The connection between the psyche and the breath is a fact long-known to humankind. Practically all psycho-spiritual systems which attempt to understand human nature consider breathing to be a deciding link between body, psyche and spirit. This is clearly expressed in many languages, for example, the Latin root spiritus (spirit) in such words as 'respiration', 'inspiration', etc.  

It has been known for centuries that consciousness can be influenced by breathwork. During the last few decades, Transpersonal Psychology has rediscovered this ancient experience and has confirmed the observations of Wilhelm Reich - that psychological resistance and defenses, physiological blockages and restricted breathing are all interrelated. 

In the process of studying consciousness, a world-renown scientist and a pioneer of transpersonal psychology, Stanislav Grof MD, developed a method called “Holotropic Breathwork.” Another researcher, Leonard Orr, discovered a similar technique that he called “Rebirthing.” The method combines a specific breathing technique, evocative music and focused bodywork. This method induces powerful holotropic states during which the participant has different experiences in terms of nature and intensity.

Effects

Consciousness changes qualitatively during a holotropic session. Usually, we remain fully oriented in space and time and do not lose contact with the surrounding reality. At the same time, in our field of consciousness appears content from other realms of being. In this way we simultaneously experience two very different realities - “one foot in each world.” 

The nature and the course of the sessions vary a great deal for different people, as well as for the same person during different sessions. With the eyes closed, the visual field may be flooded with images from our personal history and subconsciousness. This can be accompanied by various perceptual experiences – sounds, physical sensations, smells, tastes etc. 

Emotional qualities observed in holotropic sessions are quite varied and extensive. On the one hand, a person can encounter tremendous wellbeing, deep peace, bliss, cosmic unity and ecstasy. On the other hand, there can be episodes of anger, anxiety, sadness, hopelessness and failure. 

On the physiological level we can feel muscle cramps and pain representing bodily manifestation of unexpressed emotions and conflicts stuck in subconsciousness. 

Re-experiencing various aspects of biological birth is a frequently seen occurrence, reflected in the name of the therapeutic technique. This is related to the fact that birth is the first and deepest trauma of our life. At that time the personality is fractured, and deepening over time, this fracture adversely affects the quality of life. 

We can experience sequences of psycho-spiritual death and rebirth, as well as a wide array of transpersonal events - for example, the feeling of merging with other people, Nature, the Universe and God, or the identification with archetypal figures, animals, inanimate objects, etc. 

It is typical for all the aforementioned effects to intensify during the session and then to fade out gradually. A typical outcome of a holotropic session is emotional release and physical relaxation.