The transformative
power of BREATHWORK

Stanislav Grof, MD, and his late wife Christina developed holotropic breathwork at the Ellen Institute in Big Sur, California in the 1970s. The Grofs’ background was in psychoanalytic therapy (talk therapy that focuses on bringing suppressed thoughts or feelings to the conscious mind) and they explored how altered states of consciousness could affect traditional counseling or therapy. Through their experiments, they found that rapid or deep breathing caused by panic or anxiety could affect the brain positively.

“The word ‘holotropic’ comes from the Greek words ‘holos’ or ‘whole’ and ‘trepein,’ which means ‘to move in the direction of something,’ “Together, this means ‘moving towards wholeness.’” Holotropic breathing uses rapid, controlled breathing patterns to promote a dream-like experience, or what’s usually referred to as an “altered state of consciousness.” Once you reach this state, it’s possible to access parts of your consciousness that are hard to reach.

The goal of holotropic breathwork is to essentially use accelerated breathing to increase awareness of the self as well as cope with traumas from the past. Holotropic breathwork allows you to access parts of your psyche that can’t be reached under normal conditions.

It is used to relieve mental health conditions and their symptoms, including:

Depression.
Substance use disorder.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Anxiety.
Negative thinking.
Chronic stress.
Tension.
Avoidance behaviors