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Of all the new-age therapies and healing practices in the United States, the fastest growing is one of the simplest and perhaps most misunderstood as well. Cuddling or snuggling comes from the natural human tendency to seek comfort from intimacy and touch. For 80 dollars an hour, you can now hire trained professionals to cuddle with you. Anand Rao of Little Known America set up a meeting with a professional cuddlist in New York City to find out more.
The first time I heard about Cuddling was a few years ago when a friend in Salt Lake City, Utah mentioned about it in hushed tones. It was an activity that would have certainly displeased his traditional Mormon family, and I had to swear secrecy to learn more about his "alternative" lifestyle. Though I was intrigued by the idea of strangers hugging each other for extended lengths of time, I never had the chance of attending any of those parties. They were mostly relegated to a basement in a quiet suburban cul-de-sac, and word of mouth spread very carefully adding to the whole unwarranted notoriety. I did continue my secondary research and was pleasantly surprised with the steady rate of increase in its online presence. Things have surely changed over the years, and it does appear that people have begun to see its benefits, and also its benignity to cause any moral outrage. One website, Cuddlist.com has significantly contributed to building resources and a network of cuddling professionals all over the country, most of whom appear quite busy snuggling touch-starved patrons.
When I reached out to one of the listed Cuddlists, Ella on Cuddlist.com, she eagerly offered to meet with me and speak on video what cuddling was all about. In her well-appointed apartment in New York City, Ella invited me with a warm hug and spoke articulately answering all my questions about the screening process, the code of conduct, the clothing restrictions and the procedure of cuddling and its benefits. Essentially, Cuddling is a non-sexual touch that focuses more on nurturing, healing and helping clients overcome the paucity of touch in their lives.
Some points I gathered from the interview:
Non-Sexual: Cuddling is non-sexual touch therapy. However, it is alright to get aroused and not feel embarrassed about it. As long as you don't act on it, sexual arousal is apparently ok.
Professional and Platonic: Cuddling is not a dating service and the Cuddlist is not your friend. It's supposedly similar to a therapist-client relationship.
Clothes Code strictly enforced: You are not allowed to cuddle in your street clothes. You are required to change into freshly laundered Pajamas/Sweat Pants/Yoga Pants with a T-Shirt. I could not get to cuddle with Ella because I was not carrying my change of clothes.
Read the Code of Conduct: There are a lot of dos and don'ts, which you need to know. Make sure you read it on the website before you book the session.
You can get more information at Cuddlist.com.
