The practice of circular breathing to experience higher states of consciousness was practiced in the ancient cultures of India, China, and Tibet.
In the self-awareness era of the late 1960s and early 1970s, two main styles of Breathwork re-emerged in Western Culture: Rebirthing and Holotropic Breathwork.
Rebirthing was discovered and developed by Leonard Orr. He was sitting in a hot tub experimenting with ‘conscious connected breathing’ when he experienced his own birth. Leonard credited Shri Mahavatar Babaji for inspiring him at his Ashram in the Himalayas.
One of Leonard’s first clients was Sandra Ray, who went on to teach Rebirthing worldwide. Sandra is often referred to as the ‘Mother of Rebirthing.’
Leonard wrote on his website about Rebirthing sessions:
“People experienced the peace that surpasses all understanding,”
Stanislav Grof founded Holotropic Breathwork. Dr. Grof had worked with many people therapeutically using LSD before it became classified as an illegal drug. In these psychedelic sessions, Grof noted the breathing pattern, especially at the end of the session, prolonged the influence of the drug. Stan and his wife Christina began to research breath and breathing patterns and found that achieving non-ordinary states of mind with the breath was deeply and profoundly healing.
– From the Grof® Legacy Training Website
There are many styles and schools of Breathwork now, so it is easy to find a practitioner and practice that resonates with you.
Clarity Breathwork was the first Breathwork training I received. Even after experiencing many other schools and breathwork practitioners, I still feel it is the most powerful format to facilitate for my clients. That said, the woman I breathe with regularly is a Transformational Breathworker and studied with Dr. Judith Kravitz.
Breathwork is my number one life-centering practice. There is nothing more exciting and satisfying than sharing this healing with others.
Jeri Lawson has a full-time healing practice in Oakland, California. She is available for Healing Touch, Reiki, and Clarity Breathwork Monday through Friday. 510-601-9632 jerilawson@mac.com
“So much of the breathe is a blur. In some ways, it felt long, it felt the full 50 minutes. In others, I did not want it to end because it was lovely. I did manage to focus on my breath. I did manage to float. That’s what it felt like—I would float. Detach completely. I was conscious of it—the coming and going. I’d leave my body and come back. I’d feel the breath as I came back. I was very conscious of coming back into my body and then slowly feeling myself float off again. It was gentle, light. There was a LOT of light too, so much light. The whole room held all this light almost the whole time.”
Last Monday, I went to my first Physical Therapy appointment for my grade three left acomioclavicular joint dislocation and my fractured right wrist. Even though my Physical Therapist looked like she was twelve years old, she was very present and knowledgeable. I found out grade three is one grade away from surgery, so I guess it was a fairly serious injury.
I worked out of my home for the first eighteen years of my business. This worked really well until a shift occurred in my personal life, and the energy in my house changed. I knew it was time to move my practice outside my living space.