I go way back before internet. Hell, I go back before TV, I'm 62, lol.
Anyway to the point.
Realizing Dominant tendencies: I always was the leader in games, etc. Loved playing games that involved tying up or otherwise controlling another person.

Learn the "technicalities" ( I love that description) I was lucky enough to connect with a man that taught me a great, great deal. I owe him a tremendous debt. This was 1969, so we were not public at all.

Apprenticeship? Nothing formal. Took initial teachings from my friend David and started experimenting, reading, etc. Discovered the internet around 1993. Wow..whole new world of information opened up.

Real life experiences helped? Military especially. I did interrogations for Uncle Sam back in the mid to late 60's so that was very useful. I learned knots in Boy Scouts, later Army, and even later on my own.

Psychological aspects? I've given it little thought actually. I used early military training plus some reading to refine techniques but I'm more of a physical person and the psychological part is an aspect that enhances the physical. The psychological part is never an end to itself.

Lol, now on to reading the rape stories as that's why I came here in the first place.

Note: Edited for spelling.