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What Is Grof® Holotropic Breathwork?
Holotropic Breathwork is a powerful natural method of self-exploration, personal transformation, and healing. Workshops take place in a safe environment supported by experienced facilitators, enabling participants to bring psychologically meaningful and often emotionally charged material into awareness, relive it, and release it.
The process of Holotropic Breathwork has three equally important components: preparation, session, and integration. Preparation begins with a sharing circle, followed by an introduction to the method and practical instructions for the sessions. During sessions, participants work in pairs and alternate between the roles of breather and sitter. Integration includes (optional) drawing and creating mandalas, as well as sharing the most meaningful parts of the experience with the group.
In Holotropic Breathwork sessions, simple ancient techniques such as:
- Faster and deeper breathing
- Evocative music
- Focused bodywork and supportive physical contact
within a safe, well-held environment, open the way into holotropic (non-ordinary) states of consciousness. In these states, our inner healing intelligence becomes activated and brings into consciousness material that usually resides deep within the psyche.
What Are Holotropic States of Consciousness?
Holotropic states of consciousness are a subgroup of non-ordinary states that have transformational, healing, evolutionary, and heuristic potential.
The term was introduced by Dr. Stanislav Grof and Christina Grof (from Greek holos – whole, and trepein – moving toward) to highlight the psyche’s inherent capacity to move toward wholeness.
In holotropic states we can expand our capacity for perception and open ourselves to thoughts, insights, emotions, and sensations that are not accessible in ordinary consciousness. Such experiences can be deeply transformative, helping resolve dysfunctional patterns, unlocking creative potential, and supporting spiritual development and self-healing.
Why Participate in Holotropic Breathwork?
Holotropic Breathwork can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and to more joy and calm in daily life. It can help free emotional and creative expression, reduce anxiety and symptoms of depression, and support the healing of physical and emotional trauma as well as psychosomatic difficulties.
Those who breathe regularly report that Holotropic Breathwork has helped them overcome feelings of inner disconnection and isolation and enabled them to reconnect with a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in their lives.
Where Does Holotropic Breathwork Come From?
Holotropic Breathwork was developed by psychiatrist Dr. Stanislav Grof and Christina Grof. It is based on more than 60 years of observations and clinical research emphasizing the strong transformational and healing potential of holotropic states of consciousness.
The Grof® Holotropic Breathwork method brings together insights from modern consciousness research, perennial philosophy, transpersonal psychology, contemporary psychiatric studies, anthropology, as well as various spiritual practices, shamanism, and mystical traditions of the world.
Would You Like to Learn More or Join a Workshop?
- Interested in experiencing Holotropic Breathwork? Explore our upcoming events.
- Want to learn more about the method? We recommend Holotropic Breathwork by Stanislav and Christina Grof.
- Curious about the work of Stanislav Grof? Read his encyclopedia The Way of the Psychonaut (two volumes) and watch the accompanying documentary film.
- Want to explore Grof’s pioneering psychedelic research? We recommend LSD Psychotherapy.
- Holotropic Breathwork workshop registration form.
