Honor bondage is a type of bondage that does away with the need for physical bondage aids, like ropes or cuffs, in a BDSM scene. Instead, the submissive captive is encouraged to hold a determined position using only his or her own willpower. For example, a submissive’s wrists may not be physically tied to a headboard, but he or she agrees not to move them, and to pretend they are bound, for the duration of the scene.
The practice is a way to let a submissive person experience an S&M dynamic without the intimidation of actual physical bondage. It also gives the submissive more control and responsibility than they would ordinarily experience during a BDSM scene.