A powerful approach to self-exploration, healing, and transformation
Holotropic Breathwork™ is a powerful approach to self-exploration and healing that combines accelerated breathing, evocative music, focused bodywork, and mandala drawing in a safe, supportive environment.
Developed by Dr. Stanislav Grof and Christina Grof in the 1970s, Holotropic Breathwork™ emerged from decades of research into non-ordinary states of consciousness. The word "holotropic" means "moving toward wholeness" (from Greek holos = whole, trepein = moving toward).
Dr. Grof, a pioneering psychiatrist and researcher, developed this method following his earlier research into consciousness expansion at Johns Hopkins University and the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center. When restrictions on that research led him to seek alternative means of achieving therapeutic non-ordinary states, he discovered that a combination of accelerated breathing and evocative music could reliably facilitate powerful healing experiences.
In a typical session, participants work in pairs. One person is the "breather" and lies down with eyes closed, using accelerated breathing to enter an expanded state of awareness. The other person acts as a "sitter," providing support and ensuring safety. Carefully selected music guides the journey through different phases of the experience.
Multiple sessions as both breather and sitter, guided by certified facilitators.
Carefully curated music programs that support and guide each stage of the inner journey.
Creative integration work to express and anchor the insights from each session.
Supported sharing circles to integrate and witness each other's experiences.
All workshops are residential, providing a contained, supported environment for deep work.
Led by Fr. KC Thomas SDB and certified facilitators trained in the Grof tradition.
The primary principle of Holotropic Breathwork is that healing comes from within the client. Facilitators are not considered to be healers or even therapists. Rather, they are more like midwives, there to support a process that has an inherent wisdom.