Secrets of enjoyable Spanking II

Continues....

Building the intensity:

Disciplinary spankings are applied at nearly full intensity with little or no warmup. For sensual spankings, the intensity should be carefully increased. There are several reasons for this. The low beginning intensity enhances blood flow to the area (perfusion) which helps prevent marking and bruising when the intensity increases. Also, when intensity is carefully increased during the stages of play, the bottom can take much higher levels than if not warmed up. And this also helps build confidence and trust when playing with someone for the first time.
Intensity is built in steps, not a straight line. Imagine an intensity scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the lightest impact that can be felt and 10 is the hardest impact that can be tolerated. Intensity is built from 1 to 2 to 3. Then intensity is reduced back to 2, then increased from 2 to 3 to 4. Then back to 3, then from 3 to 4 to 5, etc. During the heart of the play, the intensity can vary from 5 to 10, with rate being a factor. During cooldown, intensity is reduce back down in steps - 10 to 9 to 8, then 9 to 8 to 7, etc.

Rate:
Disciplinary spankings normally occur at a constant and brisk rate. Sensual spankings generally start and end at very slow rates, with a number of rate changes adding to the sensation. During warmup, the rate is slow. Starting at about one impact every 2-3 seconds and increasing very gradually to about 1 per second. A slow, steady rate is relaxing and comforting, and puts the bottom at ease. Cooldown is the compliment - about 1 per second decreasing to once every 2-3 seconds.
During the heart of the play, maximum effect results when the pace varies slightly. The anticipation of the impact is as intoxicating as the impact itself - varying the timing retains that anticipation. Maintain a rate of about 1 per second, then gradually increase to about 2 per second. Then gradually decrease to about 1 per second. The whole cycle should take about a minute. And an alert top will notice the bottom clenching in anticipation of the timing - skip a beat.
A few short bursts of about 4 impacts per second really heighten the heart of the play. Coming without warning, the bursts should last about 5-10 seconds. And they should happen no more than about 3 times during the session. And remember to follow the pattern and reduce the intensity about 2 levels.

The warmup:
This is the most important part of sensual play, and should take a full third of the time spent. It sets the tone and calms a racing heart. The top should position the bottom making them comfortable. Begin by gently stroking the backs of the legs up to the top of the thighs, and the shoulders down to the base of the spine. Repeat a few times until there is no muscle tightness or tension.
A good OTK session begins over the clothing, starting at a rate of about 3 per second and increasing to about 1 per second. Intensity steps up from 1 to about 5. At this point, the top layer of clothing is removed exposing the undergarments. Doing this slowly heightens the anticipation. With the undergarments exposed, repeat the warmup from the very beginning. Do not skimp or rush - remember to always keep building the anticipation. Near the end, pull back the undergarments to expose the cheeks. The bottom may find this exciting, but the purpose is for the top to check the color (arrethema). It should be a very even light pink. And this is a good time for a minute of gentle stroking.
A minute of impacts, then restore the undergarments snugly across the buttocks. Then about another minute of play. Afterward, ever so slowly, slide the undergarments down to just above the knees. This is an extremely exciting time for the bottom, so slow patience is critical. The bottom may arch up to assist, and the top should try to minimize this - better they remain relaxed and feel the sensation. A minute a gentle stroking works wonders, but avoid squeezing. Light fingertip touching on the pinkened area, backs of the legs, and shoulders. Again, repeat the warmup from the very beginning. Take your time, remembering to build the anticipation.

The heart of the play:
This is a time of excitement and caution. Build the intensity in steps, then vary the rate, adding in the short bursts. After using the hand, this is the time for toys - all the techniques described under intensity and rate can be repeated using them as well. Different toys provide different sensations. Implements having a small contact surface area are generally "stingy," while those having a larger surface area are "thuddy." Different shapes (e.g. oval) apply impact over different areas to vary the sensation. Begin with thuddy toys moving toward stingy and back again. Every bottom will have a preference. If toys are used, 80% of bottoms prefer leather over wood. Wood offers no forgiveness to match the contour of the body, and has a tendency to bruise. Focus on the favorite sensation, but do not completely neglect the others - it adds contrast. And this is the time to vary positions. It provides further excitement for the bottom, and gives the top a chance to stretch and catch a breath.
A good top pays close attention during this time. Hand spanking can leave small red speckles on the bottom - the intensity should be reduced and the rate increased. And check that the palm remains slightly cupped. And an alert top checks the side of the buttock furthest away several times during the play for marking or wrapping not easily visible. If toys are used, soft leather can wrap, leaving marks. Dark red swirls or bright red / bluish outlines on the cheeks indicate the intensity is too high. Either the toy is too heavy, too stiff, or is being used too hard. The bottom cannot see their own buttocks, and the top is responsible for monitoring condition. It is better to go longer and lighter. The color should be an even glowing crimson, with no mottling.

Zoning:
If the spanking is properly applied with a good warmup and careful intensity building, the bottom may experience an endorphin release (a chemical similar to cocaine) in their brain. The common expressions are "sub-zone," "zoning" or "flying" during this experience. This is really where the bottom wants to go (once it's been experienced! ) and where a focused and caring top wants to take them. And it may not happen every time, and certain implements (especially leather) may be more adept at inducing this delightful sensation.
Clues for the top to look for are a sudden quitetness and passivity - the bottom seems to have no reaction to the spanking. A common misinterpretation among inexperienced tops is that they have to spank harder or change the implement as the bottom has grown disinterested. Just the opposite is true! The challenge for the top is to immediately recognize this condition and change nothing. And the bottom should inform the top after the play has ended if a repeat is desired. One note of caution however - the endorphin release may also cause headaches afterwards. To help prevent this, the top should not "zone" the bottom for longer than 2-3 minutes before beginning cooldown.

The cooldown:
This is the best part, and well worth a quarter of the time spent - a time of gentle sighs and deep relaxation. There is no substitute for the hand to cool down the bottom in a lying down OTK position. Gradually step down the intensity and reduce the rate - do not hurry. When at the lowest level, intermittent half-minute periods of gentle finger tip stroking and light massage, followed by slow and light impacts helps to maintain blood flow. This helps to reduce marking or bruising that may appear later. Continue the intermittent periods until all the color is nearly faded.
When the color is nearly gone, a few minutes of gentle stroking with a soft brush or rabbit's fur adds a nice finishing touch. Then lotion or oil applied after warming in the palm - do not apply it cold.

After playing:
A hug is traditional. No other form of exchange is required, or should be expected. Spanking can be sexually arousing, but to enjoy it to it's fullest it should never be considered "foreplay." It's a very special path to pleasure that creates a satisfaction all its own. Whether erotic or disciplinary, spanking should be enjoyed as just that and not be co-mingled with other emotional experiences and responses. Else all the vitality, relaxation and satisfaction is compromised. Most people attracted to spanking discovered it at an early age (under 10 years old) long before any sexual awareness or identity develops. Enjoy it for the very special form of satisfaction it is!
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