Holotropic breathing, a wellness alternative

Holotropic breathing is an experiential psychotherapy technique. The latter is an approach in which the intervention is carried out on basically mentally healthy people and involves exposing them to an experience in which they can better understand who they are and what position they adopt in real situations.

It must be noted that Experiential psychotherapy has its roots in so-called transpersonal psychologywhich, in turn, is a current of humanistic psychology, born in the 60s. As for holotropic breathing, specifically, it is a technique created by the Czech psychiatrist Stanislav Grof.

The central goal of holotropic breathing is to achieve an expanded state of consciousness. This is an experience similar to what can occur through the consumption of some psychotropic drugs, such as those used by shamans or certain spiritual guides. The difference is that in this case everything is achieved through breathing and has therapeutic purposes.

What is holotropic breathing?

Holotropic breathing is a technique that consists of provoke controlled hyperventilation, in order to generate a different and, in theory, expanded state of consciousness. The purpose is to increase self-knowledge and promote psychotherapeutic effects. The word holotropic comes from the Greek root hellowhich means ‘totality’ and climb, which means ‘to go towards’. So etymologically it means ‘going towards wholeness’.

Hyperventilation is breathing faster and deeper than normal. In a typical breath, oxygen is inhaled and carbon dioxide or CO2 is exhaled. The accelerated and intense breathing that occurs in hyperventilation causes the volume of oxygen to increase and the volume of carbon dioxide to decrease. Under normal conditions this causes discomfort such as anxiety, numbness, fainting, etc.

In holotropic breathing, hyperventilation is induced and regulated. In general, this technique can only be carried out under controlled conditions and, usually, in a group.. Otherwise, it could cause undesirable effects such as panic attacks. The method is not recommended for those who suffer from hypertension, respiratory or neurological diseases or mental health problems.

The technique

Typically, basic training is initially done to explain the technique, describe what can be expected from it, and indicate the precautions that must be taken into account when practicing. Holotropic breathing sessions are usually long, generally no less than four hours.

The practice should take place in a comfortable and quiet place. It begins when the “respirator” enters that space, almost always without shoes, and lies down on a mat. Relaxing music is then played, usually Tibetan, Chinese or Hindu. The music can never be interrupted during the session. Once all participants are comfortable, they begin with gentle breathing.

With eyes closed, or covered with masks, the practice of hyperventilation begins. You should breathe quickly and not stop doing so for the next few hours.. There is a person who directs the practice and sometimes the participants take turns acting as “breathers” or “caregivers”, consecutively.

Once the breathing session itself is concluded, each one must paint a mandala, or, in any case, create a symbolic drawing that reflects what you feel at that moment. At the end, a meeting of the entire group is held and individual experiences are shared.

The benefits of holotropic breathing

What is expected from holotropic breathing sessions is that, after maintaining hyperventilation for a while, a new state of consciousness begins to emerge. The basic approach states that This type of technique allows us to penetrate the deepest layers of the psyche. and when this happens, unconscious contents of great value for each person begin to emerge.

The usual thing is that forgotten or repressed episodes come to light. People, situations, emotions or perceptions come to mind. All of these are considered very important content for each person; They emerge precisely because they are aspects that have been blocked and they only resurface with a consciousness expansion technique.

Science has indicated that holotropic breathing It is a technique that offers benefits, mainly in terms of relaxation and emotional balance. However, there is no evidence that it produces any altered state of consciousness or that it allows the unconscious to be fully explored. Those who practice it, on the other hand, assure that it is possible.

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