WHY ARE PEOPLE INTO THIS?
It feels good!
Certain parts of the ass share nerve groups with genitals - stimulation of these nerve groups in the ass "echoes" in the genitals. Spanking also releases delicious chemicals in your brain. As you begin with some gentle, loving warm up touches, the skin to skin contact releases oxytocin. As you build up to the harder hits, endorphins and adrenaline are released, combining to create an incredible natural high!
Hot foreplay!
Having sexy time that is not just focused on genitals or penetration will wake up your whole body, make you more tuned in to all sensations, and build you up eventually to a more fulfilling orgasm & better sex. Starting with spanking can help take the pressure off of orgasm as a goal, because so much conscious attention is being given to all the senses and other parts of the body! (Spanking doesn't even have to always lead to sex, it can just exist on its own as a pleasurable exchange of sensation.)
Power dynamics are sexy!
The biggest, most important sex organ is your MIND! Playing with power dynamics different from your experience in day to day life can be a huge turn on.
As a bottom/sub: You get the rare experience of total surrender, in a safe space. For folks who get in their heads during sex, being spanked is an amazing way to let go and be present in your body.
As a Top/Dom: You get the experience of having total control in a safe space & in ways you cannot have in real life. You get to be the conductor of your lover's sensations and experiences, and offer them the gift of total surrender.
Bonus: You don't have to stick to just one role - switch it up and see how you like it!
New experiences make you feel closer to your partner!
Spicing things ups not only is a great way to discover what turns you on - new experiences actually flood your brain with dopamine, and doing this with a partner creates bonding on a chemical level. Spanking and other kinky activities require an extra level of trust between partners.
WARM UP:
Don't start right in with the hard hits! Set the mood and relax your partner, establish connection with skin to skin contact. Begin with sensual loving touches, massage your partner, use a feather tickler, wake up and engage the whole body. Pleasurable stimulation of all kinds (including gentle touches on the ass and genitals) are a great way to get all parties excited for what's about to go down. If you're doing a roleplay, this is a great time to set the scene and be in character.
SAFETY ANATOMY - WHERE CAN I HIT?
When you get kinky with someone you want to make sure you're practicing SSC (Safe Sane & Consensual) or RACK (Risk Aware Consensual Kink). Make sure you negotiate beforehand with your lover to get the following clear: who can hit who, where on the body it will happen, any existing injuries, medical conditions or emotional triggers to avoid. Even when you are purposefully stimulating your partner with pain, you want it to hurt them but not harm them (long-term serious injury). Be sure to also negotiate if and where you can leave markings (bruises).