April Cuddle Party - Louisville
Saturday, April 22, 2023
1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
What is a Cuddle Party?
Cuddle Party is … a Movement!
It’s about compassion, affection and touch.
We humans need touch and affection. It’s no longer a question. Nurturing, welcome consensual touch is good for you! Good for your body, heart and spirit! Good for your blood pressure, your nervous system, your emotional health, your ability to connect with and trust people, your ability to respect and care for yourself, your creativity, sense of safety and comfort and belonging. Infants who are deprived of touch fail to thrive; we never outgrow the need!
We humans need touch that is not about sex.
Wait – IS THERE such a thing?
Of course there is!
Cuddle Party is a movement to reclaim this option in our lives.
Cuddle Party is … a workshop!
Though touch is natural, the skills that make it welcome and enjoyable have to be learned. Skills of communication, boundaries, asking for what you want, and saying ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ with clarity and kindness.
This Cuddle Party will be led by me, Sarah Belzile, a certified Cuddle Party Facilitator. My job is to guide you into those skills gently and easily, in a fun, safe and light hearted way. We welcome you and create an atmosphere of respect, and remain available for questions and support.
At a Cuddle Party you gain:
- Clarity and confidence
- Boundary and communication skills
- Comfort, support and encouragement
- The secrets to welcome, relaxed, non-sexual touch
The skills you learn at Cuddle Party translate into everyday life, right from the start. When boundaries and consent are clear, every relationship is easier.
Where else can you attend a workshop in your pajamas?
Cuddle Party is … a social event!
We open with a Welcome Circle – about an hour of introductions, rules and a few games to help everyone get comfortable. We teach communication and boundary skills in ways that are lighthearted and fun.
Then we open up for ‘free-style’ cuddling. You have plenty of time to relax, chat, share a back rub or other welcome touch, cuddle, have a snack or just hang out.
You can come to a Cuddle Party to meet new people, to enjoy amazing conversations, to touch, to be touched, to have fun, to practice asking for what you want, to practice saying “no” to what you don’t want — all in a setting structured to be a safe place for exploration and enjoyment. You can even come to a Cuddle Party just to cuddle!
After the Party itself, we'll clean up and go to dinner at a nearby restaurant... everyone is welcome to join for dinner, but of course totally optional. (Cost of dinner is not included in your ticket, just to be clear)
Cuddle parties can be a great way to feel held and supported, to feel blissful and to feel a sense of belonging. They can also be a place to work through trauma and hurt. I am passionate about this work because I have found that de-coupling touch and sex has been extremely liberating for me personally, and I am eager to share that sense of freedom with others.
Doors open at 1:00 PM. We will begin going over the agreements for the party right at 1:30, and we will not be admitting latecomers once we have established the container and agreements.
Wear or bring pajamas or comfortable cuddling clothes.
Please bring extra blankets, pillows, stuffed animals.
This event is 100% sober, no alcohol or substances before or during, please.
Please arrive on time! (It's fine to leave early but late arrivals don't work.)
Location:
Clifton Universalist Unitarian Church - 2231 Payne Street - Louisville, KY 40206
$45 to register
$30 early bird tickets available till April 8th. Enter "EARLY" at checkout to get the discounted price
After the Cuddle Party, a group of us will be heading to Eatz Vietnamese restaurant (within walking distance) for dinner. If you would like to join us, please choose "yes" from the drop down menu when you purchase your ticket.
There will also be a "PG-18 Play Party" event happening from 7- 10 pm that evening, following the Cuddle Party. We are offering a combination ticket if you would like to come to both events - $80 for both. Additionally, there is a 33% Earlybird ticket available which brings the price down to $53.60. Enter "Early" at checkout.
FAQ - About Cuddle Party
Will this be socially awkward?
We do our best to provide social structure for the experience, through the exercises presented in the welcome circle, so that "social awkwardness" is minimized. If you are someone who struggles with social anxiety, please let us know, and we can offer you some additional support and connection.
Is this a paired cuddling experience?
No, this is not a workshop geared towards couples, it is an individual workshop. The cuddling usually ends up being a very communal, group experience.
What about my (romantic) partner?
We encourage clear communication with your partner before, during and after the cuddling experience, whether you and your partner attend the workshop together or just one of you attends. There may be some kinds of touch that you and your partner agree are comfortable for both of you, and other kinds of touch that are not.
What if I don't want to cuddle with someone?
You never ever have to cuddle with anyone at a cuddle party, EVER. If you feel it's a "maybe", then say NO. Cuddle parties can be a great place to practice saying "no" in a firm, clear, kind way.
What if I get turned down to cuddle?
Getting turned down is built into the curriculum of the experience, in a playful, supportive way. You will be turned down. We will all be turned down. Hearing "No" can be just as important as saying "No". Learning to deal with your feelings around this is an important piece of self-work. We are here to support you in this.
What if I get aroused?
We all have bodies and feelings. Arousal happens. It is not the focus of this event, so we simply change gears or adjust activities if arousal happens. Or, you may choose to continue to cuddle even while aroused, while also honoring the boundaries and agreements of the community.
Cancellation Policy
Full refund if you cancel more than 48 hours before the event starts. No refunds for cancellations less than 48 hours before. It's super common for the last minute nerves to really rattle people. Please try to lean into your discomfort and recognize that this will likely feel like a stretch to just about everyone who is in the room!