The Normalization of Shibari

Normalization has become sort of a buzzword these days. Essentially, it means that something that used to be strange, unusual, or plain wrong, has now become widely accepted. Actually, people are seeing it as something ordinary. For example, videoconferences were a dream thirty years ago; now we all take classes via Zoom. Barely fifty years ago, homosexuality was still a psychopathology. Nowadays, however, most people accept it. As for the normalization of Shibari, well…

So, when we talk about the normalization of Shibari, what we mean is that bondage is conquering bedrooms. Likewise, more and more people willing to learn the Japanese art of bondage are crowding the studios and workshops.

There are many factors contributing to the success of Shibari. The first one might be its sheer beauty. The visual power of a bondage scene, both as an aesthetic event and as an erotic dynamic, is something nobody can underrate.

Another thing is that, among the myriad of BDSM practices, bondage is one of the most acceptable. This is true even for people with a vanilla taste. Besides that, it is less expensive than other practices. However, you should spend as much as you need on training and safety.

People in general are becoming more open-minded about sexuality. Guilt is giving way to pleasure. Additionally, participants in a scene consider the satisfaction of all parties involved as a legitimate goal. Moreover, couples are becoming mature enough to get involved in a power dynamic and experiment with their limits, while still upholding the values of consent, respect, and safety.

Of course, normalization is a slow process. So, it will still take some time, perhaps years, for bondage to become as ordinary as the doggystyle sex position (which, believe it or not, was a hideous taboo some seventy years ago). Changing minds is not easy. But, if you’re already a bondage enthusiast, you can be sure that, in decades to come, you’ll be considered a pioneer.