Holotropic Breathwork

Holotropic Breathworkis a powerful technique for self-healing and self-exploration allowing for greater self- understanding, expansion of self-identity and access to the roots of emotional and psychosomatic challenges one might face. Holotropic Breathwork® comes from the Greek words ‘holos’ (whole) and ‘trepein’ (going to) meaning moving towards wholeness. 

What is Holotropic Breathwork?

What is Holotropic Breathwork?

Holotropic Breathwork™ is a powerful technique for self-healing and self-exploration allowing for greater self-understanding, expansion of self-identi...

How does Holotropic work?

How does Holotropic work?

Holotropic Breathwork™ refers to a process in which deep, fast breathing (just a little bit deeper and faster than usual), in a supportive context, is...

Theory and Practice of Holotropic Breathwork

Theory and Practice of Holotropic Breathwork

In the last twenty years, my wife Christina and I have developed an approach to therapy and self-exploration that we call holotropic breathwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are some common questions regarding Holotropic Breathwork. All answers given are based on the article “12 Things you should know about Holotropic Breathwork" written by Martin Boronson with Jean Farrell, Nienke Merbis, and Dara White.

  • 1. Does Holotropic Breathwork involve the use of drugs?

    No Grof was one of the earliest and most respected researchers into the clinical use of LSD. A Freudian analyst and psychiatrist, he became convinced that LSD had therapeutic value as a catalyst for the healing potential of the unconscious. Grof conducted LSD treatment at the Psychiatric Research Institute in Prague from 1960 to 1967, and continued this work at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. He worked with psychiatric patients, cancer patients, and drug addicts, as well as with artists and scientists who were curious about the deeper dimensions of their minds.


  • 2. Is the facilitator the healer?
  • 3. Is Holotropic Breathwork a kind of shamanism?
  • 4. Is Holotropic Breathwork addictive?
  • 5. Is there a prescribed ‘order’ of experience?
  • 6. Does Holotropic Breathwork require bodywork?
  • 7. Does Holotropic Breathwork cause you to have an out-of-body experience?
  • 8. Do participants leave the workshops ‘ungrounded’?
  • 9. Does Holotropic Breathwork induce an “altered state of consciousness”?
  • 10. Is Holotropic Breathwork violent?
  • 11. Is Holotropic Breathwork just about reliving trauma?
  • 12. Does Holotropic Breathwork go too deep?