"Among the deepest and most profoundly comprehensive work of the spirit being offered today", Jack Kornfield, Buddhist Teacher

Holotropic Breathwork/ therapy is a systematic approach to transpersonal healing, spiritual inquiry and self-exploration developed by Stanislav (one of the original founders of transpersonal psychology) and Christina Grof. The method is practiced globally; it is safe, co-creative and can access, with astonishing effectiveness, all levels of human personhood including emotionally charged childhood experiences, a deep encounter with the perinatal level of the psyche, psychological death and rebirth, and a vast array of healing experiences in the transpersonal realms of consciousness. People in holotropic states of consciousness regularly report spiritual experiences and openings that are best described by the world's great spiritual traditions and mystical literature.

The Grofs also pioneered the concept of 'spiritual emergency' thus the breathing can be considered an experiential approach to pastoral care. In the holotropic approach great emphasis is placed on healing as orchestrated by the participant's 'inner healer' or 'inner authority'. The practice frees us from spiritual projections, opens us to profound illuminated states of consciousness, and ultimately leaves us with happier hearts and an uncluttered presence. This programme allows you to experience a classic Grofian Holotropic workshop with a practitioner with 20 years of experience.

Who can benefit?
There are several ways people can approach the work. For many the main purpose and benefits are healing of abuse, easing of psychic pain, accessing buried emotions, or working with restricted psycho-sexual energies in a safe, intentional environment. For others, the breath-work is a tool for enhancing aesthetic pleasure, spiritual and transpersonal knowing, spiritual quest and deepening knowledge of the sacred mind in its ecological and trans-human dimensions. Others are interested in transpersonal training: participation in a holotropic breath-work group is a form of transpersonal training combining didactic learning, experiential knowledge and presentation knowledge. This kind of training is essential for psychotherapists, healers, nurses, counsellors, midwives and others who work with the spiritual side of people. On the yogic end of the spectrum this work also attracts creative dancers, Buddhist meditators, shamanic practitioners, artists, clergy and souls who like to journey. Participants are encouraged to explore and deepen their understanding and practice in a relaxed learning environment.

About Dr Gregg Lahood

Gregg was trained by Stan and Christina Grof in San Francisco in the late 80's and has given over 100 Holotropic workshops in New Zealand, Thailand, Australia and England including one day and fourteen day programmes. Gregg has recently earned a PhD combining transpersonal, medical and cultural anthropology. His doctorate is a ground-breaking study into the transpersonal dimensions of birth giving and reproduction for women and men in Western societies. Gregg has contributed several theoretical and research articles to the field of transpersonal psychology including work in the transpersonal dimensions of midwifery, healing birth-giving trauma with holotropic ritual, the father's birth-trauma, and near-death-experiences in childbirth. He is currently researching and writing a book on the 'Transpersonal Dimensions of Childbirth'. As a 'ritual specialist' Gregg brings a wealth of academic knowledge, experiential understanding, extensive experience, know-how and humour to the group.