On November 1, communities across the world honor the Day of the Dead, a time when the boundary between the living and the departed is said to soften. It is a day of remembrance, reverence, and celebration of those who came before us.

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In Grof® Breathwork, we also step into an expanded state of consciousness where the ordinary boundaries of time, self, and identity can soften. Through the power of the breath, participants often encounter profound experiences of release, renewal, and sometimes even connection with ancestral wisdom or archetypal realms.

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Bringing these two traditions together, our session on November 1 invites us to honor what has passed, to be open to what is seeking transformation, and breathe into the mystery of life and death as part of one great cycle.

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What is Grof® Breathwork?​

Grof® Breathwork, originally known as Holotropic Breathwork, was developed by Stanislav and Christina Grof at the Esalen Institute in 1974. The term “holotropic” combines Greek roots meaning “moving toward wholeness.” Using the analogy of a plant turning toward the sun (heliotropic), holotropic states invite us to explore the full depth of our being—our true identity and connection to the cosmos (Grof, 1998).

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To distinguish this method from the many breathwork styles that exist today, we use the term Grof® Breathwork to honor the original lineage of research and practice established by the Grofs.

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The practice itself is elegantly simple yet profoundly impactful. It combines accelerated breathing, carefully curated music, and supportive bodywork to help release unconscious, somatic, and emotional blocks. Participants will work in pairs for the two breathwork sessions, alternating roles as “breather” and “sitter.” During the session, the sitter provides basic support and responds to the breather’s needs, such as a drink of water or an extra blanket.

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This workshop is a one-day immersive event where participants will experience both roles—breather and sitter. Each experiential session lasts approximately three hours and is separated by a light lunch. To prepare, an introductory session on Grof® Breathwork will be held via Zoom on the Saturday evening before the workshop.