![FOCUS ON BREATH: A Holotropic Breathwork workshop will take place in Goa this July.](http://media.assettype.com/gomantaktimes%2F2024-07%2F4a8315ae-3a56-44e4-8533-743c2bdec92f%2FGT%20QUINTYPE%20COVER%20TEMPLATE%20.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
If you are looking for personal exploration, emotional healing and enhanced well-being, here’s something you may want to consider. Co-facilitated by Fr KC Thomas and Meena Iyer, a Holotropic Breathwork session will be held this July in Goa.
Bangalore-based breathwork facilitator, Meena Iyer, is thrilled to bring her first workshop to Goa.
“People can expect to have a deep journey into their psyche, profound relaxation, relief from trauma and a close connection to their core values,” she says.
For those curious about Holotropic Breathwork, it’s a transformative process of fast rhythmic breathing with evocative music.
The term is coined from two Greek words – holos meaning 'wholeness' and trepein meaning 'moving towards'. It was created by Czech psychiatrist Dr Stanislav Grof and his late wife, Christina Grof.
In simpler terms, Meena breaks down the technique saying, “It takes you deep into your psyche just by the power of your breath aided by music which is specially curated – it goes from vigorous rhythmic tracks, to melodic pieces evoking emotions and comes to rest in contemplative meditative music drawn from spiritual traditions.”
Lying down on mattresses with eyeshades, participants enter the world of their psyche, just by breathing a little faster and deeper than normal, going through body sensations and catharsis that is indicative of trauma released from their bodies. The session lasts for about 2 to 2½ hours.
“Usually, when it ends, paper and crayons are provided to breathers to make a mandala drawing depicting their breathwork journey. The day ends with a sharing circle where experiences are talked about briefly,” says Meena. “Every breather is supported by a sitter who silently takes care of them through the session providing support when asked for.”
Fr Thomas is certified by GTT (Grof Transpersonal Training), and Meena are co-facilitating this workshop.
It is a residential workshop for those travelling to Goa and available non-residentially to those who live in Goa. However, one can choose to stay at the venue if they desire.
“For most people, this is an experience of nurture leading to even resolution, from childhood wounds of abandonment or neglect,” reveals Meena.
At her first breathwork, as someone practicing conventional therapy and even working with the subconscious through hypnosis, she clearly saw this technique taking healing to the next level without any narratives, which made her proceed and complete her certification. She now offers this work with Fr Thomas in all metros.
For most people, this is an experience of nurture, leading to even resolution, from childhood wounds of abandonment or neglect.
Meena Iyer, organiser, Holotropic Breathwork workshop
“In Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, we’ve got men and women (30 to 60 years) who are interested in delving deep into their psyche, those in their therapy journeys, or those who are just curious how this will work,” she notes.
She adds that even youngsters in their 20s, who’ve been contemplating or have tried medicine-assisted therapy with plant medicines, and therapists and healers wanting to try it out before learning how to facilitate and become certified in this work, have shown keen interest.
So, this July, you can embark on a transformative journey in Goa. “Anyone who is 18 years and above can attend. But, take note of the contraindications that include glaucoma and retinal detachment, pregnancy, epilepsy, recent surgery under general anaesthesia and prescription medications for psychiatric disorders,” says Meena, extending an invite to all.
NOTE: This is a therapeutic process to be undertaken with a sitter and certified facilitator only. It is not a practice to be learnt and done regularly on one’s own.
DETAILS:
WHAT: Holotropic Breathwork Workshop
WHERE: At Sohum Spiritual Resort.
WHEN: July 27 & 28
TIMINGS: 9 am to 6 pm
PRICING: The workshop fee is Rs 13,500 (inclusive of lunch and tea). A residential workshop ranges from Rs 15,500 to Rs 19,500 depending on the number of days you stay at the resort.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Reach out meenaiyer99@gmail.com