It's official - bondage is now in the mainstream after the roaring success of erotic novel Fifty Shades Of Grey, which boasts chapters of kinky sex, sado-masochistic lust and plenty of spanking.
Not only is the book's success (it's currently smashing book sale records in the UK) prompting women to buy, read and share the saucy scenes through forums, social networking and word of mouth - it's also rumoured to have boosted sales of DIY goods (soft ropes in particular) as Fifty Shades fans flock to reenact the bondage-filled plot.
Thinking of doing a Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele and introducing handcuffs, whips and blindfolds into the bedroom?
"Bondage covers a very wide spectrum of sex acts, and can mean something different to every person," explains Rochelle Peachey, couples counsellor, author and founder of transatlantic dating site I Love Your Accent.
"Bondage isn't all whips, dungeons and medieval torture."
Take a look at bondage tips for beginners, that'll get your heart racing...
