Source: Bristolpost.co.uk.
UK – BRISTOL – A Bristol woman is starting workshops to teach people how to try out bondage safely.
Victorine, of Knot your Friend, is a member of both the LGBTQ+ and kinky community and decided to create the events because she felt there weren’t enough spaces where these two communities overlap.
The organiser said BDSM could be very straight-orientated so she wanted change the dynamic and create a space that was female-led and where queer people felt comfortable.
Victorine said: “I thought we can turn this down a notch and create a space that is friendly and warm.
“Our focus is on communication and exploring verbally our fantasies first.
“It is not a play party – it is a place where you go to get skills.
“It is not a sex party, that is very important.”
Her aim was to create a safe space which didn’t look like a dungeon, she continued, where everything is very black and people wear leather.
The teacher said her bondage and rope workshops were focused on technique and approach, adding she felt people weren’t able to do things properly unless they had been educated.
“That is the problem at the moment,” she added. “There has been a massive increase of popularity of BDSM because of Fifty Shades of Grey – BDSM has gone into the mainstream but there are things that have not been addressed.
“People talk about consent but before you can get consent you have to define boundaries.
“That second part is the one being skipped in the mainstream and I want to address that.”
Victorine – who has been part of the BDSM scene for six years – said the workshops would start with a warm up and a discussion around anatomy, followed by attendants then being taught how to tie themselves up.
“It is a great way to get the feel for being tied,” she added. “If you don’t tie yourself nicely, you know – it is a faster way to learn.
“After that, people can tie each other up and will have some time to socialise.”
The organiser said people were attracted to bondage for a variety of reasons including fulfilling fantasies and a feeling of letting go.
The beginner’s class has now sold out, but you can find out more here.
