Community Cuddles
Upcoming Community Cuddles
Portland/Vancouver
Sunday, November 1, 2026 3:00-6:00 pm
The Soul Ascension Studio
Vancouver, WA
Get Tickets: Nov 1
Connect at the pace of your own yes.
Community Cuddles is a three-hour, guided, consent-centered workshop for authentic human connection.
Through experiential activities, we practice clear “yes” and “no,” boundaries, choice, communication, and relational presence. The workshop culminates in optional group cuddling, where participants can put these practices into action.
Singles, couples, and friends are all welcome. You choose whether, how, and with whom you participate in touch. Everything is optional.
Connect at the pace of your own yes.
Sliding-scale tickets: $25–$50
Choose the amount within the range that is sustainable for you. Everyone receives the same complete workshop experience.
Space is limited to 16 participants.
Adults 18 and older. Advance registration is required.
Community Cuddles
Overview
Community Cuddles creates a carefully facilitated space to explore consent, connection, and relational presence through direct experience rather than simply talking about them.
Guided activities invite you to notice what is happening in your body, recognize what you genuinely want, make clear requests, respond authentically, and discover that changing your mind is always allowed. The emphasis is not on cuddling itself, but on learning to trust and communicate your own choices.
These practices cultivate consent, emotional awareness, communication, and relational presence—skills that can extend far beyond the workshop. Optional community cuddling offers one way to embody those skills through safe, respectful, nonsexual human connection, with every interaction based on mutual choice and enthusiastic consent.
Beyond the Cuddles
A Look into the Heart of Community Cuddles
Join me in these short video reflections as we explore authentic connection, consent, boundaries, and the healing possibilities of belonging.
1. Why Cuddle with Strangers?
Discover why Community Cuddles is about so much more than cuddling—and how authentic connection begins with consent, choice, and belonging.
2. The Solitude Zone: A Space Just for You
Discover why having a quiet place to simply be, without invitations or expectations of touch, is an essential part of Community Cuddles.
3. The Courage to Say No, the Grace to Hear No
Explore both sides of consent—honoring our own boundaries, receiving another person's no with compassion, and remembering that our worthiness of belonging never depends on someone else's yes. Boundaries and Belonging can coexist.
4. Why We Begin Alone — Connection Without Self-Abandonment
Why does a gathering centered on connection begin in solitude? Because authentic connection begins with ourselves. In this reflection, we explore how grounding in our own truth, honoring our yes and no, and embracing our sacred sovereignty allow us to connect with others without abandoning ourselves or our boundaries. True belonging isn't about fitting in. It's about discovering that we can be fully ourselves and still belong.
Our Community Cuddle Agreements
Tap to explore the agreements that help us create a safe, brave, and sacred space together.
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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.
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.
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 without having to wonder whether someone is going to approach you for connection.
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Wait for a clear, enthusiastic “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.
You never own anyone a “yes,” and your “yes” and “no” do not need to be the same for everyone.If you’re a "maybe," say "no." You can always change your mind later.
A “maybe “ often means "I need more information,” or "...or I need more time."
Wait until your maybe becomes a “‘Heck yeah!’ Yes!”What might make it possible to turn your “maybe” into an enthusiastic “yes?”
You are encouraged to negotiate invitations to touch.You are encouraged to change your mind.
A "yes" can become a "no." A "no" can become a "yes" later.
Consent is ongoing.
Please do not stay in an uncomfortable cuddle position or cuddle partnership.
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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.
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Take responsibility for your own needs.
Ask for help. Asking for help is one of the healthiest things you can do during the event.
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.
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Keep the cuddle space tidy.
No food and drink in the cuddle space.
The facilitator may intervene.
The facilitator may pause, redirect, or end an interaction to support the safety and integrity of the group container.
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.
Community Agreements
We review the cuddle rules and group agreements together so everyone understands the container.
Consent and Boundary-Building Activities/Mixers
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.
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
Why cuddle with strangers?
Community Cuddles is really about authentic human connection. Cuddling gives us an opportunity to practice asking, listening, noticing our own yes and no, communicating boundaries, and receiving another person’s choices with respect. The goal is not to cuddle with as many people as possible—it is to practice connection in ways that feel genuine and consensual.
What if I don’t want to cuddle?
That is completely okay. You never have to cuddle to belong. You may participate in the workshop activities, observe, take a break, change your mind, or spend time in the Solitude Zone, our no-touch, no-invitations-to-touch space. You are welcome to participate at the pace of your own yes.
Is this sexual?
No. Community Cuddles is a non-sexual, platonic touch space. Sexual behavior, sexual touch, and sexual invitations are outside the container.
Is Community Cuddles for singles or couples?
Both! Singles, couples, and people attending with friends are all welcome.
Each person is invited to practice their own individual yes, no, boundaries, and choices throughout the gathering.
Couples are encouraged to talk before arriving about how they would like to participate — whether they are comfortable joining activities and cuddling with others, or whether they prefer to participate exclusively with one another.
And just like everyone else, either partner is always free to change their mind during the gathering. Consent and boundaries can shift moment by moment.
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.
Community Cuddles Testimonial
“Rob’s calm, grounded presence and genuine care create an environment where people feel safe, welcomed, and accepted exactly as they are. I can’t recommend him highly enough—or imagine anyone better to create a safe, supportive, and welcoming space for authentic human connection.”
— Debbie D., Community Cuddles participant and longtime friend, Boulder, Colorado
Ready to Join Community Cuddles?
Portland/Vancouver
Sunday, November 1 , 2026 3:00-6:00 pm
The Soul Ascension Studio
Vancouver, WA
Get Tickets: Nov 1
Claim your cozy spot before it's gone.
Reserve your place for an afternoon of embodied consent,
authentic communication, and optional, consensual community cuddling.
Sliding-scale tickets are $25–$50.
Space is limited to 16 participants.
Adults 18 and older.
Advance registration is required.
Have a question before registering? Contact Rob→