Holotropic breathing is the practice of defeating the human soul and consciousness. Holotropic breathing according to Stanislav Grof Impact on humans

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Holotropic breathing is a psychotherapeutic technique, the foundation of which is built on intense breathing. This technique is known today as one of the most common in psychotherapy and it originated in the seventies as a legal alternative to psychedelic techniques. Christina and Stanislav Grof introduced this technique into use in psychotherapy. Before the ban on the use of psychoactive drugs, a phenomenon was recorded - at the end of a psychedelic psychotherapy session, when the problematic aspect remained not fully worked out, clients began to breathe intensively in order to maintain an altered consciousness and refine the psychological material that grew from the depths of the unconscious. The Grofs began to use forced breathing after the ban on the use of psychotomimetics, with the intention of achieving a psychotherapeutic effect, came into force.

Holotropic breathing involves a combination of the following means: rapid breathing, the sound of music and selected sounds, types of bodily work. Actually, thanks to the complex use of the listed means, holotropic breathing is capable of giving rise to the full range of experiences usually observed during psychedelic sessions. Typically, when using active breathing, such experiences are mild. It also allows holonauts to control them to a greater extent. In terms of the content of the experiences, there are no differences with the emotions that arise during psychedelic sessions, however, they were still extracted without the use of chemicals. The key catalyst in the described technique is not a psychoactive drug, but a natural and fundamental physiological process - breathing.

Holotropic Breathwork Technique

The natural physiological process, which is called breathing, is the core connecting link between the surrounding world and the physical body of the subject, his spirituality and psyche.

The miraculous power of the holotropic breathing technique is based on four components, namely, simultaneously deep and intensified, as well as connected breathing, stimulating measured music, spontaneous immersion in the deep streams of the unconscious and analysis of emerging experiences. Further manifestation of the psychotherapeutic effect occurs in the flight of creative invention, for example, the image of mandalas or body-oriented therapy. At the same time, in breathing with this technique there should be no intervals separating inhalation from exhalation.

The task of holotropic breathing is to follow the path of self-knowledge, “return to the whole,” the unification of the deep subconscious and consciousness into a holistic mechanism for understanding oneself, one’s own emotions, and the maturation of emotional and personal maturation.

The use of this technique makes it possible to find long-forgotten psychological traumas that are buried deep in the unconscious, conflict situations that provoke the emergence of pressing life problems, and getting rid of such “obstacles.”

Holotropic breathing is faster and deeper than normal breathing. Often no other specific recommendations are given before or during this technique. In other words, the rate, nature or manner of breathing depends entirely on the patient's inner experience. As a rule, active breathing sessions take place with minimal intervention from the therapist. The only exceptions are laryngeal spasms, problems with loss of breath, sensations or severe pain that prevent the continuation of therapy, as well as a request from the practitioner of active breathing for help.

Acoustic stimulation, such as the sound of tambourines, drumming, natural sounds or rhythmic music, are an integral element of holotropic practice. Often, the choice of musical accompaniment supports specific stages that reflect the most general properties of the unfolding of holotropic experience.

Music for holotropic breathing may initially be inspiring and stimulating in nature, gradually it turns into a more dramatic sound, becomes more dynamic and energetic, and then marks a breakthrough. As the climax is reached, the sound gradually becomes calmer. At the very end, the musical accompaniment becomes peaceful, flowing, similar to melodies for meditation.

The method of holotropic breathing to create optimal conditions is best practiced in groups, the participants of which are divided into pairs, where one client is a holonaut (that is, one who practices active breathing), and the other is a sitter (one who ensures the safety of the breathing holonaut). Often, no more than two breathing sessions are carried out in one session, in which at first one participant is a holonaut and the other is a sitter, then they change roles. Clothing for practitioners of holotropic technique should be loose-fitting, comfortable and not restrict movement. The training room should be spacious and the seats for participants should be soft. After carrying out relaxation techniques, holonauts begin a breathing session to the rhythmic sound of music, which helps maintain heart and respiratory rhythm. Participants, upon completion of the main breathing session, move on to formulating their own experiences through drawing mandalas, sculpting, free dancing, and then discuss the emotions they have experienced, if desired. The duration of one practice can be a minimum of two hours and a maximum of eight hours. Each holonaut individually selects the number of breathing sessions for himself, but no more than 12.

The holotropic breathing method is based on transpersonal psychology. Before proceeding directly to the session, each participant undergoes thorough instruction. Participants are explained the main types of manifestations generated during altered consciousness. The goal of achieving an altered consciousness is the therapeutic effect of the unrest that accompanies immersion in the deep unconscious of the psyche. Among such worries can be identified: recollection of experiences, extraction of perinatal matrices (birth or postpartum emotions), the individual’s comprehension of the relationship with space, world and time. During the theoretical briefing, they are introduced in detail to the indications and contraindications, and other recommendations are given separately for sitters and holonauts. After all, the holonaut, through active breathing, achieves an altered state of consciousness, as a result of which he begins to behave authentically, while completely liberating. At such moments, there must be someone nearby, who will create conditions for safety and ensure freedom of expression of experiences. When in an altered consciousness, the subject does what he wants, without paying attention to others and without suppressing his own desires. Often, before the session, participants agree on what type of support will come from the sitter. And to maintain a single breathing rhythm, partners are recommended to develop non-verbal communication signals.

The physiological mechanism of action of intensive breathing is based on the fact that prolonged hyperventilation leads to a decrease in carbon dioxide content, which provokes vasoconstriction, as a result of which hemoglobin begins to connect red blood cells with oxygen more tightly. The result of this is a less efficient supply of oxygen to the tissues - the tissues suffocate due to lack of oxygen. The consequence of this is the appearance of paradoxical oxygen starvation, which inhibits the functioning of the cerebral cortex and, conversely, provokes more intense work of the subcortex, thereby releasing previously repressed experiences from consciousness.

The holotropic breathing method has some contraindications, namely severe chronic diseases, primarily cardiovascular diseases, decompensatory phase, epilepsy, glaucoma, recent surgery, infectious diseases in the acute phase, pregnancy, recent fractures, osteoporosis.

This technique has proven itself in the treatment of fears of various etiologies, neurotic conditions, spiritual crises, depressive conditions and even in the treatment of obesity, although it is believed that holotropic breathing for weight loss is an auxiliary technique that promotes weight correction. Most psychologists are confident that during a holotropic breathing session the subject re-experiences a state similar to the state during birth, which allows one to eliminate some blocks in the subconscious and reach the deepest layers of the psyche. It is not recommended to use holotropic breathing for weight loss as the only way to get rid of extra pounds. Treatment of any disease and obesity is no exception, but it must be comprehensive.

Holotropic breathing at home

Most experts do not recommend home holotropic breathing, but due to its excessive popularity, many still conduct breathing sessions at home to clear their own consciousness and correct their inner world, eliminating problems.

Home holotropic breathing, first of all, should be safe for the practitioner. Therefore, it is necessary to cover all dangerous surfaces with soft materials in the room where the session is planned. In addition, during the session there must be a sitter nearby who will protect the breather from possible injuries or incidents. It is recommended to choose as a sitter an experienced individual who understands holotropic breathing techniques, who will help the holonaut, and not impose his own conditions. The sitter should not be afraid of the breather's various reactions. His role is also to listen to the holonaut at the end of the session.

The technique of holotropic breathing at home is as follows. The emphasis, first of all, is placed directly on breathing, which should be quite frequent, but at the same time deep. It resembles a dog's breathing, but with increased amplitude. It can be difficult to combine the intensity and depth of breathing the first time, but with regular practice it will be possible.

During a holotropic session, the first 20 minutes are very important, during which the subject is immersed in an altered consciousness or trance. The rest of the time, the holonaut should listen to his own sensations and control the frequency and intensity of breathing according to these sensations. It happens that at some moments you don’t want to breathe at all - this should be perceived as an element of the session.

In any session of holotropic technique, a significant role belongs to well-chosen stimulating music. The first 8 minutes of the session - the musical composition is light, motivating, making breathing easier, the next 12 minutes the music should influence the stimulation of the breathing process, then 20 minutes the musical composition consists of drumming, maracas, the next 20 minutes - the quintessence, the so-called breakthrough, then 15 minutes Warm music of flight and openness should be played; for the remaining time until the end of the session, rather intense music of a contemplative nature should be played, which will serve as motivation to continue spiritual practice.

Holotropic breathing technique at home: recommendations for beginners.

Beginners experience particular difficulty during a session when working with psychological pressures and their own body. When working on clamps, bodily “clamps” may appear, which are expressed in the form of sensations reminiscent of contraction of the muscles of the limbs. Such sensations hinder, distract the novice holonaut and do not allow him to move into the abyss of his worries. They are worked through tension of the limbs, but without the intervention of the sitter. The breather may ask the sitter to apply pressure to the painful area. Coming out of a negative feeling marks the completion of processing. There are forbidden areas of the body that an experienced sitter should know. These areas include: throat, face, genital areas, and in females – breasts. It is prohibited to work in these areas.

At the end of the active breathing session, you should lie down for a while, and then draw a mandala representing a circle. You can fit whatever you want into such a circle. Then the sitter must listen to the holonaut. The final stage is during which the sitter pushes the breather to recognize and solve the problem.

Holotropic breathing instructions

At first, you should arrive early for sessions to give yourself the opportunity to prepare the place, tune in, calm down and concentrate. You only need to wear comfortable clothing that will not hinder your movement. Jewelry and other accessories must be removed, as they can injure the holonaut. Contact lenses also fall into the category of dangerous things, so they must be removed before an active breathing session. To make breathing easier, it is recommended to eat light foods before sessions, or better not eat at all. This promotes easier, cleaner and deeper breathing. Before starting the session, be sure to visit the toilet so that nothing distracts you from breathing and working through problems during the process. It is also recommended to be very careful when choosing a sitter, since during the session nothing should interfere or irritate. Therefore, you need to listen to your own feelings in relation to the prospective sitter. Before moving directly to breathing, you need to take time to relax. For this purpose, you can use all kinds of relaxation techniques, but without immersing yourself in a trance state, and musical melodies, for example, sounds of nature, that is, those that will not evoke absolutely any emotions and memories. In turn, music for holotropic breathing can be different; the main requirement for it is the absence of words.

Once the participant has chosen a partner, the session can begin. But before this, you should conclude a so-called verbal agreement with the sitter about the following:

How exactly will it remind you of breathing;

The support needed – how it will be provided;

Signals of nonverbal communication.

With holotropic technique, it is necessary that each of the couple understands their role and clearly follows it. The holonaut must breathe, gradually entering an altered consciousness and working through internal problems, and the sitter must fulfill the role of the so-called guardian angel of the holonaut with whom he is paired.

The breathing of a holonaut should be deep and at the same time intense and frequent. Particular attention is paid to the breathing process in the first twenty minutes of the session. And then you should listen to your own sensations and independently regulate the depth and intensity of your breathing. The sitter guides the breather on a journey through the depths of his unconscious and ensures his safety. For a sitter during a session, the holonaut must be the only significant person on the entire planet. If the breather begins to move vigorously, then the sitter’s task becomes to protect him from physical harm with the help of pillows or his own body. In other words, it provides the opportunity for the manifestation of an authentic state for its holonaut. In addition, the sitter should not interfere with the process of the holonaut's session. The exception is when holonauts themselves ask for help.

Another task of the sitter is to help relieve tensions that arise during the session, but exclusively at the request of the holonaut. Help in eliminating physical blocks is carried out either by providing a static load on the muscles, or by kneading the tight areas of the body. However, the latter method is often not recommended, since it does not allow the compressed areas to be released and does the work instead of the holonaut.

After completing an active breathing session, experts advise not to rush anywhere, calmly “digest”, and comprehend what you have experienced. You can lie down for a while after the session is over, and then draw a mandala. In principle, it is recommended to end the sessions with drawing mandalas and sharing, that is, group recitation.

The duration of the session depends on the professionalism and qualifications of the presenter, the number of participants and the quality of the group. Usually, the process is completed naturally after two hours. If there are signs of incomplete development, it is necessary to carry out additional focused work with the holonaut’s body.

Holotropic breathing reviews from participants are quite varied, but everyone agrees that excessive causeless anxiety or worry disappears, views on certain situations change, life becomes more positive, and you get to know yourself better.

In conclusion, it must be said that in reality the results obtained using the holotropic breathing technique are impressive. This is evidenced by the research and practical experience of many specialists. The positive results of using this technique include: getting rid of the influence of stress, old psychological trauma and deep-seated fears, which, being unconscious, negatively affect the life of an individual.

The holotropic breathing technique is rightfully considered a universal path to rapid personal and spiritual growth.

Holotropic breathing is a technique of one of the sections of psychotherapy, consisting of enhanced ventilation of the lungs due to accelerated breathing. In this case, carbon dioxide is quickly removed from the blood and, as a result, the blood vessels in the brain narrow for a short period (up to 10 minutes). This leads to a slowdown in the functioning of the cerebral cortex and activation of the subcortex. A person in this state develops a feeling of euphoria and may see hallucinations.

A similar effect is also caused by d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a psychoactive substance. However, LSD is banned in many countries in accordance with the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. The holotropic breathing technique was developed as a replacement for LSD and has been officially approved in Russia since 1993.

History of the method

Holotropic Breathwork was developed by Stanislav Grof and his wife Christina as a replacement for LSD in the 70s because it was then banned. Psychiatrist Grof conducted research with LSD back in the 50s of the last century. He drew attention to the psychotherapeutic effect of LSD, however, when work with psychoactive substances was closed, he began to look for a replacement for this substance and developed a new technique.

Joke. When Stanislav Grof heard about the ban on LSD, he exclaimed: “Oh no!”, and began to breathe deeply and quickly. This is how holotropic breathing was born...

However, in fairness it must be said that techniques similar to holotropic breathing have existed before in different cultures. For example, yogis used a similar breathing technique to enter a meditative state. Such breathing was observed in patients during a psychedelic session conducted by Grof. They began to breathe frequently and spontaneously, which was necessary in order to remain in an altered state of consciousness.

One day Stanislav Grof fell ill and was unable to lead the session as usual. Then he came up with the idea of ​​dividing all the participants into groups of two. One was a holonaut - a person who breathes, and the other was an assistant, they called him a sitter. So it was necessary to conduct two breathing sessions, during which the holonaut and the sitter helped each other. In the second session they switched roles.

Stanislav Grof and his wife Christina offered instructions for holotropic breathing: how to introduce patients to the technique, how to care for them and cope with possible difficulties.

Currently, this is one of the most effective breathing techniques that is expanding the field of mental health and therapy. It has its adherents and, at the same time, is criticized due to the danger of brain asphyxia. According to some Russian psychiatrists, states are imposed on patients in which they see the experience of their birth and the experiences associated with it.

The impact of holotropic breathing on a person

The method involves rapid breathing, special music(such as ethnic, ritual) and work with the body. Proponents of holotropic breathwork say that it evokes experiences and brings difficult emotions to the surface, allowing a person to be freed from them. This produces a healing effect, internal mobilization of forces occurs in the body and psyche.

At the physiological level, a process of prolonged hyperventilation of the lungs occurs, which leads to a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide and a narrowing of blood vessels. There is a lack of oxygen in the brain tissues, since the blood supplies it less intensively. Because of this, oxygen starvation occurs, the subcortex of the brain begins to work intensively, pulling out memories that were repressed from it by other events. Therefore, patients practicing the technique see hallucinations.

Nature of hallucinations

The nature of hallucinations during holotropic breathing can be very diverse depending on the amount of time devoted to the practiced activities. In general, they are usually divided into several groups:

1. Various images appear, they can be both visual and auditory, which do not have any specific meaning. It could just be stars or blinking, or it could also be tactile sensations: cold, hot.
2. Memories related to your past may appear.
3. Memories associated with the period of childbirth. Images associated with the prenatal time of “tranquil existence” may appear. Next is the prenatal period, when the uterus has not yet opened, this is a period of constriction and hopelessness. The next period is when the uterus is open, but the compression still continues. A way out appears, upon reaching which - birth in a new quality.
4. Transpersonal or transpersonal experiences, which are very diverse and have their own classification. This is the experience of experiencing and identifying with other people, animals, plants, inanimate matter and the entire universe. Practitioners of the technique experience the experiences of their ancestors, encounters with spirits and superhuman beings, experience mythological and fairy-tale stories, and visits to other universes and their inhabitants.

Who can benefit from holotropic breathwork?

First of all, people suffering from insomnia, nervousness, anxiety for no reason, and depression can master this technique. There is no need to resort to antidepressants; many people feel relief after holotropic breathing sessions. In addition, after the session they draw mandalas and share their impressions of what they saw with each other.

This opens the circle when a person was fixated on his problems, and he goes out to people and becomes open to communication.

And then he can use holotropic breathing for his personal development, activating the hidden reserves of his body and freeing himself from the burden of problems from the past. You can focus on developing your abilities and professionalism.

Holotropic breathing for beginners is carried out with an instructor. As a rule, theoretical guidelines are first given, the nature of the methodology is described, and possible difficulties and ways to overcome them are warned.

In the practical part of the technique, practitioners are divided into groups of two people, and two sessions are held. One participant becomes a holonaut, the other becomes his assistant - a sitter. In another session they switch places. The holonaut begins to breathe frequently and deeply; they are not given any other instructions on the nature and nature of breathing. The sitter helps him in every possible way and monitors his condition, ready to help at any time.

The entire session is accompanied stimulating music, the choice of which depends on the stage: at first it is stimulating, then it turns into dramatic and rhythmic, and at the end it becomes increasingly calm and meditative. If any exceptional conditions appear in the holonaut: spasms of the larynx or inability to control oneself, severe fear, requests for help, the sitter comes to the rescue, and the session can be ended ahead of schedule.

But, as a rule, this is in exceptional cases; usually the session ends naturally with minimal intervention from the sitter. His role is to come to the rescue and be unobtrusive, provide physical support and remain calm when facing the holonaut's possible emotions.

To conduct two sessions, one or two hours is enough, it all depends on the composition of the group and the preparedness of its participants, as well as the experience of the facilitator. If he decides that the process is not yet over, then he is supposed to additionally do certain exercises with the body to help the practitioner release energy.

After completing the breathing and physical exercises, the participants in the process draw mandalas and then share their impressions of what they saw in a narrow group.

You can practice holotropic breathing at home, but in case of complete mastery of the technique.

A beginner can practice individually with a trainer or in groups in pairs. According to practitioners, you can master the holotropic breathing technique in 10-15 lessons. Although some beginners require more training, which is explained by their lack of preparation for such intensive practices. Sometimes such students are asked to meditate and carry out a more gentle training regimen, gradually increasing the “load”. Initially, sessions for beginners can last 30-40 minutes, although usually an hour and a half is allocated for them.

For beginners, music is often turned on only for relaxation, but if it is noticed that rhythmic sounds help to breathe, then they use them. In order for the training to have an effect, classes must be carried out at least once a week, this will allow you to maintain the accumulated level. If you practice more often, you can achieve greater results and reach a transpersonal level.

For some people, 5-7 lessons are enough to master the technique and practice at home using holotropic breathing. To be on the safe side, it is better to find a partner who will also master this technique with you and will either be your sitter or holotrope.

Key Points of Holotropic Breathwork

1. Rhythmic breathing through the mouth.
2. Inhale quickly, exhale relaxed, breathing is cyclical and continuous, without stopping. Inhalation smoothly turns into exhalation and vice versa.
3. Breathing only from the upper chest. Don’t pay attention to the thoughts that come into your head, you don’t need to stop them, they will go away on their own.
4. During classes, do not open your eyes, lie still. After class and during relaxation, such immobility is not necessary.
5. To properly perform the holotropic breathing technique, you need to be well relaxed.
6. If you need to interrupt the breathing exercises and come out of the state abruptly, then it is better to switch to a more superficial, so-called dog breathing. It should last 1-2 minutes, but not less than 30 seconds. This will not replace relaxation, but it will stop the processes occurring in your body.
7. If you have finished breathing and begin to relax, then you need to take several deep breaths in and out through your nose. You need to relax for at least half an hour.

How to prepare for the session?

If you have been examined by doctors and are confident in your health and that you can handle the stress, then you do not need any special preparations for the sessions. Just follow some rules:

1. You need to come to classes in loose, sports-type clothing, and shoes should be comfortable. Remove jewelry, glasses, and contact lenses so that nothing distracts you from your activities.
2. There is no need to eat heavily before coming; it is better to do this two hours before class. Breathing will be easy if the stomach does not press on the diaphragm.
3. Before class, visit the toilet so that you don’t have to urgently interrupt it, because you will go into a trance.
4. There is no need to be afraid to tell your sitter or trainer “stop” if you feel scared or feel discomfort in your body. An experienced presenter will immediately either stop the session or encourage you and give the right advice.

Criticism of the technique

This technique is questioned by many researchers. No one denies that practitioners experience hallucinations that occur under the influence of strong ventilation, but the connection of these images with real events in life, in particular with real childbirth, seems doubtful. It is assumed that the trainer influences practitioners, pushing their consciousness to model certain images.

In the United States, there are cases where deep breathing training ended tragically. This happened to a 10-year-old girl, Candace, during a class on rebirthing, a technique similar to holotropic breathwork. This was a radical technique, and it has nothing in common with the traditional rebirthing method. However, after this incident, two states introduced a ban on classes using this method. Critics of holotropic breathwork have identified five cases of death from practicing the technique, which reproduces the process of childbirth.

An ardent supporter of the holotropic breathing method is a Soviet scientist. Oh believed deep breathing was harmful to health and developed a method that helps asthma patients. Such patients develop chronic hyperventilation. The Buteyko method consists of correcting breathing through breathing exercises. It should be slow and calm, without deep and frequent breaths.

The Buteyko method has been recognized throughout the world as improving the condition of asthma patients. You need to practice his method systematically over a period of weeks and months. True, his method can also cause harm to healthy people. After all, people with normal breathing experience a decrease in the level of oxygen in the blood and an increase in carbon dioxide if they practice the Buteyko method.

Buteyko considered holotropic breathing exercises to be harmful, since hyperventilation of the lungs leads to a narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain, and this, in turn, leads to the death of nerve cells.

Contraindications to the use of holotropic breathing

Only healthy people can practice this technique; before your first visit, you should consult a specialist. You may need to undergo certain studies that will show whether your body can withstand such stress. The holotropic breathing method has a number of contraindications:

1. This technique cannot be used by people with cardiovascular disease or hypertension.
2. People suffering from epilepsy. Putting one into a trance with rapid breathing can cause an attack of this disease.
3. Glaucoma is a disease that is also a contraindication for practicing this technique, since intraocular pressure may increase during practice.
4. Psychotic conditions in which a person has severe disturbances in the perception of the real world. When introduced into a trance, they may worsen.
5. It is strictly forbidden for pregnant women to practice this technique. Frequent breathing causes vasoconstriction, including in the placenta, which will lead to oxygen starvation of the fetus. Memories of your birth can cause uterine contractions and premature labor.
6. If you have recently suffered from any disease, even an acute respiratory viral infection or an infectious disease, you should not start practicing the technique until you have fully recovered and strengthened your body.
7. The technique is contraindicated for children under 14 years of age.

conclusions

Holotropic breathing is a new method of psychotherapy and personal growth. If mastered correctly under the guidance of an experienced trainer, it can help a person deal with his life, his past, leave behind the burden of problems and move on.

However, since the technique has contraindications, you cannot begin to master it without a full examination by doctors: a therapist, a neurologist, a psychiatrist, as well as other specialists in the presence of pathologies. Even if you have never been sick or visited them, do not risk your health, the consequences may be irreversible.

Holotropic Breathwork- the most effective of the three breathing techniques used in modern psychology and psychotherapy (“Big Four” - holotropic breathing, vibration, rebirthing, Free Breathing).

Holotropic breathwork was developed in the 1970s by Stanislav Grof, an American psychologist born in Czechoslovakia, and his wife Kristina, as a legal alternative to psychedelic therapy.

Doctor of Medicine Stanislav Grof is a doctor and scientist who has devoted more than forty years to researching unusual states of consciousness and spiritual growth. He was born in Prague, July 1, 1931. In 1956 he received a medical degree from the Charles University Medical School in Prague and a doctorate from the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences. From 1956 to 1967 S. Grof was a practicing psychiatrist-clinician. During the same period, he actively studied the fundamentals of psychoanalysis and took part in innovative research projects. In 1959 he received the Küfner Prize, a national Czechoslovak award given annually for the most outstanding contribution to the field of psychiatry. Since 1961, he has led research into the use of LSD and other psychedelics to treat mental disorders. In 1967, as a fellow of the Foundation for the Encouragement of Psychiatric Research (USA), he received the opportunity to complete a two-year internship at Johns Hopkins University. Then he continued his research activities at the Maryland Center for Psychiatric Research. From 1973 to 1987, S. Grof lived and worked at the Esalen Institute (Big Sur, California, USA). During this period, together with his wife Christina, he developed the technique of holotropic breathing - a unique method of psychotherapy, self-knowledge and personal growth. Stanislav Grof is one of the founders of the International Transpersonal Association (ITA), and has been its president for a long time. He has also acted as organizer and coordinator of international conferences in the USA, India, Australia, Czechoslovakia and Brazil. Currently, S. Grof is a professor in the Department of Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies, where he teaches in two departments: psychology and intercultural studies. In addition, he conducts training seminars for professionals Grof Transpersonal Training(“Grof’s Transpersonal Trainings”), and also gives lectures and seminars around the world. Stanislav Grof is the author and co-author of more than one hundred articles and sixteen books. His texts invariably attract the attention of both professionals and all those interested in self-exploration and spiritual growth. Stanislav Grof's books and articles have been translated into twelve languages, including German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Russian, Czech, Polish, Chinese and Japanese. Stanislav Grof began his medical career as a classical psychoanalyst who believed that psychedelic substances, used in psychiatry under controlled conditions, could significantly speed up the process of psychoanalysis. However, the unprecedented richness and range of experiences during LSD psychotherapy sessions soon convinced him of the theoretical limitations of the Freudian model of the psyche and its underlying mechanistic worldview. The new cartography of the psyche that emerged as a result of these studies consists of three areas: 1) the (Freudian) personal and biographical unconscious; 2) transpersonal unconscious (which includes Jung’s narrower ideas about the archetypal or collective unconscious); 3) the perinatal unconscious, which is a bridge between the personal and transpersonal unconscious and filled with symbolism and concrete experiences of death and rebirth. This area of ​​the unconscious carries the greatest transformative potential. In his latest works, Stanislav Grof constantly emphasizes that the perinatal is not limited to intrauterine life and the process of childbirth, but forms a more comprehensive structure of psychospiritual transformation, valid for all stages of the development of consciousness. The vast clinical experience of Grof himself and his students, as well as the documented experience of world spiritual traditions, indicates that regression to the perinatal level is often a necessary condition for access to the transpersonal. Grof himself assisted in about four thousand sessions of psychedelic psychotherapy and tens of thousands of people in all countries of the world and of all nationalities passed through his seminars on holotropic breathing.

The history of the creation of holotropic breathing is amazing. Even before the prohibition of psychoactive substances in the United States (and then throughout the world), it was noticed that at the end of a psychotherapeutic psychedelic session, if the problem had not been fully worked out, patients began to breathe intensively in order to continue to remain in an altered state of consciousness and refine that psychological material who rose from the unconscious.

After the ban on the use of psychotomimetics for psychotherapeutic purposes, Stanislav and Kristina Grof began to use intense breathing in their work. At first, a group of patients breathed intensively, and S. Grof was an instructor leading the process and helping the participants. But one “wonderful” day he strained his back and was unable to help anyone breathe. Then he had the idea to divide the group into pairs and conduct not one, but two breathing sessions: during the first session, one person breathes (holonaut), and the second helps him (sitter, nurse, assistant), during the second they change places. The result exceeded all expectations. The experiences of the participants in the process turned out to be much more intense, and the psychotherapeutic effect of the sessions was stronger.

Holotropic breathing was officially approved and registered by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation in 1993 as one of 28 methods of psychotherapy.

Basic Concepts of Holotropic Breathwork

The theoretical basis of holotropic breathing - transpersonal psychology. The main elements of holotropic breathing are:

• deeper and faster coherent breathing than normal
• motivating music
• assisting the holonaut in releasing energy through specific techniques of working with the body

These elements are complemented by creative personal expression, such as mandala drawing, free dancing, clay modeling, and therapeutic play in the sandbox.

The best account of holotropic breathwork is probably in Stanislav and Christina Grof's book, Furious Self-Search:

In the mid-seventies, Stanislav and Christina Grof developed a method of deep experiential self-exploration and therapy, which we now call holotropic breathing, and began to systematically use it in seminars.

Holotropic Breathwork combines such means as accelerated breathing, music and specially selected sounds, as well as certain types of bodily work, is capable of generating the full range of experiences that are usually observed during psychedelic sessions. With holotropic breathing, these experiences, as a rule, are softer, and the person is more able to control them, but in their content they, in essence, do not differ from those that arise during psychedelic sessions, although they were obtained without the help of any no matter the chemicals. The main catalyst here is not a powerful and mysterious psychoactive substance, but the most natural and fundamental physiological process imaginable - breathing.

Theoretical provisions
Stanislav and Christina Grof

A broad understanding of the human psyche that includes the biographical, perinatal, and transpersonal domains. Phenomena related to all these areas are considered as natural and normal components of the psychological process, they are accepted and supported in their entirety.
Understanding that unusual states of consciousness caused by holotropic breathing, as well as similar states that arise spontaneously, mobilize the internal healing powers of the psyche and body.
As this process unfolds, the "inner healer" manifests a therapeutic wisdom beyond what can be derived from the cognitive understanding of the individual practitioner or any specific school of psychotherapy or bodywork.

Practical approach

Main elements holotropic breathing are: deeper and faster breathing, stimulating music and assistance in releasing energy through specific bodywork techniques. This is complemented by creative expression such as mandala drawing and discussion of experiences. Holotropic Breathwork can be carried out either one-on-one or in a group situation, where participants change places: either in the role of breathing (holonauts), or in the role of sitting (sitters).
Before the first experience holotropic breathing Participants receive in-depth theoretical training, including the main types of phenomena that arise in holotropic breathwork sessions (biographical, perinatal and transpersonal), as well as technical instructions for both breathers and sitters. In addition, physical and emotional contraindications are discussed, and if they concern any of the participants, these people receive recommendations from specialists.
Holotropic Breathwork is more frequent and deeper than usual; As a rule, no other specific instructions are given before or during the session, such as the speed, method or nature of breathing. The experience is entirely internal and mostly non-verbal, with minimal interference during active breathing. Exceptions include throat spasms, problems with loss of self-control, severe pain or fear that prevents the session from continuing, or the breather's direct request for help.
Music (or other forms of acoustic stimulation - drumming, tambourines, natural sounds, etc.) is an integral part of the process holotropic breathing. Typically, the choice of music maintains characteristic stages that reflect the most general features of the unfolding of the holotropic experience: at the beginning it is evocative and stimulating, then it becomes more and more dramatic and dynamic, and then it expresses breakthrough. After the climax, the music gradually becomes calmer and at the end - peaceful, flowing, meditative. Since the process development described above is a statistical average, it should be modified if the group energy dynamics proceed differently.
Sitters during a session holotropic breathing must be responsible and unobtrusive, concerned about effective breathing, safety of the environment, respecting the natural unfolding of the experience and providing assistance in all necessary situations (physical support, help if you need to go to the toilet, give a napkin or glass of water, etc.) For sitters It is important to remain focused, accepting the full range of possible emotions and behavior of the breather. Holotropic Breathwork does not use any type of intervention that comes from intellectual analysis or is based on a priori theoretical constructs.
It is very important to have enough time for the session. It usually takes two to three hours. During this time, the process, as a rule, comes to its natural conclusion, but in exceptional cases it can last several hours. At the end of the session holotropic breathing The facilitator offers work with the body in the case when all the emotional and physical tensions activated during the session have not been resolved through breathing. The basic principle of this work is to understand what is happening to the breather and create a situation that will intensify the existing symptoms. At a time when energy and awareness are held in areas of tension and discomfort, the individual must be encouraged to express themselves fully, whatever form that may take. This body work is an essential part of the holotropic approach and plays an important role in the completion and integration of experiences.
Facilitators holotropic breathing must be aware that when they use a method that induces unusual states of consciousness in a client, there is the possibility of unusually intense projections, including regressive cravings for nourishment, sexual contact, or spiritual connection. These projections are often focused on the facilitator. In these cases, the facilitator should be sensitive to imbalances in the client's roles and take care to help clients who have such experiences. Facilitators agree to practice holotropic breathing ethically.
Group discussion takes place on the same day after a break. During the discussion, the presenter does not give any interpretations of the material based on any theoretical systems, including the system holotropic breathing. It is better to ask the holonaut to continue to work through and clarify your experiences, returning to your insights received in the session. During the discussion, mythological and anthropological references in line with Jungian psychology may be useful, and mandalas may also be useful. On occasion, references to personal experiences of presenters or other people are possible.
There are many approaches that complement holotropic breathing. However, whatever you use, you should be clear that it is not part of holotropic breathing. And if the practice of conducting a breathing session differs significantly from what is described above, for such practice no need use the name " holotropic breathing" We ask replace it with another term not related to our names.(

REMINDERS OF SITTER AND CHOLONAUT

Memo for a sitter (sitting)

Make a contract with the breather, discuss his wishes and preferences.

Keep talking while breathing to a minimum, as this can interfere with the breather's ability to remain present in their process.

Focus all your attention on the person breathing, position yourself next to his head, and do not be distracted by what is happening in the room. Don't get too caught up in your own process. Breathers need the undivided presence and attention of sitters and can be very sensitive to a lack of this attention.

Stay with the breather in the same space of experience, listen to this space, but do not intrude into it. If the breather is calm, it is easier for you to feel him while remaining calm. If the breather is active, sometimes his condition is felt better with slight movement in the same rhythm.

Guard the breather's experiential space. Protect your client from the activity of other breathers or any other disturbances or risky activities that may occur.

Resist the temptation to apply your knowledge from various spiritual traditions to help breathe. Examples of such assistance include “aura cleansing” or the use of crystals.

Don't leave those breathing alone. If you need to go to the toilet, call one of the presenters for this time.

Be aware of any vulnerable areas on the breather's body and inform the facilitator, if they are working with your breather, of the presence of such areas.

Help the breather if he asks for something. If the person breathing needs to go to the toilet, walk him to the toilet door and back. Help him dry himself with a towel, bring him a glass of water. Be prepared to provide any support.

If you have questions about what is happening, raise your hand to call the facilitator.

Please ensure that your breather is checked by the facilitator before leaving the room at the end of the process.

Ask for food to be left for you and the person breathing if they are still in the process by the time lunch/dinner begins.

Organize your space in the breathing room after leading the breather into the mandala drawing room.

Reminder for holonaut (breathing)

Arrive at the gym early so you can prepare the place without rushing, focus and calm down. The time indicated in the schedule is the time when breathing itself begins.

Wear comfortable, loose clothing and remove anything that is restrictive or could hurt you (belts, bras, jewelry, etc.). If you wear contact lenses, also remove them before your session.

If you breathe today, eat very lightly or not at all. In this case, you can breathe easier.

Visit the toilet before your session. If you feel like going to the toilet while breathing, don't be shy. It's better to do this than to be distracted by a full bladder.

If you have doubts about choosing a partner, ask yourself if this is the best option in this situation, do you feel safe with this person?

Do not leave the room in the middle of a session. Make an internal commitment to attend the entire workshop (including all breathing sessions and group process discussions) in order to have a holistic, unfragmented experience and support each other.

Breathe more deeply and frequently for an hour. Breathing is the most important catalyst for unusual states of consciousness. Keep your eyes closed to focus on your inner experiences.

Stay in a supine position - an open position. The desire to lean on your arms, sit or stand may be a way of controlling the experience or a way of escaping from it. If you have completed it, try to return to the starting position as soon as you are ready.

Enter into a contract with your partner that includes the following items:

How to remind you to breathe;

Which method of physical contact is most acceptable to you;

What support do you need from your partner?

What are the features of your manifestation in the session;

Agree on the signals of non-verbal communication:

How will you communicate to your partner to stop reminding you to breathe if the reminder is interfering with your experience?

How do you tell your partner that you want something?

Avoid talking, respect the experiences of other participants. Conversations bring people out of an unusual state because they are associated with ordinary consciousness.

Remain silent while drawing mandalas and (preferably) throughout the day. It helps to be in a meditative mood.

Ask for help if you feel severe blockages, pain or tension in your body and continuing to breathe does not provide relief. This can be done at any time during the session.

Know that you are always in control of the situation. If you want someone to stop working with you, say the word "STOP" and any influence will stop immediately.

If you find yourself too caught up in thoughts, bring your attention to your body and focus on your breathing or music. If you find yourself analyzing music, allow the vibrations to enter your body and focus on your breathing.

If you have a strong emotion (for example, anger, irritation, etc.) and the cause of this emotion seems to be events in the room (for example, you don’t like the music or something else), turn your attention to yourself and to the sensations in your body. Instead of being distracted externally and engaging in endless emotional projection, it is better to get in touch with the energies being experienced, express them and release them.

Do not program experiences, let what arises be a spontaneous act, unexpected for yourself - a free dance of body, energy and thought.

Be a perfect actor: being completely in the role, in the experience, at the same time be above every role, outside of every experience.

You decide when to stop breathing. As a rule, the session comes to its natural end within 1.5-2.5 hours. The music continues until everyone has finished working, so there is no need to wait for it to finish.

You should not start a new session at the end of a session. The work at this point is not to discover all new problems, but to complete any material that has surfaced and needs integration.

Before leaving the room, call the host to check that everything is okay with you. This check is necessary to determine whether breathers need further work and whether they feel complete completion of the experience.

Try to draw a mandala even if you think you can't draw. The point here is not the quality of the drawing itself, but the ability to use drawing as a means of integration and self-understanding.

You are free to talk about your experience only what you consider necessary. When doing this, do not analyze, but remain in the energies of the process itself. Refrain from analyzing or judging someone's experience or mandala.

Sleep is a continuation of the integration of manifested experiences. Be attentive to his messages. In the following days, take time to draw, contemplate, journal, and work with dreams.

Generalized material about holotropic breathing

History of the development of holotropic breathwork

• Sensory barrier
• Individual unconscious
• Birth area
• Transpersonal level

How does a Holotropic Breathwork session work?

• Deep and rapid breathing (holotropic breathing)
• Inspirational music
• Specific techniques for working with the body to help the holonaut release energy

This method was developed by Czech-born American psychologist Stanislav Grof and his wife Kristina in the 1970s as a replacement for the illegal LSD.

This technique is widely criticized among specialists for its danger to the brain (nerve cells die due to hypoxia), as well as for its claims to be related to the real experience of birth. According to S. Stepanov, the leader of the holotropic breathing group himself imposes on practitioners associations with the experience of birth, because of which practitioners have experiences of this type.

The term “holotropic” is derived from ancient Greek. ὅλος "whole" and τρόπος "direction, method"

Story

Stanislav Grof

Stanislav Grof, being a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, began conducting research with LSD in the mid-50s. Quite quickly he became convinced of the great psychotherapeutic effect of psychedelic sessions. Continuing his research, Grof was faced with the need to revise the Freudian model of the psyche in which he was raised, and to construct a new cartography of consciousness to describe the effects that occur during psychedelic sessions. Having created such a model, he described it in his numerous works. When experiments with psychoactive substances (PAS) were closed, Grof began to look for a technique with a similar therapeutic effect. And in 1975, together with Christina Grof, he discovered and registered a breathing technique, which he called “holotropic breathing.”

Stanislav Grof and Christina Grof

In 1973, Dr. Grof was invited to the Esalen Institute. Esalen Institute ) in Big Sur, California, where he lived until 1987, writing, conducting lectures, seminars, including seminars to which he invited specialists from various scientific and spiritual directions. While working at Esalen, Stanislav and Christina Grof developed the holotropic breathing technique. Against the background of the ban on the use of psychoactive substances for psychotherapeutic purposes, Stanislav and Kristina Grof used intense breathing in their work. The prototype of the breathing technique of S. and K. Grof was the breathing methods that existed in various spiritual practices, as well as breathing similar to that observed in patients during a psychedelic session in the event that the problem was not fully worked out and the patients began to breathe spontaneously and intensely. Such breathing was necessary in order to continue to remain in an altered (expanded) state of consciousness and to refine (discharge) the psychological material that rose from the unconscious and reacted in the form of symptoms.

One day, while working in Esalen, S. Grof strained his back and was unable to conduct the process as usual. Then Stanislav had the idea to divide the group into pairs and conduct not one, but two breathing sessions and let the seminar participants help each other. During the first session, one person breathes (holonaut), and the second helps him (sitter, nurse, assistant), during the second they change places.

Impact on humans

The theoretical basis of the method is transpersonal psychology and cartography of the unconscious by Stanislav Grof.

The method, which combines elements such as accelerated breathing, ethnic, ritual and trance music, as well as certain forms of work with the body, generates a whole range of experiences that have been observed during other types of deep self-exploration [ unknown term] .

Proponents of the method argue that the experiences evoked through holotropic breathwork have a healing and transformative effect. They also state that many holotropic sessions have brought to the surface difficult emotions and unpleasant physical sensations of many different types, and the full expression of these emotions and sensations makes it possible to free the person from their disturbing influence.

Physiological mechanism

The psychophysiological effect of holotropic breathing is based on the fact that prolonged hyperventilation leads to a decrease in the concentration of carbon dioxide, which leads to vasoconstriction. Hemoglobin begins to bind oxygen more tightly and red blood cells transmit it to tissues less efficiently - tissues begin to suffocate from lack of oxygen. As a result, from lack of air, paradoxical oxygen starvation occurs, due to which inhibition of the cerebral cortex begins, the subcortex begins to work more intensively, releasing experiences previously repressed from consciousness, and the practitioner sees hallucinations

Contraindications for use

The method has a number of contraindications:

• Severe chronic diseases, primarily cardiovascular, in the decompensation phase;
• Psychotic conditions;
• Epilepsy;
• Glaucoma;
• Pregnancy;
• Osteoporosis;
• Recent surgeries and fractures;
• Acute infectious diseases;

Experiences

S. Grof combines the phenomenology of experiences received during a breathing session into 4 areas:

1. Sensory barrier (aesthetic level). Various visual and auditory images that do not have specific content (stars, lights). Bodily sensations (cold-warmth, tension-relaxation).
2. Level of the individual unconscious (memories from one’s biographical past).
3. Perinatal level. It consists of 4 so-called basic perinatal matrices (BPM), in accordance with the period of childbirth that they describe. BPM-1 before the onset of labor. An absolutely comfortable existence. Descriptions of Paradise. BPM-2 The beginning of labor while the uterus is not yet open. Strong squeezing, hopelessness. BPM-3 Continuation of compression, but the uterus is already open, so a goal appears, upon reaching which everything becomes successful. Struggle between Death and Rebirth. BPM-4 is born in a new quality.
4. Transpersonal level (transpersonal).

Experiences at the transpersonal level are diverse and have their own classification: Going beyond spatial boundaries:

Going beyond linear time:

Physical introversion and narrowing of consciousness: Empirical going beyond the boundaries of generally accepted reality and space-time:

Psychoid transpersonal experiences: Synchronous connections between mind and matter. Spontaneous psychoid phenomena:

• supernormal physical abilities;
• spiritualistic phenomena and physical mediumship;
• repeated spontaneous psychokinesis (poltergeist);
• unidentified flying objects (UFO phenomena).

Intentional psychokinesis:

• ritual magic;
• healing and witchcraft;
• laboratory psychokinesis.

The integration of material from practical sessions begins in the process itself and continues through body-oriented therapy, drawing mandalas and discussing individual processes in a group. Further integration is completed in dreams and in everyday life. Integration of material can take up to six months.

Technique

Holotropic breathing is more frequent and deeper than normal breathing; As a rule, no other specific instructions are given before or during the session, such as the speed, method or nature of breathing. The experience is entirely internal and mostly non-verbal, with minimal interference during active breathing. Exceptions include throat spasms, problems with loss of self-control, severe pain or fear that prevents the session from continuing, or the breather's direct request for help.

Music (or other forms of acoustic stimulation - drumming, tambourines, natural sounds, etc.) is an integral part of the holotropic process. Typically, the choice of music maintains characteristic stages that reflect the most general features of the unfolding of the holotropic experience: at the beginning it is evocative and stimulating, then it becomes more and more dramatic and dynamic, and then it expresses breakthrough. After the climax, the music gradually becomes calmer and at the end - peaceful, flowing, meditative.

The process takes place in “sitter-holonaut” pairs. Usually 2 breathing sessions are carried out in one day. In one session the participant acts as a breather, in another as a sitter.

The duration of the process depends on the qualifications of the presenter, warm-up, qualitative and quantitative composition of the group.

On average, the process ends naturally within one and a half to two hours. If there are signs of incompleteness of the process, additional focused work with the body is carried out. The session ends with drawing mandalas and group speaking (sharing).

Criticism

Holotropic breathwork has received considerable criticism. In particular, some researchers question the holotropic breathing technique as such. Without denying the presence of unusual (mostly hallucinogenic) images and states that arise under the influence of hyperventilation, the presence of any connection with the real situation of birth is questioned. According to this point of view, the leader of the holotropic breathing group (and the technique is taught only in group forms) influences the participants, as a result of which their states do not arise on their own, but are modeled from the outside.

According to this point of view, holotropic breathing does not lead to development, but, on the contrary, to a deterioration in brain function. To be fair, it is worth noting that Buteyko’s technique leads to radically opposite results - a decrease in the level and an increase in the level of CO 2 in the blood, which also leads to negative consequences. .

At the same time, it is noted that the loss of carbon dioxide during a holotropic breathing session is 2-3 liters, which, according to currently accepted views, is considered an extremely severe degree of hypocapnia, fraught with the occurrence of cerebral edema and death.

Some of S. Grof’s clients experience negative consequences of holotropic breathing, some “get hooked” on it, the technique is widely practiced by people who have poorly mastered it and simply by charlatans. True, unlike LSD, holotropic breathwork is not prohibited. It is worth noting that in Switzerland, as part of an experiment, LSD was allowed for use by terminally ill patients as a means of eliminating or significantly reducing fear of imminent death.

see also

Notes

1. JOSEPH P. RHINEWINE & OLIVER J. WILLIAMS Holotropic Breathwork: The Potential Role of a Prolonged, Voluntary Hyperventilation Procedure as an Adjunct to Psychotherapy // THE JOURNAL OF ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE. - 2007. - V. 7. - T. 13. - P. 771–776. - DOI:10.1089/acm.2006.6203
2. “Myths and dead ends of pop psychology” // S. S. Stepanov. - Dubna: Phoenix+, 2006. p.97-98
3. Scott O. Lilienfeld & Wallace Sampson The Skeptical Inquirer Journal editors criticize MDMA study as nonscientific, unethical (English) // The Skeptical Inquirer. - Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, 2003. - T. 27.
4. Joseph P. Rhinewine and Oliver J. Williams Holotropic Breathwork: The Potential Role of a Prolonged, Voluntary Hyperventilation Procedure as an Adjunct to Psychotherapy // The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. - September 2007. - V. 7. - T. 13. - DOI: 10.1089
5. Buteyko method website
6. PLEASURE OF THE WEAK AND HAPPY
7. Stanislav Grof. Areas of the human unconscious. LSD Research Data
8. V. Maikov. Paired flight of holonauts: principles of work in sessions and circles of integration
9. V. Maikov The essence of the holotropic approach.
10. Yu. A. Bubeev, I. B. Ushakov, State Research Testing Institute of Aviation and Space Medicine of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation Respiratory mechanisms under conditions of prolonged voluntary hyperventilation // Aerospace and environmental medicine. - 1999. - T. 33. - No. 2. - P. 22-26.
11. Vladimir Emelianenko - certified psychotherapist of the European Transpersonal Association (EVROTAS)
12. Stanislav Grof. A journey of self-discovery. Ed. AST, Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, K. Kravchuk Publishing House, 2008 ISBN 978-5-17-054421-9
13. Tev Spax. The structure of the music and noise design of a holotropic session
14. Colorado governor signs "rebirthing" ban
15. CANDACE NEWMAKER: Death Through “Rebirthing” Therapy
16. Lecture by Buteyko K.N. on the dangers of deep breathing
17. LIFE: Hallucinations from nothing
18. Sergey Kardash
19. Yuri Bubeev, Vladimir Kozlov

Links

• Association of Transpersonal Psychology and Psychotherapy
• Legal issues related to the Holotropic Breathwork method

Wikimedia Foundation.

2010.

For the first time, people started talking about holotropic breathing as one of the methods of psychotherapy thanks to the research of Stanislav Gross. Initially, holotropic was used for people with mental illnesses, replacing the use of psychotropic drugs with this type of therapy.

Today, holotropic breathing is one of the leading methods of psychotherapeutic practices; it is practiced in connection with a wide range of different problems - from depression, excess weight, to overcoming serious stressful situations.

What does holotropic breathing do?

Holotropic breathing is a method in which, through the use of a special breathing technique, hyperventilation of the lungs occurs. When the lungs are saturated with oxygen, vasoconstriction occurs, as a result of which the work of the brain is hampered and interrupted, but at the same time the subcortex of the brain and the subconscious begin to actively work with this.

In simple words, holotropic breathing is one of the ways that allows you to experience such a deep experience that is not realized at the level of the brain, and which a person does not fully understand, and accordingly, to some extent, is in his captivity.

Holotropic Breathwork Technique

Most often, it is proposed to practice holotropic breathing not just once, but in entire courses, since the use of such a psychotherapeutic method involves obtaining the final result of treatment not immediately, but strictly individually. Every day, 1 to 2 hours are allocated for holotropic therapy, and the entire cycle of classes lasts up to 2 weeks.

Many psychological techniques are based on pumping oxygen with the help of certain rhythmic breathing - this is pranoyama, meditation, and some yoga asanas, but one of the most intense, but at the same time unsafe practices, is, of course, the holotropic breathing technique.

On the one hand, saturating the body with oxygen increases the body’s endurance, increases creativity and sensitivity, but on the other hand, there are cases when a person ends up with a not very competent specialist, or studies at home without fully familiarizing himself with the information, which leads to serious psychological problems, because holotrope involves a deep study of the subconscious. In addition, the technique is often used in many religious sects and esoteric practices, so before signing up for a holotropic breathing course at any center, it is worth getting reliable information about the center’s specialists and trying to get feedback from those who have already taken this course.

As for age restrictions, due to the simplicity of the technique itself, it can be used even by children over 14 years old, but only according to medical indications. So, the holotropic technique is not difficult to master; it can be represented by the following algorithm:

• Lying on the floor, relaxing your body to the maximum, you should breathe as slowly and deeply as possible, focusing on the cycle of inhalation and exhalation. You can close your eyes, but if you experience slight dizziness, do not be afraid of it. The first respiratory stage can last from 10 to 20 minutes.
• At the second stage of practice, breathing gradually becomes more intense and even deeper; special music will help regulate the transitions from one stage to another. This stage can last from 40 to 60 minutes.
• The last stage of holotropics is associated with the transition to a slow breathing pace with a gradual transition to normal, everyday breathing.

It should be noted that quite often during holotropic practice absolutely unplanned moments occur, such as hysteria, worsening fears, chaotic uncontrollable movements and even holding one’s breath. For this reason, psychotherapists recommend practicing holotrope only in pairs, with the obligatory supervision of the practitioner by a guide who helps him overcome all the problematic issues that arise during the session.

The final stage of practice is art therapeutic drawing or sculpting, which allows you to bring the problem out of the inner space outward.

It is often suggested to draw a mandala - a special circular image that includes diverse elements, and only then, in an individual conversation with a psychotherapist, a discussion of the problem and a scenario for its further elaboration take place.

Those who have decided to try out the practice of holotropic breathing should understand that first they need to prepare for it as fully as possible theoretically.

For example, it is worth remembering that you need to prepare yourself for classes. The correct approach would be when a person chooses comfortable clothes that do not interfere with movement, and prepares the necessary place, freeing it from objects that could lead to injury during practice. You should also remove any jewelry; for those with poor vision, glasses and contacts. It is advisable not to eat anything 4 hours before holotropic practice, otherwise intense breathing can cause nausea and even vomiting.

It is quite possible to master the holotropic breathing method on your own. However, it will not be easy for a person who has no experience in this practice to plunge into the subconscious and relive any old problems with the help of the body. The effectiveness of the holotropic breathing technique for a holonaut depends entirely on the guide (sitter). An experienced sitter knows that there is a certain code: any touching of the face, chest, throat and genitals is prohibited, because... this can introduce distortion into the session, thereby exacerbating problems. The guide has the maximum right to hold the holonaut's hand, and also to ensure that if uncontrollable behavior occurs, the person does not get hurt.

Holotropic breathing at home

A person who has studied the holotropic breathing method well is unlikely to want to conduct classes at home. In addition, an experienced psychologist, if you resort to his help, will, of course, prohibit you from practicing at home. But, knowing the love of many people for risk, psychologists have compiled some recommendations for those who decide to try the holotropic breathing technique. So, in order for the session to take place at home, you must:

• Be sure to find a person who will simply be in the same room with you, and if a situation atypical for a holotrope arises, he will be able to help. Accordingly, this person must be fully prepared and instructed.
• The place in the room chosen for the lesson must be safe.
• When practicing for the first few times, it is better to try not to use deep immersion; you can also shorten the training time a little.
• Working independently with the help of holotropic breathing practice with severe, deep-seated problems is strictly prohibited. Home practice can only be aimed at relieving tension, relaxation, and releasing negative emotions that arose during the day.

What kind of music is needed

Music that accompanies the practice plays an important role in a holotropic breathing session. Of course, certain and special music is needed. In general, there are special musical selections on the Internet, arranged depending on the stages of the holotropic session. If classes are held in specialized places, then, as a rule, the specialist has everything necessary in his arsenal, including music collections for practice.

In general, it is worth understanding that music at holotropic sessions acts as a leader, and it is to it that the breath is ultimately tied. Taking into account this feature, we can say that some of the best musical compositions will be ethnic spiritual music. This could be mantras, meditation music, African drums or didgeridoos. The fact is that folk music is a kind of key to our subconscious and a connection to that primitive thing that still exists in each of us. The combination of music and breathing in the same rhythm helps to achieve the necessary immersion into the depths of one’s own subconscious much faster.

Accordingly, popular music with lyrics that are understandable to a holonaut, jazz or any other modern music is completely unsuitable for practice, as well as classical music.

Holotropic breathwork: harm or benefit?

Like any method of therapy, the practice of holotropic breathing, along with its positive effects on the human body, can also cause harm. The benefits of holotropic breathing are manifested in the following:

• Holotrope is one of the safest ways to solve psychological problems.
• The practice of holotropic breathing works with problems at a deep level, so after completing a session, you can once and for all get rid of those painful memories that are hidden deep in the subconscious.
• Through holotropic practice, you can find the root cause of the problem and get rid of it forever.
• If you need to free yourself from bad habits and addiction to alcohol, smoking or drugs, then a holotrope can help with this too.
• After completing holotropic breathing sessions, the symptoms of chronic fatigue will disappear and the disappeared harmony and peace will return.

However, with such a positive effect on a person’s psychological, mental and physical health, there are opponents of the holotropic breathing method, who claim that this practice can cause irreparable harm to the body. Among the main points of harmful effects are:

• A sharp and abundant saturation of the body with carbon dioxide due to rhythmic breathing causes vasoconstriction and death of the nerve endings of the brain; a symptom of this condition is dizziness that appears after practice.
• Self-studying holotropics can lead to brain swelling, because life essentially depends on the correct implementation of the main stages of holotropics.

Considering the pros and cons of holotropic practice, it should be understood that the main harm that this method can cause is associated with ignorance and reluctance to fully understand the activities that you are going to practice. Therefore, practicing this technique is dangerous for an unprepared holonaut.

What else is holotropic breathing used for?

The holotropic breathing technique allows you to solve problems such as:

• severe, recurring periodic depressive states;
• overweight;
• postpartum depression, trauma and other problems that arise in women during pregnancy and childbirth;
• prolonged stressful situations;
• panic attacks and fears caused by any events;
• insomnia and getting rid of negative thoughts.

Medical contraindications for use

Before you start practicing holotrope, you should definitely familiarize yourself with the contraindications that exist for this psychotechnics. This is especially important for those who are trying to master the breathing technique on their own, since in this case all responsibility for their health falls only on themselves. The severe consequences of holotropic practice can affect people with the following health problems:

• disorders affecting the nervous system;
• epileptic seizures (congenital and acquired);
• high eye pressure;
• diseases of the bones and musculoskeletal system;
• heart disease;
• bronchial asthma;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases.

In addition, holotropic classes are prohibited during pregnancy and lactation. If in the first case, due to rapid breathing, problems with bearing the fetus and a high risk of miscarriage may occur, then when breastfeeding, due to the peculiarities of the technique, milk may disappear.

Holotropic Breathwork for Depression

Today, the most common mental illness around the world is depression. People of different genders and different ages – from 14 to 65 years – are trying to cope with its symptoms. Often they try to get rid of this psychological problem with the help of medications, but with such treatment, depressive behavior is more likely to be suppressed and contained, while holotropic breathing, with the right approach, will help you forget about depression forever, or at least for a long time.

During holotropic sessions, people suffering from depression can not only, with the help of this technique, enter unconscious and individually separated areas of memories, “breathe” them and, having expressed them in the body, release them; also, with this practice, the volitional component of the personality is updated (this has a great influence music). In depressive syndrome, it is precisely this very volitional component of the personality that is suppressed and cannot be determined.

During practice, a holonaut can become aware of the negative attitudes that he has that run counter to the needs of the individual, and awareness and acceptance are the first step to recovery.

Holotropic breathing for weight loss

Surprisingly, holotropic breathing can also help cope with one of the main problems of women - excess weight (and resulting depression). In India there is a saying - “You live the way you breathe” and this is the basis of life that allows a person to be healthy both physically and psychologically. The mistake many women make is that they predominantly inhale and exhale air through their nose; with this type of breathing, not enough oxygen enters the body. Proper breathing is deep belly breathing, thanks to which oxygen saturates the cells of our body and burns fat. In addition, breathing normalizes metabolism and helps remove toxins from the body. For this reason, it is recommended to practice holotrope to all those who have been struggling with excess weight for a long time and unsuccessfully.

And finally, due to the fact that the practice of holotropic breathing has become quite popular in Russia, and it is used more often not in medical institutions, many people have the impression that holotropic is a dangerous, hardly carried out clandestine technique, extremely dangerous for people. Of course, this is not so, firstly, the practice of holotrope has been officially permitted in our country since 1993, and secondly, if you prepare for it correctly, taking into account contraindications, then thanks to holotrope you will be able to free yourself from long-plaguing problems.