The Cuddle Lounge

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,

“Longing is the dynamic element of belonging, which, if we're clever enough to follow, will bring us into reunion withe the life we're meant to be living.”

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.

What does it look like?

The afternoon will begin with an opening circle where we can welcome one another, speak our agreements, and drop into the space together. Our time will include gentle embodiment practices, emphasising the intelligence of body as an important aspect of desire and intimacy. We’ll focus on consent, boundaries, and communication to establish a field of safety and care. The group will then be guided through small group and paired connection practices. Before our closing circle, we will have free time where you are invited to follow your own desires for platonic connection and intimacy, or rest/move/be with yourself.

What this is not:

• 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.

What to bring:

• Pillows are provided but you may want to bring some extra of your favourite squishy things, sheepskins, blankets, etc
• Comfy clothes that you can move around in

Other details:

We will be in the Sky Barn at Chyan Cultural Centre TR10 9BT

You are welcome to arrive early from 10:15am so you have time to settle into the space before we open the circle promptly at 10:30am. To protect the integrity of the group, we will close the doors at 10:45am.

Feedback

“Cuddle Lounge has been an encouraging support for me as I navigate tumultuous times and identity reshaping, including getting serious about what intimacy means to me, and how I want to move through the world now. I can't overstate the impact of Cuddle Lounge on my richer and more present interactions with daily life and the whole world around me, and there is no-one I wouldn't recommend this to.” – J

“I come away from the Cuddle Lounge feeling completely at peace, nurtured and loved. Guy and Fiona create a powerful sanctuary- like space for warmth, compassion and kindness to guide this experience. I didn't know how much I would cherish this until I had experienced it!” – Eden

“As someone completely new to this kind of experience, I arrived feeling a little nervous and unsure of what to expect, but Guy and Fiona immediately put me at ease. By the end of the workshop I felt deeply relaxed, grounded in my body, and connected to my heart. I left feeling more in touch with my own needs and boundaries while also feeling deeply connected to the other awesome humans in the group.” – Rosie
 

Refunds

We cannot issue refunds but you are welcome to give your spot to a friend (please let us know who) or transfer your spot to the next Cuddle Lounge.

Facilitators

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.

If you are curious about this event and have any questions at all, please email Fiona at fionabradleypoole@gmail.com.