SUNNYVALE Platonic Touch Workshop: AUGUST 24th Edition

This workshop and social event offers participants opportunities to learn about and practice communication skills, explore consent, and discover the power of platonic touch. Attendees will practice identifying and asking for what they want, saying no to what they don’t want and yes to what they do want, and experimenting with platonic touch in a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. If you...

• have been suffering from skin hunger and lack of touch in your life

• desire physical contact with other people in a non-sexual way

• long for nurturing and healing touch

• need a safe place to relax and rejuvenate

• are looking to connect with an inspiring and welcoming community

• want to stretch out of your comfort zone

• often find yourself in the role of caretaker, but need a turn to be taken care of

• have no idea how to answer the question "what kind of touch do you like?"

• feel overwhelmed by both a desire for connection and a desire to run away from connection

....then our Platonic Touch Workshop & Practice may be just what you have been looking for!

More details about this event:

WHAT TO EXPECT: Participants will be required to bring their own rapid antigen Covid test to be taken upon arrival, or show a photo of a rapid antigen test taken the day of the event. Once they have received a negative result or have shown a photo of that day's negative result to the assistant, they will be escorted into the workshop space. The welcome circle and workshop will introduce participants to one another and offer guided exercises and support to practice communication skills. Afterwards, there will be approximately two hours available for practicing touch, eating snacks, or just hanging out. Our event ends a few minutes before 6:00pm with a brief closing circle. NOTE: Touch is not required at this event. Every activity is optional. You are welcome to come and observe only! You get to choose THE WHOLE TIME.

PUNCTUALITY: Allow time for losing your keys and getting caught in traffic and looking for parking in order to be on time. Doors open at 1:00pm and close PROMPTLY at 1:30pm. In order to provide a safe and respectful environment for all participants, there will be no admittance after 1:30pm.

PARKING: There is plenty of street parking within 2-3 blocks of the home. Allow extra time to find parking!

ACCESSIBILITY: One cat lives in the home, but will be upstairs during our event. The all gender restroom is downstairs.

CLOTHING: Wear pajamas or comfortable lounge wear. Shoes are not allowed in the cuddle space where we will be gathering, and there will be a space for you to leave your shoes.

FOOD & BEVERAGE: Please bring a snack, a potluck dish, or non-alcoholic beverage to share with the group in the kitchen area.

PERSONAL HYGIENE: Avoid perfumes or any other strongly scented products, as some people may be sensitive to these. Make sure you have showered or bathed recently.

TICKETS: You must reserve your spot by purchasing a ticket through Eventbrite. Once you have purchased your ticket, you will receive a confirmation email with exact location details. Your email address will also be added to the Platonic Touch email list, so you can receive emails about upcoming events, as well as links to register. You can unsubscribe to this list at any time.

FINANCIAL AID: If you are facing financial hardship, I invite you to use the promo code SUPPORT to get a 50% discount on your ticket. There are a limited number of these discounted tickets available, so please only apply it if you need the discount in order to attend.

Join us on Plura (formerly Bloom) to connect and chat before the event!

ABOUT ME: I am a Certified Cuddle Party Facilitator. I also have more than ten years experience working in the field of early childhood and parent education which help me bring empathy, compassion, clarity, creativity and strong leadership into my role as a Cuddle Party Facilitator. I love creating safe spaces for people to connect to themselves and each other.

To learn more about Cuddle Parties, click here: http://www.cuddleparty.com/ (I choose to call my events Platonic Touch Workshops & Practice because I have found that the term "cuddle party" can be intimidating to individuals new to the world of platonic touch. It's important to me that my events appeal to a broad spectrum of people and feel safe for everyone. If you are feeling intimidated about attending, please know that one of the foundational rules of our events is that you never have to touch anyone you don't want to, ever. In fact, not touching or cuddling is always an available and viable option. Aside from practicing touch, there is also space for chatting, writing, coloring, reading, napping, and eating snacks!)

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please message me through Eventbrite.

All good things, Autumn Vandiver

About Covid testing: Participants will be asked to show a time-stamped photo of a rapid antigen test taken on the day of the event, or bring their own test to take upon arrival. A limited number of tests will also be available to purchase onsite for $10. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate how to gather safely in our new world.

Info: This is the event arrival window. Here is where folks will show their negative Covid test result photo (or take a test if they haven't already), fill out their name tags, receive a tour of the space, and get to meet and greet other participants.

Info: This is where the facilitator teaches communication skills, guides group exercises for practicing these skills, and participants build community and comfort throughout the process. Everyone has opportunities to introduce themselves to the group, ask questions throughout the workshop, and develop a deeper understanding of consent, boundaries, and the healing power of platonic touch.

Info: During this portion of the event, folks are free to cuddle with others as they choose (and as others consent, of course!) For those who choose not to cuddle, there are plenty of other activities to engage in. Some of the most popular are coloring, snacking and chatting with others in the kitchen area, napping, and using the available massage tools. There is soft music playing in the background and participants are free to choose how they move through the space, often flowing from one activity to another with increased ease and comfort as time goes on. You will often hear sounds of laughter, quiet and thoughtful conversation, and occasional snoring from a cozy cuddler that has fallen into a blissful slumber. Autumn is also available for conversation and one on one support during this time.

Info: This is when everyone gathers together to share brief reflections of their workshop and practice experience (if they choose to share). The facilitator supports participants to integrate their time together and get grounded before saying goodbye and helping clean up the space in community.

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