‘Fifty Shades’ of Exploration: Trilogy Opens Up a Kinky Conversation

SAN FRANCISCO—Fifty Shades of Grey, the breakout erotica sensation featuring a dominant-submissive relationship, has elicited more than just tremendous hype; it has given women permission to discuss, explore and enjoy bondage and role play, and there is plenty to delve into.  Whether you just want to dip your toe in the waters of kink or go ahead and skinny dip, Good Vibrations—the trusted San Francisco-based company that takes pride in providing accurate information on sexuality and toys for grown-ups—offers a variety of workshops and props to explore your kinky side, including the book that started it all: Fifty Shades of Grey, by E.L. James.    Curious About Kink: From silk blindfolds and spankers to suede floggers and cute crops, Good Vibrations offers a smart selection of educational books and tantalizing toys for various levels of exploration, including many of the toys you’ll find in the story. Start slow with boudoir accessories and soft blindfolds, and see where your fantasy takes you.  Find the book at any of Good Vibrations six retail locations or online, and get 15 percent off any BDSM toy when you show the book at Good Vibrations stores. Find inspiration at Shades of Grey—A Shopping Guide for BDSM Beginners. Sensation play is a wonderful way to explore your erotic boundaries. It is often referred to as BDSM, a compound acronym comprised of the terms bondage and discipline (B&D), dominance and submission (D&S) and sadism and masochism (S&M).   Permission to Explore: The furor over Fifty Shades of Grey and its feminist and literary implications has some people wondering what to think. Good Vibrations Staff Sexologist and author of Exhibitionism for the Shy Dr. Carol Queen said, “Regardless of our opinion on the merits of the book or its aesthetic value, this book has started a national conversation in what was formerly taboo territory, and that’s a wonderful thing. It has given women permission to explore BDSM in a way that is reminiscent of how Sex and the City allowed women to try the rabbit vibrator. Good Vibrations is happy to offer education, safety tips, and fun things to try in one’s erotic journey.  “Good Vibrations recognizes that sexuality touches on every aspect of our lives and that many people face challenges around positive sexual expression,” she continued. “Our goal is to help interested adults discover ways to experience sexual pleasure, health, and well-being. Since sexual diversity is a core component of the human experience and each person’s sexuality will change over the lifespan, we welcome all forms of consensual sexual expression, desire, and fantasy.”   Education: Everything is better with a little know-how, and Good Vibrations offers ongoing workshops to help navigate new sensual possibilities such as Intro to Erotic Role Play (May 29), Reading and signing of Bound by Lust (bondage erotica), by Shanna Germain (June 13), BDSM & Conscious Sensuality, Intro to BDSM (July 9) and Know Yourself, Love Yourself: Sexual Empowerment for Women (July 17). Find workshops, books, props and more for your next erotic adventure at GoodVibes.com.