Additional Ressources

1. Grof, Stanislav; Christina Grof. Holotropic Breathwork: A New Approach to Self-Exploration and Therapy (SUNY series in Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology) (English Edition) (p. 20). State University of New York Press. The remarkable healing power of non-ordinary states of consciousness, which was known and used in ancient civilizations and native cultures since time immemorial, was confirmed by modern consciousness research and therapeutic experimentation conducted in the second half of the twentieth century. This research research has also shown that the phenomena occurring during non-ordinary states and associated with them cannot be accounted for by the conceptual frameworks currently used by academic psychiatry and psychology. Because this issue is essential for understanding the Holotropic Breathwork, we will precede our discussion of this method with a survey of the theoretical challenges that non-ordinary states of consciousness pose not only for psychiatry, psychology, and psychotherapy, but also for the basic metaphysical assumptions of Western science.



2. Hansen, Dr. Esther . Holotropic Breathwork: A Complete Beginner’s Guide & Measure of Significance of Holotropic Breathwork in the Development of Self-Awareness. Holotropic breathwork is a form of complementary and alternative medicine that facilitates the process of self-exploration and healing. In order to generate a state of mind that is comparable to that of a psychedelic experience, it involves rapid breathing, music that evokes strong emotions, artistic expression, and the development of a container that is safe and supportive.

3. Miller, T., & Nielsen, L. (2015). Measure of significance of holotropic breathwork in the development of self-awareness. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 21(12), 796-803. The theoretical conclusion is that HB can induce very beneficial temperament changes, which can have positive effects on development of character, measured as an increase in self-awareness.

4. Holmes, S. W., Morris, R., Clance, P. R., & Putney, R. T. (1996). Holotropic breathwork: An experiential approach to psychotherapy. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 33(1), 114–120. Investigated the relationship between the use of Holotropic Breathwork and therapeutic changes in levels of distress associated with self-identified problems, death anxiety, self-esteem, and sense of affiliation with others. Two groups of 24 Ss (aged 22–50 yrs) were compared using a repeated measures design. One group participated in a combination of experientially oriented psychotherapy plus 6 monthly session of Holotropic Breath work (Breath work Group); the 2nd group participated only in experientially oriented psychotherapy (Therapy Group). Dependent measures were the Death Anxiety Scale, the Abasement and Affiliation subscales of the Personality Research Form-E, and a questionnaire regarding self-identified problems. The Breathwork Group showed significant reductions in death anxiety and increase in self-esteem compared to the Therapy Group.



5. Brouillette, Gilles, Reported effects of Holotropic Breathwork(TM): An integrative technique for healing and personal change, Institute of Transpersonal Psychology ProQuest Dissertations Publishing,  1997. DP14336. Holotropic Breathwork™ is a modem approach to healing and self-discovery that includes and integrates physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. The approach is based on the use of nonordinary states of consciousness which are induced by special breathing procedures and evocative music. The purpose of this research was to study the experience and effects of Holotropic Breathwork™ on personal transformation and healing as reported by participants in the Grof Transpersonal Training. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to explore these questions. Thirty-four participants, nine men and twenty-five women from eight different countries, participated in the study. They were all trainees in the Grof Transpersonal Training. Personal sharing, short and long interviews, and a questionnaire were used to gather information. A qualitative content analysis method was used to evaluate the qualitative data. Two case studies were also presented. At the physical level, participants reported healing or improvements of physical health problems as well as physically integrative experiences such as embodiment and a sense of connection and unity. At the intellectual level, participants reported an increased ability to recognize and to disidentify from one’s experience.

6. Luebben, O. (2019). A psychotherapeutic exploration of Holotropic Breathwork® (Doctoral dissertation, Dublin Business School). Holotropic Breathwork® (HB) is a special breathing technique that can foster healing and support the psychotherapeutic process. “Holotropic” comes from the Greek and means “oriented towards wholeness”. The Czech psychiatrist and psychotherapist Stanislav Grof, together with his wife Christina Grof, established the procedure to bring about a healing state of consciousness. The focus is on the processing of traumas and coping with the past, back to pregnancy and childbirth. The goal of the technique is to achieve mental healing. The aim of this investigation is to develop and contribute to existing HB research by analysing the interviews of three psychotherapists who are also HB facilitators. The interviews were analysed utilising interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to obtain deep insight into the experiential world of the facilitators. From this analysis, three themes emerged: HB; integration of HB and psychotherapy; healing trauma, and transpersonal. Analysis of the interviewees indicated a notable positive attitude towards HB and its environment. The participants described their experiences as facilitators and presented a meaningful insight into what appears to be a complementary nature of HB and psychotherapy. A profound quality of healing through this breathwork was highlighted by the interviewees. This included a suggestion that HB is also powerful in healing trauma.

7. Watjen, L. (2014). An Argument for the Use of Holotropic Breath-work as an Adjunct to Psychotherapy. Journal of Transpersonal Research, 6(1), 103-111. Evident in the emotional contraindications are both the challenges and the potential healing benefits of using HB as an adjunct to psychotherapy. Anecdotal and research-based evidence indicate a strong potential for bringing unconscious material into consciousness and a movement toward mental health (Binarova, 2003; Brewerton et al., 2012; Grof andGrof, 2010; Holmes et al, 1996). Eyerman’s (2013) report on the long term use of HB in an inpatient psychiatric hospital with no adverse effects is some of the strongest, research-based evidence available on the safety of HB in populations which would normally be screened out of a brief workshop setting. It also demonstrates the need for a paradigm shift in the treatment of mental illness. Until such a shift occurs, we believe HB can be a very effective adjunct to psychotherapy for appropriately screened clients, or when an appropriate set and setting can be provided for clients with more serious emotional issues. As an intervention, HB can be offered only by facilitators who’ve undergone a lengthy training and certification process. Currently, there are 1,150 certified facilitators world-wide (C. Sparks, personal communication, October 6, 2014), which limits availability to clients in proximity to facilitators offering workshops or with the means to travel. It is hoped that with additional research, the knowledge, acceptance, and availability of HB as a safe and effective adjunct to psychotherapy will become widespread.

1. McLaren, K. (2023). The Language of Emotions: What Your Feelings Are Trying to Tell You: Revised and Updated. Sounds True. Every emotion—even shame, anger, and anxiety—brings us vital information and wisdom. Emotions—especially the unwanted and dishonored ones—hold a tremendous amount of energy. “Too often, we either repress our feelings or let them run wild,” says researcher and educator Karla McLaren. “What many of us were never taught are the fundamental skills for honoring and understanding our profound, powerful emotions.” In this new edition of The Language of Emotions, McLaren takes us much deeper than naming or managing our feelings—she teaches us to listen to the messages within each emotion, reflect on their questions, and incorporate their wisdom into our lives.



2. Zukav, G. (2007). The seat of the soul. Simon and Schuster. In his iconic bestseller, renowned spiritual teacher Gary Zukav reveals how to become the authority in your own life, how to change the way you see the world and how to interact with others. The Seat of the Soul is the ultimate path to connecting with your deepest spiritual self.