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Breathplay: a short introduction

Breath play is one of the taboo kinks that has recently become a lot more openly accepted. Kinkcurious? Here is a basic introduction.

Reading time 2 min read ~300 words
Written by Isobel Clark Sensuali editorial team
Last updated 24 June 26 Reviewed quarterly
Evidence 0 cited sources Peer-reviewed where possible
breathplay

Breathplay, whilst thought to be taboo is also quite a common kink that has come into the mainstream in recent years. Here’s the basics.

What is breath play?

Breath play, otherwise known as erotic asphyxiation, is  is a form of sexual activity or bdsm in which individuals intentionally restrict their own or their partner’s ability to breathe for sexual arousal or heightened sensations. This practice typically involves various techniques to limit or control airflow to achieve a sense of pleasure, excitement, or power exchange.

 

Ways of doing breath play

The most common form of breathplay is choking, which means applying pressure to the neck using hands, ropes, or other objects to restrict airflow. Choking has become a lot more socially accepted as a kink with the help of memes and internet jokes that have created more of a common consciousness of how popular these more taboo kinks are and a more lighthearted attitude towards them.

 

breath play: how choking became normalised
The normalisation of choking and breath play through internet humour.

 

Other ways of experimenting with breath play are:

Smothering: Covering a partner’s nose and mouth with hands, body parts, or objects to limit their ability to breathe.

Breath control: Employing techniques like breath-holding, using gas masks, or placing plastic bags over the head to control and manipulate breathing

 

Where to experience breath play

It’s crucial to understand that breath play carries serious risks, including the potential for injury or death due to oxygen deprivation.  Proper education, training, and supervision by experienced individuals in the BDSM community can help reduce the risks associated with breath play.

Curious to explore breathplay experiences? On Sensuali you can find professional bdsm sensualists who will show you how it’s done without risk or harm. It’s all about exploring our desires (even the taboo ones) in a safe and consensual space.

 

Sign up to Sensuali today for more kink experiences and educational resources.

First published 12 September 23
Last updated 24 June 26
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BDSM breath play Sensuali Defines
The Author

Isobel Clark

Isobel is a writer and creative based in Paris. She has been working with Sensuali since 2022 and is deeply passionate about eroticism, kink, the feminine experience of pleasure and its place in art and culture. Originally from a Northern UK seaside town, she is naturally…

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