When someone straps on, it’s easy for it to feel like an awkward protrusion rather than something connected to their actual body. But there are ways to practice embodying a strap-on so it feels more like you, which can then make it feel more exciting and more connective when using it during play.
You know how sometimes you put on a bigger backpack than you’re used to, and at first, you knock into the wall, the table, or a friend, because you just aren’t sure where the backpack is in relationship to you? That’s an illustration of one of the great human senses called proprioception.
Proprioception is the “perception or awareness of the position and movement of the body.” After we spend some time with that backpack, generally, we are able to sense how far behind us it extends, and we can be more aware of when we’re going to fit through a door and when we won’t.
The same is true of how we drive a car — ever notice that when you get into a new car, it takes a little while to figure out how to parallel park smoothly? But with your own car, it might be simple — because you already have a sense of the extension of the car in relationship to your body, and you know how to maneuver it.
The same thing is true for a strap-on.
It’s a tool, and a sex toy, yes, but it’s more than that: It can become an extension of your body.
Here’s some ideas of ways to play with proprioception, embodiment, and body-awareness to make your strap-on part of your body.
1. Feel It
Right after you put it on, take a few deep breaths and feel into it. What does it feel like? Maybe it’s awkward, exciting, a turn-on, exhilarating, nerve-wracking. Whatever it is, that’s normal and okay.
If it works for you, you could have a conversation, or put your intention into it while you’re first sensing what it’s like to wear it.
2. Touch It
Use your hands. Feel it, not as a sex toy that you are about to use, but as part of your body. Hold it in your hand. Put your finger on the very tip and see if you can feel your energy all the way into the shaft. Feel the weight and length and girth of it. Move your hips a little and feel what it feels like to have it move with you.
Try that all over again, but this time, close your eyes. What does it feel like now?
3. Practice Wearing It
Even when you’re not going to be using it for sexy playtime, put it on sometimes. Wear it around the house when you are doing chores or doing homework to get used to it. You’ll start to feel how it moves, how it connects to your hips, how the harness feels.
Not all of them are comfortable to put on and wear, I know — but you can figure out a way to wear it without having to move around so much (or put pants on top of it). You could just watch TV.
(Plus, it’s always good to practice putting the harness on and off, since having that be fluid helps with confidence.)
4. Masturbate With It
Dedicate some time to yourself to see what it feels like. No, you don’t have to use it as penetrative (unless you want to) — but use it as if you were using it with someone else.
Jerk off with it, play with it. Use lube, and slide your hand on the shaft. See what it feels like with a vibrator underneath it. See what it feels like when you thrust your hips up to meet your hand, rather than have all the movement come from your hand.
It doesn’t have to bring you to orgasm — the point is just to practice feeling it, and feeling it erotically. It certainly could have an orgasm involved, though!
5. Take Your Time
If you’re with a lover, take some time to yourself right after you put it on. Don’t rush! Feel it, touch it, and move with it until you feel like you have a sense of it as part of your body.
