When we first started Karuna Sessions in 2013, we referred to ourselves as professional cuddlers. The concept of professional cuddling is a fairly recent one, but it has grown in popularity over the past couple of years, and we were happy to be part of this trend.
And then, at the behest of one of the therapists we work with, Epiphany Jordan tried a standard one-on-one cuddling session with a client. She realized that we share almost nothing in common.
Yes, there is cuddling involved in what we do, but the resemblance ends there. Below are some of the key differences that make Karuna Sessions a far superior service.
Effective.
Metaphorically speaking, a Karuna Session reboots your body. Unless a client is going through a really difficult time, most clients find a single session to be satisfying and nourishing. Those who seek repeat sessions find they need to return only once every 6-12 months.
Universally needed and enjoyed.
Single males are typical clientele for professional cuddlers, and the media portrays them as sad, pathetic losers. While we do have clients who are single and male, many of our clients are women who are happily married with children. People undergoing duress and those in good physical/mental health alike have benefited from our services.
Carefully designed.
We’ve spent hundreds of hours refining what we do. Every detail of our session is imbued with meaning and significance. Karuna Sessions has crafted a 5-step process (Initiation, Introduction, Immersion, Integration and Completion) that is slow, smooth, and guided by compassionate practitioners. Clients remember, analyze and integrate the experience long after they walk out the front door.
Not awkward.
Part of the reason professional cuddling is awkward is because it’s not an interaction with familiar, well-defined social mores – people have no idea what to ask for or how to behave. Because we grok the importance of respecting personal boundaries and guide you through the experience, clients report feeling safe, at ease, and deeply relaxed.
Different interpersonal dynamics.
One of the biggest criticisms of professional cuddling is that it’s easy to misconstrue as a romantic or sexual experience. With our model of two practitioners/one client, this dynamic is out of the picture. It more closely resembles a pair of attendants waiting on a noble-person than three people having a romantic encounter. The client’s internal experience is prioritized over the external interaction with the practitioners, allowing for maximum immersion.
Mutual trust and respect.
We believe that men crave comfort and tenderness, and are not sex-crazed animals. We also believe they understand the difference between the erotic and the nurturing. We are not scared of men (or masculinity), and welcome all people, regardless of gender. We model respect and kindness, and offer a gentle experience of the mother archetype.
Cautious approach.
We understand the deeply transformational nature of our work, and approach clients with care. We recognize that we are not psychotherapists or medical doctors, and consider our work an augmentation to more traditional modalities. We do not take on clients who have serious issues prior to communicating with their regular caregivers so we may work in tandem with them.
Broad perspective.
Yes, cuddling is fun, and oxytocin makes you feel good, but our philosophy encompasses theories that draw from a broad range of social and physical sciences, including human development, neurology, biology, sociology and anthropology. While we don’t discuss these during a session, this information and knowledge informs our intentions and creates a deeper, richer experience for the client.
Secret sauce!
Just as chefs will add an unexpected flavor that makes for a one-of-a-kind dish, we have a secret ingredient in our sessions. It adds something unique to an experience that is already powerful and singular. We’ll never tell you what it is, but feel free to guess.