Meet Mare H

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mare H and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mare, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Professional cuddling is real! Whether we are called Platonic Touch Practitioners or Human Connection Coaches or something else- this real, valuable work. We are trained and certified to hold safe space for anyone who needs touch in their lives and we do not discriminate. People who work in this modality tend to be kind, loving, and empathetic.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I began Pasadena Healing Touch in 2018 with a friend who was also a certified Cuddlist so that we could expand the world of platonic touch to those who need it. Not everyone has access to safe, confidential sessions for talking while cuddling, or just some quiet time to be in their autonomy by having custom cuddle sessions made especially for them. Every session is client-led and we go at their chosen pace.

Now on my own I have struggled to find my clientele at times but I really believe in the good this healing modality brings. I would say that the energy I exude is somewhat maternal – like getting a big hug from mom that you miss or that you never had. Yes, sometimes people confess to me that they have never been held by anyone. And while that is heartbreaking, it also makes me happy that people can give themselves the gift of finding an experience that benefits the heart as well as the psyche. The health benefits of cuddling include a sense of wellbeing, lower blood pressure, a boost of the bonding hormone oxytocin, and better sleep.

In recent years I have expanded my practice to include group events where cuddling is allowed to take place but no touch is required. I certified with Santa Monica based training school, Cuddle Sanctuary this time, and they are so fantastic as well as ethical. No questions are taboo or off limits and each get-together is a workshop on consent and boundaries. My events, which are called Community Cuddles with Mare, are more accessible than most. Often times cuddle events or other body movement classes take place on the floor and while that makes sense, that just doesn’t work for my knees. I strive to have a place for everyone to sit or lie down to cuddle in peace and comfort in a place where stairs aren’t mandatory.

Going forward I am looking to work more with talk therapists to do the neck-down work of helping individuals process the trauma that inevitably comes up during therapy. Working in tandem with therapists of all stripes is an ongoing goal of not only me and Pasadena Healing Touch, but of Cuddlist, as well. Being trauma informed and always reading and learning about the mind/body connection is my current jam.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Everyone loves the variety of food in Los Angeles and I am no exception! The first place I like to bring my visitors is Merkato Ethiopian restaurant in the Little Ethiopia district on Fairfax. Ethiopian food is rich in spices and served communally on a big plate where you eat with your hands using a spongy bread called injera. I don’t eat meat but my carnivores like that this is one of the few places that serves a version of beef that is uncooked called kitfo which they love. Merkato is the star in the crown of Ethiopian row.

To dance off that heavy meal we would head over to club Obelisk at Risky Business in Burbank for a fun theme night party that includes the dark side of music and night life, with two dance rooms and friendly staff and patrons. There is never a dull moment and the night flies by in a haze of Sazeracs and fishnets. If you are feeling daring, order the horn of mead and get yourself a tarot reading.

By day my guest and I would hike the arroyo in Pasadena where you can find the historic Colorado Street bridge, some fine archery, and even horseback riding if you know where to look. All while taking in the beautiful vistas of this ancient land where the Tongva peoples settled long before architects and businessmen came here for sun and health in the nineteenth century. Pasadena does have plenty of wonderful architectural marvels like City Hall, the Scottish Rites hall, and the observatory at CalTech.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In 2018 I became certified as a professional Cuddlist and started this journey of loving acceptance for all. Cuddlist is the training body for hundreds of solopreneurs around the US and in several other countries that is bringing education and standardization to this field in a way that is rooted in science, integrity, and fun! Cuddlist has ongoing education and support to set guidelines for how we interact with clients and pair with therapists in a triadic model for client health.

Website: https://pasadenahealingtouch.com

Instagram: @pasadenahealingtouch

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pasadenahealingtouch

Other: Cuddlist.com/Mare

https://beacons.ai/pasadenahealingtouch

Image Credits
AceFullyAlive @ Youtube