Bondage is pretty much an integral part of BDSM play. It’s not necessarily the only thing you do in BDSM, but it certainly is well-known, even to those unfamiliar with the community. 

Restraining someone for bondage play can be done using a lot of things, with ropes and handcuffs being the more popular ones. 

Of course, given how big the world of BDSM is, it’s not the only way you can restrain someone for some kinky punishments. 

Using pillories, also stockades, can be used effectively to punishing your sub. But how do you use one? Well, let’s look into that. 

What is a Pillory?

A pillory is a type of punishment or torture device made from wood or metal. 

Its main structure is made up of a panel that has 3 holes in it, one in the middle for the neck, and two smaller ones on either side for the hands. This wooden or metal panel is then erected on a pole or two for support and stability.

The panel itself is hinged, so you can open and close it to make it easier to mount someone in it. The panel is usually adjusted to be just shorter than the person using it.

So, if someone is placed in the pillory, they’ll be forced to bend over forwards, making it a very uncomfortable ordeal.

A different version of the pillory also exists, called the stockade. Stockades work the same way as pillories but restrains the feet rather than the head and hands.

If this sounds to you like something a medieval torturer might invent, then you are right. Pillories are a very old torture device that was used as early as the Middle Ages.

It was originally used to punish people through humiliation, which will give you some ideas how to use a pillory for BDSM. 

BDSM Punishment Ideas with the Pillory

Speaking of punishment ideas, given that it’s such a rarely known tool for BDSM, we’re made a list of stuff you can do with the pillory.

Because the pillory is used as a restraining device, it’s easy to do your punishments around this fact. 

Tickling

Starting off with something a little milder, but can be very torturous, is tickling. Tickles can be a fun experience when done in moderation but can be considered a punishment if done long enough.

This is especially true if the one your tickling, the sub, couldn’t do anything about it.

You can use just your hands, or you can use items, like feathers, hairbrushes, and even electric toothbrushes. 

Common places you can tickle are the neck, sides of the torso, back of the knee, and if you’re using the stockade, you can tickle the underside of the feet freely, too. 

Impact Play

For a more painful type of punishment, you can do impact play instead. This is when you spank your sub to inflict pain, but minimize the damage done.

You can use items like mini floggers but using your hands would work just as well.

The pillory is an excellent device to keep your sub restrained while you spank them endlessly. Adding the pain and helplessness in one punishment will be simply delicious.

Forced Orgasm

Another punishment, or reward, you can do is to force your partner to orgasm multiple times while being kept restrained on the pillory. 

You can use a variety of devices to this end, like a variety of sex toys. 

It’s not as effective on women, since they’re pretty much used to multiple orgasms. But if you do it correctly, forced orgasm can be an excellent punishment for anybody on the pillory. 

Edging

Speaking of orgasm, another way you can torture your sub when they’re attached to a pillory is by denying them orgasm, or straight up ruining it.

This punishment is called edging. With edging, you pretty much get your sub close to orgasm, only to suddenly stop.

They’ll be in a tortured state, given that they won’t be able to touch their own genitals to relieve themselves. Even better if you make them beg for it. 

Temperature Play

You can also use temperature to your advantage here. You can do start simple by using ice cubes and run it across your sub’s body and watch them shiver in agony. 

You can also put an anal toy in the freezer, leave it there for about an hour, then insert it into your sub’s ass. They won’t be able to do much, since they’ll be stuck in the pillory. 

Forced Oral

What else can you do to your sub when they’re restrained on the pillory? Well, you can force them to give you head, and they will happily do it, else you’d leave them in your sex dungeon forever.

Avoid washing your genitals for a day so it gets sufficiently funky. Even better if your sub doesn’t like eating you out. You can also try forcing your sub to do a rimjob, too. 

Safety Tips

Given that your sub will be restrained through the entire thing, it’s the dom’s responsibility to keep them safe.

This sort of BDSM play involves plenty of considerations, especially since you’ll be using some heavy equipment.

Of course, the usual things involving sex still applies, like using protection, asking for consent, and so on.

One thing you need to really think about when locking a sub up on a pillory is the risk of asphyxiation, or them being unable to breath.

Make sure that the restraints have enough space that your sub can still breath, or not too tight around their hands that it will cut off their blood supply.

You’d also want your sub to still be able to plant their feet properly on the ground for stability. If they have to tip-toe, then the pillory is too high.

If your sub tells you that they are feeling uncomfortable, make sure you check on them. Of course, this can still be part of the BDSM play you’re doing, so you will need to establish limits and stick to them just in case.

Lastly, if your sub has any history of heart problems, then we recommend that you skip using the pillory or the sex dungeon in general and check with your physician.