NOT EVERY EXPERIMENT WITH FASTER BREATHING IS HOLOTROPIC BREATHWORK®
by Tomek Kwieciński, Director of Holotropic Poland and author of
Follow the Call: Discover the Hidden Therapeutic Power of Expanded States of Consciousness
In some areas of life, the name of a well-known brand becomes confused with a term for similar products, such as Jeep® for a style of vehicle, or Kleenex® for facial tissues. While this can be a compliment to the original, it also creates confusion: the weaknesses of imitations are often attributed to the authentic method. It’s easier to understand that a car is created by a single company with a specific logo that can be quickly recognized. It’s more difficult to realize that a wellness practice may have little in common with its various imitators, who change crucial details, distort the meaning of the method to its most characteristic elements, and often haven’t even been around the original.
This can happen with Holotropic Breathwork®, a method which consists of not only a defined set of elements, but a crucial underlying philosophy: the “holotropic perspective” or “holotropic paradigm” as I describe below.
Together, the practice and principles that define Holotropic Breathwork® make it different from any other method of conscious connected breathing — the generic category it falls under — or even other “Grof-style” breathwork practices. Holotropic Breathwork® is a registered trademark in many countries, and should not be confused with other breathwork practices, even similar ones.
New participants at our workshops are always asked about their previous experience, and many say they have already “done it.” But often what they describe varies widely: two minutes of rapid breathing in a chair, a short exercise during business training, a 45-minute session at a festival, or a workshop that looked similar but contained crucial changes. Some of these versions were simply superficial; others were conducted in ways that were unethical or even dangerous.
Many of those leading such sessions have never participated in genuine Holotropic Breathwork® and focus mainly on accelerated breathing. This is understandable—the name suggests that breathing technique is the key. But the essence of the holotropic process lies elsewhere: in the complete structure of the session and in the philosophy behind it. Taking one element out of context does not recreate the method. Knowing a few techniques from Nonviolent Communication does not mean you are practicing the full process. Throwing a punch does not make you a karate teacher.
The original Holotropic Breathwork®, developed by Stanislav and Christina Grof and later carried forward by certified trainers authorized to use the trademarked term, is far more than a breathing exercise. Its transformative power comes from a carefully designed structure: evocative music, a specific approach to emerging experiences, trained facilitator support, three-hour breathing sessions, dedicated sitters, mandala drawing for integration, structured sharing, and the overall arc of preparation, experience, and integration. All of these elements work together within a coherent paradigm.
Even mastering the structure is not enough. A deep understanding of the holotropic philosophy—gained through years of training and practice—is essential. It guides not only interventions during intense moments but also how facilitators speak, respond, and hold the space. Experienced facilitators, even from different countries, immediately recognize when someone is working within this paradigm—and when they are not. Without this foundation, sessions may lead to retraumatization, boundary violations, or simply no meaningful results. The distortion that Holotropic Breathwork — which is a complex practice learned over many years — is merely an acceleration of breathing is a complete simplification of this approach, and the imitations are reported by many to be ineffective by comparison.
During the first workshop my partner and I offered in the country of Georgia, participants told us about a previous event called “Holotropic Breathwork.” It differed in two major ways: sitters were also instructed to breathe, and they were allowed to touch breathers without explicit permission. Some participants experienced this as traumatic. This clearly contradicted the core principles of safety, respect for boundaries, and careful support of each person’s inner process.
Holotropic Breathwork® is generally safer than taking psychedelic substances, but it is equally powerful work. Accelerated breathing in the right context can open deep emotional material. Without proper training, screening, preparation, and integration, this can lead to panic, retraumatization, or even serious psychological consequences. Even experienced assistants have shared how challenging it is to hold responsibility for a whole group without senior support. Humility is essential in this work.
Another problem is that a poorly designed experiment may discourage people from authentic Holotropic Breathwork®—either by presenting it as reckless and extreme or, in watered-down versions, as shallow and ineffective.
Some copycat facilitators have never attended an original session. Others may have participated once or twice but did not complete formal training. What they often share is a misunderstanding of the method’s essence, replaced by an overemphasis on one element: hyperventilation itself, catharsis, positive thinking, or dramatic facilitator interventions. Common omissions include proper screening, careful preparation, and thorough integration. In some extreme cases, people with serious contraindications are allowed to participate, substances are combined with breathing, or intensive sessions are conducted online. These practices contradict the safety standards of Holotropic Breathwork®.
So let me be clear: Holotropic Breathwork® is a specific, complex methodology developed and refined by trained professionals. Each element has a function within a larger framework. It cannot be reduced to “fast breathing,” nor can it be mixed with arbitrary additions while keeping the original name.
If someone creates a different and meaningful method—wonderful. But it should be named accordingly. Using the name Holotropic Breathwork® without proper training and adherence to its structure misleads participants and distorts the method itself. In many locations, it is also violating a trademark.
In summary: if we breathed quickly alone at home, during another workshop, at a festival, at a tantra retreat, online, or combined with substances—then we did not experience Holotropic Breathwork®. Perhaps the experience was helpful. Perhaps it was powerful. But it was not Holotropic Breathwork®.
