I've come to conclusion that power exchange is a necessary rather than a desirable thing during bondage play. Of course we have some predispositions towards being Dom or Sub but in order to know the other side better we need to be in his or her shoes. In bondage play we usually choose to be a Sub or a Dom but it definitely shouldn't restrict us from getting to know what other part feels. In fact there is nothing unnatural in switching from Dom to Sub or otherwise. What I've learned is that we have complex individuality where our darkest self can be found side by side with our purity, where you may well control and be controlled, hurt and to let the other one hurt you. Will you call a Dom strong or Sub weak? Actually, it's quite controversial. Isn't a Master dominated by his own needs? And who leads the play anyway? Isn't the sub the one who sets the limits and gives a Dom the possibility to fulfill his own urges?
The one thing you need when shifting the roles is to get in touch with your own self. The transformation is easy when you realize that you have this potential to do so. In fact, dominance and submission are different sides of the same coin. I can be evil and good, merciful and cruel –all you have to do is to let the your other side out. When you give in to another person you are strong enough to let him control you and probably weak to rest responsibility on.
I think switching parts benefit both partners as they give to top a better vision of bottom experience. Once top experienced how it feels to be submissive he can be more skilled at controlling, especially when it comes to the edge play, when more advanced techniques are necessary.
And although you may basically realize your place in a BDSM session, you cannot say it for sure unless you practice it.
