Reverse prayer position
The Reverse prayer position is a technique used in BDSM play which involves the restraint of a person's arms by binding them behind their back with the hands placed between the shoulders, palm to palm and the wrists bound together. It is thus similar to the traditional prayer position but with the arms behind the bound person, thus preventing them from using their arms. For many people, this position can get painful after a time, and cramps may set in. Thus someone bound in this position may need careful monitoring.
To immobilise the arms further, ropes or a strap are often placed round the arms and torso, pressing the arms against the back. On a woman, this can conveniently be linked to ropes for breast bondage. Another technique is to fix ropes from the elbows to a belt or other ropes round the body.
In bondage fiction, people in this position are sometimes forced to have their elbows touching, turning this into a form of elbow bondage. Very few people can adopt this position without dislocating their shoulders. However, with many people it is possible to press their elbows together slightly and tie them in that position.
The reverse prayer position (without any bondage) is also used in some yoga exercises.
