Grof® Breathwork (aka Holotropic) at
YOGA in the STARS
LONDON / 8,10,11
Nov 2024
A potent experiential technique for activating self-discovery and self-exploration toward wholeness
devised by legendary pioneering psychiatrist, Stanislav Grof MD. Ph.D., together with his late wife, Christina Grof at the Esalen Institute in California.
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Yoga in the Stars is hosting a Holotropic Breathwork session with certified facilitator and Transpersonal Therapist, Amy Burrell.
Enquiries: [email protected] /
complimentary 30 minute consultation call here
WHAT IS GROF®/ HOLOTROPIC BREATHWORK?
MOVING TOWARD WHOLENESS
through NON-ORDINARY STATES of CONSCIOUSNESS
Grof® Breathwork, also referred to as Holotropic Breathwork, is known for its deeply transformational insights as it takes you into expanded (or non-ordinary) states of consciousness, induced only by breath and music.
Grof® / Holotropic Breathwork is highly experiential work developed by pioneering psychiatrist, Stanislav Grof MD. Ph.D., together with his late wife, Christina Grof at the Esalen Institute in California in the 1970's.
Yoga in the Stars is delighted to be hosting our third, double Grof® Breathwork since being the first to launch this experience in London in September 2023.
Join our visiting facilitator, Amy Burrell, of United States (more info below).
The deeply immersive experience will allow you to participate as a breather twice across the weekend, with preparation and integration to support your journey towards wholeness.
Grof® / Holotropic Breathwork is recommended for those interested in personal and spiritual growth through deep inner exploration. Stan Grof’s concept is that the wisdom of our 'inner healer' will direct us and bring to our consciousness what is best and most healing for us, at any given moment.
THE METHOD
The facilitation consists of 1 x Grof® / Holotropic Breathwork session where the participants are lying with eyes closed, using the power of their own breath and evocative music to enter a Non-Ordinary State of Consciousness (NOSC) and 1 x "Sitter" session, where participants support the breather through their journey. A promisingly profound experience of trust and surrender.
Such states are shown to activate our innate inner wisdom, bringing healing, release and/ or insight.
We honor the 3 guidelines of any work with holotropic states: The Preparation. The Experience. And the Integration, of the experience
YOUR LEAD FACILITATOR
Amy Burrell MFA, LMT, ACS Grof® / Holotropic Breathwork facilitator, Tantra intimacy bodyworker and Transpersonal Therapist. She offers integration sessions to help those who want to integrate their experiences with Non Ordinary States of Consciousness (NOSC) and provides consultation for those training in Grof® / Holotropic Breathwork or who work with NOSC.
Amy has a MFA, a BS Dance/Psychology, is a LMT and has has extensive training in trauma-informed holistic healing modalities. Her additional certifications include Grof® Breathwork, Thriving Relationship Coach™, Authentic Tantra® teacher, Reiki Master and SET (structural energetic therapy). She has taught movement and dance at the Federal University of Goiás in Brazil and at Indiana University.
She is pursuing Grof® Psychedelic Therapists training in Spain while continuing as a practicing massage therapist. She facilitates Grof® Breathwork workshops and is a Teacher of Grof Legacy Training® nationally and internationally.
Amy’s enthusiasm for learning, traveling, and experiencing cultures continues to inspired and enrich her life and work. It is her greatest honor to hold space for others in their transformational journey.
Visiting London: Yoga in the Stars, 344, Grove Green Road, Leytonstone, London.
For more info [email protected] / complimentary 30 minute consultation call here.
SUPPORTED BY
Yoga In the Stars co-creator & curator; Basia Zieniewicz.
Basia Zieniewicz, B.Ed., PGDip Integrative Art Therapy, PGCert Psychedelics, Altered States & Transpersonal Psychology, EMCC PGC Psychosynthesis Leadership Coaching Psychology, YTT 700(ish), is in her third and final year of training in Psychedelic Therapy and Grof® Breathwork through the Grof Legacy Training®.
Inspired by an interweaving of esoteric mysticism, sacred arts, and evidence based modalities Basia's speciality is in the liminal spaces, supporting individuals who seek inner and outer balance. She offers constructive guidance in both the preparation and integration of NOSC, with tender care. helping clients navigate their experiences into lasting transformation.
Enquiries: [email protected] /
complimentary 30 minute consultation call here.
HOW TO BOOK?
WHEN: 8th-11th November 2024
WHERE: Yoga in the Stars / London / E114EA
INVESTMENT:
£270
We have a limited amount of subsidised tickets available by application. Please contact us directly.
*Does not include lodging or meals- lodgings may be arranged through Yoga in the Stars, light snacks will be provided.
FORMAT
Nov 8 (Friday) - 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm preparation
Nov 10 (Sunday) - 9:00 am - 8:00 pm experience
Nov 11 (Monday) - 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm integration
For more info [email protected]
Or book in for a complimentary 30 minute consultation call here
WHAT TO EXPECT?
The process itself combines accelerated breathing with evocative music which helps to amplify the experience and release unconscious material. With the eyes closed and lying on a mat, each person uses their own breath and the music in the room to enter a non-ordinary, or holotropic, state of consciousness. Additional elements of the process include focused energy release body-work and integration practices such as mandala drawing.
Expect an eight hour day, more or less, for one breathing session.
The sessions are done in pairs. Each participant will experience being a breather and a sitter. Once the breathwork session is complete, the breather is invited to draw a mandala of their experience. This does not require drawing skills.
The sessions are then followed by a sharing circle where people can share their experience + a talk or practice of integration, to support the content of the breathwork session.
KNOW MORE
Breathwork is a new-age term that refers to rejuvenating breathing techniques aimed at awakening the body’s life force. In many cultures, breathwork is a key modality utilized to inspire peacefulness, healing, and the embodiment of the divine. Stan Grof, MD, Ph.D., a clinical psychiatrist and one the founding forefathers of research in transpersonal psychology for non-ordinary states of consciousness and the therapeutic potential of LSD, has turned breathwork into a psychedelic, theraputic experience, and the benefits are profound.
This method of breathwork, recently renamed as Grof® Breathwork, devised by Stan and Christina to circumvent the prohibition of LSD in the 60's, thereby seizing the therapeutic applications that Stan was researching. This modality relies on our innate inner wisdom and its capacity to move us toward desired transformation and closer to wholeness. With reverence to our psyche's innate wisdom, the participant accesses the inner healing intelligence, being the essential cornerstone of this approach. The Grof's theoretical framework integrates insights from psychedelic research, anthropology, various depth psychologies, transpersonal psychology, Eastern spiritual practices, and mystical traditions of the world.
THE PROCESS
PREPARATION
In advance of the gathering, you will complete an application form where we will screen to be sure this modality is suitable for you.
Prior to gathering, the group will meet in circle to learn about the process in greater depth, connect, and finalise preperations.
SITTERS & BREATHERS
Expect a three hour breathing session in a context marked by unconditional acceptance and emotional support. The group is divided into pairs - "sitters" & "breathers" and the session experience will be divided into two x three-hour breathing sessions, alternating in the roles.
The sitter’s role is simply to be present and available to assist the breather—not to interfere, interrupt, or try to guide the process. The same is true for trained facilitators, who are available as helpers if necessary.
THE SETTING
This setting is a key part of this work and it allows the breather to open up to its experience with greater sense of confidence. This state activates the natural "inner radar" process of the individual’s psyche, onsetting the breather a particular set of internal experiences. With the inner healing intelligence guiding the process, the quality and content that emerges is unique to each person. While recurring themes are common, every session is different.
INTEGRATION
An integration is carried out to weave and anchor the process into creative expression and verbal language.
You will complete a mandala and also be guided through a creative embodiment practice in the form of movement.
A sharing circle will showcase your mandala, your own essence of your insights of your own experience in a sharing circle between you and the group.
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MORE JOURNIES & EXPERIENCES
Yoga in the Stars is a not-for-profit yoga club, with a focus on esoteric health and connection, embracing all practices that can help us navigate life in the 21st Century. For more information on the visiting facilitators, both local and from around the globe get in touch here.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
The goal of Grof® Breathwork is to essentially use accelerated breathing to increase awareness of the self as well as cope with traumatic memories. This technique allows you to access parts of your psyche that can’t be reached under normal conditions, and it helps us to relieve mental health conditions and different symptoms, including:
Depression | Substance use disorder | Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). | Anxiety | Negative thinking | Grieving | Chronic stress | Tension | Avoidance behaviours
WHO IS THIS NOT FOR?