple clamps, spanking, sploshing, trampling, latex, leather, flogging, you name it!
If you want more bondage articles, you might like these…
- Bondage Rope 101 – 12 Useful Tips and Extensive Rope Rundown
- What is Japanese Bondage – The History, Culture, and Cautions of Shibari
- BDSM Restraints 101 – Hogtied and Happy for Beginners
Time to splurge your naughty secrets! Has anyone here worn a chest harness under their clothes while they were out? Dare to share in the comments?
