A world of breathwork
-What sets Holotropic Breathwork apart?
In a world of growing numbers of breathwork modalities and trainings, what sets Holotropic Breathwork apart?
The Grof Transpersonal Training is the original and only school of Holotropic Breathwork® facilitator training developed and established by Stan and Christina Grof as a means to continue their healing work with clients through non-ordinary states when their current work with psychedelic therapy became illegal in the 1970’s. The Grof Transpersonal Training is lead by experienced Holotropic Breathwork® facilitators, many with close to 40 years experience in the field, dating back to the early days when Stan Grof was leading the training himself. Most with backgrounds from other fields of psychology, therapy and work with non-ordinary states and the integration of those, including current day leading experts in the fields of transpersonal psychology, psychedelic therapy and psychedelic integration.
Length and depth of training and the importance of your personal journey: The training goes over a minimum of 9 weeks of in-person training modules spread out over a minimum of 2 years. On average people spend at least 4 years in the training program before completion, often times much longer. During this time it is mandatory to have; praticipated in 7 week long training modules, at least 10 sessions of 1:1 consultations with training staff; to participate in a set number of breathwork sessions apart from the expected modules; having undergone an apprenticeship with certified Holotropic Breathwork® facilitators; and part-take in a two-week long certification process. It is also important to know that even if you have undertaken all required modules, breathworks and apprenticeships, if at the time of certification the certifying staff does not see you currently fit to safely hold people in deep process, your certificate might be held until you’ve continued your own work and you’re at a place of capacity to do so. There is an expectation for you to be dedicated to your own journey and inner work, this to understand all aspects of the work; to get a sense of how different breathwork journeys can be and unfold, what this depth of inner work entails, and how to work with non-ordinary states from a personal standpoint and how to prepare for it, support it and integrate it. Every training module has a set curriculum of lectures that delve deep into the holotropic paradigm, covering topics such as transpersonal psychology, spiritual emergency/emergence, Focused Tension Release body work, ethics, shamanism and much more. During a module you will take part in four breathwork sessions, participating as a breather and sitter, twice in each. You can read more about and apply to the training program here.
Facilitator over guide/teacher/guru etc.: There’s a strong emphasis on the reasoning for why we call ourselves facilitators over other terminology like guide or teacher etc. We are there to facilitate, we hold space and care for people in process. We know how to safely hold space and facilitate the support, setting and care for a healing process, but we do not take any honour for the work done, and we do our outmost to refrain from projection onto, or interpretation and analysis of, peoples process. We let each person and their inner healing wisdom run the show. Once you have completed the GTT training where you agree to uphold a certain standard for ethics and care, and you have received your certificate, you are qualified to facilitate workshops and 1:1 sessions. However this does not qualify you to become a teacher or trainer of the Holotropic Breathwork® modality.
Importance given to personal experience and growth of facilitators: As mentioned above part of the criteria for becoming certified as a Holotropic Breathwork® facilitator entails dedicating time and work to your own inner growth and development. Personal experience is number one for understanding the deep inner work and process that takes place when working with Holotropic Breathwork®. Experiencing the progress of your own inner journey, your healing, insights and growth, as well as learning to facilitate, by being facilitated is invaluable. There is no way of really understanding the workings of our inner worlds without having spent some time there, or how it feels to be facilitated with Focused Tension Release bodywork, this dance between the breathers process and the support of a facilitator, sometimes subtle, sometimes incredibly strong, always led by the breathers inner healing wisdom, without first-hand experience over time. With time you will witness your own and your fellow facilitators-in-training’s development, you will experience what it feels like to delve into depths unknown and the huge potential that exists for growth and healing when the container is held so tight that you can completely trust and let go. And by so you will learn how to provide that for others. Your journey will be followed closely by GTT staff during your time in training, and you’re expected to keep showing up for your own work to keep your certification valid.
Support, setting and team: Creating a strong and safe container is key to enable the trust that is required to open up for deep process and inner journeys. The stronger the container, the deeper the trust, the safer it feels, the easier it will be for a breather to let go, surrender to their journeys and reach the highest potential for healing and growth. After application to a workshop the participant will be contacted for screening of admitted medical form and to create the first point of contact that
Preparation and integration: A Holotropic Breathwork® journey starts as soon as you sign up. Once you are signed up through the application and medical form, the facilitating team screens your application looking for potential contraindications and factors that will count in for how we can best support you and your process. Before the workshop we call every participant to touch base, go through any medical concerns and answer any questions you might have.
The power given to each persons inner healing wisdom:
Process over projection:
