Holotropic Breathwork

Holotropic Breathwork is a facilitated method developed by Stanislav and Christina Grof in the 1970s that combines faster, deeper breathing, evocative music and focused bodywork. Participants usually work in pairs as breather and sitter in an extended group workshop, and a single breathing Session often lasts two to three hours.

The Grofs developed it partly as a drug-free way to access the non-ordinary states they had studied in psychedelic research. The music typically moves from stimulating to heart-centred to meditative, and the Session is often followed by drawing and a group sharing. It is a high-ventilation practice with clear contraindications, so screening by trained facilitators is part of the format. Facilitator certification, for example through Grof Transpersonal Training, usually takes at least two years.