Holotropic breathwork is a breathing technique devised by Dr. Stanislav Grof, along with his wife, during the mid-1970s.

Dr. Grof is a psychotherapist who, before coming up with holotropic breathing, delved into tests relating to LSD’s therapeutic potential. In the 1960s, psychedelics were banned.

Grof responded to this ban by creating a breathing technique that mimicked LSD’s psychedelic experience without the need to administer the drug.

According to Grof, ‘holotropic’ amounts to wholeness and spiritual connection is obtained.

Although it origins for the development can be a debatable subject, we can benefits from holotropic breathwork can change your reality.

It can also help heal issues you have been struggling most of your life.

It might be confusing and overwhelming at first, depending on the environment or space you are in.

Starting Holotropic Breathwork

Holotropic breathing lets an individual travel deep into his psyche, which is usually not possible when a person is normally awake.

People will go through great length to travel deep into their minds and become united with their spirit.

Breathwork therefore starts with setting up the right environment as well as the right intention.

There are many places that facilitate this breathing technique.

When you are first learning how to conduct this technique properly, a silent location is advised.

Also, you must be able to darken the room at will, but I have seen the practice done in a lighted area.

During your introduction of this breathing technique, a breathing sitter is part of the processes to ensure safety and correct technique.

Along with an experience facilitator and a sitter, relaxing music is played to induce more of the psychedelic experience only known to be found LSD.

Relaxation

This article is intended to allow you a preview of what you should experience.

I would advice a trained facilitator to assist in your initial practice of the Holotropic breathwork experience.

Lie down on a mat with closed eyes, facing to the sky or ceiling.

The facilitator or sitter would then guide you via meditative visualization, to attain deep relaxation.

Breathe slowly during this phase, allowing all your body parts to relax.

Once the guided meditation is done, the lights should be softened and the music must continue to play, but now at a slightly higher volume to override any outside noise.

Breathing

As the music increases in volume, you should accelerate your breathing rate to a point close to hyperventilation, but of course not literally.

The objective is to continue with the deep but fast breathing.

Inhale via the nose and exhale through the mouth.

Staying on your back, keep breathing this way for another couple of hours, nucleating on the experience within and the feelings attained through the awareness shift.

The facilitator and shifter would offer assistance  and wisdom in any way that is necessary to your needs.

Some choking or coughing feelings are usual, especially in response to the emotional experiences.

In these circumstance, its best to keep calm and stop your Holotropic breathwork compose yourself and continue to properly breathe.

You could even write, dance, cry, laugh, speak, shiver, etc. during this phase. Wishing you happy breathing!