Community Cuddles
An embodied consent and relational skills workshop culminating in optional, consensual community cuddling.
Practice consent, boundaries, and authentic communication as you build trust and experience the healing potential of safe, consensual human connection.
Overview
Community Cuddles is a three-hour embodied consent and relational skills workshop that culminates in optional, consensual community cuddling.
Through guided activities, participants learn to recognize and express their authentic "yes" and "no," communicate desires and boundaries with confidence, and experience the healing potential of safe, consensual human connection.
Community Cuddles is designed to cultivate consent, communication, emotional awareness, and relational presence — skills participants can carry into every area of their lives. Community cuddling provides an opportunity to embody and practice these skills in a carefully facilitated environment where every interaction is optional and based on enthusiastic consent.
This Is Not a Dating or Hook-up Event
Community Cuddles is not a dating event, hookup space, or sexual environment.
This workshop is about practicing consent, communication, emotional presence, and safe platonic touch. Every interaction is optional. Every request requires consent. Every “no” is respected.
You are welcome to attend whether you are single, partnered, married, divorced, widowed, queer, straight, touch-starved, touch-cautious, curious, nervous, or experienced with consent-based spaces.
What to Expect
Community Cuddles begins with grounding, introductions, and group agreements. From there, we move into guided relational exercises designed to help participants practice asking for what they want, saying yes, saying no, changing their mind, and respecting the boundaries of others.
Only after this preparation do we move into the optional community cuddle portion of the event.
You never have to cuddle. Sitting nearby, witnessing, journaling, resting, or simply being present are all valid forms of participation.
Workshop Flow
Arrival and Welcome
Settle in, get oriented, and begin arriving in your body.
Grounding and Embodied Consent Practice
We begin with breath, body awareness, and noticing what “yes,” “no,” and “maybe” feel like from the inside.
Introductions and Hopes
Participants are invited to share their name, hopes, and any nervousness they may be bringing into the space.
Community Agreements
We review the cuddle rules and group agreements together so everyone understands the container.
Consent and Boundary-Building Activities
Through guided exercises, participants practice making requests, giving and receiving “no,” changing their mind, and honoring their own authentic choices.
Optional Community Cuddle Time
Participants may choose to engage in consensual platonic cuddling, sit near others, rest, observe, or opt out entirely.
Integration and Closing
We close with reflection, emotional grounding, and a chance to notice what shifted from the beginning of the workshop.
Our Community Cuddle Agreements
Everything is optional, except agreeing to our shared agreements.
You never have to touch or be touched by anyone, and you are not required to cuddle, participate in an activity, explain your “no,” or stay in an interaction that no longer feels right.
We honor the Solitude Zone: a no-touch, no-invitations-to-touch space where anyone may rest, observe, or simply be with themselves while remaining part of the gathering.
Ask before touching anyone.
Always ask before initiating touch, including hugs, hand-holding, leaning, cuddling, or placing a hand on someone’s shoulder.
Be specific in your asks and offers.
Wait for a clear “yes.”
Consent means receiving a clear, willing “yes.” Silence, hesitation, politeness, or uncertainty are not consent.
If you're a "yes," say "yes." If you're a "no," say "no." “No” is welcome here.
A “no” is not rejection. It is honest information. We practice receiving “no” with respect, gratitude, and care.
If you’re a "maybe," say "NO." You can always change your mind later. In fact…
A Maybe often means "I need more information,” or "...or I need more time."
You are encouraged to change your mind.
A "yes" can become a "no." A "no" can become a "yes" later. Consent is ongoing.
No sexual touch or sexualized behavior.
Community Cuddles is a non-sexual, platonic touch space. Sexual touch, sexual comments, sexual invitations, or sexualized behavior are outside the container.
Clothing stays on.
Clothing remains on for the entire event. Comfortable clothing is encouraged. When thinking about what to wear, please remember the purpose of community cuddles is about connection, not attraction
Respect personal boundaries and privacy.
No one is required to share personal details. What is shared in the circle should be treated with care and confidentiality.
Relationship agreements
Honor the agreements you've made with the important people in your life.
If participating tonight would violate those agreements, please have those conversations first.
Take responsibility for your own needs.
Ask for help. Asking for help is one of the healthiest things you can do tonight.
You are encouraged to ask for what you need and want.
Name your limits, take breaks, drink water, move, rest, or step away when needed.
Tears and Laughter are welcome here.
Sometimes our bodies remember things before our minds do.
Sometimes relief looks like tears.
Sometimes joy looks like laughter.
Neither needs to be fixed.
Keep the cuddle space tidy.
The facilitator may intervene.
The facilitator may pause, redirect, or end an interaction to support the safety and integrity of the group container.
Who This Is For
Community Cuddles may be a good fit for you if you want to:
Practice consent and boundaries in an embodied way
Experience safe, nonsexual human connection
Build confidence asking for what you want
Learn to say and receive “no” with more ease
Explore platonic touch in a carefully facilitated environment
Feel more connected to your body, your choices, and your community
Experience belonging without pressure or performance
Be empowered to identify and give voice to your desires, wants, needs, edges, and boundaries
You Are Welcome Here
You do not need to be “good at this” to attend. You do not need to be confident, extroverted, touch-positive, or perfectly comfortable in your body.
Nervousness is welcome. Curiosity is welcome. Tenderness is welcome. Clear boundaries are welcome.
The goal is not to cuddle as much as possible. The goal is to practice honoring yourself and others with honesty, care, and consent.
What to Wear / Bring
Wear comfortable, clean clothing that you can relax and move in. Soft layers, cozy socks, and nonrestrictive clothing are encouraged.
Please avoid strong fragrances.
You may wish to bring:
A blanket and pillow
A water bottle
A journal
Anything simple that helps you feel grounded and comfortable
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to cuddle?
No. You can participate fully without cuddling. You may sit nearby, observe, rest, journal, or simply be present.
Is this sexual?
No. Community Cuddles is a non-sexual, platonic touch space. Sexual behavior, sexual touch, and sexual invitations are outside the container.
Can I come alone?
Yes. Many people come alone. The workshop is designed so that no one needs to arrive with a partner.
Can couples attend?
Yes. Couples are welcome. Each person is still invited to practice their own individual yes, no, boundaries, and choices.
What if I feel nervous?
Nervousness is completely welcome. The workshop begins slowly, with grounding, agreements, and low-pressure activities before any optional cuddling begins.
Can I leave or take a break?
Yes. You may step out, take a break, or change your level of participation at any time. A designated Solitude Zone will also be available within the workshop space—a quiet, no-touch area where you can rest, observe, or simply be with yourself while remaining part of the gathering.
Meet Your Facilitator
Community Cuddles is facilitated by Rob Patton, MDiv, founder of Heart Man Healing Arts.
Rob brings a background in contemplative chaplaincy, spiritual care, mediation, ritual facilitation, and Reiki, along with professional facilitator training through Cuddlist and direct mentorship with Kassandra Brown, Certified Cuddlist Trainer and founder of Community Cuddles in Boulder, Colorado.
At the heart of Rob's facilitation is a deep respect for each person's autonomy, inner wisdom, and authentic yes and no. He creates compassionate spaces where people are invited—not pressured—to reconnect with themselves, express what is true, and explore connection at their own pace.
In Community Cuddles, there is no expectation that you touch anyone or that anyone touch you. Your boundaries are welcome. Changing your mind is welcome. Simply being present is welcome.
Rob believes meaningful connection begins not with touch, but with the experience of being respected, heard, and free to choose.
Interested in Community Cuddles?
Join the interest list or reach out with questions. You are welcome to come curious, cautious, excited, nervous, or all of the above.