Stanislav Grof & Christina Grof 
Holotropic Breathwork, Second Edition 
A New Approach to Self-Exploration and Therapy

In the second edition of this classic text, Stanislav Grof and Christina Grof describe their groundbreaking form of self-exploration and psychotherapy: holotropic breathwork. Holotropic means ‘moving toward wholeness, ‘ from the Greek
holos (whole) and
trepein (moving in the direction of). The breathwork utilizes the remarkable healing and transformative potential of nonordinary states of consciousness. These states engender a rich array of experiences with unique healing potential—reliving childhood memories, infancy, birth and prenatal life, and elements from the historical and archetypal realms of the collective unconscious. Induced by very simple means—a combination of accelerated breathing, evocative music, and bodywork in a safe and supportive setting—holotropic breathwork integrates the insights from modern consciousness research, depth psychology, transpersonal psychology, anthropology, Eastern spiritual practices, and mystical traditions. The Grofs’ work with holotropic states of consciousness has introduced revolutionary changes to psychiatry, psychology, and psychotherapy. Written in a clear, easily understandable style, this indispensable book summarizes their remarkable insights. The second edition includes an expanded section on the history of holotropic breathwork, as well as information on Grof® Legacy Training.

Table of Content

FOREWORD

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS



1. Historical Roots of Holotropic Breathwork

Sigmund Freud and the dawn of depth psychology

Humanistic psychology and experiential therapies

The advent of psychedelic therapy

Abraham Maslow, Anthony Sutich, and the birth of transpersonal psychology



2. Theoretical Foundations of Holotropic Breathwork

Holotropic states of consciousness

Dimensions of the human psyche

The nature, function, and architecture of emotional and psychosomatic disorders

Effective therapeutic mechanisms

Strategy of psychotherapy and self-exploration

The role of spirituality in human life

The nature of reality: Psyche, cosmos, and consciousness



3. Essential Components of Holotropic Breathwork

The healing power of breath

The therapeutic potential of music

The use of releasing bodywork

Supportive and nourishing physical contact

Mandala drawing: The expressive power of art



4. The Practice of Holotropic Breathwork

Use of holotropic breathwork in individual sessions and groups

Setting and interpersonal support system

Theoretical preparation of participants

Screening for physical and emotional contraindications

Practical instructions for breathwork sessions

Preparation for the session and the relaxation exercise

Conducting holotropic breathwork sessions

The spectrum of holotropic experiences

The role of the facilitators

Mandala drawing and the processing groups



5. Integration of the Breathwork Experience and Follow-Up Work

Creating conditions for optimal integration

Easing the transition to everyday life

Conducting follow-up interviews

Using various methods complementing holotropic breathwork



6. Trials and Tribulations of Holotropic Breathwork Facilitators

Encounter with the military junta in Buenos Aires

Competing with the exhibition of Doberman pinschers

Culture-bound challenges for holotropic breathwork facilitators

Technological ordeals in holotropic breathwork sessions

The pisspot, oinking piglets, and smoldering Kleenexes

Supreme ordeal Down Under

Conducting holotropic breathwork in adversarial settings



7. Therapeutic Potential of Holotropic Breathwork

Healing of emotional and psychosomatic disorders

Favorable effect on physical diseases

Effect on personality, worldview, life strategy, and hierarchy of values

Potential for healing of cultural wounds and historical conflict resolution



8. Therapeutic Mechanisms Operating in Holotropic Breathwork

Intensification of conventional therapeutic mechanisms

Dynamic shifts in the psyche’s governing systems

The therapeutic potential of the death-rebirth process

The therapeutic mechanisms on the transpersonal level

Healing as a movement toward wholeness



9. Physiological Mechanisms Involved in Holotropic Breathwork

Biochemical and physiological changes

Holotropic breathwork and the “hyperventilation syndrome”

Psychodynamics of psychosomatic disorders



10. Past, Present, and Future of Holotropic Breathwork

History of holotropic breathwork

Holotropic breathwork and the academic community

Benefits of the holotropic perspective

Holotropic states of consciousness and the current global crisis

The global psychedelic Renaissance and Grof ® Breathwork



APPENDIX 1: Special Situations and Interventions in Holotropic Breathwork Sessions

APPENDIX 2: Holotropic Breathwork and Other Breathing Techniques

APPENDIX 3: About Grof® Legacy Training

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX

About the author

Stanislav Grof, MD, is a psychiatrist with over sixty years of experience in research of non-ordinary states of consciousness and one of the founders and chief theoreticians of transpersonal psychology.
Christina Grof, Ph Dhc (1941–2014), was founder of the Spiritual Emergence Network (SEN). Together, they developed holotropic breathwork, an innovative form of experiential psychotherapy that Grof® Legacy Training is practicing and teaching worldwide under the name Grof® breathwork. For more information, visit www.grof-legacy-training.com.