Holotropic Breathwork

Holotropic breathwork is a Connection Technique designed to facilitate Connection. Developed by Stansislav and Christina Grof, Holotropic breathing triggers a natural inner mechanism to induce a non-ordinary state of consciousness. Either in groups of two or individually, a person lays down in a comfortable area (such as on a mat) with his or her eyes closed and takes deep breaths at a very rapid rate (similar to inducing hyperventilation) while listening to evocative music. The “sitter’s” role is to provide empathetic awareness and assistance if required but without any sort of interruption to the “breather”. Each experience is always distinct from session to session and unique for each individual.

List of Connection Techniques

Connection Technique > Affirmation, Affirmation of Connection, Autogenic Training, Biofeedback, Bornless Ritual, Breathing, Caloric Reduction, Cocooning, Connection Visualization, Dance, Deprivation, Detachment, Dhikr, Drumming, Fasting, Flow Control, Flow Purification, Graduation Invocation, Holotropic Breathwork, Hypnotism, Hypoventilation, Intent, Intent to Connect, Japam, Mantra, Meditation, Mindfulness, Musical Audition, Mysticism of the Historical Event, Poetry, Power Quest, Receptive Seeking, Relaxation, Sensory Deprivation, Spirit Canoe, The Method of the Lamp, The Way of the Hollow Bone, Thought Control, Vajra Breath, Vision Quest, Visualization, Writing, Zazen

Notes

Holotropic Breathwork is a "simple approach--combining accelerated breathing, music, and body work--can induce, in a safe and supportive framework, an entire spectrum of healing experiences comparable to those known from spontaneous transformative episodes; however, unlike the latter, these experiences remained limited to the periods of holotropic sessions.

The term “Holotropic” is derived from the Greek language: “holos” refers to becoming at entirety with oneself and “trepein” refers to movement in a certain direction toward becoming a specific entity. Furthermore, “holos” prescribes to the use of holistic disciplines, including eastern polytheistic religions, mystical practices, and various psychology domains.

Further Reading

Holotropic Breathwork

Footnotes

References