BDSM RTV MEDIA NEWS!!!!



06 march 2010





Kink 101


Source: www.torontosun.com  - Toronto Sun  - Canada


TORONTO - You don't have to look far to realize kink is moving mainstream.
From TV shows and billboard ads to magazines and newspapers, kinky explorations are inspiring couples to switch up the old missionary position in favour of some new flavour.


Enter Kink 101. Or Kink for Dummies, if you prefer.

It's where beginner's go to learn the ropes. Or the blindfolds, dirty talk and the wrist restraints (yes, even if they are pink and fuzzy with tiny heart shapes on them!)

Classroom-style workshops in the art of kink are drawing fresh and curious crowds across the country, so recently I headed over to Northbound Leather in Toronto (the famous shop has outfitted everyone from Madonna and Lady Gaga to Rihanna, Trent Reznor and Sarah Brightman) to see what all the buzz is about.

"What we're doing is giving people the chance to explore by offering a learning environment," explains George Giaouris, president of Northbound Leather.

"It's similar to going to a wine tasting. You go, get educated about what it is you're looking for."

But, instead of sipping a glass of merlot, you'll be getting a taste of a world beyond vanilla sex.

Inside, a room has been set up like a classroom with a large white board, only the instructor here is decked out in a body-hugging corset and beside her sits a table full of colourful adult goodies and toys sure to make a student blush.

The words, "Sexy Theatre" and "Adult Erotic Role Play" are written in large letters on the board and the marker-wielding instructor is Lady Viktoria, a well-known Canadian dominatrix.

The idea of erotic role play means stirring the creative pot.
Think character, plot, costumes and environment.

But, no matter where a fantasy travels - from nurse/patient scenario, French maid, super hero and villain or getting decked out in a slinky cat suit, corset or full latex costume - one philosophy is non-negotiable: Acts must be safe, sane and consensual.

In other words, entering into new sexual adventures, shouldn't be taken lightly, Lady Viktoria stresses.

The room is packed full of bright-eyed kink seekers.

There's a 40-something year-old woman sitting with a significantly younger man. They exchange flirty glances and occasionally hold hands.
There's a young gal wearing a hijab, a couple of bookish-looking females, a few singles guys and straight and gay couples peppered throughout.

An eager student in the front row raises his hand.

"If a person is either single or has a partner who isn't kinky, what do you suggest?"

Apparently it's a common dilemma because Lady Viktoria doesn't miss a beat offering up creative ways to help couples close the gap.

She suggests partners jot down their fantasies and clip out photographs they find sexy and place them in individual boxes before gradually sharing their wish lists with a partner.

She also says the movie route is always a great way to get a conversation brewing.

Think mainstream Hollywood films, like the Nicole Kidman/Tom Cruise offering Eyes Wide Shut or comedies that touch on the funny side of kink to break the ice.

During the post-movie chat, ask your beloved something along the lines of, 'Is that something you'd be interested in trying sometime?' she offers.

Cheap and dirty:
Great news for the frugal minded: Your home is already packed with kink-ready finds.

For instance, a feather duster isn't just for battling those pesky bunnies. Instead, use the soft feathers to caress your partner's body (just make sure it's new first!) or add some tease by gently trailing the teeth of a fork across the skin.

Fashion scarves can double up as blindfolds and restraints and are an inexpensive way of trying your hand at light bondage. Also, if you have a brand, spanking new fly swatter kicking about, you can up the ante and that to creative use too.

Remember that some things come absolutely free (think hair pulling and dirty talk) and that you can always dip into the refrigerator for yummy finds like chocolate sauce or old whipped cream to help turn a romp into a tastier affair.

Meanwhile, investing in a head and scalp massager is a great way to set the mood. There are a number of stainless steel options available, including the Tingler, Time for You and Head Scratcher, but be warned, the feeling is so heavenly, it might leave you drooling.

See, all it takes is a little imagination and before you know it you'll be looking at ordinary household items in a whole new light.

Working out the kinks:
- Sure, sex can be serious, but it can also be fun. Being honest and communicating desires with a partner is crucial for achieving sexual bliss. Listen, share and negotiate.

- Dressing for fantasy play needn't be a costly affair. Consider items you might already have, like a pair of thigh-high puts and killer fishnets, a slinky thong with some red-hot stilettos or simply going commando under a cooking apron while prepping dinner.

- Like eating the same chicken dish every night, predictability can quickly become boring. Start exploring new adventures by sharing a book of erotica with your partner, highlighting particular scenes or stories that interest you.

- Visit your neighbourhood sex shop. Don't worry - they've evolved beyond the creepy back room tucked behind a curtain to become bright, friendly spaces where education is a top priority.