I've done lots of bondage modelling for a number of experienced riggers and photographers. This sometimes contributes to giving me the feeling that I've already been tied up in every possible way, which makes me worried. Bondage is always at it's best for me when there are new challenges to cope with, and I'd hate to feel that there weren't any left.

So I was surprised and delighted when during the Restrained Elegance shoot with Steve, he suggested a combination which I had never done, or even SEEN before. Reverse Prayer is one of the most difficult arm positions to hold, because it makes such a lot of demands on all the joints of your shoulders, arms and wrists. That said, I love the way it looks, and although it's uncomfortable, it's more sustainable for me than elbows-together strapado. I love the way it feels, too; highly ritualistic and very exposed.

Steve chose to combine the Reverse Prayer with Half Lotus, a rather challenging yoga position which stretches the muscles around the hip joints and always makes me want to slouch, in order to take some of the pressure off them. Unfortunately for me, the Reverse Prayer arm postion makes slouching impossibly uncomfortable!

The result of this tie was that I was trapped, sitting bolt upright, with most of the muscles in my body sending distress signals. But my mind started wandering off in all sorts of pleasant directions...

Thanks, Steve, for a very memorable and difficult but super-fun shoot. And thanks to Hywel for helping Steve with such a beautiful tie and for untying me quickly when I couldn't feel my hands any more :)

Ariel