Found this on a friend's site, quite fitting and thought it needed to be shared.

"Kink 101

Part 1. Spankings
There are many types of spankings but they all have one thing in common...the strike leaves that ass pink and hot and tender to the touch. To understand the appeal one must understand that it's not about just smackin' dat ass... it's about rubbing the sting in deep to turn it to a burn that melts through to the naughty bits. Warm that ass up slow and let the heat build. A few soft taps and then a nice sound smack to get it goin' good... A nice hard swat followed by a gentle caress, or a few light strikes before a good hard blow. Aim lower and lower with each round of swats and then stop to let them writhe for more as you reach down low to feel JUST how aroused you've made them... After a hard hit, leave your hand there to punctuate the heat that rolls from your hand into the supple flesh under your touch.

Part 2. Whips and Floggers
It seems to be a common misconception that Whips and Floggers for erotic play are 'Dangerous', 'Brutal', and 'Unhealthy'. I actually ran into a person here that thought these Toys left Scars! Ignorance! For sensual/sexual play, a Whip nor a Flogger should ever 'Crack'! Leather IS capable of flaying skin, people, but that is NOT how these TOYS are used for Erotic Play! Pure unadulterated IGNORANCE! With proper training and technique these toys may leave a few red welts behind but should NEVER break skin! They are to be drawn slowly over the skin to trail suggestively over warm quivering flesh, brought down with a slow hand for the 'Thud' effect, and/or gently 'Thwipped' with a little flick of the wrist. A figure '8' pattern is used a lot for quick turns of the leather to the inner thighs, breast, or buttocks, as well. The MOST IMPORTANT THING to remember is that, when you use these toys, take the periodic break to watch the skin turn pink! If the skin ever turns BLUE from bruising.... put the toy down and take note to not only apply arnica cream to the bruise, after a hot bath, but REMEMBER to take a break sooner and/or lighten up a bit on your swing! With time and a gradual progression of skill you can use these toys to the pleasure of everyone involved! So Be Safe, Have Fun, and Help Keep the Ignorance at Bay!

Part 3. Safewords and Limits
The universal 'Safewords' are RED for Stop, YELLOW for Caution, and Green is sometimes used for the submissive's plea for more. All safewords should be discussed along with all 'Limtis' PRIOR to PLAY! Limits are the structure, the backbone of all types of kink and erotic play, so don't forget to discuss them! Going over limits is also a good way to find out more about likes and curiosities, as well. Nothing like saying, "Name one limit and one like," to start a good game of flirtation about the dirty little things that traipse through your mind! Also, understand the difference between a 'Hard Limit' and a 'Soft Limit'. Hard limits are thing like, "I refuse to participate in any play involving 'scat'." Soft limits are things like, "I refuse to play on cam but might think about it if we got to know each other better." Find these things out about your partner and Safewords may never be uttered! HOWEVER...NEVER feel ashamed or afraid to safeword! Don't just go through with something you hate and then run away to never play again... Don't just 'x' out of play and then try to come back later to look for someone else to play with... Safeword and TALK about what happend to make you so uncomfortable! Communication is the KEY to a healthy HAPPY sexual and/or emotional partnership! Open up more than those succulent thighs and discuss your fears AND your fantasies! ^.~

Part 4. Hot Wax and Ice
These two things are so yummy it hurts lol! The thing is, both can cause permanent damage if played with incorrectly. There are a few simple rules and a few tips that I'll go ahead and tick off now. Taper candles work best! There are all kinds of 'low heat' or 'massage oil' candles, but most of them come in a glass jar. The problem with jarred wax is that it's easy to melt but also easy to spill in an uncontrolled manner. TAPER CANDLES melt relatively evenly and at a drip pace that is MUCH easier to control. The candle should be held about eight (8) inches above the skin or ten (10) inches above the sex organ flesh as the naughty bits are more sensitive than say the tummy, buttocks, breasts, or thighs. Anything closer than that and you run the risk of blisters. Then we come to ice. Use small cubes! As in, fill the cube slots up only half way before freezing the trays. If you're using ice toys from molds, only keep them inside or on bare skin for 10-15 SECONDS before letting the flesh warm up completely! Oh, and glass toys...don't freeze them, keep them in the fridge in icy water, instead. Why? Ever gotten your tongue or a damp finger stuck to something ice-cold? NOT FUN! Remember, Prolonged Ice-to-Skin Contact can cause NERVE DAMAGE! Who wants to have a shivering, quivering good time but then botch it so those wonderful feelings can't be felt anymore? Remember to play SAFE so you can Be Good at being Bad!

Part 5. Domspace and subspace: Ups & Downs
Domspace and subspace are NOT the playroom or dungeon, but physiological states of being brought on by chemical reactions within the brain itself. Domspace comes from the mix of ADRENALINE and TESTOSTERONE. Adrenaline being released due to excitement, with that edge of fear that they might be getting too close to a limit or whatnot, while Testosterone is of course increased with arousal. Subspace comes from the mix of SEROTONIN and DOPAMINE. Serotonin is released at the onset of pain and Dopamine with the pleasure of orgasm.  Both of these chemical mixes are actually addictive. Too much time with intensive sessions of play and a sub can build up a tolerance to their own brain drugs and seek harmful play to get their 'fix'. This is called 'Sub-Drop'. Severe 'Sub-Drop' that turns to a desperate depression is 'Sub-Burnout'. Burn-out is basically withdrawls from the addiction to the brain drugs created during play. Easy way to avoid addiction? BE RESPONSIBLE! Play on a Bell Curve! work up to a "Big Fix' and then wean down and explore facets of submission that don't include pain. Dominants can do drop and burn, too, but more often just burn. They get bored and get depressed. They get resentful of the commitment and responsibility of Owning another person. Easy way to avoid this? TAKE YOUR TIME and BE CREATIVE! Small steps and new combinations of play can be EXCITING! The anticipation of more, of 'Next Time'! It's better for EVERYone in the long run!"

So play safe everyone! :)

I read something recently and a statement stood out.

"Submissives may have thicker skins, but they have weaker hearts.

Fuck them roughly, but love them tenderly."

It describes the TRUE slave hearts (not to be confused with slaves). The ones who need physical pain but emotional strength from their One. There is much more to owning a sub than beating them and degrading them, they need love, guidance, understanding, and some gentle caresses too. If You cannot show compassion for what is Yours, why do You have them?