FLOGGING

To the beginner flogging may look simple, and actually it's not that complicated, but it does require attention and physical effort along with some practice. However, understanding of some basic guidelines can develop the experience for both the slave and master.  A beginner would do well to practice on a pillow, focusing on the intended striking point.

1. Before any flogging, the parties involved should make an agreement on the limits and what "safe-word" to use to slowdown or stop the flogging. Does the slave like light medium or hard sensations? How open is they to new experiences? Have they had much if any experience with flogging before? Trainees may think they can take lots of pain, and then be surprised at what a flogging actually feels like.

v Medical or physical limitations should be made known of before, starting a session

2. The basic area to flog is the upper back on each side of the spine or the backside. Stay off the spine to avoid damage to the vertebrae and related sensitive areas.  Instead of using a full swinging motion stop the flogger immediately after it hits or even pull it backwards in a snapping motion right before it hits. By varying this motion you can control how much of the tails connect with the back; more will cause greater thud while hitting with just the tips will be stingier.

3.  Avoid wrapping the tips of the tails wrap around a curved part of the body such as the shoulders, torso, butt or legs. In wrapping the tips accelerate tremendously and the resulting excessive force at the tips almost always causes an undesirable increase in pain.  A person has to estimate where the tails are going to hit.  In addition, when flinging a flogger people often have a tendency to move towards the target, which will cause wrapping if it's not compensated for. On rare occasions a bottom may desire wrapping, but then this should be done by mutual agreement and care.

4.  The butt is very inviting, but because of its smaller size and roundness it requires greater accuracy to avoid excessive wrapping onto the hips or into the especially sensitive "inner" areas; avoid hitting the tailbone.  The thighs can be flogged but should be done with extra attention to wrapping. Female breasts should be flogged lightly to avoid medical problems that could occur from bruising, and this may be more important if they are flogged often; males can usually safely take more in this area. Generally other parts of the body, especially the kidney area, should never be flogged except with very light, miniature floggers.  Stay away from all joints of the legs and arms, and the head and neck should never be flogged.

5. Start with softer strokes and work up gradually to the agreed point.  This way the slave will be able to take more as well as get more out of the lesson.  If you have an assortment of floggers, start with the lighter ones before going to the heavier selection.  Always varying the pace and alternating lighter slow strokes with harder and faster ones, using just the tips building to full strokes, this can make the difference between a good session and a great one.

During the lesson the master always needs to be sensitive to the degree of how the slave is handling the experience and when to vary the strokes.  During the lesson, the experienced master can learn valuable information by observing the slave’s reactions to what is happening.

6. The master should understand that the heavier/thicker tails will cause a thud, while harder/thinner strip tails will cause more sting, braided leather tails usually cause the most sting. These differences are best understood by experiencing them on yourself. A flogger also needs to be swung fast enough so the tails don't separate and land inaccurately.

7. Occasionally during a flogging a small amount of blood may appear on the skin as a result of a blemish being broken open. How blood and other body fluids on a flogger should be dealt with is controversial; disinfectants and leather conditioners can alter the leather.  It is important if you have more than one slave to have different floggers for each slave.  If any blood or body secretions have gotten on the tails, they should be wiped with a dry cloth. Then before using the flogger again it should be hung to air-dry for two weeks--the drying action will kill any viruses.  Some would suggest cleaning the tails with a cloth moistened with a fresh solution of bleach mixed 1 part to 10 parts water. A few may suggest both the bleach solution and then drying for two weeks, but this may be more than is needed. On the other hand, we are talking about AIDS and hepatitis.  The best approach is to avoid getting blood and other body fluids on your floggers. However, the flogging action will tend to wipe blood away and make a tiny skin break difficult to see. Therefore checking a slave’s skin after a flogging for signs that any blood may have gotten on the flogger would be wise.  If someone trusts you enough to let you flog them, you owe it to them to be careful.  Flogging is ultimately supposed to be gratifying to both parties.