HEALING TOUCH WORKSHOP: tbc
Facilitated by Bent Haughland. Enjoy giving and receiving healing touch and setting boundaries, at this “cuddle party” event.
‘Cuddle Party’ is a workshop on boundary setting, open communication, affection and touch – and basically involves lots of fun, talking, meeting new people, and of course cuddling. It is a safe space where you can explore your own needs and boundaries in a non-sexual setting. The concept was invented in New York in 2004, and has spread all over the US and Europe. I know it both from my time living in San Francisco and Copenhagen, it is one of the most life-affirming things I know, and that is why I am now bringing it with me to Cambridge as I have moved here for my studies.
Meeting up to cuddle sounds weird to some people. But as humans we actually need touch, contact and affection in order to stay healthy and happy. In our culture touch between adults is almost non-existing, and is only taking place in a sexual contact. Most of us don’t get the physical contact we need, and if not in a relationship, some people don’t get any touch at all! Cuddle party is a place to reclaim and explore such physical affection.
People who attend Cuddle Parties come for a variety of reasons. Some attend because they do not receive enough touch on a day-to-day basis. Others attend to practice asking for what they want without the fear of rejection. Some come to learn to set boundaries and practise saying no. And some people come just to cuddle. Cuddle Party is a laboratory where you can experiment with what makes you feel safe and feel good in a relaxing and safe atmosphere.
A Cuddle Party is initiated with 45 min of welcome circle, where we create a safe space and do some exercises to practise setting boundaries and asking for what we want, and is then followed by 2.5 hours of free style improv cuddling like foot rubs, back rubs, spooning, hugging, while talking about life, eating fruit and just enjoying being together. Some people are natural cuddle monsters that just dive in and enjoy the cuddling without hesitations, whereas other people are overwhelmed by their own feelings, more shy in nature, or need time and contemplation to find their feet in a very new setting. A cuddle party is a free space to explore your own needs and feelings, in the pace and manner you need, and you would never have to cuddle anyone at a cuddle party if you don’t feel like it.
The first workshop takes place at the Sukhmani Yoga and Meditation Centre on Sunday the 28th of February 4 pm. Please join the group for more information on this event.
If you want to read more about the philosophy and practical issues of a cuddle party, go to www.CuddleParty.com
To stay updated on future events in cambridge, join our facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=218644662967
If you have friends that you think might be interested in Cuddle Party, feel free to forward them this email, or invite them to the facebook group.
If you would like to get involved and help out with organizing the events, I would be very happy to hear from you. Also, if you have any questions, please let me know. You can email me directly at bent.haugland@illutron.dk