With full-body restraint, it can be easy to see the appeal of the Pole Bondage position. The bound partner is left feeling "helpless" and "vulnerable" to the unbound partner's advances. For many, this is a potent erotic fantasy with many variations and options for how it can play out.
Safety in the Pole Bondage Position
It's extremely important that both partners have a long, detailed negotiation before engaging in the Pole Bondage position. Be sure to talk about accessibility, pain and comfort levels. It may also be important to talk openly about the inaccessibility of this sexual position, especially if you experience disability as a wheelchair user. This open discussion can help ensure that both partners have an amazing time - and reduce the need to stop mid-scene due to problems. Your discussion should cover where the bondage is placed, how tight the bondage is and what activities the bound partner is (and isn't!) interested in doing while bound.
Remember: Communication is key while engaging in bondage. Constantly check in with your bound partner while binding them to ensure the bindings are snug - but not tight. As the bound partner wiggles and moves during the scene, you may need to tighten or loosen bonds. In a vertical bondage position like Pole Bondage, as opposed to horizontal bondage positions, your bindings can move with the force of gravity. A good rule of thumb is to ensure you can still fit one to two fingers between the restraint and the bound person's body part. Establish safe words or signals and always be prepared to immediately untie the bound partner the second they don't want to be restrained.
While the illustration shows the bound person wearing a gag and with their wrists individually bound behind their back, we recommend leaving those out until you've had a few practice sessions with the Pole Bondage position. A gag can make it hard to communicate, and the wrists have sensitive nerve endings that can easily be harmed by too-tight bondage. Especially with everything going on during the scene, it can be hard to pay the required attention to the wrists to keep them safe! Don't worry: The Pole Bondage still feels deliciously restrictive and all-encompassing without those two features.
If you choose to use the mouth gag, ensure you and your partner have a non-verbal safeword. This may be difficult with the full-body bondage design of the Pole Bondage position. Holding a squeaky toy or placing a large, noisy object on the floor for the bound person to kick may be your best options. Especially as the two of you get into the scene, it may be hard to distinguish between good "mmmmf!" and bad "mmmmf!", so make sure you both have an easy way to communicate if a discussion (without the gag!) is needed.
The biggest challenge for most people will be finding a good structure on which to do the Pole Bondage position. A tall, comfortable beam is not easily available in most homes. Many people may find their easiest option in the form of a wooden beam in their basement; depending on how finished your basement is, this can add to the bondage ambience for your scene. With a bit of creativity, you could also do a compact version of the Pole Bondage position on a sturdy stairway banister. Stripper poles or sturdy outdoor trees are also options.
