This article is meant as a commentary on the 3 excellent pieces posted by "Woodshed" in the MMSA Stories collection. It is not to be understood as a criticism of those essays but perhaps only as a amplification of them.
I cannot agree more with that author more regarding the importance of ritual before, during and after punishment. It provides for the orderly and controlled administration of the punishment. It defines the role of each individual. Within this framework each demonstrates respect for the other while reinforcing their respective positions.
I would simply like to point out the responsibilities of the Bottom in the preparations for his punishment. This involves a commitment on the man or boy to be punished. Namely, out of respect for the Top and especially out of respect for himself, the individual who considers himself deserving of punishment should do his upmost to to maintain his body in top condition. It is importand to develop one´s physic in as optimum form as is possible. In a broad sence, a Top can be in any condition he chooses, but an individual requiring and requesting corporal punishment has a responsibility to both his Top and to himself to be, plainly speaking, "in Shape" Is there anything less respectfull than a man or boy who does not care for his own body.
That is why I exercise regularily and rigorously. I want to present myself to any Top as someone who is deserving of his attention and discipline.
I pay special attention to my buttocks in my exercise routine, performing numerous "squats" to build the gluteus maximux and medius muscles. It is true that the buttocks do not display their full prominence when the body is in a bent over position- a cmmon posture during punishnent. However, in cases in which the gluteus maximus are well developed one can still note the hollow at the sides of either hip, called, anatomically, the great trochanter. That concave area is most evident in those who have worked hard on the development of the gluteus muscle group. Because these muscles are most prominent in a standing position, I sometimes ask permission to lean against a wall, hands above my head, during disciplining. This, however is not my decision, as a Top can best judge how to administer the punishment.
It´s true that these muscles should not be tensed up during a strapping or spanking, but even in a relaxed state, a well developed behind presents a pleasing roundness and firmness. In the same way that I do´nt have to flex my pectoral muscles to show their definition, neither do I have to "pucker up", or flex my ass muscles to show their form. I make certain that the muscle definition of my torso, both behind, and in front is evident in a relaxed state. I never tan in the nude. It is importand to present a pair of white, firm muscles when the time for disciplining arrives. How better to display the punishment, the reddening and occasionally the welting of the buttocks region?
The entire point is to present a well muscled body- one that will benefit from the lesson of corporal punishment. A man or youth should be proud, and not ashamed when the moment arrives when he is instructed to strip or requests to strip to recieve his strokes.
On a side note, part of my ritual in the week or several days before my discipline is to refrain from masturbation. This denial is part of my preparation. If the session requires release I want that to be satisfying for the man has punished me. In addition, just before and during the spanking or whipping, the appearance of the body´s own clear and natural lubricant at the tip of the penis is a turn on for many Tops I have known. It is an indication of my deep bodily appreciation of what the punisher is doing for me. Avoiding masturbation in the days before the session assures a good quantity of that fluid trickling down my penis. That is why, in the days prior to my visit I am carefull to guard against any undo stimulation of the genital area, wearing loose clothing, both day and night. I avoid stripping to the nude. I do not shower after exercising in order to avoid any visual stimulation. I have found that these precautions help me to avoid any ejaculation before my discipline. It is interesting to note that after several days of being constantly covered, the very act of stripping in front of the Top is that much more signifigant.
Yet none of these precautions actually reduces the sence of physical tension and restlessness that ussually acompanies a cessation, however temporarily of self gratification. But I feel it is essential that I arrive for discipline in a state of readiness- "pumped up", both physically and emotionally for an experience which I consider very importand.
There are many other usefull and interesting preparation rituals that I´ve been taught or that I´ve requested that may be followed immediately prior to my punishment session, These serve to emphasize the signifigance of the discipline, wheather it is a caning, spanking or strapping. The experience is so importand, (and I think many Tops and Bottoms will agree), that the proper respect and care should be taken in observing all of the preliminaries to it.