No one can tie an expert knot or wield a whip like a pro without practice: we all start off as BDSM beginners. But the world of kink is broad, with so many variations on bondage, domination and submission that it can often be bewildering to know what to try first. This guide is designed to take you through some basics for BDSM beginners—from important questions about consent and safety to light BDSM sex games and tips for both doms and subs until, eventually, you feel ready to dive in.
We won’t be telling you exactly what to do because that’s up to you and your partner(s). But we will outline plenty of examples and ideas on how you might like to experiment: light BDSM, punishment BDSM, teasing BDSM sex games, the difference between dominant and submissive BDSM (as well as what it’s called when you’re into both!) and much more. By the time you’ve finished reading, you should have a good idea of where your own desires fall within the context of BDSM as a whole and how to go about experimenting with them in ways that are safe, consensual and, above all—fun!