Holotropic Breathwork, Second Edition: A New Approach to Self-Exploration and Therapy

Stanislav Grof · Christina Grof

Sep 2023 · State University of New York Press

About this ebook

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.

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, PhDhc (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.