How to Self-Bondage - The Ultimate Guide

Last Updated on January 4, 2024

There seems to be a misconception that in order to try BDSM, or bondage specifically, you need to have a partner. That couldn't be further from the truth.

While bondage is definitely a fun way to spice up a couple's play, there are several bondage techniques and equipment that you can use on your own to add a little bit of excitement to your self-love time.

Sure, it might take a while to perfect it, but isn't that the case for most things? And trust us when we say that the rewards are definitely worth putting in the work.

So, how do you self-bondage? This article will serve as an ultimate guide for anyone looking to explore this part of their sexual fantasies, pick up a few beginner bondage items and enter the self-bondage scene.

What Is Self-Bondage?

In BDSM, B stands for bondage, which involves restraining your partner in some way. And self-bondage is exactly what you'd think it is based on the name. It's the act of tying, binding, or just generally restraining yourself rather than doing it to someone else.

There are several ways in which you can do it, with most of those involved using rope, chains, tape, handcuffs, or harnesses - although we'll talk more about self-bondage techniques later on.

Self-bondage can be a great way of testing your limits and seeing how far you're willing to go so that once you decide to try it with your partner, you will be more aware of what you enjoy and what you might not feel that comfortable with.

But we need to say this - while most people associate bondage with only handcuffs or rope, there's so much more to explore. You just need to be open-minded enough to try new things the same way that you've been more open minded about sex toys - who knows, you might find your favorite way of spicing up your sex life along the way.

Is Self-Bondage Safe?

One of the things that makes some people hesitant to try solo bondage is the idea that it is not safe. But that's not really the case.

Could it be dangerous? Of course, anything can be dangerous if you don't pay attention to your safety. However, as long as you take the necessary safety precautions, your self-bondage session should bring you nothing but a good time.

Types of Self-Bondage

There are two main types of self-bondage - sensual self-bondage and strict self-bondage.

Sensual Self-Bondage

Those taking the more sensual approach when it comes to self-bondage are usually more turned on just by the idea of being restricted than engaging in high-risk, adrenaline-filled foreplay - it's more about the psychological high. Sensual nipple toys like male & female nipple clamps are very common and an easy hands-free way to increase pleasure on the nipples.

They usually use loose knots that they know they will have no problem getting out of, use bondage only during foreplay, or might be using a lock and key system, ensuring the key is always within reach or in some easily accessible place.

Strict Self-Bondage

This type of self-bondage usually involves more intense binds and is practiced by those who love the challenge and the risky nature of bondage.

Strict self-bondage can usually be combined with other fetishes a person might have, such as slave play, pet play, pain play, humiliation, or punishment, even during a solo session with a BDSM male chastity cage locked around the cock and balls.

For example, you can use a lock and key to restrain yourself but put a key somewhere where you have to embarrass yourself in order to reach it, like on your front lawn, or you can set up a rule that you first need to drink an unsavory beverage before you are able to break free.

There are several ways to combine your fetishes, but always ensure that it's done in a safe way.

How to Prepare Yourself for Self-Bondage

When you're doing self-bondage, ensuring your own safety is more important than ever, especially since most people practice it when they're on their own in their homes - if something goes wrong, there usually isn't anyone around to help you out so you need to be extra meticulous in following safety tips.

There are a few main ones you should always follow:

• Never practice bondage that requires restraining your mouth, neck, or head.
• Make sure that you can fit two to three fingers between yourself and the restraints.
• Always ensure that you have an escape plan in case something goes wrong. Whether that be scissors or a phone to make an emergency call, having an escape plan is crucial when it comes to solo bondage.

Self-Bondage Risks

Before you start exploring the solo bondage world, you should become aware of its risky nature. Restrains can be fun, but only when you ensure your own safety first. There are several risks involved with bondage in general, including:

• blood flow - if you tighten your restraints too much, you can cut off blood circulation to that part of your body. For this reason, as a beginner, you should start slow, with the restraints being rather loose. Once you gain more experience, you can tighten them more and more.
• dehydration - depending on how much you like it, self-bondage play can last several hours, which is why it's important that you keep yourself hydrated before, during, and after the self-bondage session.
• suffocation - as we already said, you shouldn't use any restraints that would block your mouth, head, or neck. That's because by doing so, you're risking suffocation. We understand that it might be a fetish for some people, but never do it unsupervised - save that for couples play.
• skin damage - tight knots can damage your skin, so that's another reason why you shouldn't tie them too tight. Additionally, thin restraints dig into your skin more easily, so just something to keep in mind.

Never Do Auto-Erotic Asphyxiation During Solo Play

Auto-erotic asphyxiation is part of breath play and involves restraining oxygen access to the brain. When done incorrectly, it can become very dangerous, even leading to death, which is why you should never practice it during self-bondage.

Ways to Restrain Yourself

Now that we got technicalities out of the way let's focus on the fun part - the different self-bondage techniques. You probably are already familiar with most of them, but we will still talk about them.

Handcuffs

This is, you could say, the standard when it comes to BDSM. If you asked anyone about what comes to their mind when hearing the word "restraint" in a sexual context, this will most likely be the answer given by most.

Don't get us wrong, though - while it might be a little basic, by no means are BDSM cuffs a bad choice. After all, they are considered a standard for a reason.

They are a great choice for beginners, as they are easy to get out of, provided the key is located close to you, while still being restrictive.

Rope

Similarly to handcuffs, restraints & rope is also a good choice for beginners. There are several knots you try, including making a rope harness, while still having a way of easily escaping if the need arises, as you just need to cut through it with scissors or a knife.

You can also explore the art of shibari, which is the art of tying yourself and applying pressure to certain parts of your body to bring pleasure.

Two of the most common ties used with rope include:

• self-bondage hogtie - this involves tying both your hands and legs behind your back. However, when it comes to self-bondage, we would recommend tying yourself in front rather than behind - it's simply a safer alternative, but the pleasure remains the same.
• crotch rope harness - this can be a little difficult to figure out for beginners, but that's precisely what video tutorials (for example, on YouTube) are for. Not only is it good for bondage play that doesn't involve tying your hands or legs, but it can also be worn in public if that's your cup of tea. It's also a good choice for those who are into chastity play.

Plastic Wrap

If you don't want to use typical self-bondage equipment, for whatever reason, or you don't want to invest in something you're not sure you will enjoy, you can use something that most of us probably already have in our kitchens - plastic wrap.

Sure, you might not be able to look at it the same way after you're done, but hey, we think it's worth it. You can easily wrap it around your legs, and if at any point you feel uncomfortable or you want to finish your self-bondage session, you can just cut through it with scissors or a knife.

Tape

By tape, we don't mean regular tape - we mean bondage tape, which doesn't cause irritation to your skin, as it doesn't stick to it. Instead, it sticks to itself. One benefit of it we need to mention here is that it is very flexible, meaning that it adapts to any body type.

With things like handcuffs, it might be hard to find a pair that fits you well if you aren't straight-sized - on the other hand, tape adapts to anyone's body.

Timed Release

Using timed restraints during your solo play can be a great way of bringing some excitement into your session. You still get the thrill of no escape but with a time limit.

Although there are several timed lock boxes you can purchase from adult toy shops and similar establishments, you can also make your own timed lockbox using an ice cube tray.

Put the key to the restraint you're using in an ice cube tray, fill it with water, and stick it in the freezer. Once you're ready to play, take it out. And keep it close to you. Once the ice melts, you'll know you can finish at any moment.

If you're someone who enjoys temperature play, you can even incorporate the said ice cube into your pleasure time by running it across your body - that is, of course, if your hands are free.

Other Self-Bondage Equipment

Here are some other ideas you can test out during your self-bondage session:

• For anal play lovers, anal hooks might be the best choice for butt stuff. Just keep in mind to use a lot of lube for easy insertion.
• For restraining your wrists and ankles, you can use a cinch noose. Making a cinch noose is actually very easy - begin with a slender rope. Form a loop and proceed to wrap one end of the rope around both strands. Slide the end upward, tightening it to form a knot.
• If you love the idea of not being able to take off your clothes, then zip ties can be a great choice. Take a rope or a slender chain and thread it through the hole in a zipper. Loop the chain around your neck, allowing the zipper to rest at the desired position. Once the two ends of the chain meet, secure them together using a lock that requires a key. This setup ensures that you will remain in your outfit until you locate the key needed to unlock the zipper.

Final Thoughts

With that being said, we have reached the end of our comprehensive self-bondage guide. Self-bondage can be a great way of exploring your sexual desires and fantasies, but, we cannot stress this enough, it needs to be done in a safe environment so that the only thing you experience during your self-love session is pleasure.

At Adult Toy Shop, we carry a number of bondage toys and bondage sex toy kits that can be used both on your own and with your partner. Choose from a variety of restraints, including handcuffs, bondage tape, rope, and more.

And don't worry about someone unwanted discovering what you enjoy - all of our packages are sent discreetly, so no one, aside from you and the person packaging your order, knows what's inside.

So, next time you are wondering how to spice up your sex life, you should definitely put some thought into self-bondage - and thanks to our ultimate guide on how to self-bondage, you can be fully prepared for what's about to come.

Self-Bondage How-To - Frequently Asked Questions

Does consent matter in self-bondage?

Of course. While it might look a little different than when another person is involved, consent is still a crucial part of making the whole experience of trying the self-bondage thing as comfortable for you as possible.

Make sure that before you start anything, you are aware of anything that could go wrong. If, throughout the experience, you decide you don't want to continue, don't force yourself to do it – stop.

How to make sure I can release myself during self-bondage?

Always ensure that you have something to free yourself with close by - you never know what can happen, so ensuring you have a way of escaping is essential.

Depending on the way to restrain yourself you chose, this could be a pair of scissors, a key, a knife, and more.

What do I do if I feel uncomfortable at some point?

If at any point you find yourself not enjoying the self-bondage session, stop. Don't force yourself into doing something you're not comfortable with.

Can self-bondage be done by beginners?

Yes, of course! Regardless of whether you already have experience in this matter or if you are just starting, you are free to engage in self-bondage.

Just keep in mind that some of the self-bondage techniques might not be suitable for beginners, so always make sure that you adapt the technique to your level of experience and what you're comfortable with. But other than that, there's no reason for someone not to try self-bondage due to their lack of previous experience.

Can I practice self-bondage with limited resources?

Of course, there's no need for you to spend money on professional equipment when it comes to self-bondage, especially if you don't know if that's something that you would enjoy.

As we already mentioned, you can even use household items such as plastic wrap. Again, just make sure that you use it safely.

Can self-bondage be a form of self-care?

Any kind of sexual pleasure could be considered self-care due to the fact that orgasms can help you release stress and tension.

Can self-bondage be combined with other BDSM activities?

Yes, of course. Self-bondage can be incorporated into other BDSM activities if desired. It can complement elements such as sensory play, role play, or impact play.