CASUAL HUGS - PATTING HUG
       This seemingly genuine hug exudes false sincerity and detachment. It gives the illusion of being comforting, but that in fact offers little to anyone in real need of comfort or consolation. I like to believe that when someone approaches me for a hug it is because they want to share an authentic moment of tenderness with me. So when a person drapes their arms over my shoulders like a pair of soggy noodles, and lamely pats my back, saying in a tone of simulated concern, “Aw, poor you, you look so lonely,” or “Hey, it’s okay, buddy, here’s your hug,” it saddens me that they need to dissimulate to hug. Why pretend to be caring and compassionate when your intention is not? On the other hand, if it makes someone happy to believe they are hugging me solely for my benefit, I really don’t mind; I know, and they know, that they are receiving the warmth and comfort that they have been craving...

DYNAMIC HUGS - LEAPING HUG
        There are times when life offers us the most amazing moments. Sometimes, incredible news or an unexpected event brings us out of our staid selves with a leap of ecstatic joy, and we’re overcome with a bursting desire to express profound gratitude to everyone around us with kisses and hugs. The Leaping Hug is the unrestrained celebration of one of these moments—like winning the national lottery or scoring the winning goal. Though this hug is as spontaneous as the previous two, it is usually initiated at close range. Often letting out a shriek of delight, the leaper will jump up into the arms of the unsuspecting person closest to them and wrap their arms and legs around their body. Ideally, the recipient of such a dynamic hug is strong enough, agile enough and playful enough to help make it the momentous moment it’s intended to be!...

HEALING HUGS - HEARTFELT HUG or The Hugger Busker’s Hug
       ... “It was a very deep and moving experience. His hug was much more genuine then I expected and certainly more intimate. When we began hugging, I felt the strength of his hands on my back as he held me, and gently pulled my chest up against his. It was very comforting, even intimate. I felt him breathe deeply; it was slow and filling. This brought a calm over me and I could let myself go in his embrace. It was then that I felt this incredibly powerful energy exchange as my heart chakra fully opened and our hearts connected. We held each other for quite a long time. We both sighed as we tightened our embrace and then we both giggled. It was beautiful! Then he relaxed his hold and we slowly came apart. Afterwards, I felt such a profound sense of peacefulness, joy and love, so much so that I felt compelled to reach out to others in my life in the same way.” ...

INTIMATE HUGS - FRONT-TO-BACK HUG
       ...Many times I have found myself at the ocean’s edge holding my lover tightly against my chest, as we look out onto the unfolding of the day. It fills me with peaceful contentment to feel her holding my hands to her heart while breathing in my embrace and surrendering to our shared silence. This hug helps us to feel that together, we are looking towards an unknown yet complicit future.
       The Front-to-Back Hug is a unifying and emotionally intimate hug that holds in its embrace the intentions of hope, comfort, reassurance and acceptance. For couples, it can inspire faith in the potential of the partnership and expresses a common desire to move forward in life, together, knowing that whatever is being witnessed will bring them closer and not further apart. For others, especially strangers, it can be an instinctive act of support and comfort offered to someone in emotional or psychological distress. A profound silence usually accompanies this hug; words need not be spoken when the intentions of the hugger are intuitively understood.

CUDDLES - MORNING CUDDLE
       ...Every morning, as the day finds its way into our waking hearts, we roll towards each other and entwine our limbs tightly together to bring our bodies into a slumbering embrace. During those precious minutes, we can put off the cares of the coming day for just a while longer and rejoice in the cares of the heart.
       I asked Jade to write down what our morning ritual meant to her. Here are her words: “Welcoming this day in love, comfort and tenderness reassures me; I know that I am not alone on my journey, and that no matter what the day brings I feel supported and appreciated by my partner’s presence and love.” As for me, I feel that our morning cuddles have deepened our level of intimacy and complicity. Our morning affection has certainly played an important part in helping us face the few difficult moments in our relationship with optimism and respect...

MULTI-PERSON HUGS - FAMILY HUG
       There is something wonderfully endearing about seeing the members of a family hold each other in a strong, loving embrace. It can be difficult to sustain supportive and loving family unity, but it is possible if you take the time to be aware of and present with each other. Little moments like shared laughter, a tender touch, an appreciative smile or a playful exchange can bond a family together. Time is the greatest gift that a parent can give their child, as it makes them feel wanted, appreciated and worthy of attention and love. When family members take the time to celebrate and honour each other with genuine love, respect and appreciation, the effect reverberates for generations to come. A hugging family is a loving one! A laughing family is a joyful one! How better to concretize that bond than through a family hug...

DISCORDANT HUGS - SUMO HUG
       ...This awkward two-step usually starts after the hug has begun. All is good until about the five-second mark, when the hug becomes a little more intimate then a casual pat on the back. This is when my hugger turns wrestler. He will suddenly tense up, tighten his grip on me and begin to physically twist, turn, lift and drag me about, as if I were a wilfully defiant opponent—which by that point I am quickly becoming. If this hug were not so disconcerting it would be quite funny. I don’t like to be manhandled, so at this stage I will end the hug. As I firmly pry myself out of his agitated grip I inform him, in a polite but uncompromising tone, that hugging is not a combative affair, but one that is shared with someone, not imposed on them.

VARIANT HUGS - BOUNCING HUG
       ... What family gathering, birthday celebration or holiday event has not had its share of equestrian games, especially when the favourite uncle or family friend comes to visit? Without fail, every three-year old in the house wants to be the first to hop on his leg and go for a bouncy ride. Even Dad gets stuck with this sporting exercise every once in a while. It’s not that the adults mind the child’s squeals of delight as they bounce about… it’s only when the child won’t let go, and insists on being dragged around like a dead weight, that things get awkward for parents and guests alike. The willing guest will usually grin and bear it with amusement as he walks about, or rather hobbles, as if one leg were shackled with iron ball and chain. It’s a funny sight indeed and delightfully amusing… at least for the child!