Created in the 1980s by Czech researcher and psychiatrist Stanislav Grof and his wife Christina, Holotropic Breathwork is a form of therapy and deep self-exploration practiced in many countries, such as Brazil, Chile, USA, Argentina, Canada, Russia, China, India , Spain, England, among others.

Considered the most powerful technique of transpersonal psychology, it allows safe and systematic access to non-ordinary states of consciousness. Holotropic Breathwork delivers incredible experiences that can include lost memories of childhood, resolution of traumas and improvement in various emotional processes. As well as even more impressive experiences of aspects of the individual and collective unconscious, spiritual dimensions and aspects of nature. All this with hyperventilation and evocative music. We spend most of our time without realizing we’re breathing, and how we’re breathing. Breathing is an automatic, but vital daily act. Busy and entertained in the processes of the mind, we barely notice the body intelligence which takes care of this fantastic process by itself. But just a few seconds without air, and the importance of the process becomes instantly obvious.

In scientific contexts, breathing is defined as the process of inhaling and exhaling air, during which the exchange of gaseous molecules between the body and the environment occurs – we pick up more oxygen and exhale more carbon dioxide, for example, while plants do the opposite.

But in broader contexts, we ascribed to the word breathe innumerable other meanings, such as feeling relief, resting or expressing, manifesting and revealing: ‘everything here breathes joy.’ The other aspect of the same process is shortness of breath, which is associated with bad things, discomfort, suffocation, panic, disagreement, and death.

This brief reflection brings us to a glimpse of a profound realization that has been systematically explored by various cultures for millennia, insights incorporated into this modern therapy technique. From the simplest techniques practiced by anyone in times of discouragement – ‘calm, breathe!’ – to more sophisticated techniques such as pranayama yoga exercises and the various breathing techniques that form one of the central pillars of meditative practice, breathing can be a key to expanding states of consciousness. By focusing on the breath, and voluntarily modifying it, deepening and accelerating, we can exert intense effects on our psyche.

Attentio to breathing patterns was one of Grof’s brilliant insights in the 1970s. As he analysed piles of piles of paper with notes about patients he guided in LSD therapy sessions – before the ban – Stan noticed that many of them changed their breathing patterns spontaneously. He also noticed that of the many traditions that use power plants, music plays a central role. And so began to develop the technique that is now established and practiced in so many countries.

Participants spend most of their time lying on a mattress, listening to instrumental music of various types, traditions, styles and times, preferably with eyeshades. All to facilitate introspective processes and avoid distractions with the outside world. Each session lasts about three hours, and while some participants do the Breathwork, others sit by their side, discreetly assisting with small needs that may arise, such as going to the bathroom, blowing their nose or even asking for a helping hand. In the following section these roles are inverted.

In the meantime, professionals duly certified by Grof Transpersonal Training (GTT) supervise the whole group, facilitating the session for each participant and supporting them in any need throughout the duration of the workshop. The Breath sessions themselves are followed by art therapy (a period of 30 to 60 minutes in which participants draw mandalas thus shaping their experience in a non-verbal way) and finally a circle to share the most meaningful aspects of each experience is formed, where everyone has the opportunity to talk about some of their experiences and listen to others, in a context of respect, active listening, confidentiality and non-judgment. Sharing is an important time, it helps us to consolidate what we have been through and helps us to form a sense of community by focusing not only on ourselves and encouraging us to listen to others.

Certified by Grof Transpersonal Training in 2016, Eduardo offers workshops on the coast of São Paulo, near paradisiac beaches and into the Atlantic Rainforest, and sporadically in other places. Workshops happen mainly during weekends, starting Friday night and ending Sunday before lunch, including soup on Friday, healthy deliciou dishes on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday.

Only vacancies are limited, our care with participants is limitless!

On Friday night Eduardo leads the group through the history, theory and practice of Holotropic Breathwork in an approximately three-hour conversation. On Saturday the breathwork sessions take place, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, each followed by art therapy, and on Sunday morning the final sharing.

Any questions or for further clarification, please contact us.