Plura

BDSM, Old Guard style, 102: Bondage & Discipline

Intro to Old Guard BDSM, in four parts

This is part 2 of 4. See links in section titles below for the other 3 parts.

About:

This is a four-part series of BDSM introductory classes as taught by a member of the Old Guard community. It differs in approach to more modern perspectives on BDSM, and can be a good introduction for people who are either new to kink in general, or are interested in a historical perspective on how kink was practiced in decades past.

The class is a mix of historical perspectives, and how the community evolved, as well as how these ideas about BDSM can shape and help everyone, from those who are just discovering their kinky inner self, to those who have been in the community for years.

In addition to a lot of history, we cover both practical aspects that are very useful today, and a lot of the psychology of what it means to be submissive, or dominant. There's a lot going on in the head of a submissive, and to be a good dominant, we help you understand their perspective, and their needs.

The four classes are intended to be taken as a set, with each one building on the previous sessions, though each class is unique content. Most sessions are around 2 hours each, with the final session being about 3 hours. (Or about 10 hours of instruction total, across the four weeks.)

Location:

Due to a last minute change, this class will be exclusively on Zoom.

Tiered Pricing:

Like all of The Ethology Collective's classes and events, we strive to be as affordable as possible. As such, we always employ a tiered pricing system where there is a base price for the majority of tickets, as well as free tickets, and above-base priced sponsorship levels.

We make the free tickets available because we believe everyone should have access to the kink community, and we encourage members of limited means to avail themselves of those free tickets. These free slots are made possible by the generosity of those members of our community fortunate enough, and generous enough, to purchase tickets at the sponsorship level. (And the more sponsorships that are sold, the more free community tickets we are able to create for a given event.)

So if you are comfortably able to, we encourage you to buy a sponsor level ticket, to help more members of the community attend our events.

Inclusivity policy:

Like all of The Ethology Collective's events, we are open to all genders, orientations, ages and experience levels. We do not believe that how you were born, how you identify, how much you know, or your financial situation, should impact your ability to be part of the dynamic and rich mix of people that make up the kink community. Just be respectful of all others, we're in this together.

Class Contents:

BDSM 101: Introduction to Old Guard

The first class is focused on the rich history of kink that evolved in and around San Francisco. We cover the beginnings of the community and how it evolved from discharged veterans who came off ship in SF and decided to make our city their home. We explore how the military traditions they had shaped the initial roles of dominant and submissive, and how those differ from how D/s is often experienced today. We talk about the gender aspects as well, and how kink used to be an exclusively gay community, with openly submissive men and no women at all. We cover the meaning of 'BDSM' as a term, and the six 'classic' kinks.

This class sets the stage for the following three classes, which will each examine two of the six classic kinks.

Questions we cover in this session: Where did the OG community and beliefs evolve from? What does it believe in? What happened to it? How do these beliefs differ from more recent traditions? What do the letters stand for and mean? Did you know that 'BDSM' is 6 letters, not 4?

BDSM 102: Bondage and Discipline

For Bondage, we talk about the older forms of bondage, mostly using leather restraints more than rope, and all the things you can do to, or with, someone who's been bound up.

For Discipline, we talk about what it is, and more importantly what it is not. We talk about how discipline is not a license to be mean, or abusive. It instead forms the basis for a relationship where many submissives can, often for the first time in their lives, actually feel safe and stop walking on eggshells all the time.

Questions we cover in this session: What are the historical forms of bondage? What kind of fun things can you do to someone in bondage? What is discipline and what is it not? How does discipline help center subs, and why do they need it to feel safe and comfortable? How can a lack of discipline can be neglect, or even abuse? What is consent, SSC, and Risk Aware Consensual Kink. (Consent, and RACK will be part of each class as well.)

BDSM 103: Dominance and Submission

Dominance is an often misunderstood idea. Originally modeled off the expected behavior of military officers, it is not about being rough or loud or angry. A dominant was instead meant to be a dignified, well spoken, gentleman, who could inspire obedience through respect, and not fear. Conduct unbecoming of a Dominant (or an Officer) was a serious offense and would lead to one being blackballed from the community and excluded from events.

And for submissives, it certainly wasn't about being a doormat or any of the negative connotations sometimes associated with the word. Modeled on the expected behavior of the enlisted men, it was one who gives their loyalty to a dominant in exchange for being given guidance and purpose, trained to be the very best they can be. (Think of it like a Sergeant in the military, or a professional butler in any old British drama.) It is one who finds purpose through the act of service to another, and finds joy in serving another.

Questions we cover in this session: What is service-focused submission? What is it that makes some naturally submissive? How can we best protect and take care of our submissives in the community and in our own relationships? What is it that makes someone a good dominant? What will you want to learn in order to be the best dominant you can be?

BDSM 104: Sadism and Masochism

And here's where we get to the sex... (You knew it was coming.)

In this class we'll cover the different mindsets of the sadist and the masochist. What is each one looking to get, and how to they complement each other. We'll also cover what are tops and bottoms, and how they are different from sadists and masochists. (And what's a Service Top.)

Additionally, we briefly touch on a huge range of possible scenes and play styles, and the fun things you can do to each other.

This class will have two guest instructors: a lifestyle submissive, and a lifestyle pro Domme sadist. Because of the additional instructors, this session runs up to 3 hours long.

Questions we cover in this session: What are some of the many, many, many fun scenes we can have? What is bottoming vs. submission vs. masochism? Is brat a form of submissive, or a form of bottom? What’s a service top? How can you ask for the type of scenes you want?