The Healing Potential of Breath and Presence

Within most indigenous cultures, as well as Eastern and Western wisdom traditions, the breath has been used for centuries to access deeper dimensions of experience and awareness, as well as inner resources for healing, guidance, and personal/collective transformation. Holotropic Breathwork, developed by Stanislav Grof, MD, and his wife, Christina Grof, is a contemporary approach that builds upon these traditions using the breath as the “doorway” to the transformational healing potential that resides within us. Based on modern consciousness research, and grounded in an understanding of the interface of psychology and spirituality, as well as knowledge of ancient wisdom and shamanic traditions, Holotropic Breathwork is an adventure in self-exploration, self-healing, self-remembering, self-recovery, and self-discovery.

Uniting the healing potential of the breath with the power of presence, Holotropic Breathwork offers you the opportunity to practice being fully present to yourself— your body, your breath, your being, and your immediate, moment-to-moment experiences (sensations, emotions, images, insights, memories, movement, energy, and other states and qualities of being) as these arise and unfold naturally—without efforting, forcing, or trying to make anything happen or to have certain experiences. In other words, with no agendas, goals, or preferences. While there are unlimited inner experiences that may arise in the breathwork process, the intention of this work is not to seek experiences, but rather to allow your authentic inner experience to unfold spontaneously—in service of personal, as well as collective, healing and transformation. You are invited to “surrender” to a more precise guidance, a deeper wisdom, and to greater possibilities than the ego mind can conceive, including that which is beyond the limited boundaries of a separate body/ego/self.

Within a safe, supportive, and reverent environment, you have the opportunity to experiment with breathing faster, deeper, and more fully until you discover a rate and rhythm that is right for you. For some, this way of breathing becomes effortless—as if they are “being breathed.” You will be supported in your inner journey by evocative music, skillful yet non-interfering facilitation, focused bodywork or energy-release work, expressive artwork, personal sharing, and suggestions/opportunities for integration.

Essential to the practice of Holotropic Breathwork, and at the very core of this work,
is the fundamental understanding that there is an inherent intelligence or wisdom within the universe, as well as within each of us, that contains the “blueprint” for our human potential and which guides our unfoldment as human beings. Honoring that “the healer is within,” this work trusts, respects, and supports each person’s unique experience and natural movement toward greater well-being, wisdom, and wholeness—without interference or interpretation.

Holotropic Breathwork can be useful for those just beginning transformational work, as well as those already experienced with deep pyschospiritual development. Many find this work to be a beneficial adjunct to psychotherapy, 12-Step Recovery, and other forms of healing, as well as a complement to committed spiritual practice.

For more information on Holotropic Breathwork, its originators, facilitator training, and other resources, please go to www.holotropic.com. For a precise, yet concise introduction to the principles and practice of this work, a directory of facilitators in other parts of the country and world, as well as the ethical guidelines which govern our practice of Holotropic Breathwork, you may refer to the Association of Holotropic Breathwork International website.

For more info on Breathwork:

Different options/ways to experience Breathwork

Schedule of upcoming workshops

Women's breathwork workshops, retreats & groups

Readings/Resources/Links about Breathwork

Forms to Download for Workshop Participants:

Registration Form (Acrobat pdf format | MS Word format)

Medical Form (Acrobat pdf format | MS Word format)