Cary Sparks (director, teacher) has been supporting people in the course of their inner journeys for over 35 years. She is committed to holding space for those going through personal transformation of all sorts.
Cary and Tav Sparks co-directed Grof Transpersonal Training until Tav’s death in August, 2020. Beginning two years prior, Cary and a circle of advisors had already begun shepherding GTT and Holotropic Breathwork® forward following Tav’s retirement.
Cary began administrating GTT in 1990, working at that time with Stanislav and Christina Grof. In 1998, the Grofs sold the training organization to Tav and Cary. Cary organized multiple large workshops, trainings, and other events – led by Stanislav Grof, Christina Grof, Tav Sparks, and others – for over 30 years.
Cary began facilitating seekers on their inner journeys in 1986. She was certified in Holotropic Breathwork® in 1988, and has worked as a facilitator, workshop leader, and at training events. In 2019, Cary certified as facilitator of a SoulCollage®, a practice for accessing one’s intuition and creating a deeply meaningful personal deck of cards. Both practices rest upon and uphold the healing impulse and empowerment of the individual.
Cary’s book Incensed: The Novel, is a humorous take on the world of transformational workshops (not breathwork!). In addition to writing, her passions are equestrian sports, rock music, nature and her family and cats.
In 1988, Cary founded the Association for Holotropic Breathwork International (with support from Carlin Scherer and John Scherer). She founded and edited its newsletter, The Inner Door, later joined by Tav Sparks, for the first few years of its publication. More recently, Cary and Tav founded The Institute for Holotropics, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with the mission of education and promotion of Holotropic Breathwork® and the holotropic perspective. She is on the Board of Directors for California River Watch.
Cary was Co-Program Director (with Tav Sparks) for the 1995 International Transpersonal Association (ITA) conference in Santa Clara, California (US), Spirit in Action: Awakening to the Sacred in Everyday Life. She was Co-Assistant Program Coordinator, working closely with Stan and Christina Grof, for ITA conferences in Eugene, Oregon (US) in 1991; Atlanta, Georgia (US) in 1992; Prague, Czech Republic in 1998; and Palm Springs, California (US) in 2004. She also served on the ITA board of directors.
Cary is passionate about sharing the “experience, strength, and hope” she gained in supporting her beloved husband through his memory loss and his end-of-life journey. She welcomes the opportunity to connect with anyone facing their own or loved ones’ illness or dementia, and to share her experience with a partner who courageously chose a death with dignity.
Schedule a personal consultation with Cary Sparks here
