BIRTH – A HOLOTROPIC BREATHWORK WORKSHOP
The first day will offer a gentle introduction to the process—a time to connect with yourself and with the group. Through mindful presence, silence, and movement (including elements of Trance Movement), we will gradually turn our attention toward the body and whatever feels alive in the here and now.
This is not a day for stories or theory, but rather for feeling, being, and allowing whatever wants to emerge to unfold naturally.
Later, through Holotropic Breathwork—an experiential practice focused on exploring and deepening the sensations and experiences that arise—we will work with whatever feels most present and active within us.
HOLOTROPIC BREATHWORK
Holotropic Breathwork was developed by Stanislav Grof – one of the founders of transpersonal psychology—and his wife, Christina.
The method was inspired by Grof’s work with psychedelic psychotherapy at a time when such practices were still legal.
The results of this work, during which patients reported profound and sometimes spiritual experiences, were so promising that when legal restrictions made it impossible to continue, Grof spent years developing an alternative approach with similar potential.
His aim was to create a method that would allow people to access expanded states of consciousness and experience meaningful benefits without the use of psychoactive substances.
Holotropic Breathwork combines elements of:
- ancient shamanic practices
- depth psychology
- art therapy
- various aspects of group process
It can support people who are experiencing significant emotional distress – from traumatic experiences and difficult childhoods to various kinds of personal crises – as well as those who are generally doing well but are looking for a powerful tool for deeper self-exploration and a fuller experience of life.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM HOLOTROPIC BREATHWORK?
One of the challenges in describing what you may experience over these three days is that there is no way of knowing where your process will take you.
Trusting our inner wisdom and allowing it to guide the experience is one of the core principles of this approach.
There is no way to know whether the experiences described in Grof’s books will also happen to you.
We want to be honest about what this workshop can offer, which means we cannot promise exactly what you will experience or what you will take away from it.
We also want to emphasize that Holotropic Breathwork is not a method that will magically solve every problem in your life, especially after a single weekend workshop.
What we can share, however, are some of the experiences and benefits commonly described by people practicing Holotropic Breathwork around the world.
HEALING PAINFUL AND TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES FROM YOUR LIFE
During a session, you may revisit difficult or painful experiences, sometimes more than once. Through this process, they may be released and begin to have less of an impact on you.
This can include experiences that you have long forgotten, as well as those that you find yourself thinking about far too often.
“One breathwork session gave me more than 20 years of talk therapy.”
— Angel Cassidy Borst, USA
SPIRITUAL AND MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES
Much like in many cultures where various shamanic practices have traditionally been used, spiritual experiences are also relatively common in Holotropic Breathwork.
Some of these experiences may resemble those described in mystical literature.
People who practice Holotropic Breathwork regularly often describe it as a consistent and deeply intense spiritual practice.
EXPERIENCING SUPPORT AND COMPLETE ACCEPTANCE
One of the facilitators’ most important responsibilities is creating a safe, supportive, and accepting environment.
This is an aspect that receives a great deal of attention throughout their training.
This sense of support begins during the preparation, helping participants open more fully to the process, and continues throughout the session, when facilitators remain available for as long as their support is needed.
For many participants, this may be the first time they have experienced such a profound sense of safety, support, and care.
“It’s wonderful to know that no matter how strange, unusual, or unexpected my process may be, the people there will approach it with openness and understanding.”
— Magda, participant in Holotropic Poland workshops
TRUSTING YOURSELF AND YOUR INNER RESOURCES
The method is based not on suggestions or interventions from others, but on trusting your own intuition and following your own process.
People often leave a session with a stronger sense of personal responsibility for making changes in their own lives.
FULL SELF-EXPRESSION
There are very few situations in life where we can allow ourselves complete freedom of expression—both physically and vocally.
Simply having the space to express yourself so freely can, in itself, have a powerful therapeutic effect.
“It’s the only place in the world I know where heartbreaking sobs, uncontrollable laughter, intense body movements, and loud cries of rage can all happen in a room full of other people—and no one looks at you with judgment. It’s beautiful.”
— Kirsten Kairos, USA
CONNECTING WITH LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE
The workshops bring together people from many different backgrounds, yet they often share a few things in common:
- a strong sense of openness
- a willingness to work on themselves
- a readiness to face difficult truths about themselves
- acceptance and respect for other people’s individual processes
A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR OWN LIFE
In an expanded state of consciousness, different moments and experiences from our lives may come to the surface, sometimes revealing connections and a bigger picture that we were unable to see before.
WORKING WITH EXPERIENCED FACILITATORS
Becoming qualified to facilitate Holotropic Breathwork workshops doesn’t happen after a single weekend course. It requires several years of intensive training, involving hundreds of hours of practice and experience.
A SENSE OF ADVENTURE
Alongside the therapeutic and spiritual aspects, there can also be a sense of adventure and exploration.
You may experience visions such as:
- riding a horse
- climbing a snow-covered mountain
- dancing spontaneously
A DEEPER CONNECTION WITH YOUR BODY
The sessions can be deeply physical, and regular practice may lead to greater body awareness and the release of physical tension.
WHAT WILL THE WORKSHOP LOOK LIKE?
Day One
Exercises and practices designed to prepare you for the Holotropic Breathwork sessions.
Day Two
Breathwork sessions.
Each participant takes part in two sessions: one as the breather and one as the sitter.
Day Three
Integration of the experience, along with guidance on how to carry the process forward.
PRICE
Early Bird: PLN 990 (available until October 16)
Regular Price: PLN 1,090
*For those who have already attended a Holotropic Breathwork workshop with us, the price is PLN 890 when paid in advance by October 16, and PLN 990 after October 16.
*To reserve your place, a non-refundable deposit of PLN 340 is required. The deposit serves as a booking fee and cannot be transferred to another workshop.
WORKSHOP HOURS
Friday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
WHAT TO BRING
- an eye mask or scarf to cover your eyes
- a pen and notebook
- comfortable clothing
- a blanket and pillow
CONTRAINDICATIONS
This workshop is intended for personal growth and is not a substitute for psychotherapy.
The sessions may involve intense emotions and physical sensations.
The workshop is not suitable for people who:
- are pregnant
- have heart or cardiovascular conditions
- have severe high blood pressure
- have certain psychiatric conditions
- have recently undergone surgery or experienced a fracture
- have epilepsy
- are experiencing an acute infectious illness
- have bipolar disorder
- are prone to certain intense emotional reactions
Each participant will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire.
For those who have not worked with us before, we will also arrange a brief phone consultation to help prepare for the workshop.
PLEASE NOTE
All days of the workshop are an integral part of the process.
It is not possible to skip any of the workshop days.
If you are absent on the first day, this will be considered a withdrawal from the workshop.
To register, simply send us an email and we’ll send you all the details:
info@holotropicpoland.pl
See you there!
REGISTRATION
It is possible to stay overnight at the workshop venue for an additional fee.