GTT in-person module Poland / A Holotropic Approach to Psychedelics: Past, Current and Future

In recent years, we have witnessed a renewed interest in psychedelic therapy and research being called “the psychedelic renaissance.” Many people are discovering the potential benefits of psychedelic substances and master plants, and shamanism has become an increasingly sought method for healing. Dozens of clinical trials study the efficacy of psychedelic medicines such as MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine to treat serious conditions like PTSD and treatment-resistant depression. At the same time, the importance of Stanislav Grof’s Holotropic Paradigm and of Holotropic Breathwork® in the development of the psychedelic field still remains unknown to many.
With respect to this new era of psychedelics, those of us involved with the Holotropic paradigm have much to contribute and consider. How do psychedelics compare with or compliment Holotropic Breathwork® as tools for personal development? What is the role of Holotropic Breathwork® now that psychedelics are becoming an accessible therapeutic method? How is the future of Holotropic Breathwork® affected, now that more people can access deep experiences through psychedelics and master plants?
In this module we will explore in depth:
  • The different paradigms in which psychedelics have been used, and are currently used.
  • General characteristics of the main psychedelic medicines and the process they induce.
  • The use of psychedelics from the Holotropic Paradigm developed by Grof, Sparks, and others.
  • How do psychedelics compare to Holotropic Breathwork®?
  • The principles of supporting processes from the Holotropic perspective.
  • Dealing with challenging situations.
  • The importance of integration of psychedelic experiences.

Cost for this module is 1260 Euro.
Cost is reduced for those from Poland, Ukraine, and other Eastern European countries; contact organizer for details.

Marc B. Aixalà (see full bio here) is a GTT module leader trained in the therapeutic use of Non Ordinary States of Consciousness; in MDMA assisted-psychotherapy for PTSD by MAPS;  and in the use of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. Marc works as a therapist and mentor in a clinical trial with psilocybin in Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona. He has experience as a Team Leader and Trainer helping people through difficult psychedelic experiences at Boom Festival (Kosmicare 2010-2016).

Marc collaborates with ICEERS (International Center for Ethnobotanical Education Research and Service) by offering integration psychotherapy for people in challenging situations after psychedelic experiences, developing theoretical models of intervention and training and supervising therapists. He is the author of “Psychedelic Integration: non-ordinary logics and the challenges of psychotherapy in expanded states of awareness”.

Ireland Holotropic Breathwork® Double-Breathwork Weekend Workshop

This workshop is recognized as a supplement to the GTT Virtual Modules.

The weekends run from Thursday evening at 7 pm to Sunday afternoon around 2 pm, finishing after lunch, with two breathing and two sitting sessions per person.

Participants come from all walks of life because they either feel blocked or that there is more to life than they currently understand. Finding your inner healer is a great form of self-empowerment.

Workshops start with a welcome meditation and an introduction to the theory and practice of Holotropic Breathwork®, offering a chance for people to ask questions and to get to know each other.

The breathwork takes place in pairs. When one partner breathes the other will sit and in the next session the roles are reversed. Sessions last approximately three hours. Participants are encouraged to allow whatever is happening to emerge as they breathe deeper and faster. Occasionally energy release work is needed to move past a blockage and the facilitators will provide assistance if required.

After each breathing session there is time to capture the experience through art work and mandala drawing. During the group sharing sessions the participants are free to share as much or as little as they wish.

The workshops are set up to create a deep sense of support and safety for participants, which facilitates the exploration of consciousness and deeper levels of awareness. To see photos of the centre click here.

Rachel Bongartz

Rachel Bongartz (facilitator) was born (1981) and raised in Belgium, experienced Holotropic Breathwork® for the first time in 2005 and from then on it has become an important part of her life. She studied Clinical Psychology and later obtained a second Master in Transpersonal Psychology and Consciousness Studies. In August 2016, she accomplished the Grof Transpersonal Training and became a facilitator in Holotropic Breathwork®. She lives in Berlin and Belgium. Self-awareness and spiritual growth is very important to her. She is a passionate 5 Rhythms dancer and she has experienced that expanded holotropic states of consciousness carry the potential for healing and self-fulfilment.

Ireland Holotropic Breathwork® Double-Breathwork Weekend Workshop

This workshop is recognized as a supplement to the GTT Virtual Modules.

The weekends run from Thursday evening at 7 pm to Sunday afternoon around 2 pm, finishing after lunch, with two breathing and two sitting sessions per person.

Participants come from all walks of life because they either feel blocked or that there is more to life than they currently understand. Finding your inner healer is a great form of self-empowerment.

Workshops start with a welcome meditation and an introduction to the theory and practice of Holotropic Breathwork®, offering a chance for people to ask questions and to get to know each other.

The breathwork takes place in pairs. When one partner breathes the other will sit and in the next session the roles are reversed. Sessions last approximately three hours. Participants are encouraged to allow whatever is happening to emerge as they breathe deeper and faster. Occasionally energy release work is needed to move past a blockage and the facilitators will provide assistance if required.

After each breathing session there is time to capture the experience through art work and mandala drawing. During the group sharing sessions the participants are free to share as much or as little as they wish.

The workshops are set up to create a deep sense of support and safety for participants, which facilitates the exploration of consciousness and deeper levels of awareness. To see photos of the centre click here.

Austria Holotropic Breathwork® Weekend Workshop

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN A GTT VIRTUAL MODULE AND WISH TO USE IT TOWARD CERTIFICATION, THIS HB WORKSHOP CAN BE USED TO COMPLETE THE MODULE REQUIREMENT.  

Information and registration

This double Holotropic Breathwork® workshop allows for self-healing and self-exploration as well as accessing the roots of emotional and psychosomatic challenges one might face. During this workshop two breathwork sessions (one as a breather and one as a sitter) will allow you in a very safe setting to access expanded states of consciousness, in which your own wisdom connects with your inner healing and inner transforming power. This healing wisdom guides the experiences towards those aspects which carry a charge, and are ready to be processed or integrated. Holotropic Breathwork® might be of interest if

  • You are seeking a more experiential approach to healing, one that goes beyond talk therapy.
  • You are experiencing a major life crisis and seeking deep wisdom and insights.
  • You want to release unresolved issues from the past.
  • You want to understand the emotional roots of a persistent physical / psychosomatic condition.
  • You want to expand your consciousness and further explore your spiritual path.

Schedule

The workshop starts on Thursday at 5:30 pm and closes on Sunday  around 1 pm.

Thursday evening: Opening Circle, getting to know each other, collage making and introduction to Holotropic Breathwork® until around 10 pm.

Friday and Saturday: four breathwork sessions:  two times “breathing” and two times: “sitting”. Integration will happen through artwork, sharing (as much or as little as you like) and body movement. Information on integration and self-care will be given.

Sunday: sharing and closing circle and practical information on integration.

The workshop will be held in English with translation to German if needed.

All participants agree to staying for the whole workshop (Friday and Saturday); we do not offer an option for partial participation.

Austria Holotropic Breathwork® Weekend Workshop

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN A GTT VIRTUAL MODULE AND WISH TO USE IT TOWARD CERTIFICATION, THIS HB WORKSHOP CAN BE USED TO COMPLETE THE MODULE REQUIREMENT.  

Information and registration

This double Holotropic Breathwork® workshop allows for self-healing and self-exploration as well as accessing the roots of emotional and psychosomatic challenges one might face. During this workshop two breathwork sessions (one as a breather and one as a sitter) will allow you in a very safe setting to access expanded states of consciousness, in which your own wisdom connects with your inner healing and inner transforming power. This healing wisdom guides the experiences towards those aspects which carry a charge, and are ready to be processed or integrated. Holotropic Breathwork® might be of interest if

  • You are seeking a more experiential approach to healing, one that goes beyond talk therapy.
  • You are experiencing a major life crisis and seeking deep wisdom and insights.
  • You want to release unresolved issues from the past.
  • You want to understand the emotional roots of a persistent physical / psychosomatic condition.
  • You want to expand your consciousness and further explore your spiritual path.

Schedule

The workshop starts on Thursday at 5:30 pm and closes on Sunday  around 1 pm.

Thursday evening: Opening Circle, getting to know each other, collage making and introduction to Holotropic Breathwork® until around 10 pm.

Friday and Saturday: four breathwork sessions:  two times “breathing” and two times: “sitting”. Integration will happen through artwork, sharing (as much or as little as you like) and body movement. Information on integration and self-care will be given.

Sunday: sharing and closing circle and practical information on integration.

The workshop will be held in English with translation to German if needed.

All participants agree to staying for the whole workshop (Friday and Saturday); we do not offer an option for partial participation.

Austria in-person module / Celebrating Wild Potency – Bealtaine and the Sacred Marriage

The Festival of Bealtaine is one of the most important celebrations of the Year. A fire festival (Bel – a God of the Sun + tinne – fire), we celebrate the union of the Sun and the Earth, the cleansing and fertility of the land and all of her creatures. We embrace and dance with the wild potency of life.

At a time in the world where societal and sexual relationships are fractured or strained due to gender inequality and the dominance of patriarchal institutions, exploration and healing of our intimate and community relationships is deeply important.

During this workshop, we will take time to explore our creative potency and the balance of our sexual energies. Through meditation, journey, chant and sharing, we will tend to the core of our life, our inner creative spark to help us empower our lives and deepen our relationship with Life.

During the course of the six-day workshop, each participant will experience two sessions of HB as an experiencer, or “breather,” and two sessions as a partner, or “sitter”. Besides the breathwork experiences and the topics covered (described below), there will be art, music, dancing, film, and integration during the workshop.

To participate in the module it is not necessary to have previous experience in Holotropic Breathwork. It is required to complete a brief confidential medical form. If you wish to continue with the Grof Transpersonal Training, this module can be used as one of the three optional topics.

The seminar hotel respects and requires the Covid-19 distance and hygiene regulations.

If you are in doubt or have any specific questions please get in touch personally before the module.

Registration

Rachela Dobrzańska

Rachela Dobrzańska (module facilitator) studied psychology and completed the Grof Transpersonal Training program. Besides being a Holotropic Breathwork® facilitator she also certified as a Trance Dance facilitator. She is passionate about therapy in altered states of consciousness, both as a part of her personal development and as a means of supporting others. Primarily, she works with groups, organizing and facilitating Holotropic Breathwork® workshops since 2017. Her individual work with people focuses mainly on integrative practices. The integration of processes and insights from expanded states of consciousness is a topic that truly captivates her. Holding space for others in transformative processes is a significant part of her life and a way of fulfilling her potential. She loves combining inner journeys with travels far beyond the borders of her own country. She has facilitated and co-organized Holotropic Breathwork® workshops in various locations, including Colombia, Norway, Finland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Georgia. Privately, she is the holotropic mama of 4-year-old Teo.