Spanking is one of the simplest, and yet most powerful forms of erotic power exchange play that we can participate in. One of the reasons for this is the physical contact that occurs between a Master and sub as a result of the actual spanking contact, and often the position in which the spanking occurs.
Spanking can be tailored to suit many individual needs and tastes in BDSM: from very mild to quite heavy. Spanking can be thought of as a stand alone technique, which works on its own, or as a precursor to other parts of play too, as well as something used along with and during longer scenes. Many see spanking as an erotic play that should be accompanied by such things as dressing up, and role-play: the classics of course being those like schoolgirl/teacher, daddy/daughter etc. Many participants do not feel that spanking is as fulfilling if these role-play actions are not used as part of the technique.
As with all kinds of erotic play the setting and the anticipation beforehand can be a very important part of the technique, and even such simple things as telling the sub she will be spanked later, can considerably raise the levels of anticipation in her. Doing this several times, or over a longer period, maybe all day, in the run up to a scene, can make the anticipation in another extremely high.
There are essentially two ways to approach a spanking session. Firstly as a purely erotic enjoyment for both parties, or even as an erotic enjoyment with a more subtle mental approach added. Giving a lecture, standing the sub in the corner and using a firmer spanking technique, with less warm up than normal, can often create a higher emotional response than expected, even leading to tears, which in themselves can be erotic, but might also be a much needed release for many.
A spanking session is not something that should be over quickly; it's about taking time, enjoying the sensual and erotic nature of the moment, and can often be used to push a limit or two as well. Always start by warming up (unless you are punishing or going for the more mental approach, although even then a warm up of some kind might be advisable.) Warm up should be achieved by light rhythmical spanking, until a colour appears on the spanked area. Remember don't rush, take your time; use other forms of touching too; rubbing the buttocks, simply placing your hand on the subs bottom can be an interesting touch. This way they don't know at that moment whether you are going to spank or not; anticipation.
Spanking should be erotic for both parties so remember to intersperse the spanking with the stroking, and touching, and while spanking make anticipation grow by using very rhythmic spanks, so that the sub will anticipate the next, and the next.
Having begun the warm up, continue; this time more firmly, building over time to hard spanking, always with the stop in between to allow the effects to build, and warm, and create other responses. Many Dominants (me included on some occasions) find it difficult to use their voice as part of the eroticism. On the other hand, many subs wish they would! Speak to her, tell her what you are doing, what you are thinking, maybe use some words or phrases that you know turn her on, maybe a name or something that she fins sexual, or stimulating. Getting the use of the voice right can make the experience even more stimulating for both of you. It may take a little practice, but soon enough you will find what works, vocally, alongside the spanking itself.
Don't ever hit too hard from the start, remember the idea is to build to a crescendo. Hitting too hard from the beginning creates a numbness in the buttocks which detracts from the nature of the art; the sub will rapidly lose all feeling and the rest of the spanking will be almost pointless as an erotic exercise. Spanking of course, as we said earlier, can lead to other things; for example crops, floggers and canes, serving as a good warm up for these more painful implements.
There are places to spank, and places not to. Even on an area as relatively small as the bottom there are areas that should be avoided, for safety reasons: never spank at the tailbone, or coccyx, or the areas further up the spine, and to each side: bad bruising can be caused by impacts on these areas, as well as, in some cases, severe and permanent damage. There are certain areas that have more or less effects: the lower part, nearer the thighs is more sensitive, and should be hit with caution, remembering that it takes less on these areas to induce a pain response, than on the more muscular and well protected areas in the centre. The inner or outer thigh is another place that can be considered, but again are sensitive.
As well as variation in the places to spank, use variation in the way you actually use your hand. The hand is very controllable, and can be made soft and flat, like a kind of tawse, or hard and stiff like a wooden paddle. Using the flat of the palm creates an effect that is an actual slap, and this can be varied by making the wrist either relaxed or not. To create a more stingy effect, try holding the hand straight and making the area of contact the tips of the fingers only. Again, holding the fingers close together or further apart creates different air resistance to the movement of the hand, and therefore makes a different kind of spank. Try the possibilities, and find out what works for you both.
Finally two little additional things to consider: each adding an interesting dimension to the possibilities of spanking. Use the non spanking hand to slightly open the anal area, and spank this with two or three fingers. Depending upon the position of the submissive, you might even be able to turn her over, and spank, as a surprise, the clitoral area, but always remember, these areas can often be far more sensitive than the buttocks themselves, and changing the point of contact like this should also necessitate a lessening of the force used at that moment.
As with all things D/s, these are practices that should be tried, and tested, to find out what works for you both. Sensual spanking will create a redness on the buttocks that induces a "glow" into the sub: and if the spanking is prolonged, may well cause some bruising to appear over the subsequent hours. This will soon disappear, but the sensitivity can remain for a day or so, which makes the sub mindful of what has happened when they sit, or move during this time. For severe bruising, witch hazel or a similar treatment may be used to help the removal of such bruising, although this is not something that all couples would necessarily want to get rid of quickly; it is after all a part of their D/s.
© D/s Seekers 2003
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