The method
What is GROF® Breathwork?
GROF® Breathwork is a way of turning inward. You lie down, close your eyes and breathe a little faster and deeper than usual while music plays, and you let whatever arises move through you.
You are never alone in it. Someone sits beside you the whole time, and we are in the room from beginning to end.
It is a full day in a small group. No experience is needed.
How the day unfolds
A journey day in five parts
Breath
You breathe faster and deeper than usual, in your own rhythm. There is no technique to master. After a while the breath tends to find its own pace.
Never alone
Breather and sitter
Participants take turns as breather and sitter, supporting one another throughout the day. Each breathwork day includes two deep, three-hour journeys, with music selected to accompany and enhance each phase of the journey. This structure allows each person’s inner healing wisdom to guide the process naturally, within a supportive environment.
We use hand signals so the journeyer can communicate needs such as water, tissues, or support from a facilitator, without having to speak.
Sitting asks nothing clever of you. Many people find it as meaningful as breathing.
A journey day runs from 9am to 7pm, unless stated otherwise.
We offer trauma-informed, supportive facilitation before, during and after each journey, with care, ethics and integrity at the heart of how we work.
On the mat
What people experience
No two journeys are the same, and yours may be different each time. Some people lie quietly and feel deep rest. Others move, cry, laugh or shake.
People describe old memories and emotions surfacing, a sense of release, images and stories with a life of their own, and sometimes a feeling of connection that is hard to put into words. Sometimes very little seems to happen, and that is a journey too.
We don’t promise any particular experience. The work rests on a simple idea: something in you knows what you need, and in a safe setting it tends to move in that direction. Stan Grof called this the inner healer.
It can also be demanding. Difficult feelings may come up, and things can feel stirred for a few days afterwards. That is why preparation, company and integration are part of every journey.
Lineage
Where this comes from
Stanislav and Christina Grof developed Holotropic Breathwork in 1974 at the Esalen Institute in California, out of Stan’s research into beyond-ordinary states of consciousness. Since 2020, Stan and Brigitte Grof have taught the work as GROF® Breathwork through GROF® Legacy Training, which is where we trained and certified.
You can read Stan’s own description of the method on the training’s site.
Before you register
Health considerations
GROF® Breathwork is powerful, and for some health conditions it is not recommended. These include:
- pregnancy
- cardiovascular conditions, such as a history of heart attack, cardiovascular surgery, severe hypertension, arteriosclerosis, angina or arrhythmia
- certain diagnosed psychiatric conditions
- recent surgery or fractures
- acute infectious illness
- grand-mal epilepsy
- active spiritual emergency
Some conditions don’t rule the work out, but mean focused bodywork needs to be limited or adapted. Please tell us if you have:
- a prolapsed or herniated spinal disc
- whiplash
- a diaphragmatic or umbilical hernia
- a colostomy
Everyone completes a health questionnaire when they register, and we talk through anything that needs care. If you have a question about your own situation, ask us before you register, and speak with your doctor.
A good fit
Is it right for you?
This work suits people who are curious about their inner life, have steady support around them, and are willing to meet whatever comes, including the hard parts.
It isn’t a quick fix or a wellness trend. It asks you to stay for the whole day and to give yourself gentle time afterwards.
If you’re not sure, begin with a conversation. A 20-minute call is the easiest way to find out whether this is right for you now.
Good to know
Questions people ask
How do I prepare?
Commit to the full day and both Zoom calls. Avoid alcohol, stimulants and other substances that aren’t prescribed to you in the week before. Eat a light breakfast on the morning. Keep your schedule clear beforehand, and leave space afterwards to rest.
What should I bring?
- A thick mat
- Pillow, blanket, and sheets
- Loose, comfortable clothing
- Sealed water bottle
- Eyeshade
- Journal and pen (optional)
- A personal item for the altar (optional)
Please leave at home: jewellery, valuables, scented products, pets, or anything that could be distracting. Phones should be turned off, with use limited to necessary communication.
Is it safe?
Our experience has taught us that feeling safe means something different for everyone. Deep inner work is never entirely free of risk, so we take care at every stage: health screening, trained facilitators, a sitter beside each journeyer, and support before and after. Please read the health considerations above.
How is this different from other breathwork?
Many breathwork practices are short, from a few minutes to an hour or two, and follow a set technique, like counting or holding the breath, often toward a particular goal such as calm, focus or release.
GROF® Breathwork is different. There is no technique to follow and no outcome to aim for: you breathe faster and deeper in your own rhythm, and whatever arises is welcome. Each journey lasts about three hours, carried by music, with a sitter beside you and focused bodywork if you ask for it, followed by mandala drawing and sharing. We don’t guide you with instructions while you breathe, and it is never offered online.
What does it cost?
We use flexible pricing, from $200 to $300, to keep the work accessible. If cost is a barrier, please reach out at hi@holotropicjourneys.com.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations made more than one week prior will be refunded, less an admin fee. Cancellations within one week are non-refundable; a one-time transfer may be offered at the facilitator’s discretion. If we decide this experience isn’t right for you, you’ll receive a full refund.
When you are ready