noun \ˈdi-sə-plən\
>control that is gained by requiring that rules or orders be obeyed and punishing bad behavior.

The term discipline is one of the D’s in BDSM and it describes psychological restraining with the use of rules and punishment to control overt behavior. It’s often seen in dominant/submissive dynamics and in dynamics involving sadism and masochism. Discipline can involve punishment, “funishment”, and/or structured training of the submissive partner.

Punishment can involve anything from physical pain (spanking, anyone?), humiliation, to loss of freedom (for example, chaining the submissive partner to the foot of a bed).  Funishment is very similar to punishment, except the recipient enjoys their punishment. Do you want to be taken over someone’s lap and spanked? You’re probably after funishment, not actual punishment.

The world of kink is a pretty subjective place. Everyone has their own ideas of what discipline and punishment are, and they vary from dynamic to dynamic. Explore on your own and figure out what works best for you!