Join us for an afternoon of connection, relaxation, and empowerment through consensual, platonic cuddling...NOW MONTHLY!!
Join us for an afternoon of connection, relaxation, and empowerment through consensual, platonic cuddling!
Cuddle Sanctuary is a collective healing space for meeting our basic human need for physical connection. It’s one small part of building a culture in which consensual touch is accessible and abundant beyond sexual and romantic relationships.
*Doors open at 2:45pm. We start promptly at 3:00pm.
In order to participate in cuddling, attendees must be in the space by 3:05 for the opening circle.
The event will be facilitated by Juno Aventurine (they/them), a workshop organizer who focuses on consent, connection, and conflict skills. They’re also a former professional cuddler who was trained to offer therapeutic platonic cuddle sessions to people in need of touch.
More About the Event:
Cuddle Sanctuary is all about self-care, community care, and healing the pain of touch deprivation.
We all need touch for our well-being. It’s well documented that cuddling releases the stress-reducing and pain-relieving hormone oxytocin (“the love drug”), creating feelings of relaxation and even bliss. When done in alignment with our genuine desires, cuddling is a form of co-regulating our nervous systems with other people, and a natural way to cultivate wellness through human connection.
Cuddle Sanctuary is also an empowering workshop where we practice consent by asking for the kind of cuddling we authentically want, saying “no” to what we don’t want, accepting rejection with gratitude, and negotiating our boundaries.
Everyone is at choice in this space. This means you’re encouraged to tune in to your body and ask for what you truly want without shame, because there is nothing shameful about your needs and desires. It also means that no one has to cuddle with anyone else who asks them to, or cuddle in any particular way. You get to decide what you want to do with your own body, and you have the right to change your mind about cuddling at any point in the process.
To facilitate this, there will be an opening circle at the beginning of the event in which we’ll practice rejection (both giving and receiving). We’ll also spend a little time getting in touch with what our specific cuddle desires are, communicating them, and seeing where our desires might overlap with each other.
During the opening circle, we will go over the community guidelines for the space, which you can read beforehand here:
Community Agreements for Cuddle Sanctuary
After the opening circle, participants are welcome to ask for and engage in platonic cuddling in any way they’d like. All forms of platonic cuddling are legitimate here! Cuddling can be holding hands, spooning, sitting against each others’ backs, laying your head on someone’s stomach, touching palms, interweaving arms, and so much more.
Finally, Cuddle Sanctuary is an opportunity to experiment with going outside of your comfort zone when it comes to who you cuddle with and how you cuddle. If you’re feeling a little adventurous, you’re encouraged to try out a form of cuddling that you don’t know if you’ll like, challenge your expectations, and experience something new.
Near the end of the event, there will be a brief closing circle where attendees can share a little about their experience and their desires for the next time they attend Cuddle Sanctuary.
Accessibility Info and COVID Precautions:
Masks are welcome to be worn, but not required. You're encouraged to wear masks prior to the event in public places and any crowds (even outdoors) to reduce COVID spread.
Please don't come if you think you might have a cold, flu, or COVID.
If you have been exposed to people who you think might have COVID, please wait three days after exposure to get a lab PCR test to confirm that you aren't also contagious OR don't come to this event.
Please refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, or other scented things to the event, because many people have debilitating scent sensitivities.
The main entrance to the building is wheelchair accessible, as well as the bathroom and the room where Cuddle Sanctuary will take place.
The space is designed for cuddling on the floor, which is newly carpeted (very fluffy and soft). There will also be blankets on top of the carpet and big cushions available for use.
If there’s anything you need to make Cuddle Sanctuary more accessible, please reach out to Juno before the event to see if we can come up with a solution.
*You must register for this event via the CenterPeace Healing website in order to attend.
Tickets are $15.00 for those who can pay.
However, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
If the cost is a barrier, please either email CenterPeace directly or email Juno to register.
Juno’s email: junowayward@gmail.com