There
are aspects of life, both inside and outside ourselves,
from which we have become disconnected. As human beings,
we have a strong drive to reclaim that connectedness, but
we may not know how to go about it. We may be disconnected
from childhood memories, from other unresolved issues in
our past, or from the solutions to current problems. We
may feel disconnected from our bodies, our feelings, our
intuitive abilities. These disconnections interrupt the
natural flow of vital energy so that we repeat old patterns
of behaviour that bring results we do not want. The stress
produced can even bring physical symptoms or illness. We
may also feel cut off from those direct spiritual experiences
which inspire our creativity, and which help us with the
most important of our life decisions. The quality of our
lives can be transformed when we are willing to explore
these areas and to reconnect with these parts of ourselves
and with our spiritual source. It has been said that Holotropic
Breathwork provides one of the most vivid means of accessing,
exploring and expanding our consciousness.
Where does Holotropic Breathwork come from ?
Although the focus of transpersonal psychology has always
been on the realm of consciousness, there is also an involvement
of the spiritual dimension of the psyche. Holotropic Breathwork
has been heralded as the newest tool in this type of therapy.
The name Holotropic literally means "moving towards
wholeness" (from the Greek "holos"= whole,
and "trepein"= moving in the direction of something).
The technique was developed by Stanislav & Christina
Grof, and is supported by 40 years of research. Holotropic
Breathwork is a safe and powerful technique to access the
lost parts of ourselves through non-ordinary states of consciousness.
How does Holotropic
Breathwork work ?
For thousands of years, non-ordinary states have been employed
systematically to seek healing or wisdom. When our bodies
and psyches are energised by the breath, we each begin to
mediate our own healing; experiencing, resolving and integrating
material in the proper sequence and intensity for our own
development. Holotropic Breathwork uses a combination of
ancient spiritual techniques and modern consciousness research
, drawing on accelerated breathing, evocative music and
focused energy release work in a safe, relaxed setting,
to induce non-ordinary states of consciousness.
This state
stimulates unconscious healing on physical, emotional and
spiritual levels, unblocking and releasing pent-up energy,
which might otherwise result in psycho-somatic conditions
such as depression, anxiety, phobias, sexual problems, migraines
and asthma. Thus the healing element of Holotropic Breathwork
goes beyond merely offering temporary relief. When one starts
tapping into the unconscious, spontaneous healing occurs
and one is taken to incredible depths of realisation.
What happens
during a session ?
Holotropic Breathwork sessions are usually conducted individually
or in small groups, for about 1 - 3 hours. With the eyes
closed and lying on a mat, each person uses their own breath
and the music in the room to enter a non-ordinary state
of consciousness. This state activates the natural inner
healing process of the individual's psyche, bringing him
or her a particular set of internal experiences. With the
inner healing intelligence guiding the process, the quality
and content brought forth is unique to each person and for
that particular time and place. While recurring themes are
common, no two sessions are ever alike.
Additional
elements of the process include focused energy release work
and mandala drawing. Within the groups, people work in pairs
and alternate in the roles of experiencer and "sitter".
The sitter's role is to be available to assist the breather,
not to interfere or interrupt the process. The same is true
for trained facilitators, who are available as helpers if
necessary. Since these sessions may bring about profound
psycho-physical/spiritual experiences, it is essential to
have the support and guidance of a trained practitioner.
