Editing Bondage positions and methods (section)

==Ties of the upper body==
{{Anchor|Hair bondage|Elbow bondage}}

=== Box tie ===
[[File:Basic box tie.svg|thumb|upright|Back-view of basic box tie bondage]]
{{See also|Japanese bondage}} 
The box tie is a tie of the chest and upper arms, and is combined to create with ties of the lower limbs as a component or variation of other ties. Both arms are supported in parallel behind the back by a core and made immobile by a tensioned rope connecting the midpoint of the upper arms.<ref name=ASI/>
[[File:Bondage model and rigger at BoundCon 2015 custom photoshoot 8.jpg|thumb|left|A male [[bondage rigger]] demonstrates to the audience how to do box tie bondage at BoundCon 2015, [[Munich]].]]

The TK wrap or shibari box tie, ''gote shibari'', is a single column tie of the upper body. It is also called a ''takate kote''.<ref name=tk>{{cite web |title=Crash Restraint-Takate kote survey |url=https://crash-restraint.com/blog/2014/09/08/takate-kote-wrap-positioning-survey-results |website=crash-restraint.com |access-date=30 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501022247/https://crash-restraint.com/blog/2014/09/08/takate-kote-wrap-positioning-survey-results |archive-date=1 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The forearms are placed in parallel high behind the back. This forms the starting point for the tie that has a top rope that encircles the torso and arms just below the shoulder, tying back to a central point, creating a ''stem'' down to the forearms. This is the distinguishing feature of the box-tie. A lower rope encircles the arms and torso at a midpoint between the upper rope and elbow, tying back to the stem.<ref name="black">{{cite web |title=Bondage Knowledge: Box Tie Arm Placement |url=http://theblackpomegranate.com/box-tie-arm-placement/ |website=The Black Pomegranate |access-date=30 April 2019 |date=23 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430161259/http://theblackpomegranate.com/box-tie-arm-placement/ |archive-date=30 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

TK wraps are used in [[suspension bondage]], and if the ropes are misplaced the body weight can crush the [[radial nerve]] leading to the serious and possibly irreversible condition known as [[wrist drop]]. There is no absolutely safe position for the top wrap; the mid-point gap between the [[triceps]] and the [[Deltoid muscle|deltoid]] muscles is the most problematic.<ref name=tk/>

====Variants====
The cross-chest boxtie replaces the top rope by one that passes over the shoulder and back under the opposite arm, reverses tension and then repeats over the other shoulder.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cross-Chest Box Tie |url=https://www.theduchy.com/cross-chest-box-tie/ |website=TheDuchy.com |date=10 December 2017 |access-date=30 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430221857/https://www.theduchy.com/cross-chest-box-tie/ |archive-date=30 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A more strenuous alternative is the elbows together tie, which can lead to a strappado, or the reverse-prayer ties the over-arm (''Hasenohren'') or bunny ears ties, method is another way of restraining the hands.<ref name=ASI/>

The Star Harness restrains the arms.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Redmayne |first1=Lazarus |title=Star Harness (w Arms) – TheDuchy |date=10 December 2017 |url=https://www.theduchy.com/star-harness-arms/ |access-date=24 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924124726/https://www.theduchy.com/star-harness-arms/ |archive-date=24 September 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> There is also the Pentagram (Star Harness).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Redmayne |first1=Lazarus |date=10 December 2017 |title=Pentagram – TheDuchy |url=https://www.theduchy.com/pentagram-harness-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924124740/https://www.theduchy.com/star-harness/ |archive-date=24 September 2019 |access-date=24 September 2019 |website=The Duchy}}</ref>

=== Breast bondage ===
[[File:Bondcon Gag and Karada.png|thumb|Side view of breast bondage at BoundCon, Germany, 2008]]
'''Breast bondage''' is a bondage technique which involves the tying of rope around a woman's [[breast]]s in a visually intricate and decorative pattern. Breast bondage most commonly uses rope, but [[webbing]], [[strap]]s, a [[bondage harness]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Breast Bondage|date=1 May 2022|url=https://www.kinkly.com/definition/1173/breast-bondage|website=Kinkly}}</ref> or bondage tape may also be used.<ref name=Pinkerton>{{cite web|title=In-Depth Guide on How to Tie Tits|url=https://joynights.org/how-to-tie-tits/|website=Joy Nights|first=Martha|last=Pinkerton|date=17 November 2022}}</ref>

Breast bondage often focuses on the decorative, [[aesthetic]] and [[erotic]] aspects of the result, and not on [[Immobilization (pathology)|immobilization]] of the female subject. However, breast bondage can be combined with other techniques which restrict the subject's mobility and can provide securing points for other bondage plays, such as [[crotch rope]] and [[breast torture]].<ref name="Shinju">{{cite web |author=Lazarus |title=Shinju – TheDuchy |url=https://www.theduchy.com/shinju/ |website=The Duchy |date=3 July 2018 |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829182456/https://www.theduchy.com/shinju/ |archive-date=29 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Lazarus |title=Bikini Harness – TheDuchy |url=https://www.theduchy.com/bikini-harness/ |website=The Duchy |date=17 December 2017 |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829182455/https://www.theduchy.com/bikini-harness/ |archive-date=29 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Hence it can be used as an expression of [[dominance and submission]] as well as an aesthetic [[Kink (sexuality)|kink]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Breast Fetish: 9 Types of Breast Kinks|url=https://kinklovers.com/bdsm-fetishes/breast-fetish-8-types-of-breast-kinks/|author=Jamie|date=26 October 2022|website=Kink Lovers}}</ref>

====Technique====
Breast bondage can be applied over clothing or directly to the [[skin]], and can be worn under [[clothing]] or in full view. {{convert|1/4|in|cm|1}} [[rope]], [[ribbon]], or [[leather]] straps can be used.<ref name="Breast">{{cite web |title=What is Breast Bondage? Learn the Basics and Safety [NSFW] |url=https://www.lovense.com/bdsm-blog/breast-bondage |website=Lovense |date=22 August 2018 |access-date=24 October 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

The basic breast bondage technique, sometimes known as ''circling'',<ref name=Pinkerton/> involves tying ropes around the base of the [[breast]]s, causing them to bulge outwards. Usually, a single length of rope is used to tie both breasts so that the rope harness is automatically held together at the front. The rope may then also be fixed behind the back, to make a sort of [[Brassiere|bra]].<ref name="Breast"/> The technique is most suitable for breasts that are [[C cup]] or larger.<ref name=Pinkerton/>

Another technique is to put a rope around the [[torso]] just above the breasts, and another one just below them, then push the ropes together to squeeze the breasts from the top and bottom. This can be done instead of, or as well as, the other method. A rope can also be passed over the [[shoulder]]s and between the breasts, drawing the rope above and below the breasts together, then pass back over the shoulders to the [[knot]]s at the back. The primary rope can be used to place cinches between the arms and the body.<ref name="Breast"/>

====Shinju====
Shinju is a traditional Japanese breast bondage technique in which a rope is tied above, below and between the breasts, and also forms a halter over the shoulders and around the neck.<ref name=Pinkerton/> The term ''Shinju'' (from the [[Japanese language|Japanese]] 真珠 meaning [[pearl]]) is a euphemism to refer to the binding of female breasts. It has been popularly claimed that "shinju" is an authentic Japanese term for a "bikini harness". However, no such tie called a "shinju" is found in historic or present [[kinbaku]].<ref name="Shinju"/>

The basic or foundational kinbaku form of binding the arms and breasts is known as the [[Ushiro Takatekote]], which is to bind the arms behind (ushiro) the back in a box arm position (takate kote). This basic box arm tie, originally found in the [[samurai]] [[martial art]] of [[hojōjutsu]] (捕縄術) or Nawajutsu, (縄術) evolved into its erotic usage at the end of the 19th century and early 20th century, and is the foundation of most other kinbaku ties.{{sfn|Harrington|2007|pp=51–96}}

====Combination with other techniques====
Sometimes, breast bondage is combined with other bondage techniques. For example, the woman's arms can be tied behind her back, in an elbow or box tie or in a reverse prayer position. When combined with breast bondage, bound arms force the woman's chest and breasts to protrude further. When combining breast and arm bondage, the ropes can draw the ropes above and below the breasts together at the sides of the breasts as they pass under the shoulders and behind the neck, thus resulting in rope effectively surrounding the breasts.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

Breast bondage can play an integral part in [[suspension bondage]]. If the subject is being suspended, particularly in a horizontal position such as a suspended hogtie, breast bondage is used as the main supporting area under the chest.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}

===Positions of the arms===
To describe a rig, a whole vocabulary has evolved. When the arms are crossed over the chest like a mummy: this is Egyptian, if they touch the opposite shoulders: this is a double-V.<ref name="ASI"/> When both wrists are secured together behind the waist: this is a [[#Strappado|strappado]]. When a wrist is pulled behind the back and up to the opposing shoulder we have a hammerlock.<ref name="ASI"/> When the wrists are in front of the body and the elbows tied with a spreader bar behind: this is a waitress. This hands may be on the head, or behind the neck or in an over-arm tie. They may be on the soles of the feet, on the ankles,{{sfn|Harrington|2007|p=175}} on the opposite ankles on the knees, to the side crossed in front or holding the opposite elbow.<ref name=lexicon/>

===Captive tie===
A '''captive tie''' or '''over-arm tie''' (Kotobu	Ryo-tekubi), is a bondage position in which a person's wrists are fastened behind the person's head using some form of physical restraints, such as [[rope bondage|rope]] or [[bondage cuffs|cuffs]] to which is attached a length of rope, [[chain]] or [[strap]] the other end of which is attached to a belt at the waist or other anchoring point.{{sfn|Harrington|2007|p=177}}

[[File:Overhead tie.svg|thumb|upright|An over-arm tie]]
People who practice [[rope bondage]] see this as a short term or temporary tie, to be used to restrain the [[female submission|submissive]] while moving to another room, or a warm up introductory tie. It is not inescapeable.<ref name=cr26>{{cite web |title=Wrists over Head to Back |url=https://crash-restraint.com/ties/26 |website=crash-restraint.com |access-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703122104/https://crash-restraint.com/ties/26 |archive-date=3 July 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> This simple over-arm tie is sometimes used in sexual [[foreplay]] and in [[tickling game]]s where it prevents the submissive from protecting their ticklish spots.

The wrists are tied together in front with a [[#Double-column tie|double column tie]]. They are taken over the head and the rope falls down the centre of the back. It is passed around the lower chest and looped around itself, it is reversed and the fall is tightened and centred, the rope passes back in front of the chest and is locked off at the centre back. Spare rope can be passed up to wrists tightening the tie. To use this as a permanent tie, the tension is reduced and a further rope is passed between the upperarms, closing the space under the elbows.<ref name=cr26/>
The over-arm tie may be used as a part of more complicated bondage. For example, the back rope can be passed between the legs and fastened in front, forming a crotch rope. The wrists may be tied to the upper arms with any desired tension, from a loose tie to a strict tie where the wrists are almost touching the upper arms.{{sfn|Harrington|2007|p=177}} The over-arm tie can be combined with other techniques which restrict the subject's mobility further, such as hogtie bondage, frogtie or the shrimp tie for the legs, or by securing the tied wrists to a fixed frame. In this position, the elbows stick out on each side, level with the head, with the hands tied behind the head.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}

===Shouldering the rifle===
[[File:Shouldering the rifle tie.svg|120px|thumb|Shouldering the rifle position]]
Teppō shibari (Japanese: 鉄砲縛り)

This is an asymmetric arm tie, where one arm is taken behind the back, and the other arm is taken over the shoulder.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Roos |first1=Bob |title=Teppo/Teppou shibari |url=https://www.ropemarks.com/glossary/teppo-teppou-shibari/ |website=RopeMarks |access-date=31 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831080002/https://www.ropemarks.com/glossary/teppo-teppou-shibari/ |archive-date=31 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="lexicon"/>

===Reverse prayer===
[[Image:Reverse Prayer Tie.jpg|thumb|140px|A reverse prayer restraint]]
The '''reverse prayer position''', a technique used in BDSM play, involves restraint of a person's arms by binding them behind the person's back, with the hands placed between the shoulders, with the fingers of both hands straight, extended, and the palms of the hands touching each other.<ref name=lexicon>{{cite web|url=http://www.restrainedelegance.com/preview/lexicon1/icons/index.php|title=The Restrained Elegance lexicon of slavegirl bondage poses and positions|author=Hywel & Ariel|website=Restrained Elegance|access-date=25 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823184337/http://www.restrainedelegance.com/preview/lexicon1/icons/index.php|archive-date=23 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The wrists are bound together. It is similar to the traditional prayer position, but with the arms behind, rather than in front of, the bound person, thus preventing use of the arms. Someone bound in the position may need careful monitoring. Many people find the position painful after a time, and cramps may set in.

To immobilize the arms further, ropes or a strap are often placed round the arms and torso, pressing the arms against the back. On a woman, this can conveniently be linked to ropes for breast bondage. Another technique is to fix ropes from the elbows to a belt or other ropes round the body.

In bondage fiction, people in this position are sometimes forced to have their [[Elbow-joint|elbow]]s touching, turning this into a form of elbow bondage. Very few people can adopt this position without [[Dislocated shoulder|dislocation of the shoulders]]. However, with many people, it is possible to press the elbows together slightly and tie them in that position.

The reverse prayer position (without any bondage) is also used in some [[yoga]] exercises.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yogaartandscience.com/poses/av/pashnam/pashnam.html|title=Pashchima Namaskarasana (Reverse Prayer Pose)|author=Witold Fitz-Simon|date=2010|website=Yoga Art and Science|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325003906/http://www.yogaartandscience.com/poses/av/pashnam/pashnam.html|archive-date=25 March 2019|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

===Head bondage===
[[File:Male Submissive wearing a ballgag.JPG|thumb|145x145px|A man wearing a head harness with a blindfold, a [[ball gag]] and a neck collar. ]]
'''Head bondage''', in BDSM play, includes all techniques used to apply control to the head of the subject. It may refer to one of several techniques:<ref name=wiseman>''Jay Wiseman's Erotic Bondage Handbook'', Jay Wiseman, Greenery Press, 2000, {{ISBN|1-890159-13-1}}: subchapter "Hoods": pages 217-220</ref>

*It may refer to the use of rope or other material to achieve control of the head. In particular, it may refer to pulling the head backwards by hair bondage or a rope attached to the back or top of a hood or head harness. It is also possible to use a rope attached to a blindfold or gag, but this is usually less secure and may cause excessive pressure on a small part of the face; in particular, with a gag, the corners of the mouth may be injured.
*It may refer to encasing the head in a [[bondage hood]], a '''head harness''' (a device made of interconnected straps designed to encircle the human head), a box, or the use of a device such as a [[Scold's bridle]] (also referred to as a branks). A head harness may include a [[blindfold]] and/or [[gag (BDSM)|gag]]. The encasement may include or be supplemented by a wide, stiff [[posture collar]] round the neck to restrict movement of the head.<ref name=wiseman/>

The straps of a head harness are generally secured by [[buckle]]s that fasten at the back of the head. Head harnesses are most commonly used to provide points of attachments to secure various kinds of [[gag (BDSM)|gag]]s, such as [[ball gag]]s, [[bit gag]]s, [[muzzle gag]]s and [[ring gag]]s, although they also have other uses, such as providing attachment points for other forms of bondage, or may be used simply for their psychological effect. Head harnesses may also function as a gag by themselves, by restricting the ability to open the mouth, or have a mouth cover as an integral part.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Graveris |first1=⭐ Dainis |title=Ball Gags 101: The Ultimate Guide To BDSM Gag & Bondage Play |url=https://medium.com/@dainis/ball-gags-6216b0f1db6a |website=Medium |access-date=2 September 2019 |language=en |date=8 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902081159/https://medium.com/@dainis/ball-gags-6216b0f1db6a |archive-date=2 September 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Head harnesses, like many other forms of bondage, also have the effect of creating a sense of [[objectification]] and erotic helplessness in the wearer, which can be erotic for the wearer, or for those observing them. Many head harnesses are designed with straps that pass in front of the wearer's eyes, restricting their vision, and further increasing the sense of objectification and erotic subjugation. Some have full [[blindfold]]s.<ref name=wiseman/>