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- This event has passed.
XL Cuddle Workshop + Cuddle Fest
10/12/2023 @ 11:00 - 16:00 CET
This is a rare extra-long cuddle workshop with a cuddle party free flow in the afternoon!
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 can help you 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 s.xuality these evenings. Not because sexuality is wrong, but to experience how nice cuddling is when there is no end goal or focus.
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.
About the 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!
The workshop gradually builds from connecting with yourself towards connecting with others, with a lot of space to find and express your boundaries. The exercises are playful but deep.
Here’s a testimonial for you to get an idea of this workshop.
Important information:
– We actively stand for inclusion. This means that in the event no racism, discrimination, misogyny, ableism, or shaming of bodies, s.xualities, gender etc are tolerated. If this is something you cannot commit to, this is not your community.
– Everybody is welcome although we try to prevent overrepresentation of any gender. This means there might be a slight disbalance in gender in the group. You work with who you want to work with; we don’t stimulate genderphobia (meaning we won’t actively pair you up with people of your preferred gender).
– When you are being disrespectful, crossing boundaries or show any other behaviour that affects the safety of the group, we can ask you to leave the workshop.
– We accept all political viewpoints and personal opinions, but we also actively stand against the spread of misinformation and disinformation. If you are looking for places to share your viewpoints on vaccine shedding, this is not your community.
– You are responsible for your own well-being. This means that you can express your boundaries at all times. We will never force you to do anything.
– We may ask everyone for a covid quick test to minimise the risk of spreading covid at this event. If this is principally against your values, you may want to reconsider signing up. Check our current policy at www.exploringdeeper.com/covid
– We actively stand for inclusion. This means that in the event no racism, discrimination, misogyny, ableism, or shaming of bodies, s.xualities, gender etc are tolerated. If this is something you cannot commit to, this is not your community.
– Everybody is welcome although we try to prevent overrepresentation of any gender. This means there might be a slight disbalance in gender in the group. You work with who you want to work with; we don’t stimulate genderphobia (meaning we won’t actively pair you up with people of your preferred gender).
– When you are being disrespectful, crossing boundaries or show any other behaviour that affects the safety of the group, we can ask you to leave the workshop.
– We accept all political viewpoints and personal opinions, but we also actively stand against the spread of misinformation and disinformation. If you are looking for places to share your viewpoints on vaccine shedding, this is not your community.
– You are responsible for your own well-being. This means that you can express your boundaries at all times. We will never force you to do anything.
– We may ask everyone for a covid quick test to minimise the risk of spreading covid at this event. If this is principally against your values, you may want to reconsider signing up. Check our current policy at www.exploringdeeper.com/covid
Practical information:
The event takes place in Utrecht, Kanaalweg. The exact location will be emailed to you in the week before the event.
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On this page you find elaborate information about play parties, and many frequently asked questions that also apply for cuddle workshops >>>
This is a page that speaks more explicitly about rules of conduct during our workshops >>>—
On this page you find elaborate information about play parties, and many frequently asked questions that also apply for cuddle workshops >>>
This is a page that speaks more explicitly about rules of conduct during our workshops >>>—
In the week before the event, you will receive an email with detailed information for this day including the address and what to bring. Make sure you sign up with the email address that you use. Check your spam filter if you did not receive an email seven days before the event (if you have unsubscribed from our newsletter, these emails cannot reach you!).
ACCESSIBILITY OF THE VENUE
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. There are mattresses in the workshop space.
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. There are mattresses in the workshop space.
WHAT DO I EAT?
To keep tickets at affordable pricing, we ask you to bring some (vegetarian) food to share. If you bring a bit more than just for yourself, we will end up with a luscious, abundant potluck. Made or bought with love is equally fine! We will provide tea, water, and some snacks throughout the event.
To keep tickets at affordable pricing, we ask you to bring some (vegetarian) food to share. If you bring a bit more than just for yourself, we will end up with a luscious, abundant potluck. Made or bought with love is equally fine! We will provide tea, water, and some snacks throughout the event.
WHAT DO I WEAR?
Wear what makes you feel comfortable during the workshops. Bring some layers, as you might get hot or cold.
Wear what makes you feel comfortable during the workshops. Bring some layers, as you might get hot or cold.
HOW MUCH IS IT?
You find that info in the ticket shop. There is a limited amount of budget tickets, meant for people with limited financial resources. We trust you to choose the ticket that fits your situation.
You find that info in the ticket shop. There is a limited amount of budget tickets, meant for people with limited financial resources. We trust you to choose the ticket that fits your situation.
WHY GENDERED TICKETS?
We want to include everyone, whatever your gender or identification is. That means there’s space for everyone, without one group getting overrepresented. Therefore there are tickets for people who identify themselves as male, female and other.
(We realize that there are many gender identities outside the binary norms. For practical reasons, we have summarized them as a category ‘other’ on the ticket sales pages. We apologize to anyone who does not feel represented by this category.)
Please only buy a ticket that represents your gender – and not any other ticket. Sold out = sold out.
We want to include everyone, whatever your gender or identification is. That means there’s space for everyone, without one group getting overrepresented. Therefore there are tickets for people who identify themselves as male, female and other.
(We realize that there are many gender identities outside the binary norms. For practical reasons, we have summarized them as a category ‘other’ on the ticket sales pages. We apologize to anyone who does not feel represented by this category.)
Please only buy a ticket that represents your gender – and not any other ticket. Sold out = sold out.
WHAT IF I CAN’T COME ANYMORE?
There are administration costs involved, but refunds are possible. You are free to sell your ticket to someone else, you are welcome to use the Facebook Group Exploring Deeper Online Community for this. We don’t mediate in selling tickets. (See Wilrieke’s terms and conditions). Please respect the gender of the ticket, and in case we send pre/aftercare emails, forward them to the person you sold your ticket to.
There are administration costs involved, but refunds are possible. You are free to sell your ticket to someone else, you are welcome to use the Facebook Group Exploring Deeper Online Community for this. We don’t mediate in selling tickets. (See Wilrieke’s terms and conditions). Please respect the gender of the ticket, and in case we send pre/aftercare emails, forward them to the person you sold your ticket to.
WHAT IF TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT?
You can ask for a ticket at the Facebook-event itself or in the reaction under the post for this event in the Facebook Group Exploring Deeper Online Community. Usually, there are multiple play parties planned ahead.
You can ask for a ticket at the Facebook-event itself or in the reaction under the post for this event in the Facebook Group Exploring Deeper Online Community. Usually, there are multiple play parties planned ahead.
WHAT IF I DON’T FEEL LIKE TOUCHING SOMEONE?
Then you don’t. We will never push you to do anything, nor to do anything with anyone. You can come, decide to keep all your clothes on and not touch anyone – and that’s perfect. You can also always sit out an exercise.
Then you don’t. We will never push you to do anything, nor to do anything with anyone. You can come, decide to keep all your clothes on and not touch anyone – and that’s perfect. You can also always sit out an exercise.
COVID
Check our COVID-19 protocols here (these are up to date): https://www.exploringdeeper.com/covid.
Ticket holders will be informed prior to the event through email. Always check your SPAM folder. If you have signed out for Wilrieke’s emails, these emails won’t reach you. Reach out to Wilrieke if you did not get any information seven days before the event.
For this workshop, Exploring Deeper’s Terms and Conditions apply: https://www.exploringdeeper.com/terms-and-conditions/.
To stay updated about workshops, events and to read Wilrieke’s blog (with hundreds of articles and videos about topics like non-monogamy, s.xuality and dealing with insecurities), check www.exploringdeeper.com and sign up for our newsletter!
To stay updated about workshops, events and to read Wilrieke’s blog (with hundreds of articles and videos about topics like non-monogamy, s.xuality and dealing with insecurities), check www.exploringdeeper.com and sign up for our newsletter!
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Who we are
About Wilrieke Sophia:
Wilrieke Sophia (they/them) is a sex & intimacy educator, conscious kink facilitator, intimacy activist, TEDx speaker, writer, and founder of Exploring Deeper and Cuddle Workshops International. They identify as queer, sex-positive, polyamorous and kinky. Wilrieke is based near Amsterdam, The Netherlands where they openly combine being a mother of three daughters with their work.
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 intimacy practices.
Wilrieke hosts sex-positive retreats, play parties, teacher training, and festivals. In several projects with colleagues, Wilrieke creates workshops and materials on accountability, abuse and power dynamics in the intimacy and wellness communities.
Wilrieke hosts sex-positive retreats, play parties, teacher training, and festivals. In several projects with colleagues, Wilrieke creates workshops and materials on accountability, abuse and power dynamics in the intimacy and wellness communities.
About Exploring Deeper:
We all need touch. Here at Exploring Deeper we believe that satisfying intimacy needs to be available for everyone. To have that intimacy, a person needs to feel safe and secure in their own body. We need to know our boundaries and desires, and we need to know how to communicate them. How does a person change their life? By doing things differently, and then repeating that new way. When it comes to intimacy, our current society does not provide us with the means, tools, and place to practice our intimacy skills.
Exploring Deeper aims to create those spaces. Laboratories for exploring intimacy – deeper. We do that by creating events, sessions, materials, and professional training. All our products and services are based on the pillars of solidarity and inclusion. This means our events are meant to be a welcoming place to you, independent of race, gender, age (though 18+), s.xual orientation, relationship style, being neurodivergent or neurotypical, being disabled or non-disabled, or looks.
We acknowledge everyone is learning and may make mistakes in addressing others, ourselves included. Making mistakes is welcomed in our workshops. Intentionally causing harm by discrimination, racism, misogyny, shaming, bullying, spreading disinformation etc is not tolerated. As a team we are actively speaking up against these issues, and repeated misconduct will lead to remove the person causing harm from the workshop and potentially withhold access to future events.
We acknowledge everyone is learning and may make mistakes in addressing others, ourselves included. Making mistakes is welcomed in our workshops. Intentionally causing harm by discrimination, racism, misogyny, shaming, bullying, spreading disinformation etc is not tolerated. As a team we are actively speaking up against these issues, and repeated misconduct will lead to remove the person causing harm from the workshop and potentially withhold access to future events.
Cuddle Workshops International
Cuddle Workshops International (and the Dutch branch Knuffelworkshops in Nederland en België) are a worldwide network of certified Cuddle Workshop facilitators.
These workshops are always strictly non-s.xual in nature. Consent, respect, and inclusivity are the highest values.
To find out more about Cuddle Workshops International, or to become a certified facilitator, check www.cuddleworkshops.org or the Dutch www.knuffelworkshops.nl
To find out more about Cuddle Workshops International, or to become a certified facilitator, check www.cuddleworkshops.org or the Dutch www.knuffelworkshops.nl
