Formal slave training generally begins with some sort of physical training. In the BDSM world, usually this means that we begin with basic position training so that the submissive knows how to properly position herself with good posture in the presence of her Dominant. Position training as the physical basis for slave training has its roots in the M/s and Gorean lifestyles (some say it was also an Old Guard Leather thing but most of the OG people I trained under when I was younger said that it wasn’t part of their early lifestyle).
Position training allows the Dom to put the submissive into positions that are enjoyable to view. But they actually serve a far more important role in slave training. Physical training helps to put the slave into a head-space that is far more submissive and helps to keep her there. It is much like the idea that forcing yourself to smile will actually cause you to be happier – it is the mind following the body. Position training is also absolutely essential to High Protocol and to public play. Taking a submissive into a play event or to a protocol event without the ability to control her can be a humiliating reflection on the Dominant.
Start slow and build, don’t try to learn everything in one day and one thing that is very important to keep in mind – no two submissives are exactly alike and trying to force people into the same physical position can actually be harmful. Adapt positions to the physiology of the submissive and be mindful of what she is and is not capable of. Someone with bad shoulders for example should never be forced to cross their arms behind their back. Someone with bad knees needs to be careful about kneeling. Do not go for extended periods of time, start with just a minute or two and build up. Dominants need to very carefully watch their slaves for any kind problems and submissives should be able to communicate any excessive pain, discomfort, or difficulties with any position so that the Dominant can make a decision about the position and length of training.
Just as important as the positions themselves are how one gets into the positions. It is very important to practice mindful movement and not simply flop around into positions. Besides the fact that it might harm the submissive, it looks bad. Assuming positions and moving between them should always be done as gracefully as possible and with as little extraneous movement as possible. The slave might want to imagine herself much like a ballerina striving for perfect balance and a smooth graceful way of moving the body. Once in the position, there should be no movement at all and the submissive should strive for grace in stillness.
And Dominants- do your own thing. If you prefer certain positions in your submissive, emphasize them. If you like some and don’t like others, do that. If you only want to use two or three positions, or you want to use many more than I use, do so. There is absolutely no hard and fast rule when it comes to slave positions unless you belong to a House or Protocol group- and even then there is always leeway. Your word as the Dominant is the absolute and final word for your submissive. This list is how I teach them within my House and my dynamics.
Standing Positions
In all standing positions, the back should be straight with the chest out, shoulders squared and pulled back, and breasts prominently displayed. The knees should not be locked, bend them very slightly so that blood flow is not inhibited. The slave might consider looking at how professional dancers stand and try to emulate that feeling of being ‘pulled’ upright as if there were a string attached to the top of the head. While the slave should stand fully upright, as tall as they can, they should also strive to maintain the mental idea of taking up as little space as possible. They are on display for the pleasure and use of their Master and not for themselves.
- Stand – Stand straight with the head up, feet shoulder width apart, eyes should be downcast, arms at the side or behind the back.
- Verbal Commands – Stand, Up, or Wait
- Hand Command – Raise hand with palm up, fingers outstretched and together.
- Attention – Stand straight with the head up, feet together, eyes should be downcast, arms at the side.
- Verbal Commands – Attention, Stand To Attention
- Hand Command – Raise hand with palm up, fingers outstretched and together then form a fist.
- Wall – Stand straight, close to the indicated wall, with the head up, feet shoulder width apart, eyes should be downcast, arms at the side, nose should just gently touch the wall.
- Verbal Commands – Against The Wall, Wall or Stand In The Corner.
- Hand Command – Fingers together, pointing up, make a pushing movement toward the indicated wall.
- Inspection – Stand straight with the head up, feet together, eyes should be downcast, arms raised and fingers interlocked behind the head. Slaves with longer hair should gather the hair up to expose the back of the neck as they join their hands.
- Verbal Command – Stand For Inspection or Inspection (when already standing).
- Hand Command – Raise hand with palm up, fingers outstretched and spread apart.
- Toes – Standing with the feet shoulder width apart, bend at the waist and attempt to touch the toes. The hands should grasp the leg to support the body, it is especially important that the slave find a balance point that allows for impact on the buttocks or upper thighs, or physical inspection of the genitals.
- Verbal command – Toes, Touch Your Toes, or Bend Over For Punishment.
- Hand Command – none.
Sitting or Kneeling Positions
In all upright kneeling positions, the back should be straight with the chest out, shoulders squared, and breasts prominently displayed. The upper body should maintain the same appearence as those of the standing positions, never slouching.
If the slave is allowed to sit on a chair or couch she should never take advantage of that and slouch, spread out, or act ‘casual’. The slave should always maintain good posture that reflects well on her Dominant. She should continue to keep her eyes downcast, looking around should be done demurely and she should never meet another Dominants eyes, or speak with one, without being directed to. She should also never stand up or move for another person (Dominant or submissive) unless directed to by her Dominant.
- Kneel – On the knees, legs together, head up, eyes downcast, hands behind the back either crossed or resting on the outer buttocks toward the rear.
- Verbal command – Kneel.
- Hand Command – Lower hand with palm down, fingers together.
- Present – Kneeling, legs spread wide, head up, eyes downcast, hands resting on the thighs palms up.
- Verbal command – Kneel And Present or Present (if already kneeling).
- Hand Command – lower hand with palm down, fingers spread.
- Submit – Kneeling, lean forward with head touching the ground, hands stretched out. (This is identical to the child’s pose in yoga).
- Verbal command – Kneel And Submit, or Submit (if already kneeling).
- Hand Command – none.
- Inspection – Kneeling, legs spread wide, head up, eyes downcast, fingers interlocked behind the head. Slaves with longer hair should gather the hair up to expose the back of the neck as they join their hands.
- Verbal command – Kneel For Inspection or Inspection (if already kneeling).
- Hand Command – none.
- Sit – From a kneeling position the submissive may sit on the buttocks keeping the knees folder or sit in a crossed legged position. The slave must never spread out or extend the legs and must strive to take up as little space as possible.
- Verbal command – Sit.
- Hand Command – none.
- Kneeling Punishment – from a kneel, lean forward placing the head on top of the hands on the ground with the buttocks up.
- Verbal command – Kneel For Punishment.
- Hand Command – none.
Prone Positions
- Back – Lie on the back, feet together, hands at the side of the body, looking straight up.
- Verbal command – Back, On Your Back, or Lie Back.
- Hand Command – none.
- Spread – Lie on the back, spread the legs as far apart as possible, place the hands behind the back of the head, trying to press the elbows to the ground, looking straight up.
- Verbal command – Spread.
- Hand Command – none.
- Apology – Lie on the stomach, legs together hands, arms straight out hands touching, forehead or nose to the ground and face straight down.
- Verbal command – none. This position is assumed voluntarily by the slave when she needs to issue a sincere apology to the Master for a severe offense.
- Hand Command – none.