Breath play is a BDSM category that describes a wide range of activities. It falls within what is classed as Edge Play. Make no mistake about it – it’s considered the dark side of the BDSM world!
Some people enjoy it as for them it adds another dimension to their play – enheightened arousal, fear, adrenaline, the power dynamic goes up several notches etc…
On your late night meanderings across the www you’ll come across Mistresses that state they do not engage in extreme breath play, but it would be foolish of you to think that lighter play is safe. ALL breath play activities carry risk…
However, some activities have a greater chance of serious “complications” such as brain damage, permanent injury, death and a prison sentence.
Lets have a look at the different types. Please note that I have categorised these myself:-
A) Lighter Breath Play
- Holding your breath
- Hand over Mouth (HOM) / Nose
- Hand over Mouth whilst pinching nose
- Nose pincers
- Taping mouth shut
- Breast Smothering
- Face Sitting
- Hoods
- light pressure on the Chest
- Gags
- Gas Masks
- Corsetry
Be wary that many of these so-called lighter activities can become extreme in a very short period of time. With this in mind – don’t question why our eyes are on the clock!
B) Heavier Breath Play
- Pallet wrap around the head
- Head Bandaging
- Saran wrap
- Hoods with pipes
- Gas Masks with pipes
- Rebreather Hoods with tiny holes
- Rebreather Bags
- Water Sports Hoods
- Tight Bondage
- Layering (materials)
- Plastic bags over the Head
- Stretched on the Rack
- Inversion Bondage
- Inflatable Rubber Sarcophagus
C) Heavier plus/ Extreme Play
- Anything around the neck – e.g. tights, belts, ropes,…
- Suffocation
- Strangulation – hands
- Choking
- Choke Holds – and other similar martial arts moves
- Objective – loss of consciousness
- Heavy Compression
- Predicament Bondage – severe
- Anaesthetics
- Water Boarding/Wet towel (psychological angle)*
- Dunking
+++I don’t engage in anything that falls within Extreme Breath Play apart from those marked with an * +++
There is no BDSM regulatory body so in the absence of this, the wider BDSM community created several acronyms that are used with regard to safety and consent. The more you research, the more you will come across these terms:-
SSC (Safe, Sane and Consensual)
Everything is based on safe activities, that all participants are of sufficiently sound mind to consent, and that all participants do consent. It is mutual consent that makes a clear legal and ethical distinction between BDSM and such crimes as sexual assault and domestic violence.
Wikipedia
RACK (Risk Aware Consensual Kink)
Rack acknowledges that nothing is ever 100% inherently safe. The RACK philosophy tends to be more inclusive of activities that others may consider as edge play. There is no “safe” or “not safe” within RACK only “safer” and “less safe”.
Wikipedia
It is my belief that if you wish to engage in any level of breath play then all participants have a responsibility to gain an informed education on the subject. That is another acronym: PRICK (Personal Responsibility, Informed, Consensual, Kink).
Read extensively. Be mindful that ALL breath play carries a risk that whilst it can be mitigated (lessened) cannot be negated (eliminated). Some activities carry a much greater risk than others, but be very aware that TIME, PRESSURE and POSITIONING are important consideration in all activities.
Methods of breath play I engage in:-
I entertain activities from lists A and B and very occasionally waterboarding and wet towel.
Standard Procedures:-
If you don’t want to experience this, then rest assured that I would never do any of these activities unless you specifically request them.
As standard there is always a consultation pre-session where we go over activities mentioned and whether anything has changed.
I will engage in agreed activities only. Most people I see just say ‘into breath play’. But don’t worry, I’m your safety net and will ask for more specifics.
I will say “No” to breath play if you suffer from certain health conditions.
I will say “No” if anything feels amiss.
No one to be left alone during breath play.
If I cannot see your face or hear you then other safety cues are used.
Final thought
The objective should always be that everyone walks out the door unharmed -psychologically and physically.
Mistress Sheba
Find Out More About My Sessions Here
This link below is an excellent Manual for all to read for information purposes.