by ©DarkDuke

Spanking is of the classics in erotic power exchange. The term spanking is usually used for anything that has to do with spanking the bottom. In general no other parts of the body are involved. Purist spankers will only accept spanking as spanking when it is done by the hand, but often the back of a hair brush, table tennis bats, slippers, a swat or chose from many other items that are readily available some of which I have Described in the page "Tools of the Trade".

Many people combine spanking with other erotic stimuli or roleplay like school girl or (old fashioned) lingerie. Strict role-play daddy & naughty girl, uncle & naughty niece, teacher & naughty school girl - is often used. In other words many people use spanking as a form of "punishment" but actually spanking makes a great intro to other active play forms as well.

Spanking to quite a few people who are into the erotic power exchange, is a cult on it's own. These spanking purists will not combine spanking with other forms of play and the spanking will often be used as "punishment". Very often people will go a long way when it comes to creating the right setting for their form of role-play and especially dressing up is important. In some cases this will include NOT removing all clothing, but deliberately leaving some parts like stockings, garters or knickers on. Everyone to their own is what I say.


I have thought for some time about the marvelous variety of spankings and the various results that can be achieved. Mixed with the proper caring and circumstances they can be a powerful psychological enhancer in so many different areas. For example:

1) Play.. Play spankings are fun! There is laughter and even giggling. They are done gently and with not too much pain... Just some stimulation. They are mixed with teasing and tickling and rubbing and are just plain fun! They deepen a relationship, and frequently are a prelude to sex and intimacy.

2) Erotic.. Erotic spankings are designed to enhance the subs sexual response, and may in fact become quite severe and genuinely painful. The pain can enhance sexual response in an experienced sub, and drive orgasm to incredible heights! This pain can be interpreted as the most exquisite pleasure, and moans and deep sexual response are common. Usually for fairly experienced players... Spankings can provide 'spice' to enhance the sexual flavor. It is a often a learned response to enjoy pain.

3) Behavior correction.. Exactly like the spankings that were given when you were a child. Behavior has been unacceptable and the spanking is given as a reminder that this behavior will not be tolerated. The sub may not even have realized that the behavior was not acceptable and may feel no guilt whatsoever. (Before that is. lol) The spanking is a means of correction and control and behavior modification. It communicates the Master's disapproval.

4) Punishment.. Similar to the above with the exception that something genuinely detrimental has been done... such as stealing or angry, hateful outbursts. There is scolding, the punishment is unpleasant and the spanking really hurts. The objective is to allow the sub to feel that justice has been meted out, so that forgiveness is possible. It brings closure to an unpleasant situation. Usually followed by hugs and kisses and real forgiveness. It is used to sweep the cobwebs from the relationship.

5) Guilt Therapy. Sometimes painful situations from the past have occurred which have left a sense of guilt and great sadness. The sub has no way to deal with these long past emotional hurts, and the guilt disturbs her overall sense of well being and happiness. Spanking therapy can be applied, combined with compassionate discussion and hugs. Allows her to "pay her debt" and clear her heart. Frequently requires several working sessions, but marvelous results in obtaining closure and relieving the sense of guilt have been reported.

6) Relaxation.. Usually done OTK on the bed with the sub just relaxed lying over the lap. The spanking is gentle and mixed with deep massage and gentle finger strokes that bring relaxation and peace. These spankings will relieve tension and muscle tightness and leave a sense of well being and being cared for. Almost a form of massage therapy. One can spend an hour or so on this type of spanking and put the sub into a peaceful heaven with a gentle smile on her face. A good spanking is better than a Valium!

7) Bottom warming.. Great for a cold, cold night. There is nothing like the warm glow of a well warmed bottom and then afterwards cuddling under the blankets to bring warmth to the heart and tingles to the posterior. Makes for a happy and warm, contented sub. :)

8) Comfort... This would seem to be a paradox... a spanking for comfort? But I have seen times where the sub has done something sad-- or has had a 'bad hair day', and just felt lonely and bad inside.(The sub may even ask for a spanking under these circumstances)...In cases like this a compassionate OTK spanking will sometimes relieve the emotional tension and make the world seem right again. The sub feels cared about and loved and finds comfort. The instruments used vary... There are so many... the hand, paddles, floggers, straps, canes.. etc. But that is the subject of covered under the tools of the trade.

Good erotic spanking is an art form and requires skill. Banging off too enthusiastically will almost always lead to disillusion. The sensations come to quick and too intense and simple kill the fun. What you want to do is "warm up" the bottom first by starting with light spanking until the "cheeks start to blush". Next wait a while - and in the mean time enjoy the view - and repeat the session, this time a little more firm.

This process is repeated several times until your partner can take as much as you want them to. Before you even start to spank, let them wait for a while. Just lay your partner over your lap, lift their skirt if there is one, lower the knickers and gently stroke their bottom first. Make it erotic. Make it exciting and take your time there is no hurry. This is supposed to be a feast.

Spanking is frequently done in different sessions. Especially if all this is new to you, this may be a very good way to find out where your limits are. Doing it in several subsequent sessions will allow your partner to recuperate between sessions and one of the main advantages of pausing between sessions is that the impact and effect will be a lot more intense. Every pause will allow the nerve system to activate again after being slightly numbed during the actual spanking. As a result, the nerves will start the next session relatively fresh and the impact will be bigger, even without intense spanking.

Sometimes tears can be very erotic. In the event you are looking for tears, you may need to take another route. What most experienced spankers will do is to announce the "punishment or whatever" and concentrate on the mental aspects of the event before performing the actual spanking. Things like having to stand in the corner and wait for the "punishment" to be administered or having to confess their "sins" - having to stand in front of the punisher - will dramatically increase the mental impact of the spanking. Shame, humiliation and fear play a huge part in this technique and this "preparation" will later intertwine with the physical activity. When you are looking for tears you don't need a real long warm up, so you may want to start with more intense spanking immediately, however, make sure you do not start full force immediately. This is in order to prevent the effect of quick numbing, hence killing the fun much too quickly.


Endorphins are peptides (amino acid chains) released by the brain, in response to pain and stress. They are morphine-like compounds. The brain triggers the release endorphins when a stimulus is interpreted as pain, in order to raise the pain threshold and make the pain more tolerable. With erotic spanking, there is an additional ingredient; sexual arousal. Because of this, and because of a specific physiological cycle, it is important to have a slow and gradual warm up.

First, the physiological cycle…… The psychological build up to the spanking (anticipation) is sexually arousing, in and of itself. Being put over someone's lap, perhaps having your bottom and back sensually stoked. The commencement of the spanking, having your bottom bared as the gradual warm-up spanking continues. The arousal slowly builds as the endorphins are gradually being released by the brain, triggered both by the erotic tension and the spanking, itself. As the endorphin level in the bloodstream elevates, the pain threshold gradually increases. Thus, the severity of the spanking can gradually increase and still be interpreted as pleasure. This cycle continues…. Sexual arousal builds, more endorphins are released, pain threshold increases, spanking severity increases. The spanking, still being interpreted as pleasure further increases sexual arousal, more endorphins are released, pain threshold increases, spanking severity increases. And, etc……

This is a gradual process. The top must be sensitive to the body language of the bottom, and not introduce too much severity too soon. If the spanking starts out too severe, a large amount of endorphins will be released pre-maturely; before sufficient sexual arousal has built. The pre-mature introduction of severe pain combined with the resultant endorphin release can totally quash sexual arousal and orgasm potential. This is why it is crucial to start light; with a slow warm up, gradually increasing in severity. In order to accomplish this, the top must be sensitive to the body language of the bottom. Many females are capable of a spontaneous orgasm during a spanking (with no direct sexual stimulation), if the top is sufficiently sensitive to body language, and integrates sensuality with the spanking.

Happy spankings to all. Warm bottoms make happy hearts!