** 2015 Indie Book Awards Finalist **
Imagine a life where physical affection is readily available beyond romantic relationships. A life where you resonate with friends on a deeper heartfelt level. In just a few weeks, you can be hosting platonic touch-positive events, enjoying warmer friendships, and creating a supportive tribe.
Packed with the knowledge of experts from a long-established, grassroots snuggling community, this book gives you a wealth of tools:
- an explanation of what snuggle parties are and how they can help
- activities and guidance for communicating boundaries around touch, and for establishing consent around physical intimacy
- tips on how to attract and recruit other snugglers, even if you're a bit shy
- 25 games and educational activities to introduce others to snuggling
- ideas and tools for creating a safe, comfortable snuggling environment
- pointers on self-care and getting support, such as money and volunteers
- tips on sexuality, gender, couples/dating, and cultural diversity
- strategies for managing even some of the less common dynamics
- ways platonic snuggling can complement and enhance romantic relationships
"An inspirational work that opens delightful pathways to intimacy with oneself and others. I loved how it offers healing from limiting stereotypical gender roles, and the accompanying photos always brought a smile to my face. Don’t miss this book!"
-Karla Baur, M.S.W., sex therapist and co-author of Our Sexuality, the most widely adopted college sexuality textbook in the U.S.Organized cuddle events date back to at least 2002, when a small group of visionaries in Portland, Oregon began to hold snuggle parties. Formal and informal snuggle gatherings have since become frequent pastimes among segments of the community. But this joyful, connective way of relating remains a mystery to most people.
A decade after their inception, Dave Wheitner discovered snuggle parties and other platonic touch-positive events during a challenging life transition. He had rarely sought nurturing touch outside of romantic relationships, and found this new approach profoundly supportive. He was eager to share what he had learned with others, but no books on how to throw such events existed. A few innovative training programs had created talented facilitators, but time and tuition costs still left out many people.
Immersed in a community of cuddle experts, Dave created this book. He brings you much of their wisdom, developed over many years, with his own experiences and advanced psychology training. Included are the voices of many people who have benefited from snuggle events.
This book has much to offer for anyone who desires more physical affection. It may be especially powerful for: those who have lost a partner due to divorce or death, those in addictions recovery who want to abstain from romantic/sexual relationships, young adults who crave physical affection but aren't ready for a romantic relationship, partners separated due to military service, those seeking support following a geographic relocation, and those in residential care settings. If you're interested in one-on-one snuggling, or in becoming a professional snuggler or cuddle buddy, you'll also find valuable information.
"As a Professional Cuddler, I am so proud of the concepts of non-sexual touch in this book. With the tools here, anyone can master touch and improve their life in a simple but profound way."
-Samantha Hess, founder of Cuddle Up to Me, author of Touch: The Power of Human Connection
Dave Wheitner is an award-winning author of several books on creating a better life and more sustainable world. He earned a B.A. in Psychology from Yale, an M.A. in Community Counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, an M.S. in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon, and life coaching certification. He guides others to create happier and more powerful lives through his strategic life coaching practice. Dave has participated in various workshops and trainings on awareness, authenticity, sensuality, sexuality, and personal growth, and has created and co-facilitated snuggle events with Oregon Touch. Amy Baker adapted and contributed many of the 25 touch-positive games and provided substantial feedback. She earned an M.A. in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology and Art Therapy from Naropa University, and offers interactive workshops through Envision Art Studio. She facilitates events with Oregon Touch. Bob Czimbal and Maggie Zadikov, who provided substantial feedback, authored Vitamin T: A Guide to Healthy Touch, one of the earlier works to bring knowledge on nourishing touch to the general public. They offer several books and workshops through Abundance Company. James “Jas” Davis, who wrote the foreword and provided substantial feedback, founded LoveTribe, catalyzed the earliest organized snuggle events in the U.S., and has been creating events in organic relating and somatic resourcing for over a decade. Kristen Reynolds, who created the snuggly animal sketches and provided substantial feedback, is the lead organizer for Oregon Touch. She writes about how to form stable, cooperative relationships within community in her blog Loving-Community. Stara Shakti and Ashley “Jack” Ohana helped to shape the book and co-founded the group now known as Oregon Touch. Stara has facilitated a range of healing and development experiences, and is pursuing graduate studies to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Jack is a professional screenwriter in Hollywood.
