A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

“My first, his second”

I sure like these suspension portraits that Chris Asadian took of this suspension of Josh and MissPiss, assisted by J.C. from Pangea Piercing in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She writes,

The first time you suspend is like the first time you have sex; nervous beforehand, feelings of excitement and yet complete vulnerability, indecisions, and of course…pain. I’ve built up suspension in my head for so long. I’ve read a million different experiences and articles and I could barely watch a video of someone suspending without aching with jealousy. So it would obviously come to pass that I would be super excited about finally getting my chance to suspend. I saw the look on my boyfriend Josh’s face when he got down from the hooks for the first time so long ago. I saw the satisfaction in someone’s eyes when they were finally able to get off the ground in their two-point chest suspension. I wanted that. I wanted a million different things out of my suspension and I wasn’t even sure what I was in for yet. I’ve done a flesh pull once before and had an amazing time. People, places, attitudes… It just fit and I had an absolute blast. Suspensions can’t be that much harder, can they?

The familiar feeling of the needles piercing my back sent me into my first tizzy. Four hooks were finally in and it was time for a breather. I was already shaking. A little bit of energy drink to bump up my sugar a bit and it was time to lace me up to the rig. Getting off of my feet was incredibly difficult. Not just the way it screws with your head with the concept of everything, but the pain was extreme. I held tightly to Josh with my legs around him as he urged me forward and upward. I closed my eyes and tried to relax per his requests. Everything started to tingle… I wondered… was this the endorphin rush? And then it hit me; I knew that feeling. I was passing out. I forced my eyes open because I knew that nothing good could come out of passing out under these kind of extreme circumstances.

“Don’t let go… don’t let go…”

I kept saying that, panicked, looking at Josh who was standing in front me and holding my hands. I was lifted higher… higher… I started getting dizzy… and then…

“You have to let go… you have to do this alone.”

A deep breath and… I was off. My feet dangled a foot above the ground. My arms were completely immobilized, shoulders up to my ears practically with the weight of my form on the hooks. I had done it. I was suspending! J.C. and Josh were spouting things at me about how great I was doing and cheering me on but I could barely focus. And then… sweat… dizzy… intense pain. I felt like I was going to pass out another time and I tried to push it away and out of my head. Then the nausea hit, and it hit hard. It was at that point that I knew I was done.

My body had been through enough and mind-over-matter just wasn’t cutting it anymore. I whimpered for them to quickly bring me down and that I was feeling ill. Getting down from there was a terrible feeling, honestly. I hadn’t done everything I came to do. I suspended… but… I just expected more out of myself. With my overwhelmingly good response from the flesh pull, I figured that this wouldn’t be too much different. Boy was I wrong. I immediately burst into tears. They weren’t just tears of disappointment.. they were tears of pure emotion and raw… “raw me”, I guess.

Comments

56 responses to ““My first, his second””

  1. ash_issom Avatar

    gorges photo’s and girl. 🙂

  2. Darah Avatar

    Beautiful photography, beautiful couple.
    I wish my partner was into suspension; it seems like such an intimate experiment to do with a loved one.

  3. tan Avatar
    tan

    love how she expressed her experience.

  4. majikan Avatar

    i enjoyed reading this! i like the second photo very much, it just shows her emotions really well.

  5. Cat Avatar

    i had a similar panic attack and was crying a lot.. i think i was up for all of ten seconds. kudos.

  6. hawkfeather Avatar
    hawkfeather

    wow- I am really moved by the story here.
    I have never done a suspension and I love how open and honest she is about her experience- very raw!
    and beautiful shots!

  7. Archetype Avatar

    “Awesome”

    all i have to or can say.

  8. guzik Avatar

    i also want to have my “first time”

  9. solocard Avatar

    This reminds me of a Yellow Pages advert of years past.

  10. Enso Avatar
    Enso

    The picture of her crying and him consoling her just made my day. <3

  11. Pearl Avatar
    Pearl

    Wow, what a good looking couple! The third is my favourite, it was obviously such a tender moment.

  12. redredred Avatar
    redredred

    This is sooo cute. *seufz*

  13. the_mongoose Avatar
    the_mongoose

    2nd photo, top row….WOW. Not often a photo “gets” me, but that image just sucks me right into the moment.

  14. jess Avatar
    jess

    Beautiful! Love it.

  15. citizen blue Avatar
    citizen blue

    beautifully written and the photos are equally remarkable. thank you so much for sharing!

  16. max Avatar
    max

    i loved the pictures and the story. more posts like this!

  17. coffee Avatar
    coffee

    this was such a nice account..as someone who has never suspended and has never considered it, it really lets me see through the eyes of people who suspend in a way that pictures and videos haven’t been able to.
    congratulations!!!

  18. anthony doom Avatar

    one of the more beautiful things ive seen.

  19. Tom For Real Avatar
    Tom For Real

    im a pure wuss…im not sure id be able to do this…but boy does it look fun!

  20. Ron Avatar
    Ron

    Beautiful

  21. ingusjinx Avatar
    ingusjinx

    i really liked this as i am very interested in doin a suspension when i turn 18 and i think this make it soo much real hearing a story like this it was beatiful

  22. Dagon Avatar

    Haha, I know you!! (Sorta…)
    ModBlogged. Awesome. =3

  23. Danielle Avatar

    The second photo is amazing and touching.

  24. Narcissius Avatar
    Narcissius

    That second photograph is real beautiful.

  25. manic addict Avatar
    manic addict

    OMGZZ CASSIE YOU’RE SO HOT! 😛

    You’re definitely a trooper.

  26. Gem Avatar
    Gem

    Beautiful, thanks for sharing

    I think I’m pretty much in love with these photos

  27. Laurie Avatar
    Laurie

    I’m so glad I’m not the only one who was stunned by the second photograph.

  28. Josh (as in the photo josh) Avatar

    I’ve gotta say, hats off to Chris the photographer in this one. Apparently his work is WELL appreciated because Shannon didn’t even -watermark- the photo. Just tossed a frame on it.

    This was definitely an epic and intimate moment for Miss Piss and I…. one we’ll never forget

  29. Josh (as in the photo josh) Avatar

    just fixing website link xD
    my bad

  30. Raven Avatar
    Raven

    Wow…. Amazing!

  31. JustJen Avatar
    JustJen

    Fantastic story.
    I wanna hug her too.
    *tender*

  32. Kayleigh Avatar
    Kayleigh

    My best friend is beautiful. I’m lucky. <3

  33. vingtfois Avatar
    vingtfois

    10 – iawtc

  34. kookyknut Avatar
    kookyknut

    What an amazing account. Thank you for sharing.

  35. London Avatar
    London

    the second photo of her crying is beyond beautiful. i love it. like, i really really love it.

  36. kaesen Avatar
    kaesen

    beautiful story, beautiful pictures and beautiful peoples.. i’m touched..

  37. K Avatar

    Michigan is taking over mod blog!! Wonderful photographs. I would like to suspend someday as well but I worry that the same thing would happen to me.

  38. Miss Piss Avatar

    Thank you everyone for your amazing response! I’m so excited that this made Modblog!! Chris is an absolutely amazing photographer and good friend of mine. I was extraordinarily lucky to have him present at the hanging. 😉

  39. katrina Avatar
    katrina

    i’m sure you know this, but I find that my the last time I’ve eaten determines whether or not I feel faint or nauseous during a piercing/pulling. If you shock your body and your blood sugar is low, you’re probably not going to have a good time. Just a thought.

    For all I know, you might have eaten a three course meal hours before this. 🙂 cheers, anyway. Beautiful shots and story.

  40. Miss Piss Avatar

    @ katrina:

    I don’t think I honestly ate TOO well. Can’t remember. Did eat, though. I think I was afraid of stuffing myself too much. Also, I was nervous and it killed my appetite, which made things hard. There are a lot of things that I will do differently next time for sure. :nod: Live and learn.

  41. LotN Avatar

    Great story. Wish she’d submit it as an experience (*hint hint*)…

  42. Travis (A Perfect Failure) Avatar
    Travis (A Perfect Failure)

    “Miss Piss” first i would like to say you are an amazing writer. your story was very attention grabbing no wonder your lyrics are so good! Chris does take amazing pictures and is a pretty suave mofo. and josh nice metal face while hanging! I LOVE YOU GUYS!

  43. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    I am absolutely in love with the photo of the tears being wiped away. I also love that this story was shared. I think a lot of the time people think they will always have a perfect first suspension because thats all they see and hear about, and I know a big fear of mine is that I’ll “fail” at my first suspension. But at the same time, I think its important to know that not everyones “first time” is going to be perfect, just like someones first sexual experience. But that doesnt mean you cant try again, and it doesnt make you a failure. Thats why I like this so much. It just shows that sometimes it takes more than once to get what you really want out of a suspension.

  44. Dimruthien Avatar

    https://www.bme.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/my-first-his-second-2.jpg

    That photo made me well up, seriously. So much emotion captured right there. She’s beautiful.

  45. mono Avatar

    wow, beautiful photos.

  46. mel Avatar
    mel

    Wow, pictures 2 and 3 are amazing, they capture the emotion amazingly.

    Lovely real story.

  47. julies. Avatar
    julies.

    The photography is outstanding…as well as the subjects.

  48. Julia Avatar
    Julia

    These are beautiful pictures.

  49. Nani Avatar
    Nani

    Lovely story and pictures, but what about that smoking? 🙁

Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News

  • What Lifts the Body, Shifts the Soul
    First suspensions are rarely just about the body— they’re a meeting point between the physical and the deeply personal. Stepping into this experience isn’t simply about trying something new, but about stepping outside yourself to a version you had always sensed was waiting. I’ve had… Read more: What Lifts the Body, Shifts the Soul
  • Skin and Strings: The Art of Human Puppetry
    One of the most powerful things about being at a convention like OSC is the sheer concentration of experience, creativity, and capability in one place. When you’re surrounded by people who not only understand the technical complexities of suspension but are excited by the challenge… Read more: Skin and Strings: The Art of Human Puppetry
  • Twelve Points to the Sky
    There’s a particular kind of magic that happens at your first big suspension gathering when you arrive with nerves, an open heart, and the quiet hope of flight. Guided by the encouragement of mentor Lynn Loheide and driven by the quiet confidence of belonging, Alex… Read more: Twelve Points to the Sky
  • Ontario SusCon 2025
    In March 2025, BME attended the Ontario Suspension Convention in Hamilton, hosted by the Kevin Donaghy and the Ontario Suspension Collective. We had the pleasure to take part and help document the event, but also run a booth to sell a bunch of old (but… Read more: Ontario SusCon 2025
  • Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
    Dear BME Community, We’ve been gone far too long, but BME is back to give people a voice, a space, a community. With time everything evolves, and BME may be different than you remember. Our goal is to stay true to Shannon and Rachel’s values… Read more: Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
  • BME Social Media
    Word of mouth has been our method of reuniting the community, and it has brought a substantial amount of us together. I am inspired by your loyalty and I want to remind more people of BME’s existence. In 2020 we gained control over @bmezine on… Read more: BME Social Media