Research Double Breathwork at the University of Potsdam
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Research Double Breathwork "The Impact of Set and Setting on Well-Being" facilitated by GTT Europe at the University of Potsdam, September 3-6, 2026
The University of Potsdam invites you to participate in a research study and workshop titled "Holotropic Breathwork: The Impact of Set and Setting on Well-being."
Holotropic Breathwork, developed by Stanislav and Christina Grof, is a powerful experiential method designed to facilitate deep self-exploration and healing through accelerated breathing techniques. This practice creates a unique opportunity for individuals to access expanded states of consciousness, offering a pathway to profound personal insights and transformation. A pivotal component of the practice is the incorporation of music, which guides and enhances the emotional journey. Our study examines the impact of setting and different music styles on individual breathwork experiences.
This workshop offers a secure and professionally guided environment to explore the method of Holotropic Breathwork. It is designed as a space for experience and learning, where the foundational principles of Grof Transpersonal Training can be practically explored: trusting in the self-regulatory and healing capacities of the psyche, providing phenomenologically oriented guidance without premature interpretations, and fostering an attitude of presence, openness, and respect for the uniqueness of each experience. A team of senior experienced and certified GTT staff and facilitators will facilitate the sessions, ensuring safety and enrichment for all participants.
If you decide to participate, you will be part of a research study focused on understanding the effects of Holotropic Breathwork combined with different music styles on well-being and altered states of consciousness. As a participant, you will be involved in four breathwork sessions over the weekend, two sessions as a breather, where you engage in intensified breathing techniques, and two sessions as a sitter, providing support to fellow participants. Throughout the workshop, before and after the breathwork sessions, you will be asked to provide data via questionnaires and feedback forms designed to assess your well-being, emotional states, and experiences during the breathwork sessions. Physiological measures may also be collected to supplement subjective reports using fitness wrist- or chestbands which will be worn during the breathwork session.
Participants must be aged 18-70, have prior experience in at least two sessions of holotropic breathwork as a breather or sitter, or experience in 2 similar high ventilation breathwork sessions such as conscious connected breathwork; and meet medical inclusion criteria. Willingness to participate in research includes filling in questionnaires before and after each breathwork session and wearing a fitbit bracelet during breathwork. Participation is voluntary.
Held at the historic Luftschiffhafen in Potsdam, the venue offers an ideal environment for focused self-exploration and collaborative learning. Participants can explore and reflect on personal, biographical, perinatal, and transpersonal dimensions of experience, in line with Grof's theoretical model. Integration of experiences is key, with creative expressions such as mandala drawing, group sharings, personal reflection, and ongoing support. This research weekend invites you to learn about Holotropic Breathwork in theory and experience it as a method of self-experience and consciousness research. It combines personal experience, scientific inquiry, and reflective exchange within a supportive community.
For more information and to express interest in participating, please contact the research team on this website or directly at the University of Potsdam:
Michael Rapp: michael.rapp@uni-potsdam.de
Lena Erdmann: lena.erdmann@uni-potsdam.de
Facilitators
Michael Rapp
Michael Rapp is a medical doctor who trained as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist in Berlin and New York, with post degree training in psychodynamic psychotherapy and group analysis. He works as a professor at the University of Potsdam with a focus... read more ..
Thomas Liska
Thomas Liska Thomas Liska has been active in the international Holotropic Breathwork community for more than two decades. He founded the Holotropic Association Europe (HAE) to support cooperation among European facilitators, training organizations... read more ..
Sonja Busch
Sonja is a seasoned teacher and trainer with a specialization in trauma-sensitive, holistic approaches. As the GTT Europe Coordinator and Founder of the European Association for Holotropic Breathwork, she is dedicated to fostering deep transformation... read more ..
Karin Bergmann
Karin has been on the path of self discovery since her teens and got in contact with different teachings and philosophies. She has extensive trainings in self discovery and inner work. She got in contact with holotropic breathwork in 2012 and was im... read more ..
Judith Mohr
Jyoti is a certified Breathwork and Yoga teacher with extensive training in transformative body- and consciousness-based practices. She has since completed numerous trainings, including Conscious Connected Breathwork, Rebirthing and Tetra Breathwork... read more ..
Alex Nagler
Originally studying media engineering, a decade of intense physiological and psychological pain forced me to find new ways of dealing with life as well as with myself. Companions on this path were amongst others meditation, yoga, plant work, as well... read more ..
Location
Payment Policy
Participation in the research double breathwork is free, but participants must meet inclusion criteria (aged 18-70; prior experience in at least two sessions of holotropic breathwork as a breather or sitter, or experience in 2 similar high ventilation breathwork sessions such as conscious connected breathwork) and meet medical inclusion criteria. Willingness to participate in research includes filling in questionnaires before and after each breathwork session and wearing a fitbit bracelet during breathwork. Participation is voluntary. The workshop is non-residential, but hotel accomodation can be arranged for you at a cost of estimated 75€ per night in a shared double or 150€ per night in a single room. Snacks, lunch and dinner will be provided.
Cancellation Policy
Should you decide to not particapte, please inform us as soon as possible so we can offer your space to other interested persons.
