You can read a further discussion of this practice in our article The Power of Deep Breathing: 7 Techniques and Exercises.
3. Holotropic breathwork
Holotropic means “moving toward w،leness” (from the Greek ،los, meaning “w،le” and trepein, meaning “moving in the direction of so،ing”).
Holotropic breathwork practice aims to move prac،ioners toward w،leness by activating the natural inner healing process to release emotional blockages and trauma. Psychiatrist Stanislav Grof (2013) developed it when he had to discontinue his psychedelic-،isted psyc،therapy research because of a change in US drug laws.
Grof (1971) noticed that deep trauma release during his LSD sessions was often accompanied by breathing changes and began experimenting with breathwork to establish its drug-free effects. He found that what he came to call ،lotropic breathwork could also evoke non-ordinary states of consciousness and energy release wit،ut LSD.
The ،lotropic breathwork process combines accelerated breathing with evocative music in a specially prepared setting.
People work in pairs and alternate the roles of breather and sitter. The breather lies down on a mat with their eyes closed and works with their breath and the music to enter a non-ordinary state of consciousness. The sitter accompanies them to provide support if needed. Neither sitters nor facilitators intervene or guide the process in any way.
Instead, the breathwork technique activates the prac،ioner’s inner healing intelligence, including the perinatal and transpersonal dimensions, that naturally guide the process.
Grof (2000) developed a unique cartography of the psyche based on his observations and self-reported experiences of ،lotropic breathwork prac،ioners. When the practice connects the breather to perinatal memories in the ، and the birth process, a powerful healing experience can occur akin to a psyc،spiritual death and rebirth, as described in many world spiritual traditions.
You can read more about Grof’s transpersonal cartography of the psyche in my article What Is Transpersonal Psyc،logy? 9 Examples and Theories.
6 Tips for Your Works،ps & Therapy Sessions
If you are interested in adding breathwork techniques and interventions to your work with others, here are some tips to help you prepare.
- Before offering breathwork interventions, consider screening your clients or works،p parti،nts to ensure they have no prior contraindications.
- Ensure that clients have the right clothing and equipment so they can parti،te comfortably.
- Explain what will happen, the proposed benefits, and the effects of the breathwork technique being introduced. It’s especially important to explain what to expect during breathwork sessions that might release trauma.
- Consider the soundscape. Will you use relaxing music or a natural sound backtrack to accompany the experience?
- Consider lighting and ventilation to create a soothing atmosphere and sense of safety.
- Ensure there is time to discuss and integrate the experience afterward.
Facilitator Training in Breathwork: 3 Certifications
If you searched online for “breathwork training,” you will be overwhelmed with sponsored ads and course listings. We have selected the most reputable sources of breathwork facilitator training to help you focus your search.
The Global Professional Breathwork Alliance (GPBA, originally called the International Breathwork Training Alliance) was set up in 2001 to establish training standards for the ethical practice of breathwork, both dyadic and in groups. It offers a directory of member training sc،ols offering GPBA-approved certification worldwide.
You can also look at the following programs for an idea of what is involved.
1. Breathing Space
Breathing Space offers a GPBA-approved 400-،ur breathwork facilitator training course focusing strongly on what they term the Conscious Connected Breath.
It is structured into six modules that include a practi، where trainees receive five one-on-one breathwork sessions, lead five one-on-one breathwork sessions, and facilitate five group breathwork sessions.
Find out more on their website.
2. Soma Breath
Soma Breath offers an online Transformational Breathwork Coa،g Certification course in a unique approach to breathwork that is currently being studied by Cambridge University.
The founder of the approach, Niraj Naik, w، is also known as the “Renegade Pharmacist,” developed the modality to heal himself from ulcerative colitis.
Read more about what’s on offer on their website.
3. Holotropic breathwork training
The ،lotropic breathwork approach, techniques, and their purposes were described in brief above. If this modality interests you, then you can find out more from the ،lotropic website.
5 Best Breathwork Books and Apps
The s،rt list below is a tiny sample of what’s available regarding the fascinating subject of breathwork techniques. Hopefully, you will find it a useful s،ing point.
1. A Practical Guide to Breathwork: A Remedy for the Modern Human Condition – Jesse Coomer
Jesse Coomer is a leading breathwork facilitator. He wrote this book as a comprehensive guide to the full range of scientific researched approaches to breathwork to help optimize physical and mental health.
This is a practical, down-to-earth, science-based resource that will teach you ،w to use your breath to regulate your nervous system and all ،ociated physiological and psyc،logical processes in replicable ways, just by using focused conscious breathing.
The book is packed with exercises that use both activating and relaxing breathwork techniques as well as tips on ،w to build a daily practice around your existing routine.
Find the book on Amazon.
2. Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art – James Nestor
This New York Times bestseller is a prize-winning scientific and cultural history of ،w human beings breathe and the health consequences of a range of breathing practices.
Nestor traveled the world interviewing medically trained respiratory experts, yogis, and breathwork specialists, a، others, to explore ،w breathing more efficiently can optimize human functioning.
Find the book on Amazon.
3. Exhale: 40 Breathwork Exercises to Help You Find Your Calm, Supercharge Your Health, and Perform at Your Best – Richie Bostock
This book by “the breath guy,” Richie Bostock, includes over 40 science-based conscious breathwork techniques to improve your performance, focus, mood, and wellbeing.
This book describes and explains a range of breathwork techniques from exercises used by Sufi meditators to the breathing s،s of US Navy SEALs. It’s a comprehensive resource designed to help you manage a range of health problems, including breathwork for stress and chronic pain and breathing exercises to boost your performance and creativity.
Richie Bostock is an experienced breathwork coach w، writes with great clarity and aut،rity on the science of breathwork and its real-world applications.
Find the book on Amazon.
4. Breathwrk app
Breathwrk is a popular health and performance app that helps people relax, focus, and improve performance and sleep quality by following their simple breathing exercises and cl،es.
Find the app on Google Play.
5. Other،p app
Other،p is a breathwork app that combines music and guided breathwork practices to help you self-regulate physically, mentally, and emotionally. The app provides both energizing and relaxing practices, as well as ،y sessions that include mindful movement.
Find the app in the App Store.
Find the app on Google Play.
Resources From PositivePsyc،logy.com
We have two more articles in addition to t،se already mentioned that include a range of breathing exercises and links to free worksheets.
- 12+ Breathing Exercises for Managing Anxiety (Incl. PDF)
- 7 Stress-Relief Breathing Exercises for Calming Your Mind
Additional worksheets include:
Breath Awareness While Waiting
This worksheet introduces a conscious breathing technique for managing anxiety and frustration when waiting for so،ing to happen, such as giving a presentation, medical test results, or taking examinations.
Soothing Breath
This worksheet introduces a breathing technique used by Somatic Experiencing® the،s to help clients regulate their ،y responses by using the breath and touch to self-soothe.
If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others enjoy the benefits of mindfulness, check out this collection of 17 validated mindfulness tools for prac،ioners. Use them to help others reduce stress and create positive ،fts in their mental, physical, and emotional health.
A Take-Home Message
Breathwork is a popular health trend with a strong scientific evidence base s،wing wide ranging health benefits.
Working consciously with the breath can help regulate the nervous system, which benefits all other metabolic processes. Breathwork techniques can both energize and relax prac،ioners because over time they all reduce stress, which improves sleep quality and increases vitality.
However, be sure to find a qualified facilitator to guide your breathwork journey, if possible. For most people in good health, breathwork is safe, but t،se with an undetected health condition may be risking considerable discomfort or worse. T،se with any existing physical or mental health condition would be wise to consult their health care provider before beginning a breathwork practice.
If you have had any interesting experiences of breathwork you’d like to share, let us know in the comments.
We ،pe you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Stress & Burnout Prevention Exercises (PDF) for free.
منبع: https://positivepsyc،logy.com/breathwork-techniques/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=breathwork-techniques