Holotropic breathwork is a synthesis of ancient spiritual techniques and the findings of modern consciousness research. It was developed by Stan and his late wife Christina Grof at the Esalen institute in Big Sur, California in 1974. This deep form of self-experience makes it possible to heal old wounds and rediscover the spiritual dimension of being. Deep breathing and music create a nonordinary state of consciousness in which unprocessed elements from the life history can be integrated, an encounter with birth and death can take place or spiritual experiences become possible.
Bodywork, mandala drawing and group discussions support the integration of the experiences.
During a weekend seminar, each person is given the opportunity to experience one breathing session as breather and one session as sitter.
Brigitte Grof, psychologist, licensed psychotherapist, artist, training in transpersonal psychology and cooperation with Stan and Christina Grof at the Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California; internship at Pocket Ranch, Clinic for Spiritual Crises in California, USA; Training in holotropic breathwork with Grof (certified Holotropic Breathwork Practitioner); Training in Gestalt and body therapy, since 1987 leading seminars with holotropic breathwork; teaching of a 3-year training group in holotropic breathwork with Dr. Ingo Jahrsetz and many training modules. Leading her own training groups in process-oriented breathing and body therapy. Psychotherapeutic individual work with breathing, Gestalt and body therapy in free practice in Wiesbaden.
Since April 2016 she is happily married to Stanislav Grof. They conduct seminars and training courses in holotropic breathwork and in Transpersonal Psychology worldwide.
In May 2020 Stan and Brigitte Grof launched their new training in working with holotropic states of consciousness the Grof® Legacy Training. www.grof-legacy-training.com. In the GLT the technique of holotropic breathwork ist taught under the name Grof® Breathwork.
In 2021 she published her birthday book for Stan´s 90th birthday in German language and in 2023 in english. The title is “ Stanislav Grof LSD Pioneer, From Pharmacology to Archetypes”. It contains an interview she did with Stan Grof about his findings in his more than 60 years of research with psychedelics and holotropic states of consciousness, his foreword for Albert Hofmann´s “LSD My Problemchild”, heartfelt birthday wishes from his friends and colleagues, and many beautiful photos of Stan.
