Foreword

Hywel's note: the following is written in a deliberately over-serious ponderous academic style, like a 1950's biology textbook. I just couldn't resist, it was too much fun to have mock "academic debates" with Ariel while we were shooting! Please in mind that bondage is fun: I promise I'm not this pretentious or pompous in real life! If anyone takes this too seriously you should feel totally at liberty to poke them in the ribs and tell them not to be an arse!

This is also very much a work-in-progress. These are the poses Ariel and I came up with after a few hours of thought and a single photo session. We'd like to add to it in future with new poses, more variations, and bondage versions of as many of the positions as we can manage. We'd also like to add "pure bondage" positions which cannot be achieved on their own (most suspensions fall into this class, as even the most elegant slavegirls cannot usually levitate!). We need to reshoot some stuff we didn't get quite right first time, too. We'd love to know what you all think and hear ideas for new poses or interesting names for some of the positions. So please do send you ideas, suggestions and comments to us at webmaster@restrainedelegance.com and ariel@restrainedelegance.com.

Ariel

and Hywel

Introduction

The human body is capable of adopting an almost infinite variety of poses and positions. Some of these poses are awkward, ugly or ungainly- these are inappropriate for a Restrained Elegance slavegirl to adopt, for a Restrained Elegance slavegirl should be alluring, elegant and as beautiful as possible, whether in bondage or out of bondage.

The following is a lexicon of named poses and positions, along with more general modifiers and descriptions which will aid Masters in specifying the position that they wish their slavegirl to adopt. Some are appropriate as a prelude to being tied, others are resting or stress positions which the slavegirl must adopt for her Master's edification, in order that she can be a fitting adornment or decoration to his realm.

Positions can be described in several different ways. Some named positions specify very exactly the position and manner in which feet, legs, arms, body and head must be held, for example, Virgin Sacrifice. Of course, the Master may over-ride the usual form of a pose. "45, arms behind in box" should be clear enough to a slavegirl who is familiar with the lexicon.

Other decriptions refer to just part of the pose, and must be combined with other descriptions to completely specify the pose. If the pose is not completely specified by the Master, it is the responsibility of the slavegirl to pose the rest of her body in an alluring and suitable way which complements and enhances the specified position.

For example the pose shown to the left would normally be specified as waitress but that only really specifies the arm position to be adopted. The slavegirl here has chosen to stand in the modelling at ease position, with her head proud- acceptable, if slightly lazy (standing legs tight together, on tiptoes, would probably look neater and more elegant).

• Arm Positions
• Feet Positions
• Leg Positions
• Head Positions

• Standing Positions
• Kneeling Positions
• Sitting Positions
• Prone and Supine Positions
• Miscellaneous Positions

Elbows Together also called Strappado

Arms together behind the back, elbows touching. Many slavegirls cannot attain this position without the assistance of rope, some cannot attain it fully even then. In these cases it is usual to bind the elbows some distance apart using a rope spacer. If the elbows are as close together as the slavegirl can bear, it is usually described as elbows together. If more relaxed, it is more properly described as hands clasped behind, see below. Note that several blood vessels and nerves are close to the surface just above the elbow- the ropes should actually bind the upper arms.

Many slavegirls will lose feeling in their hands quite swiftly in this position and may lose circulation. Whilst not immediately dangerous in and of itself, numbness should be taken as a warning sign as the slavegirl might be unable to feel rope burns. Master and slavegirl should be aware of this fact and take safety precautions accordingly- the basic precaution being to hold the position for as short a time as possible. In particular, where this tie is part of a larger one, tie the elbows as late as possible and release them first.

Box

Wrists to opposite elbow, forming a box behind the back. This position is one of the least strenuous to hold, whilst allowing safe and very secure bondage, and is therefore often used in complex ties where the position must be held for a long time.

Wrists Crossed Behind

Variants: palms out (fingers extended, palms outwards), fists (as shown), fingers spread.

Hands clasped behind

This very basic position is a less strenuous version of the elbows together position above. Hands are clasped together behind the back but elbows are not forced close together.

Variants: prayer (fingers extended, together) interlaced (as shown).

Hands On Head

Wrists Offered

Offered is an additional descriptor that is used to suggest the slavegirl offering her wrists to be tied. It normally means offered in front, but can be used to indicate different positions by qualifying it. For example, in the first photo, the slavegirl's hands are above her head, so this might be described as hands above head, wrists offered. Specifying offered implies that she should be positioned so as to invite her wrists being tied together. Hence the wrists are crossed, and held a convenient height above the head to facilitate binding.

Variants: depending where the wrists are there are many variants on this position. To make a slavegirl adopt the second position one would order "Get on your knees, wrists offered, head proud".

Offered is usually used to indicate wrists, but it can be used to order the slavegirl to prepare any part of her body for bondage. It is then up to the slavegirl to position herself to best effect so as to look maximally alluring whilst permitting her master clear and easy access to the specified body part for bondage.

For example "get in virgin sacrifice, ankles and wrists offered" would indicate to the slavegirl that she should lift her wrists and ankles somewhat compared with the usual virgin sacrifice position, as her Master is about to bind her wrists and ankles together.

Reverse Prayer

Hands Clasped In Front

Prayer

Prayer means with the fingers of both hands straight, extended, and the palms of the hands touching each other. Reverse Prayer means doing the same but with the hands behind the back.

Hands Folded

This "at ease" position may be adopted only when directed.

Arms Crossed

The defensive position with arms crossed in front (as often adopted in normal life) is generally considered inappropriate for slavegirls unless she is specifically ordered into it. Slavegirls have no defences and should not put barrier between herself and her torturers.

Waitress

Elbows are drawn in tight to the sides and pulled back. Forearms are extended, hands held out. This position is typically used in bondage with a bar or ropes to pull the elbows together behind, and arms tied together in front. The slavegirl is then ideally positioned to carry a tray, hence the name of the position.

Wrists Crossed In Front

Egyptian

Wrists crossed in front over chest, in the fashion of an Egyptian mummy.

Variants: virgin or modest, as shown on the top row, where hands are covering nipples. Cupping breasts may be used for buxon slavegirls. Nipples shown, as in the second row, is usually reserved for sluts.

Soaring

Arms horizontal, swept slightly back, as if in imitation of a bird soaring on a thermal.

Pit of Doom

Hands above head, as if dangling by a rope around the wrists above a pit wherein resides a hideous and painful death.

Variants: prayer where hands are placed palms together as in the first two photos. The third photo shows fingers Interlaced.

Tiptoes or High Heel

This position, with heels off the ground, should be considered as the default. Masters like to see the soles of a slavegirl's feet. Standing in this position also enhances the attractiveness of the legs, in a away similar to the wearing of high heeled shoes (and hence the position is also sometimes called high heels or heels high.

Variants: one may more closely specify how far the heels are to be kept off the ground. If they are to be an inch or so off but fairly comfortable, the position may be called low heels (as if wearing shoes with low heels, rather than completely flat on the ground) or heels lifted. If the position to be held is with heels as high as the slavegirl can physically achieve, it would be referred to as extreme tiptoes or extreme high heel.

En Point

On the very tops of the toes, as in the ballet dancing position En Pointe. This can generally only be achieved with the use of artificial aids such as ballet shoes, or if the slavegirl's weight is at least partially taken elsewhere (for example in a semi-suspension).

In Classic Damsel, the toes of one or both feet are generally slightly tucked under to produce the en pointe positioning.

Natural Point

Toes are pointed, but not in a way which implies that effort is required to keep them in that position, it is just the most natural way to hold herself.

Extreme Point

Toes are pointed in as extreme a manner as possible. The main aim is to emphasise the creases around the arch of the bare foot in a beautiful way.

Toes Tucked

Toes are tucked under the rest of the foot, streching the soles. This tends to hide the creases around the arch. It is often adopted by lazy slavegirls in kneeling positions as it makes the positions easier to hold, a tendency which must be corrected.

Relaxed

The feet are allowed to follow the contour of the leg naturally and in a relaxed fashion.

Toes Spread

Spreading toes is considered sexually attractive by some Masters, but is in general rather less elegant than positions where the toes are kept together. These positions should therefore only be assumed when specifically directed.

Feet Flat

This position, with both feet flat on the floor, is unattractive and slovenly, and must only be assumed if specifically directed.

Closed or Modest or Virgin

Legs are closed. This is not a stress position (see tight together) but is a fairly relaxed and natural pose, as would be naturally adopted by a modest lady who believes herself unobserved.

Tight Together

Unlike the virgin or legs closed position, legs tight together means that the slavegirl is attempting to press her legs as tightly together as possible, keeping her ankles and knees absolutely together. This is a stress version of the more relaxed virgin pose.

Open

Legs are spread wide, but not pornographically or graphically so. Adopting the first position shown here would follow the order "stand on tiptoes, legs open, hands on head, head proud". The second position would be described as "flat on your back, legs open, raised to ninety degrees".

Slut

Legs are spread as widely as possible given the position of the rest of the body. Also specified by Legs Extreme Open or Legs Wide Open.

Splits

Relatively self-explanatory, the slavegirl will adopt a splits position either to the front or side.

On One Leg or Stork

Standing on one leg

Arrogant

Slavegirl's head is raised as high as possible and she is looking down her nose as if to sneer at all she sees. Forcing a stuck-up slavegirl to adopt this position during punishment is an excellent lesson- most will swiftly try to lower their head in submission and will actually find it quite hard to maintain the arrogant head position as the punishment session continues.

Proud or Haughty

Head is up, erect, looking ahead. This is a fairly relaxed stance, but compared with head neutral, below, the impression created is one of pride or haughtiness.

Neutral

A catch-all term for head in a neutral position. The effect of the eyes may be to turn an otherwise neutral position into proud or eyes lowered, so the term is not a precise one.

Humble

Head lowered, but not dropped to a maximal degree. The impression created should be of a proud woman humbled, not of abject surrender. Eyes are usually looking forward rather than down, in contrast to eyes lowered below.

Eyes Lowered

A descriptor which is usually used to modify another head position: a slavegirl may be ordered to stand head proud, eyes lowered, for example. If used on its own, it generally means head humble and eyes lowered.

Submissive or Kiss The Floor

Head as low as the position allows, ideally with forehead pressed to the floor. A variation is Kiss The Floor which should be self-explanatory.

Attention

Either the purely military position with straight back, shoulders back, or the variant shown here where the slavegirl is on tiptoes.

Modelling At Ease

At Ease refers to the classic military position. Modelling at ease is a more feminine position, usually adopted by glamour models. One leg is straight, with the majority of the weight on it. The other leg is tucked over and slightly around.

Variants: modelling at ease, on tiptoes means on tiptoes on both legs, including the weight bearing one.

At Ease

At Ease refers to the classic military position - standing, legs slightly apart, not in as formal or regimented a pose as standing at attention but not as informal as Stand Easy

Glamour Girl

Standing on tiptoes on one leg, the other leg slightly raised, toes pointed.

Variants: kick back, the same pose only with the raised leg kicked back, heel towards the bum, in the manner of a classic damsel being kissed and kicking one leg up behind her.

Touching Toes

Bending over from the waist, legs straight, touching toes.

Variants: the feet flat variant is often used when inflicting spankings, particularly in an educational setting.

The stress position touching toes, on tiptoes is considered more elegant but requires significantly better poise to maintain, especially if under assault from implements of corporal punishment.

The slut variation with legs wide spread is useful for disciplining wanton slavegirls.

Bent Over Strappado

Arms together behind the back, bent forward at the waist, legs kept straight (and unless specifically directed otherwise legs should be closed and feet on tiptoes).

When tied, this can be done with elbows properly together behind the back- which is a very challenging position. Some models can even suspend themselves from the elbows but this is not wise, as it can lead to serious injuries and is therefore not recommended!

Screw Me Strappado

Similar to bent over strappado above, but legs are apart. If tied in this position, the subject can be conveniently penetrated... hence the name.

Spanking or Bent Over

The classic "offer yourself for spanking" position, usually achieved with the assistance of furniture on which to lean, as in these examples. One may refine the position by further directing that the legs be held in position, such as "bend over, legs in glamour girl" or "bend over, right leg kicked back".

Offer Yourself

On knees, leaning forwards, wrists crossed, eyes lowered, striving to put wrists as far forward as possible, offering herself to have her wrists bound her Master.

Variants: this position is already hard to hold because of the tendency to topple forwards, because the slavegirl is leaning fowards. Making her raise up off her heels so her legs are in something like 45 is positively sadistic.

Back On Heels

The basic kneeling position with the posterior sitting down upon the heels.

At Attention

Kneeling with calves on the floor (or on an item of furniture, as shown here) and the thighs vertical, body held upright. The normal version of kneeling at attention would have arms in strappado.

This position is highly recommended for administering severe all-over torture, as all the main target areas (ass, breasts, thighs and feet) are completely clean and easy to access. If access to the final main target area is required, the slave can be ordered to hold position but spread her legs. In this position, a naked and blindfolded slave can be lashed on any one of the target areas without any warning and the mental cruelty of having no clue where the next agonising stoke will land adds considerable piquancy to the experience.

45

Kneeling, with the thighs at 45 degrees to the floor. This position puts considerable strain on the thigh muscles, and is a very useful stress position, combining as it does a very elegant and attractive appearence with a position whose physical challenge grows rapidly the longer it is held.

Variants: The normal version of the pose has the hands behind the back, elbows together, feet naturally pointed, head proud. Any of these ingredients may be varied, for example to produce the "45, head submissive" pose shown where the subject's thighs are held in the 45 position, but the forehead lightly touches the floor.

Variant positions should be monitored to ensure that the slavegirl is not taking her weight in inappropriate ways (e.g. by leaning forwards onto her forehead) thus mitigating the stress of the pose.

All Fours

Any position which involves weight being distributed on hands and knees in this way is technically called being on all fours. There are some additional named variants listed below.

Good Dog

On all fours, legs together, toes pointed, hands together pointing outwards as shown. This is about as modest as it is possible to get in an all-fours position, hence "good" dog (c.f. Bad Bitch, below).

Bad Bitch

On all fours, legs apart. Hands under shoulders, in line.

Variants: Extreme would be with knees as far apart as it is physically possible to get them.

Submissive bad bitch would have forehead pressed to the ground.

On The Prowl

Similar to Bad Bitch and Good Dog above, but one hand reaches out forward, leading the one leg and hip forward, like a cat on the prowl. If directed to assume this position, the slavegirl should attempt to be as feline, sleek and streamlined as possible.

Abase Yourself or Pay Homage

Classic position of abasement, as required by tyrants and potentates everywhere.

PNP

Kneeling, back arched, breasts proudly thrust forwards, legs open, shoulders pushed right back, hands gently resting on the ground as far behind the body as possible. As usual, unless otherwise directed the toes should be pointed to improve the appearence of the creases on the soles of the feet. The usual variant is shown in the first photo.

A less stressful version of the position is to permit the slavegirl to sit back on her heels, but retaining the arched back and upthrust breasts.

A more stressful variant is to make the subject lean far backwards, possibly even bringing her thighs into 45.

The acronym refers to the usual function of the position: Pussy and Nipple Punishment.

Servant Genie

In this abasement position, the head is lowered, the knees are in 45, and the hands are placed on the floor beside the knees. It evokes the feeling of a female genie of the lamp bowing before her new master. Because the slavegirl will almost certainly cheat and put weight through her hands, it is not a stress position like 45. It can however be a useful follow-up position when 45 has been held to the point of muscle failure.

Kneeling Bastinado

In this classic punishment position, the slavegirl kneels on some item of furniture to lift her feet up to a more suitable height for punishment, allowing greater precision of aim and much greater strength to be applied to the strokes. A slight change of angle is sufficient to change target to the backside, which allows for interesting variations during the punishment, but the core function of the position is to provide the best possible access to the soles of the feet for bastinado.

Kneeling Hogtie

This position utilising a spanking bench or other furniture so that the subject can place herself in the classic hogtie position- arms behind in strappado, knees and ankles together, on the points of her knees, legs bent so that heels come as close to the backside as possible.

This position is often used to discipline particularly badly behaved sluts- it requires considerable mental strength to stay in the position when a cane is whistled down to kiss the slavegirl's ass, passing in between the feet and hands. Any twitch on the slavegirl's part risks the cane landing on fingers or toes. This should only be attempted by dominants with excellent stroke positioning.

It is also good for the administration of bastinado, although obviously the more classic kneeling bastinado position offers rather easier aim.

On Knee-point

This demanding position is almost impossible to hold in isolation, and is most commonly used as part of a semi-suspension in bondage. It can also be used against a wall or item of furniture as shown here. The subject must raise herself up on to the points of her knees, raising her heels as high as possible. Unless otherwise directed, she should point her toes in order to enhance the appearence of the creases on the soles of her feet.

When holding the position in isolation like this with ankles held in the hands, it is also referred to as kneel up, clasping ankles.

It is unusual for a subject to be able to keep her balance in this position independently (as in the first photograph) so be prepared for the fact that she is highly likely to lose balance and fall if ordered to hold the balance for long. It is therefore sensible to ensure a soft landing, or an item to permit balance to be regained.

CFM

The acronym refers to the blantant invitiation the subject issues in this pose: "Come Fuck Me." The slavegirl is typically ordered to hold this position when she is being inappropriately sexual, unable to resist her own arousal at the situation in which she has been placed. In this case the position is used to expose her to the elements and to general view, bit withholds any possibility of her being able to satisfy herself, as her hands must remain firmly on her ankles.

The alternative is to use the position when the slavegirl is pretending to modesty or virtue which she clearly no longer possesses, having surrendered herself to service. In this case the primary purpose of the position is humiliation, a factor which is further enhanced by the way the position naturally forces her head down into the floor. This may be further compounded by issuing the supplementary order to kiss the floor.

Slavegirls should not slouch, especially not if they have been granted the privilege of the use of a valuable item of furniture on which to rest her posterior. Slouching whilst sitting is to be regarded as an offence requiring immediate discipline.

Twelve strokes of the cane delivered to her in submissive bad bitch is the standard punishment within the Restrained Elegance training regime; your preferred training regime may mandate an alternative punishment but it is generally accepted that this infraction should be punished sharply, memorably and immediately. Needless to say, the privilege of furniture use must also be revoked with immediate effect or the disciplinary lesson will be lost.

Attention

The attention poisiton when seated is bolt upright, arms to the side, legs to the tiptoes position.

Lotus

The lotus position is a classic measure of flexibility. Some cannot adopt it at all (some may have more success with half lotus), some can only adopt it for short periods and may require assistance to get into the position or hold it.

The core of the position is to place the feet upon the opposite thighs whilst sitting cross-legged, as shown. The arms are generally placed upon the knees to make a stable tripod as shown in the first photograph.

Variants on the position usually involve changing the arm position. Shown here are lotus, hands in prayer and the very challenging lotus, reverse prayer.

Half Lotus

This variant of lotus has only one foot placed onto the opposite thigh. It is a considerably easier position for many people to adopt, so masters whose slavegirls lack the flexibility to get into lotus frequently adopt half-lotus as a visually similar substitute. Indeed, some prefer the slightly less distorted look of half-lotus.

Legs Crossed

Relatively self-explanatory: seated with legs crossed. The variant here shows arms behind in box. The subject has chosen to position herself in an analogue of classic damsel, which is usually a good starting point for making any seated display more attractive.

Sex Kitten

A seated position where knees are bent, legs slightly separated usually by a different degree of flexion in each knee. Toes are pointed, sometimes even tucked in en pointe. Weight is usually taken on the arms, allowing a number of seductive variations on the position. The stressful strappado version of the position here is particularly strenuous, but perhaps not as alluring as some of the softer variations.

Classic Damsel

This position is one of the most elegant and therefore the most important for any slavegirl in training to perfect. Evocative of silver-screen damsels-in-distress, it is also the basis of the most common bondage tie of all- hands together behind the back, legs tied together and ankles and knees.

In the true classic damsel position, the slavegirl's elbows are held in strappado, as close together as possible, and her feet are in en point and slightly tucked under. Her legs are tucked around to provide the most alluring sinuous curves possible, and the position demands that the slavegirl also adopt a facial expression suitable to the dynamic of the position, ranging from fiesty defiance through to terrified anticipation. It is up to her to judge what her master is likely to have in mind for her as a sequel to requiring her to adopt this position, and place herself in the correct emotional space accordingly. It is unlikely to be a position conducive to levity, affection or displays of wanton sexuality.

Damsel At Bay

This position is in some ways a variant of classic damsel but is adopted when sitting on a flat surface rather than a chair. The subject rests back on her arms, supporting about half her weight that way. Legs may be held together and toes in extreme point, but it is more usual to adopt the legs-slightly-crossed position shown here.

Sitting Balltie

The slavegirl draws her knees up under her chin, clasping her legs with her hands. In order to avoid the cardinal error of adopting the feet flat position, it is usual to put some weight forward and lift the arches into a high heel position, or lean backwards somewhat and adopt extreme point. The latter is hard to maintain in balance, especially if bound, as is likely to result in the slavegirl rolling backwards onto her back, into balltie proper.

Legs Together Sitting

This relatively relaxed pose is the usual "at ease" position for seated slavegirls. The back is relatively straight, but not ramrod-straight as in sitting at attention. Of course, the slavegirl must never approach a slouch. The legs must be together, a position which can be notably difficult for highly sexed slavegirls to maintain. As always, the slavegirl must introduce subtle tension into her position in order to display herself to best effect. In this case, the best result is generally attained by taking some weight through the legs and lifting the feet into the tiptoe position. However the ratio of the size of the slavegirl to that of the seat (particularly the length of her lower leg to the height of the seat) may mean that this position is not optimal for some all cases. It is the slavegirl's responsibility to accomodate this height difference and adjust her pose to best effect.

There are numerous variants. The one shown here has hands interlocked in the lap. Hands by the sides as in sitting at attention is perhaps more common as this variant looks rather defensive.

Prone On Front

A catch-all term for any general prone pose where the slavegirl is face down, on her stomach. Most varitions additional specify at least the leg position required.

Head-To-Toe

Prone, on front, legs together, arms together, toes pointed, arms outstretched. The equivalent of Virgin Sacrifice but face down (and hence sometimes called face down virgin sacrifice).

The name head-to-toe comments upon the fact that the entire of the slavegirl's back from head to toe is vulnerable and exposed, especially to implements such as the tawse or leather strap. The entirity of her back can be whipped mercilessly, from head to toe.

Prone On Back

Another catch all term, the exact pose usually being specified by additional decriptions.

Pray To Hell

A perverted and stressful position, the slavegirl is prone on the floor on her front, her arms behind her back in reverse prayer, face pressed down to the floor, legs wide spread like a slut.

Penitent Slut

Prone on the floor on her front, legs wide spread, arms behind in box, head down.

Quizzical Slut

As Penitent Slut, above, but slavegirl is directed to raise her head from the floor to look at her master.

Hogtie

The classic hogtie position. Most slavegirls will have to grasp their wrists with their ankles to remain in this position for any length of time if not bound. When tying, it is traditional to tie elbows together if the subject's flexibility permits. When a slavegirl is holding the position on her own, this will rarely be possible to hold for more than a short while.

Y

On front, legs wide spread but on ground, toes pointed, arms outstretched together above head. Slavegirl's body forms the shape of a capital letter Y. Also called bury me in a Y-shaped coffin.

Frogtie on front

On front, legs bent as though in a frogtie. Most slavegirls have to grasp their ankles with their hands to maintain this pose for any lenth of time.

Variants: if the legs are closed, this position becomes a hogtie, so legs are generally at least at open.

A variant is to have legs very wide open, which makes the position slut frogtie on front as shown in the second photo.

Z or Zig-Zag

An asymmetric on front supine position where one leg is raised by bending the knee while the other foot is brought to the bent knee, forming an "S", "Z" or zig-zag shape. It is very exposing and is often used after the administration of punishment (as witnessed by the whip marks on the posterior of this specimen).

The Pose

The Pose is a term from the world of foot fetish. It refers to the family of positions designed to provide the best combination of displaying the soles of the the feet and the face simultaneously. The slavegirl lies on her front, propped up on her elbows, and bends her knees to ensure the soles of her feet remain visible. The really classic variant of the pose has legs crossed, but any variation on this basic idea of showing the soles of the feet and the face is usually considered part of The Pose.

On Your Back, Touch Your Toes

Self-explantory- and agonising. Subject lies flat on her back, legs extended and straight, and touches her toes. This is a fine stress position.

On Your Back, 45

A slightly milder version of on your back, touch your toes... although any slave who has been place in 45 will find it quite agonising. The subject lies on her bvack and raises her legs, holding them togeher, legs straight, toes pointed, with the thighs at a 45 degree angle to the body.

If used as a bondage position, the use of a rope from the knees to a chest or shoulder harness and a rope from the ankles to a suspension point is useful in maintaining the correct attitude of the legs... and the slavegirl. Floor points are desireable to prevent the slavegirl raising her torso from the ground: it is better to have her lashed firmly to the floor before beginning the leg tie.

Rocked Back

The slavegil adopts a kneeling position, typically one with knees spread apart. She then reclines backwards until the back of her head touches the floor, but keeps her hands forwards, down by the side of her legs. The name of the position comes about because it is suggestive of a heavy blow rocking her back on her heels.

It is customary to accompany the order to adopt this position from the kneeling precursor with a slap to the slavegirl's face. Important safety note: face-slapping is an activity which many authorities warn against as having significant serious risk of injury! Any such slap must be bestowed very lightly and very, very carefully. It should be symbolic and have absolutely no weight behind it. The inexperienced should consider omitting this aspect of the ritual, or bestowing the slap with a lightweight cloth glove (not a heavy leather one!) to ensure safety.

As you will

A variant of rocked back, this position keeps the head, back and leg position of rocked back but moves the arms to above the head. The spread-arm position in the first photo is unusual, the more usual variant is shown in the second photo, with legs closed. This may be considered a stress position variant of virgin sacrifice and it has similar connotations of an innocent giving in to her fate with grace and dignity.

Spreadeagled

Subject is spread out to the four corners of an imaginary rectangle (or, much more commonly, to a genuine bed, rack or St. Andrew's cross). This position provides the slavegirl with precious little defence against assault to any part of her body, precious little modesty, and provides good sexual access especially if a bolster is placed under her hips. A subject can of course be spreadeagled on her front or her back, depending on the target areas to which her master wishes to attend.

When tying a subject in this position it is all too easy to provide to much slack in the ropes, which will allow her to twist herself to avoid many outrages or assaults, thus roundly defeating the primary purpose of the position. The ropes should be tight. A well-trained Restrained Elegance slavegirl will of course ensure that she extends to her fullest while the ropes are tied, to assist in ensuring that the tension is set correctly.

Because the tension needs to be significantly greater than usual, it is vital to use proper non-tightening knots placed under reverse tension, or to use bondage equipment with rounded, ideally padded edges such as leather cuffs. Putting the correct tension onto shackles is a recipe for lacerations and injury and must be avoided.

Balltie

The subject adopts a curled-up position by drawing her knees towards her chin and wrapping her arms around the outside of her legs. As always, the subject should maintain an attractive contour with her legs and feet, pointing her toes. The name of the position refers to the usual bondage use of the position, which is to tie the subject into a ball. This bondage position produces a high degree of immobility with the subject typically unable to do anything but roll to one side or the other.

JBJS

Subject lies on her side, legs together, knees bent, toes pointed, and reaches down her shins with her hands. It is also possible to hold this position lying on her back. It lends itself to a very attractive bondage pose with ropes at knees/elbows and wrists/ankles, commonly also combined with some sort of shoulder, chest or crotch harness to turn it into a variant of the balltie. The initials come from the model and rigger combination where I first observed it in use.

Face Down Leg Raise

Lying on her front, face down, legs straight, tight together and toes pointed, the slavegirl must raise her legs as far as she can. This is an interesting test of flexibility with joints going against their normal range of movement, but should not be forced with bondage (especially not if the torso is tied down)! Dislocated joints are not elegant or pleasant.

Diana's Bow

This very attractive variant on the face down leg raise brings the hands back to cup the buttocks, and usually also raises the head somewhat to make the curve of the bow symmetrical. Despite the extreme allure of the position and the implied imvitation of the hands ready to spread the cheeks of the buttocks to provide access front or rear, it is perfectly chaste (hence the classical allusion).

Virgin Sacrifice

On back, legs together and outstretched, hands together above head outstretched, toes pointed. The classic virgin spread out on a sacrificial altar pose.

Slut Sacrifice

On back, hands above head and outstretched, legs as wide apart as it is possible to be but still on the floor, toes pointed. This sacrificial position suggests that it is a sacrifice of virginity, rather than of a virgin- hence the term "slut sacrifice".

Legs Up

Subject lies on her back with her legs straight, raised vertically upwards, toes pointed.

This position is extremely good for bastinado. If the ankles and knees are bound together, a rope can be passed from the back of the ankle knot (the side of the tops of the feet rather than the soles in order to maintain clear access to the soles) and tied up to a suspension point. Toe ties can be used to keep the feet even more in position, specifically the use of thin cords around the big toe can prevent the slavegirl crossing her feet over to protect one particular spot during bastinado. The closeness of the feet together does make targeting the arches slightly trickier, but the opportunity for backhand "passing strokes" hitting both soles usually provides sufficient compensation. If the targeting proves too much of a problem, one can tie the rope with adequate space beween the ankles and secure with proper cinching over the gap to maintain the separation, or even use a small spreader bar.

Securing the slavegirl's hands for bastinado can present problems. If the slavegirl is in the hands-above head pit of doom position shown here, a rope can be taken to a wall stanchion. However, experiment has shown the combining this tie with a balltie, with the arms wrapped around the legs below the knees and fastened to the knee rope at that level maximizes the helplessness of the slavegirl.

Starter's Orders

Weight taken on hands, arms straight, legs curled slightly under to allow toes to be pointed. The position resembles that of a sprinter in starter's blocks, hence the name. It is an open invitation to inflict bastinado whilst the slavegirl is in a stress position.