History
Hemp rope has been a universal go-to for thousands of years and can be dated back to ancient Mesopotamia. Fast-forwarding a few years, because it was so useful, American farmers in the 1700s were legally required to grow hemp for crop security. In short, when it came to choosing a rope fiber, society has always looked no further.
However, in 1937, hemp was strictly regulated by the Marijuana Tax Act; this happened thanks to a lack of education resulting in confusion with other kinds of cannabis. Regardless, this fiber has resiliently carried on and still remains popular today.
For all sorts of things
Who likes rope? Good question. The BDSM community sure does! With all the different options to choose from, hemp is still a favorite. Why? There are a few reasons:
- Because of its fibers, regular use softens the rope. Similar to wearing a strand of pearls, the oils from your skin condition and soften the rope each time you use it.
- When you are finished playing, wash and dry it without fear of damage because hemp rope is durable and made to last.
- It’s cheap and relatively easy to find. In fact, most hardware or art supplies stores carry it.
- Hemp rope comes in various widths and textures; this can work to your advantage depending on how rough you would like to get. Maybe you like the feeling of soft and smooth, or perhaps you want your partner to feel the burn; either way, this is an option that can please everyone.
Bedroom Bondage Idea – Try something soft and breakable
When it comes to this fetish, using a light level of restraint can be fun! Regardless of whether you’re easing into it, or ropes and knots are your regular Tuesday, try playing around with a soft rope that is really easy to break. Rather than having your partner try to break out of their restraints, tell them not to while you make them squirm.
The Appeal
Bondage is about so much more than just tying someone up and giving them an orgasm, it’s art. There are a number of aspects that can appeal to anyone.
- For the person being bound, the experience of feeling cocooned in rope brings attention to the body. Overall, it can be quite grounding and relaxing, similar to using a weighted blanket.
- For the person tying the knots, it is the practice of an art form that is as beautiful as it is meditative.
The Consultation
Having a detailed conversation in advance with your play partner is the most important thing you need to do before beginning. Take your time and don’t be shy because this conversation sets the tone of the experience; be warned that if you rush through this, assuming the boundaries and limits, the result could be traumatic.
Establish safe words – Yelling out red light or spatula is all well and good, but what if you have a gag in your mouth? When it comes to safe words in the bedroom, remember to include non-verbal cues.
Ask about your partner’s medical history – It cannot be stressed enough, ask about your partner’s previous medical history. If you are about to tie someone into some twisted position, you want to know if they’ve ever been in a car accident or broken a bone. Do they have a history of epilepsy? These are the questions you want to ask and doing so is a bonding experience.
Safety and Comfort
No one is ever expecting to have their bondage scene turn into a horror story and avoiding that is all about pre-planning. These tips are essential:
- Keep a pair of scissors handy and try them first before you start. Who knows what could happen? You might go to cut the rope and have the scissors literally fall apart! It happened to a friend of a friend…
- Do not over medicate. Bondage is about being in your body, in the present moment and it requires full focus in order to keep it safe. You need to have all of your wits about you to recognize if the scene is going south.
- Bring everything that you would like to have or use with you because once you begin, leaving the room creates problems. Not only can it bring about panic for the person tied up, but things can also get dangerous.
The Most Important Tip – Research!
It’s not hard to really hurt someone if you tie them up without knowing how. At best, it will cause discomfort to the point that you will need to stop and untie them. At worst, you could disrupt critical function within the body and cause a serious medical issue such as blood clots. The more you learn, the more fun you are going to have. Plus, it builds excitement and anticipation. In the world of BDSM, knowledge is definitely power and some of the best, most experienced players will always have an instruction book handy. Memorizing knots is tricky for the best of them, so cut yourself some slack and pull out the manual!
Hot Tip – Youtube videos are an awesome resource for knots to try, so search Shibari and Japanese Rope Bondage for ideas.
Getting started
In order to get started, you have to get some rope and learn some knots! Never underestimate your local hardware or art supplies store, but call ahead to ask about their hemp selection – twenty-five feet is an ideal starting length. If you don’t want to make your own ties, hemp rope can be purchased in most sex stores.
- Tie your knots with your hand underneath in order to create slack and protect the skin. If the rope moves as you pull an end through a hole, there is less risk of giving your partner a nasty rope burn…unless that’s what you are going for…
- No one feeling cold ever wants to get naked. Be conscious of the room’s temperature and have blankets handy.
As of now, you are prepared to explore your inner dominant or submissive. Get going to the hardware store, have fun and get freaky!