Holotropic Breathwork Workshop

Introduction to Holotropic Breathwork:

Exploration and Healing in Altered States of Consciousness

This Workshop Has Been Cancelled!

If you were interested in this, we may be rescheduling it for the fall. Be sure to let me know! [0]

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Join us for an extended seminar exploring one of the most powerful means for evoking inner healing through altered states of consciousness: holotropic breathwork. Developed in the mid-70s by Stanislav Grof, M.D. and his wife Christina Grof, both leaders in consciousness studies and founders of transpersonal psychology, holotropic breathwork is a structured and supported method for evoking deep process through breathing techniques and evocative music. Derived from the Greek words holos and tropism, the word holotropic indicates the movement toward wholeness that tends to arise through this form of breathwork. As noted by Stan Grof in his book Psychology of the Future, "in holotropic states, we can transcend the narrow boundaries of the ego and reclaim our full identity." More info. on Holotropic Breathwork [1].

The seminar will take place at Boulder Hot Springs [2], Boulder, Montana, from the evening of Friday, August 17 through the morning of Sunday, August 19.

For those considering whether to attend, an Introduction to the psychology of breathwork, the Grof's work, and psycho-spiritual healing through altered states of consciousness will be offered on the evenings of June 14, July 12, and possibly other dates by arrangement. These sessions will be held in Helena, MT., and will be helpful to those preparing for the breathwork experience, but are not required for attending the weekend seminar. There is no charge for attending these sessions. Contact us [2] for more information about the workshop or the introductory sessions.

Your facilitators for the seminar are Anne Little, Jay Dufrechou, and Patrick Marsolek.

Anne Little [3] joins us from Vancouver, British Columbia, where she has a private practice focusing on transpersonal psychology. Currently completing her dissertation for the doctorate in transpersonal psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (ITP), Anne has masters degrees in Transpersonal Psychology and Counseling Psychology. Anne has studied and practiced Holotropic Breathwork since 1989 and was certified as a holotropic breathwork facilitator by Dr. Stanislav and Christina Grof in 1993. Anne leads Holotropic Breathwork retreats and workshops in both Canada and the United States and also guides individuals and couples through private breathwork sessions.

For the last several years, Anne has been an avid student of shamanism, Tantric Buddhism and Hindu tantra. Anne specializes in helping individuals who are experiencing spiritual emergency and spiritual emergence issues, especially shamanic crisis, kundalini energies and psychic opening. She has been a student of Western astrology since 1994, including study with renowned writer and scholar Richard Tarnas, who links astrological archetypes to Grof's map of consciousness.

Anne is currently involved in three writing projects: Healing multigenerational family patterns using non-ordinary states of consciousness; The Serpent Way: A defacto approach to relationship in a braver and kinder world; and Divine Darkness: The sacred path of female empowerment. Jay Dufrechou has a doctorate in transpersonal psychology from ITP. His dissertation, Coming Home to Nature through the Body: An Intuitive Inquiry into Experiences of Grief, Weeping, and Other Deep Emotions in Response to Nature received the 2002 Sidney Jourard Award form the American Psychological Association, Humanistic Division.

Jay has taught in ITP's global doctoral program and continues to sit on dissertation committees for ITP and the California Institute of Integral Studies. In Helena since 1999, Jay combines his transpersonal interests with a law/mediation practice through the Dufrechou Law Firm. He leads Dream Groups in the fall and spring. Along with Orlinda Worthington, Jay co-hosts The Woo Crew, a weekly community television show (Channel 11) focusing on spiritual (and otherwise woo-woo) topics. Jay has known Anne Little since 1995, when they began ITP's residential doctorate program together. They share many interests and breath-taking memories. Jay has recently renewed his holotropic breathwork experience through workshops with colleagues of Anne in Calgary, Alberta, and Nelson, British Columbia.

Patrick Marsolek [3] completes our facilitator group with years of experience working with individuals and groups in altered and shamanic states of consciousness. He began his personal path of consciousness study with two trips to India puursuing meditation and yoga. Later he worked extensively with Raymond Worring and the Investigative Research Field Station researching, intuition, hypnosis and mutual hypnosis and altered states. Currently, Patrick is a clinical hypnotherapist, director of Inner Workings Resources, and the author of "Transform Yourself: a self-hypnosis manual". He teaches classes on trance, intuition, group consciousness and working with intention. He leads experiential workshops on personal and group transformation, often working with the sacred landscapes in Montana. Patrick brings to our facilitation team an emphasis on creating a safe, loving and supportive group container within a spiritual and heart based connection to each other and the healing waters and land of Boulder Hot Springs. Workshop Cost: $250 (including meals at Boulder Hot Springs.) Some scholarships, or sliding scale payments, may be available on request.

Lodging is separate. Please contact [4]Boulder Hot Springs online or call (406) 225-4339 for accomodation options. Note: They have a full range of options to fit your needs from Single B & B rooms to camping.) Schedule - Introductory Sessions:

Thursday, June 14, 7 - 9 p.m., at the Dufrechou Law Firm, 21 N. Last Chance Gulch, Suite 207, Helena. Jay and Patrick will host a viewing of Holotropic Breathwork: A conversation with Christina and Stanislav Graf, which will be followed by discussion of some of Jay's recent experiences in holotropic breathwork and a question and answer session. This popular original video contains an interview with Christina and Stan about the breathwork process and includes footage of a breathwork session. This gathering is open to all interested people at no charge.
Thursday, July 12, 7 - 9 p.m., at the Dufrechou Law Firm, 21 N. Last Chance Gulch, Suite 207. Jay and Patrick will host a viewing of Healing Potential of Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness, which continues the conversation (through video) with breathwork founder Stan Grof. In this video, Grof explains in more depth his understandings emerging from decades of study of healing through altered states. Following the video, we will continue the discussion about transpersonal psychology and answer questions about the breathwork process. This gathering is open to all interested people at no charge.
Thursday, August 9, 7 - 9 p.m., at the Dufrechou Law Firm, 21 N. Last Chance Gulch, Suite 207. In preparation for the breathwork experience, Jay will present the Grof map of consciousness, including the Birth Perinatal Matrices, as discovered by Grof through research into breathwork and LSD experiences. We will also introduce the basic structure and expectations of the upcoming breathwork session. This gathering is open to registered seminar participants and is strongly encouraged for those participants. Participation by listening through speaker-phone connection is possible for those participants not in the Helena area.

Schedule - Weekend Retreat

Friday, August 17, Boulder Hot Springs. We will gather after dinner (around 7 p.m.) with Patrick and Jay for group introductions, creating the intentional and physical space for our shared journey, some intentional settling and partnering for Saturday's breathwork session. This sessions may involve some dream incubation, and/or opportunity for some movement/music depending on group interests.

Saturday, August 18, Boulder Hot Springs. 9:00 a.m. through approximately 5:00 p.m. Anne joins us for facilitation of the breathwork experience. On Saturday morning, Anne will explain the breathwork process and review Grof's map of consciousness. Then the breathing begins! With assistance from Jay and Patrick, Anne will facilitate and monitor our experiences in breathing. We will engage in one breathing session in the morning, followed by mandala drawing as an expression of our experiences. After a light lunch, we will switch places and the morning "breathers" will "sit" while their partners "breathe." Each breathwork session lasts approximately two to three hours. After both sessions, we will have a snack and meet for a brief sharing, making sure we are all fine for the evening. Jay and Patrick will be available in the evening for private or small group questions and sharing in our collective group space. Art supplies will be available for further creative expression of our experiences.

Sunday, August 19, Boulder Hot Springs. Jay will meet with early risers before breakfast for sharing of dreams from the prior evening. Then from approximately 9:00 a.m. through noon, we will gather for our final meeting, sharing reflections on our time together and moving toward a closing ritual led by Anne and Patrick. This may take the form of a shamanic journey depending on how spirit calls.

Further questions about this workshop may be directed to Jay at (406) 442-2012 or (406) 439-2681; or to Patrick at (406) 443-3439 or online here [4].

Additional Information: For those interested in learning about breathwork prior to the experience, we recommend "The Breathwork Experience" by Kylea Taylor or any book by the Grofs. Jay has two copies of Kylea's book, and several books by the Grofs, for loan on request. Additional information is available through Anne's website [5]the Grof website [6] or Patrick's website [6].

Important: Contraindications

Because some of the experiences which arise can be fairly intense and physical, the experiential portion of the workshop is not appropriate for pregnant women, people with heart conditions (history of heart attacks, cardiac insufficiency, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and similar disorders) or those with a history of severe emotional disorder or psychiatric hospitalization. When in doubt, call or email Anne with questions. She can be reached at (604) 601-4965 or holobreath@aol.com.

Boulder Hot Springs [7] - This place was named "Peace Valley" by the First People of this land because they believed that all people should be able to come here to heal in the hot mineral waters. It was a place of healing, gathering, and celebration, giving it a unique history as a place where hostilities were laid aside. Boulder hot springs serves home-cooked meals with mostly organic food and is a smoke-free, alcohol-free environment. For room or camping reservations, please contact Boulder Hot Springs directly.