Excellent article. Its very interesting that there are actually cuddle workshops. Honestly in this day and age people everywhere are over sensitized to something that could be considered a healthy and appropriate way to comfort and show appreciation. We are all abit scared that if we pat someone on the back we will be fired, or that if someone does that that they have some malicious purpose,whereas it is often not the case. I remember 2 examples of when a touch was very beneficial in my life.
The first one was my kung fu teacher who during one training walked past and gave me a pat on the shoulder to show that he acknowledged my effort. The other was when I approached a leader for help to and counsel. At the end he gave me a hug to acknowledge that he appreciated me seeking his counsel.
Both completely innocent displays of acknowledgement and both so very necessary to my development. Truly our growth can be stunted if we have a lack of this kind of interaction