What we’re about
New Culture (http://www.new-culture.org) is a community and a movement whose purpose is to examine every aspect of society and experiment to create a world that works—in every way, for everyone. It is a decentralized network with no leader, guru, or dogma; just a loose collection of local groups that value community, authenticity, personal growth, compassion, and social change.
Welcoming of all people—regardless of race, class, national origin, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual or relationship orientation, mental or physical health status, or any other identity or characteristic—the events in this group are opportunities to explore ways of relating that are free of oppression and violence; in spaces designed for radical acceptance, freedom, play, and self-knowledge.
How do we create a world based on love and freedom, rather than fear and violence? What might intimate relationships look like in such a world? How do we live well together and co-create joy? We have lots of questions and not too many answers. The fun part is looking at these issues together and trying out possible solutions; while practicing being unattached, curious, transparent, playful, creative, and connected.
In order to create a New Culture in our lives (and in the larger society), we develop and practice the skills we need to make that real through connection events and workshops.
This group is for people who wish to explore New Culture in Southeast Michigan and the surrounding areas.
For more information about New Culture visit:
https://www.cfnc.us/new-culture/
To stay connected via Facebook, join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/317674395712718/
Upcoming events (2)
See all- ***Event Full*** Giving and Receiving: A Desire, Consent, and Boundary WorkshopRadical Well-Being Center, Southfield, MI$15.00
****This event is full!! I'm so delighted. However, you can still sign up on the waitlist (link below), and you will be notified if a spot opens up for you****
Join me for a hands-on somatic consent workshop where you’ll practice feeling and communicating your desires, boundaries, and willingness to give to others.
This workshop is for you, if you need:
- a safe, platonic space to learn how to feel in your body when you genuinely want or don’t want to do something.
- tools to help you recover from codependency and people-pleasing, so that you know when to give to others without sacrificing yourself.
- to practice direct communication, including directly rejecting other people’s requests.
- to get better at prioritizing your own pleasure.
- to build skills to have more authentically consensual intimacy.
- to discover new ways of touching and being touched that bring you joy
The workshop is led by Juno Aventurine (they/them), a trauma-informed consent and connection facilitator who also leads a monthly Cuddle Sanctuary.
***You Must Register At The Link Below To Attend This Event***
More Info:
For the majority of our time together, I will guide you through a series of pair activities focused on asking and answering the questions: “How would you like me to touch you for 5 minutes?” and “How would you like to touch me for 5 minutes?”The goal is to slow down and notice what sensations come up in your body and what they are trying to tell you about what you want, what you are truly willing to do for someone else, and what you are unwilling to do. You will explore what it feels like to be in the roles of Giver and Receiver, and together we will move beyond the social norms around giving and receiving pleasure.
Before we begin those activities, we’ll briefly discuss the importance of sensation and the distinction between “want to” and “willing to.” I will also give you a quick primer on guess culture and desire smuggling.
Check-ins, a bio break, and opportunities to share about your experience are woven into the three hour agenda. You are encouraged to take care of your bodily and emotional needs at any time. You never have to do anything that you are uncomfortable with. You are at choice in this space!
Note: The pair activities are a version of “The Three Minute Game,” described in the book The Art of Giving and Receiving: The Wheel of Consent by Betty Martin. For more info about that game, visit [visit https://bettymartin.org/how-to-play-the-3-minute-game/](visit https://bettymartin.org/how-to-play-the-3-minute-game/)
****Waitlist: https://forms.gle/9ABoTfh9nEGE4bYP7
There is a sliding scale fee of $15 to $40 that you'll be asked to pay if a spot opens up for you. Please pay what you are able to without it being a detriment to your financial situation. If you cannot afford the lowest rate, let me know in the registration form. No one turned away for lack of funds.
***Refunds are given up to 48 hours before the event, if you decide to cancel***
Get here on time:
Please plan your travel to arrive early (before 2pm), so that you are ready to begin by 2. No entry will be allowed after 2:05pm, so that we can all focus on the workshop, rather than new people entering.Location and Accessibility:
Radical Well-Being Center is at 20411 W. Twelve Mile Rd., Southfield, MI. Park in the back of the building where the wheelchair ramp is. Enter building through that door. RadWell is the first suite on the left in the hallway. The suite and the two bathrooms are wheelchair accessible.Not open - Cuddle Sanctuary: A Collective Healing Space for Consensual, Platonic TouchCenterPeace Troy, Troy, MI$15.00
***RSVPs on meetup do not relfect actual number of registrations/attendees. We always have at least 10 attendees, often more like 15***
Join us for an afternoon of connection, relaxation, and empowerment through consensual, platonic cuddling!
Cuddle Sanctuary is a collective healing space for meeting our basic human need for physical connection. It’s one small part of building a culture in which consensual touch is accessible and abundant beyond sexual and romantic relationships.
Doors open at 2:45pm. In order to participate in cuddling, attendees must be here by 3:05pm, so that we can begin the opening circle.
The event will be facilitated by Juno Aventurine (they/them), a workshop organizer who focuses on consent, authentic relating, connection, and conflict skills. They’re also a former professional cuddler who was trained to offer therapeutic platonic cuddle sessions to people in need of touch.
You must register for this event via the Center Peace Healing website: https://www.centerpeacehealing.com/all-events/https/wwwtickettailorcom/events/centerpeace/1369661-3fr6c-45m5g
Tickets are $15 for those who can pay. However, no one will be turned away for lack of funds. If the cost is a barrier, please contact Juno to register without paying.
More About the Event:
Cuddle Sanctuary is all about self-care, community care, and healing the pain of touch deprivation.
We all need touch for our well-being. It’s well documented that cuddling releases the stress-reducing and pain-relieving hormone oxytocin (“the love drug”), creating feelings of relaxation and even bliss. When done in alignment with our genuine desires, cuddling is a form of co-regulating our nervous systems with other people, and a natural way to cultivate wellness through human connection.
Cuddle Sanctuary is also an empowering workshop where we practice consent by asking for the kind of cuddling we authentically want, saying “no” to what we don’t want, accepting rejection with gratitude, and negotiating our boundaries.
Everyone is at choice in this space. This means you’re encouraged to tune in to your body and ask for what you truly want without shame, because there is nothing shameful about your needs and desires. It also means that no one has to cuddle with anyone else who asks them to, or cuddle in any particular way. You get to decide what you want to do with your own body, and you have the right to change your mind about cuddling at any point in the process.
To facilitate this, there will be an opening circle at the beginning of the event in which we’ll practice rejection (both giving and receiving). We’ll also spend a little time getting in touch with what our specific cuddle desires are, communicating them, and seeing where our desires might overlap with each other.
During the opening circle, we will go over the community guidelines for the space, which you can read beforehand here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OSp18szX3clxnsrWUdpQ8ylQdJQUlUuvp2qL3tuTLmw/edit
After the opening circle, participants are welcome to ask for and engage in platonic cuddling in any way they’d like. All forms of platonic cuddling are legitimate here! Cuddling can be holding hands, spooning, sitting against each others’ backs, laying your head on someone’s stomach, touching palms, interweaving arms, and so much more.
Finally, Cuddle Sanctuary is an opportunity to experiment with going outside of your comfort zone when it comes to who you cuddle with and how you cuddle. If you’re feeling a little adventurous, you’re encouraged to try out a form of cuddling that you don’t know if you’ll like, challenge your expectations, and experience something new.
Near the end of the event, there will be a brief closing circle where attendees can share a little about their experience and their desires for the next time they attend Cuddle Sanctuary.
Accessibility Info
- Please refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, or other scented things to the event, because many people have debilitating scent sensitivities.
- The main entrance to the building is wheelchair accessible, as well as the bathroom and the room where Cuddle Sanctuary will take place.
- The space is designed for cuddling on the floor, which is newly carpeted (very fluffy and soft). There will also be blankets on top of the carpet and big cushions available for use.
If there’s anything you need to make Cuddle Sanctuary more accessible, please reach out to Juno before the event to see if we can come up with a solution.
Juno’s email: junowayward@gmail.com.
