Thanks to 50 Shades of Grey and the hype surrounding it, couples are finding new ways to enjoy sexy time in the bedroom. Some couples even credit the trilogy for saving their sex lives. So if you want to channel your inner Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, then you may look to their dominant-submissive relationship for inspiration. While what's going on with this fictitious couple is pretty out there for regular people, incorporating a few aspects of that lifestyle into your bedroom routine can spice things up and may be just what the doctor ordered for flagging desire. So how should you start? Any situation in which one partner will be submissive to the other requires complete mutual trust. BDSM stands for bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism - so there is a very real element of violence to this type of role play. It's not the best idea to simply start whacking away at a partner during sex or do anything a partner doesn't want. So planning is key.

Talk about what you both like, dislike and deal breakers. Perhaps one partner is OK with spanking but doesn't want to be restrained at all. A partner who has experienced domestic violence or abuse may not want to be involved in being spanked or spanking his or her partner. These limitations should be discussed from the outset. Once that's out of the way, then you can try some kinky acts, like tying one another up and light spanking, with items you already own, like ties for restraints and blindfolds, and using hands only to spank lightly. If the two of you decide this type of kinkiness and role play are arousing and want to take it to the next level, then you might want to look into other toys, like handcuffs. Adult stores and online stores like Good Vibrations have even begun selling 50 Shades packages that include anything a newbie might need, such as comfortable neoprene handcuffs, ben wa balls and even nipple clamps. The best rule of thumb is to keep the lines of communication open between you and your partner so that no one gets hurt.