The Cuddle Lounge: A space for connection, community, and platonic intimacy

The Cuddle Lounge is a guided, welcoming space to gather and share in platonic intimacy for the sake of nourishment, rest, joy, and heartfelt connection. We aim for this to be a safe enough space for people to bring whatever they may be holding and simply be themselves. Authenticity is welcomed and celebrated. We invite you to come and rest in the softness of intentional intimacy.

In her book Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home, Toko-pa Turner writes,

One of the most ancient and primal human desires is the desire to belong. How do we share in the reciprocity of care and love in ways that speak to this innate yearning? How do we nurture the need for belonging in our communities? We believe that one way this can happen is by expanding relational and physical intimacy outside of our romantic partnerships and experiencing how this unfolding of closeness and deep connection can strengthen our sense of belonging, to ourselves, each other, and the earth.

This is a guided, trauma-informed space where everyone is invited to move at their own pace. For some this may involve touch and physical holding, while others may be comfortable with the emotional and relational intimacy they experience. The invitation is to participate in exercises and practices that feel right for you, with no pressure or expectation. Witnessing can be a powerful way to learn about our desires and needs. If you’re new to these types of spaces, you are very welcome.

The afternoon will begin with an opening circle where we can welcome one another, speak our agreements, and drop into the space together. We’ll then move into some gentle embodiment practices, emphasising the intelligence of body as an important aspect of desire and intimacy. We’ll focus on consent, boundaries, and communication skills to establish a field of safety and care, getting comfortable with the felt sense of our “yes” and our “no”. The group will then be guided through small group and paired connection practices. There will be some free time towards the end of the event where you are invited to follow your own desires for platonic connection and intimacy using the skills we’ve practiced.

• A space for sexual connection. Instead this is an opportunity to explore how we can meet one another in meaningful and intimate ways and lean into desire without it needing to turn sexual.
• A space to process unresolved trauma around touch and intimacy. If this is something you are struggling with, please reach out and we can signpost you to the appropriate support.
• A space to ignore people's boundaries. Consent is a central aspect of this event.

• Anything you might need to be comfortable on the floor (sheepskins, yoga mats, pillows, blankets) the more soft things the better!
• Comfy clothes that you can move around in
• Any tea or beverages that you might want, in a closed lid container (we will provide a fruit platter for snacking)
• The first few Cuddle Lounges will be donation-based (cash on the day or bank transfer) and all proceeds will go towards supporting Jessamin's Cancer Healing Journey

We will be in the Apple Barn at Chyan Cultural Centre, near Halvasso TR10 8BT

Please arrive a few minutes early so you have time to settle into the space before we open the circle at 1pm. To protect the integrity of the group, we will close the doors at 1:15pm.

Guy and Fiona are on a mission to change the ways we think and feel about intimacy, starting by getting curious about the conditioned relational scripts we find ourselves playing out. Having been on their own journey of expanding intimacy beyond their partnership in ways that challenge the norm, they believe that the more we allow our authentic truth to be deeply seen and felt by others, the more capacity we have in our hearts for love, and the greater our sense of belonging.

Fiona is an artist, singer, and devotee of spirit. Find her on Instagram.

Guy is a dream weaver and an intuitive type, with a love for depth psychology.

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Host or Publisher Fiona Bradley Poole