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.

Electric Relaxation


Forgive the tardiness, ModBloggers, but your editor has thrown out his stupid shitty back and has been laid up on the couch in substantial pain for the past 15 hours or so, because he is the oldest man alive. Please accept, as penance, this intense series of photos from Chris of Shi’a Muslims in Nabatiyya, Lebanon, participating in traditional rites in observance of Ashura, the “holiest day of the Shiite Muslim calendar.” According to Chris (and Wikipedia!), it “marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.” Apparently, this sort of bloodletting (which the men are doing to themselves with those large machetes*) is frowned upon by some Muslim clerics, but…well, not all of them, I guess. More photos after the jump.

*Says Chris: “They actually cut their scalps with straight razors and chant with the machetes. Only the really hard-core guys cut themselves with the machetes (and chains).”

See more in Cultural Rituals (Culture)

Comments

207 responses to “Electric Relaxation”

  1. Shawn Porter Avatar

    Paul King had some amazing footage of this ritual in his APP class (ritualized modification) this year….

  2. Jaime Avatar
    Jaime

    No action shots of the actual cutting? Boo!

  3. Jaime Avatar
    Jaime

    No action shots of the actual cutting? Boo!

  4. Jaime Avatar
    Jaime

    No action shots of the actual cutting? Boo!

  5. Aviram Avatar
    Aviram

    Destruction – Curse The Gods

    Allah , Buddah , Jesus Christ
    Whatever your god may be forget those idols let me told you
    They’re tales of morbid brains
    Everybody thinks has right
    That these gods are the only truth
    Fanatic faith , fanatic deeds
    Join my religion or die , Jews killed Jesus Christ slaughtered
    jews
    Millions die for their faith
    Each religion prays that killing is a sin
    How stupid logic can be
    Curse the gods too many people have died
    Curse the gods that fools have died for a lie
    Beware of those fools that Icep of talking you
    God loves you , for you his son died
    Fuck them , believe in yourself
    Gods reality is just a lie
    Curse.

    that’s it.

  6. Aviram Avatar
    Aviram

    Destruction – Curse The Gods

    Allah , Buddah , Jesus Christ
    Whatever your god may be forget those idols let me told you
    They’re tales of morbid brains
    Everybody thinks has right
    That these gods are the only truth
    Fanatic faith , fanatic deeds
    Join my religion or die , Jews killed Jesus Christ slaughtered
    jews
    Millions die for their faith
    Each religion prays that killing is a sin
    How stupid logic can be
    Curse the gods too many people have died
    Curse the gods that fools have died for a lie
    Beware of those fools that Icep of talking you
    God loves you , for you his son died
    Fuck them , believe in yourself
    Gods reality is just a lie
    Curse.

    that’s it.

  7. Aviram Avatar
    Aviram

    Destruction – Curse The Gods

    Allah , Buddah , Jesus Christ
    Whatever your god may be forget those idols let me told you
    They’re tales of morbid brains
    Everybody thinks has right
    That these gods are the only truth
    Fanatic faith , fanatic deeds
    Join my religion or die , Jews killed Jesus Christ slaughtered
    jews
    Millions die for their faith
    Each religion prays that killing is a sin
    How stupid logic can be
    Curse the gods too many people have died
    Curse the gods that fools have died for a lie
    Beware of those fools that Icep of talking you
    God loves you , for you his son died
    Fuck them , believe in yourself
    Gods reality is just a lie
    Curse.

    that’s it.

  8. Chris Avatar

    They actually cut their scalps with straight razors and chant with the machetes. Only the really hard-core guys cut themselves with the machetes (and chains).

  9. Chris Avatar

    They actually cut their scalps with straight razors and chant with the machetes. Only the really hard-core guys cut themselves with the machetes (and chains).

  10. Chris Avatar

    They actually cut their scalps with straight razors and chant with the machetes. Only the really hard-core guys cut themselves with the machetes (and chains).

  11. Will Avatar
    Will

    Doesn’t appeal to me. But I prefer to see these Muslims drawing their own blood rather than the blood of others; by hi-jacking planes and flying them into tall buildings, exploding themselves on London Transport, or sewing their children into explosive vests and sending them into shops.

  12. Will Avatar
    Will

    Doesn’t appeal to me. But I prefer to see these Muslims drawing their own blood rather than the blood of others; by hi-jacking planes and flying them into tall buildings, exploding themselves on London Transport, or sewing their children into explosive vests and sending them into shops.

  13. Will Avatar
    Will

    Doesn’t appeal to me. But I prefer to see these Muslims drawing their own blood rather than the blood of others; by hi-jacking planes and flying them into tall buildings, exploding themselves on London Transport, or sewing their children into explosive vests and sending them into shops.

  14. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    “You’ve got red on you”

    -Shaun of the Dead

  15. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    “You’ve got red on you”

    -Shaun of the Dead

  16. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    “You’ve got red on you”

    -Shaun of the Dead

  17. D-san Avatar
    D-san

    Head wounds are notoriously bloody, and even small cuts will bleed profusely.

  18. D-san Avatar
    D-san

    Head wounds are notoriously bloody, and even small cuts will bleed profusely.

  19. D-san Avatar
    D-san

    Head wounds are notoriously bloody, and even small cuts will bleed profusely.

  20. Dangerbitch Avatar
    Dangerbitch

    Oh my god. If this post was a gorgeous tattoo of Jesus and Mary no one would make these “religion is shit” comments. Believe it or not, just because someone is religious it doesn’t make them evil.

    I like that everyone is wearing white to maximize the effect.

  21. Dangerbitch Avatar
    Dangerbitch

    Oh my god. If this post was a gorgeous tattoo of Jesus and Mary no one would make these “religion is shit” comments. Believe it or not, just because someone is religious it doesn’t make them evil.

    I like that everyone is wearing white to maximize the effect.

  22. Dangerbitch Avatar
    Dangerbitch

    Oh my god. If this post was a gorgeous tattoo of Jesus and Mary no one would make these “religion is shit” comments. Believe it or not, just because someone is religious it doesn’t make them evil.

    I like that everyone is wearing white to maximize the effect.

  23. almaxaquotal Avatar

    I find it ironic someone said ‘live and let live’ to people having a moan about religion, cos that is exactly what religious extremist WON’T do, and pretty much all the world’s problems would disappear if everyone lived by that simple code. Humans suck though, so we all know this ain’t gonna happen.

    And No.24 – like hell people here don’t bitch about tattoos of Jesus. People here bitch about everything, what are you on about?!?! Did you even search modblog for Jesus/Mary tattoos to back this claim up before you posted? :p while you’re at it, search for the one of the massive Star of David ripping out of some dude’s chest – plenty of Jew hating going on too, so don’t worry, nobody is left out! But thats prob cos all the swastikas have turned us into nazis….

  24. almaxaquotal Avatar

    I find it ironic someone said ‘live and let live’ to people having a moan about religion, cos that is exactly what religious extremist WON’T do, and pretty much all the world’s problems would disappear if everyone lived by that simple code. Humans suck though, so we all know this ain’t gonna happen.

    And No.24 – like hell people here don’t bitch about tattoos of Jesus. People here bitch about everything, what are you on about?!?! Did you even search modblog for Jesus/Mary tattoos to back this claim up before you posted? :p while you’re at it, search for the one of the massive Star of David ripping out of some dude’s chest – plenty of Jew hating going on too, so don’t worry, nobody is left out! But thats prob cos all the swastikas have turned us into nazis….

  25. almaxaquotal Avatar

    I find it ironic someone said ‘live and let live’ to people having a moan about religion, cos that is exactly what religious extremist WON’T do, and pretty much all the world’s problems would disappear if everyone lived by that simple code. Humans suck though, so we all know this ain’t gonna happen.

    And No.24 – like hell people here don’t bitch about tattoos of Jesus. People here bitch about everything, what are you on about?!?! Did you even search modblog for Jesus/Mary tattoos to back this claim up before you posted? :p while you’re at it, search for the one of the massive Star of David ripping out of some dude’s chest – plenty of Jew hating going on too, so don’t worry, nobody is left out! But thats prob cos all the swastikas have turned us into nazis….

  26. KtotheZ Avatar
    KtotheZ

    I heard that in Wrestling they make a small cut with a razor blade to the forehead/scalp area to get that bloody effect too.

  27. KtotheZ Avatar
    KtotheZ

    I heard that in Wrestling they make a small cut with a razor blade to the forehead/scalp area to get that bloody effect too.

  28. KtotheZ Avatar
    KtotheZ

    I heard that in Wrestling they make a small cut with a razor blade to the forehead/scalp area to get that bloody effect too.

  29. zoe Avatar
    zoe

    So much blood but yet I cant see the wounds!

  30. zoe Avatar
    zoe

    So much blood but yet I cant see the wounds!

  31. zoe Avatar
    zoe

    So much blood but yet I cant see the wounds!

  32. Vombie Avatar

    That would be a pretty convenient day to kill someone. I mean, you’re already covered in blood…

  33. Vombie Avatar

    That would be a pretty convenient day to kill someone. I mean, you’re already covered in blood…

  34. Vombie Avatar

    That would be a pretty convenient day to kill someone. I mean, you’re already covered in blood…

  35. hulld Avatar
    hulld

    Wow.
    All you commenting on the religious aspect are a bunch of assholes.

    Thems some damn tasty looking photos.
    Jordan (and Chris) i demand more of this fine shit. Now.

  36. hulld Avatar
    hulld

    Wow.
    All you commenting on the religious aspect are a bunch of assholes.

    Thems some damn tasty looking photos.
    Jordan (and Chris) i demand more of this fine shit. Now.

  37. hulld Avatar
    hulld

    Wow.
    All you commenting on the religious aspect are a bunch of assholes.

    Thems some damn tasty looking photos.
    Jordan (and Chris) i demand more of this fine shit. Now.

  38. Dagon Avatar

    All I can think of is blood borne diseases. T____T I DO NOT like strangers’ blood splashing into my open wounds, thanks.

  39. Dagon Avatar

    All I can think of is blood borne diseases. T____T I DO NOT like strangers’ blood splashing into my open wounds, thanks.

  40. Dagon Avatar

    All I can think of is blood borne diseases. T____T I DO NOT like strangers’ blood splashing into my open wounds, thanks.

  41. Ashley Ketchum Avatar

    makes meh dizzy

  42. Ashley Ketchum Avatar

    makes meh dizzy

  43. Ashley Ketchum Avatar

    makes meh dizzy

  44. Freakeye Avatar
    Freakeye

    Well..At that that time I was drinking beer so fuck that! That’s just crazy!

  45. Freakeye Avatar
    Freakeye

    Well..At that that time I was drinking beer so fuck that! That’s just crazy!

  46. Freakeye Avatar
    Freakeye

    Well..At that that time I was drinking beer so fuck that! That’s just crazy!

  47. Corey Avatar
    Corey

    @Dagon: you said it

    @Will & the rest of you hung up on religion here: whoah, what happened to our community’s striving for acceptance of others and their beliefs? We don’t need to agree with them but there’s some seriously hateful shit coming from y’all today…

  48. Corey Avatar
    Corey

    @Dagon: you said it

    @Will & the rest of you hung up on religion here: whoah, what happened to our community’s striving for acceptance of others and their beliefs? We don’t need to agree with them but there’s some seriously hateful shit coming from y’all today…

  49. Corey Avatar
    Corey

    @Dagon: you said it

    @Will & the rest of you hung up on religion here: whoah, what happened to our community’s striving for acceptance of others and their beliefs? We don’t need to agree with them but there’s some seriously hateful shit coming from y’all today…

  50. Justin Routte Avatar
    Justin Routte

    fucking brutal….. looks like the album artwork for OLD MAN’S CHILD “in defiance of existance” record.

Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News

  • 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
  • BMEShop
    Despite the hurricanes in 2015 which destroyed almost all of what Rachel owned, she managed to save the original inventory from BME. We have relisted some of the stock on BMEShop.com with the hopes you may be interested.  Our first drop includes a selection of… Read more: BMEShop