A huge thank you to Master Tano, founder of MTTA, for allowing me the privilege and honor of teaching the class he built.

Class Description:

Master Taino, the founder of MTTA and Executive Producer of Master/slave Conference defines Cathartic Flogging as: “A spiritual healing, that is erotic and sometimes a teleporting experience, created by the exchange of energy between the participants.” He further said cathartic flogging is “The exorcism of  your demons.”

In this class, you will witness a cathartic scene, learn the entire process from negotiation and techniques to aftercare and pitfalls, and be able to determine if cathartic flogging would be a benefit to your mental and spiritual health. 

The Origins of Cathartic Flogging

• Flogging and self-flagellation go back thousands of years and was part of most, if not all civilization throughout history. There are cave paintings of people self flaguating.
• It’s talked about in every monotheistic religion and most nonmonotheistic religions for both the purpose of punishment and enlightenment.
• The U.S. Army abolished flogging on August 5th, 1861. However, direct corporal punishments were still used “off the books” into the mid 1900’s and nondirect corporal punishments such as running, pushups, and a plethora of other physical activities commonly referred to as exercise will forever be used in militaries around the world as an effective method for punishing, training, and psychologically strengthening soldiers.
• Cathartic Flogging is a term coined by Master Skip Chasey wherein he defined it as “Merging the erotic with the ecstatic.”

Master Taino, the founder of MTTA and Executive Producer of Master/slave Conference defines Cathartic Flogging as:

• “A spiritual healing, that is erotic and sometimes a teleporting experience, created by the exchange of energy between the participants.” Also “The exorcism of  your demons.”

Psycho-Spiritual Elements by Master Taino

• Intention
• Focus
• Surrender
• Aftercare

Energy Transfer

• Much like power exchange of a D/s dynamic, to reach a true state of catharsis there must be a fluid like flow of energy between the Top and bottom. If either person is unwilling or unable to give themselves freely to the scene, or accept the energy of the other person, catharsis can not be obtained. 

Master Skip Chasey’s slave said:

• “All the buried crap, all the stuff too scary to face, all the things too painful to bear, rise to the surface to be let go. Otherwise, how can we possibly be in the present moment when so much of our energy and life force goes into holding all this various stuff down and away. For some the catharsis, the letting go, the endorphin high, the deep relaxation that follows, is enough. In fact, for some it can be downright addictive. I speak from experience.”

Subspace Vs Catharsis

• Webster’s Dictionary defines catharsis as “a purification or purgation of the emotions that brings about spiritual renewal.”
• Subspace is a psycho-physiological state that can sometimes be entered by a person bottoming in a BDSM scene.
• Though they are similar, with cathartic play there is a breakthrough that occurs within the bottom that presents in an intense outburst of uncontrollable emotions and actions from crying, screaming, or cussing to shaking, hysterically laughing, or seizure-like spasms. One bottom I use to play would go into a bout of uncontrollable headbanging while cackling like a hyena. Another would mumbled in a manner that therapists call “word salad” while alternating between hysterical crying and hysterical laughter. While another person I worked with would go completely silent and stoic.

Element #1: Intention

• It is important for the Top and bottom to go into the scene with the intent of a breakthrough.

• Sometimes we bring things out that we need to help the bottom with. We must be prepared to bring these issues to the surface and that they be communicated before and after the scene.
  • Grief/Loss
  • Abandonment
  • Abuse

• In Cathartic Flogging, it is the GOAL to bring out these issues. Many times unplanned issues will surface as a secondary catharsis.

Element #2: Focus

• The goal is not pain and pain should not be the focus of the bottoms thoughts. Instead, focus on the energy, sensation, and experience.

• Steps to help with this:
  • Physically relax
  • React verbally
  • React physically
  • Trust the Top
  • Trust yourself
  • Think positive
  • Avoid distractions

Element #3: Surrender

• The bottom has to be willing to welcome the experience and the positive energy and be willing to give the energy back so they can give into, or surrender to the emotions being brought out by the experience. Only then can the bottom let go of the negative energy.

• When the cathartic state hits it comes in many forms:
  • Crying (the most common)
  • Laughter/Hysterical Laughter (personal favorite)
  • Shaking and/or trembling
  • Yelling, screaming, and/or out of control cursing
  • Nonsensical speech
  • Fainting
  • Violent outburst
  • Vomiting

Element #4 Aftercare

• NEVER PLAN A SCENE, ESPECIALLY A CATHARTIC SCENE WITHOUT PLANNING AFTERCARE!!!

• Aftercare for catharsis is longer than for typical subspace. It can last for hours or even days.
• Do’s and Don’t’s.
• Brief daily checkins for a minimum of three days.
• Top’s often need aftercare and checkins after performing a cathartic scene.

The Dangers of Cathartic Play and Things You NEED to Know

• To better and quickly build the connection between participants start with a very solid touch to the bottom on the area to be played for a period of time. This is usually 30 seconds to a few minutes of solid touching before lightly stroking the area. 
• The Top and bottom are not psychologically prepared.
• Multiple Cathartic states can occur in a single scene.
• Do not touch the area that was flogged as this re-stimulates the area and physically confuses the body, thus, it confuses the mind. When the scene is over so is the touching of the area or areas of play.
• Drop for the Top and the bottom can be much more intense so it’s important to have a safety contact in place especially if the Top and bottom don’t know each other very well or if life or work schedules create periods of availability issues. 
• Catharsis could be achieved in as little as 10 minutes or it could take several hours to fully let go.
• It is completely hit or miss when it comes to newbies, whether they are new to BDSM or new to cathartic scening, being able to reach a cathartic state.
• Besides aftercare, not all four elements are always necessary to for cathartic play. 
  • Intent: Catharsis can happen in a scene when it has not been planned.
  • Focus: Some people who focus on any one thing find themselves unable to let go and they must grant themselves the freedom to let their mind wander.
  • Surrender: A lot, or even most long-time BDSM players have experienced a cathartic state and had not planned for it, knew it could happen, or knew what it was that happened. Thus, the option of a planned surrender did not exist.

Planning a Cathartic Scene

• • Negotiation
    • Has the botton ever experienced catharsis from play?
      • If so, what was the scene like and what encouraged the mind space?
    • What implements are to be used?
  • Playspace
    • Location?
    • Music? (Gregorian Chants work great regardless of personal taste)
    • Participants?
    • Audience?
    • Toys
    • Ambiance (Lighting)
    • Sensory deprivation (Blindfolds, earplugs, …)
  • Aftercare

• NEVER PLAN A SCENE, ESPECIALLY A CATHARTIC SCENE WITHOUT PLANNING AFTERCARE!!!

• • Aftercare for catharsis is typically longer than for typical subspace. It can last for hours or even days.
  • Discuss Do’s and Don’t’s.
  • Daily check-ins for a minimum of three days. Then every other day for 4 days. Then as needed for at least a week. By the two-week mark, people typically do one of two things: either they have processed the catharsis enough to be OK OR they will enter into a secondary drop.  Which needs to be closely monitored. This is where self-doubt, regret, general “stinkin thinkin”, and bad dreams can create thoughts and feelings of self-harm.
  • Top’s often need aftercare and check-ins after performing a cathartic scene.