Over dit evenement
Cuddling is not only nice, but it is also very healthy. Touch lowers stress and increases happiness. But cuddling is also a way to get to know yourself better. Do I dare to make my boundaries and desires clear?
Just a few proven benefits of cuddling:
- consensual touch lowers stress in your body
- cuddling strengthens your immune system
- cuddling balances your nervous system
- cuddling strengthens your heart
- cuddling lowers feelings of fear and loneliness
- and in addition, a workshop like this has the potential for you to process trauma and become more confident.
A cuddle workshop is a structured workshop that focuses on loving touch. We do this through exercises that are aimed at making contact with ourselves and with others. We’ll start gently, without touching each other, and slowly build up the intensity for those who wish so that everyone can follow along and it’s not too fast for anyone – although you never have to do anything you don’t feel like doing!
We always start with a moment to come to ourselves and let go of all the hustle and bustle of daily life. From there we will make contact with ourselves and with others through exercises. For example, by taking turns stroking each other’s hands. The exercises are sometimes playful, sometimes more intense, but always in a way where you get to choose your pace. If you don’t want to do something, you don’t have to. The exercises we do are very diverse and change every time.
The event focuses on loving attention and touch. We stay away from sexuality these evenings. Not because sexuality is wrong, but to experience platonic touch without 'next steps', leaving the idea of a hierarchy of touch, so well known in our society.
Elements that you can expect in this cuddle workshop: meditation, mindfulness, dance, massage, breathing exercises, somatic awareness, The Wheel of Consent and neo-tantric aspects.
For who is this workshop:
This workshop is for both experienced and starting cuddlers. When you feel anxious or insecure about connecting with other people – this is for you. But also if you want to recharge and indulge in a night of abundant cuddles you are very welcome! There are usually people coming alone, and coming together. Newcomers, and folks who have been coming for years. There are always people a bit nervous - which is absolutely okay and we take into account.
Practical information:
The event takes place in Utrecht, Kanaalweg. The exact location will be emailed to you in the week before the event. Doors open 30 minutes before the workshop starts. We close the doors when the workshop starts.
ACCESSIBILITY
This workshop space is called Awananda. The elevators in this building are out of function - the owner won’t fix this to our regret. There are stairs to enter the building. On the ground floor is an all-access bathroom. The workshop is on the first floor. There are two stairs to get there. There are several bathrooms on the first floor (no all-access bathrooms), and a kitchen with lunch facilities, including a fridge and a microwave. There are mattresses in the workshop space. There is no shower.
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Check our FAQ for answers to your questions: www.exploringdeeper.com/faq
For all events, Exploring Deeper's Terms and Conditions apply:
http://www.exploringdeeper.com/terms-and-conditions/.
If you are curious about our Guidelines for Team Members, feel free to check the full document out here:
http://exploringdeeper.com/ethics
To stay updated about workshops, and events and to read Wilrieke's blog (with hundreds of articles and videos about topics like non-monogamy, sexuality, and dealing with insecurities), check www.exploringdeeper.com and sign up for our newsletter!
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ABOUT WILRIEKE SOPHIA:
Wilrieke Sophia (they/them) is a sex & intimacy educator, (TEDx) speaker, advisor & coach for creative makers and scientists, author, and founder of Exploring Deeper and Cuddle Workshops International.
The main focus of their work is empowerment through self-knowledge and understanding, radical self-inclusion, the embodied experiencing of boundaries and desires, and an extensive practice of consent – all based on a foundation of trauma awareness and neuroscience, embedded in experiential spaces based on interpersonal connective practices. They collaborate with artists and scientists, and are a supervisor and mentor.
With their project Red Flags in Workshops, Wilrieke creates zines and other free materials on e.g. accountability, abuse, and power dynamics in the intimacy and wellness communities.
More about Wilrieke:
www.wilriekesophia.com
www.exploringdeeper.com
www.redflagsinworkshops.com
www.cuddleworkshops.org
IG: @wilriekesophia
FB: Exploring Deeper with Wilrieke Sophia
YT: www.youtube.com/exploringdeeper
Check out Wilrieke's TEDx Talk on Navigating Intimacy:
https://tinyurl.com/wilriekeTED
