Altered states of consciousness include a wide range of phenomena from physiological sleep to a twilight state of consciousness in patients with severe forms of mental pathology. United into a group according to one single characteristic - difference from the “normal”, everyday state of consciousness - a certain level of wakefulness in which a person lives and acts, they

have long attracted the attention of researchers in various specialties.

As factual material accumulated, it became obvious that non-pathological forms of altered states of consciousness play an important role in a person’s mental life. Sleep, for example, is a necessary condition for human life and health, and sleep disorders are a symptom of a large number of various diseases.

The study of altered states of consciousness, especially in recent decades, has forced scientists to seriously reconsider existing views on reality and human nature. However, the study of consciousness still retains a very unique methodological approach, which, on the one hand, considers it (consciousness) as an epiphenomenon of matter and a by-product of the physiological processes of the brain, and on the other hand, studies it in isolation from a specific carrier (human) as a whole. . At the same time, most researchers persistently search for the mechanisms of influence of matter (an organism) on consciousness, linking its violations with damage to certain structures and only stating the fact of the influence of consciousness on matter. Having divided, following Descartes, a person into two components and studying them in isolation from each other, we ultimately come to a kind of logical nonsense, when the sum of the parts is not equal to the whole: having psychology and physiology, we are forced to sadly admit the absence of a person between them.

Modern ideas about the place and role of altered states of consciousness in human life and activity

Encouraging developments in the field of understanding human nature and consciousness began to occur just over two decades ago. In the 70s, breathing methods were rediscovered and entered into widespread psychotherapeutic practice. In 1974, the book “Rebirth in the New Age” by Leonard Orr and Sandra Ray was published, which talked about the use of the technique of “rebirth” (rebirthing) in psychotherapy and self-knowledge, based on the catalytic action of intense breathing in the process of integration of consciousness. This was the first step: the physiological process of breathing changes the state of consciousness, transferring it to a qualitatively new level - integration, and integrated consciousness rebuilds the body, restoring impaired functions, achieving a state of integrity of the human personality as such, both man and the World.

However, rebirthing was and remains a psychotechnics, that is, a practical technique aimed at a specific result, and not a philosophical concept explaining the World.

Through the work of Jim Leonard and Phil Louth, rebirthing was formalized into a coherent psychotechnical system with its own “philosophy for internal use,” the philosophy of acceptance and transformation into joy; but these same authors unequivocally state: rebirthing is not treatment, religion, psychology, medicine, hypnosis or anything else related to them; but this is not their replacement. Rebirthing is a modern, advanced self-help method that gives a person positive and deeply detailed insights into their mind, body and emotions. It enables the mind and body to gently rewire itself in ways that increase happiness, performance, and health.

The famous transpersonal psychologist and psychotherapist, S. Grof, in his initial experiments on the use of breathing in psychotherapy, relied on the work of L. Orr and S. Rey. At the end of the 70s, he used intense breathing (in the form of hyperventilation, i.e. forced exhalation) to release emotional tensions that were revealed but not resolved in a psychedelic therapy session. Shortly after the final ban on the use of psychedelics in psychotherapy, Grof discovered that intense breathing, combined with specially selected music and special preliminary preparation of participants, could produce experiential effects similar to those that arose in psychedelic therapy sessions.

Working in this direction, S. Grof and his collaborators created a unique psychotherapeutic technique, which they called holotropic therapy (holonomic integration). The term "holotropic" means "aimed at restoring wholeness."

The basic philosophical premise of such a strategy is based on the fact that each person in our culture functions far below his real potential capabilities and abilities, and this impoverishment occurs because the individual identifies himself with only one aspect of his being, the physical body and ego. This false identification leads to an unhealthy and incomplete, impoverished lifestyle devoid of authenticity, contributing to the development of emotional and psychosomatic disorders of a psychogenic nature. The development of symptoms of distress that do not have an organic origin can be considered an indicator that the person, based on false premises, has reached a critical moment when it is clearly clear that the previous way of life not only “does not work”, but is no longer tenable. It can affect certain specific areas of life, such as marriage and sex, professional activities, various aspirations and goals, or it can manifest itself in all areas of life simultaneously, having its destructive effect. The duration and depth of such a breakdown are quite consistent (correlated) with the development of psychotic phenomena. The resulting situation turns out to be a crisis or even critical, but at the same time very fruitful, fraught with great opportunities.

The emerging symptoms reflect the body's attempt to free itself from old stress and trauma and return to natural functioning. At the same time, all these manifestations essentially characterize the process of identifying the true personality and the dimension of being that commensurates a person with all the diversity of existence. If conditions are favorable, this process has radical results - problem solving, psychosomatic healing and evolution of consciousness, and therefore can be considered an exclusively beneficial, spontaneously manifested, health-improving activity of the body, which should be encouraged and supported in every possible way, and not suppressed. This understanding of the nature of psychopathology is the main credo of holotropic therapy.

The main goal of practical psychotherapy methods is to activate the unconscious, release Energy “stuck” in emotional and psychosomatic symptoms, and transform the stationary balance of energy included in the flow of experience. Holotropic therapy promotes the activation of the unconscious, having such a powerful effect that it causes extraordinary states of consciousness. Its main credo is the recognition of the potential of unusual states of consciousness, capable of transformation and evolution and having a healing effect. Since in these states of consciousness the human psyche appears to be capable of spontaneous healing activity, holotropic therapy uses methods of activating the psyche and inducing unusual states of consciousness. This usually leads to a change in the dynamic balance of the original symptoms, which are transformed into a stream of unusual experiences that disappear in this process.

The main strategy of holotropic therapy is to trust the wisdom of our body. Many examples confirm the correctness of Wilhelm Reich's observations that psychological resistance and defense use mechanisms of breathing restriction. Respiration is an autonomous function, but it can also be influenced by will; Increasing the rhythm of breathing and increasing its effectiveness contributes to the release and manifestation of unconscious (and superconscious) material. However, in most cases, hyperventilation initially causes quite dramatic consequences in the form of intense emotional and psychosomatic manifestations. It is appropriate here to briefly address the misconceptions about hyperventilation that are ingrained in the Western medical model. In textbooks on respiratory physiology, the so-called “hyperventilation syndrome” is described as a standard and obligatory physiological response to rapid breathing. This primarily includes the famous “carpopedal spasm” - involuntary twitching of the arms and legs.

Symptoms of "hyperventilation syndrome" are usually viewed in a pathological context and explained in terms of biochemical changes in the blood, such as increased alkalinity and decreased calcium ionization.

Usually, when signs of hyperventilation appear, they begin to give tranquilizers, give intravenous infusions of calcium, and apply a paper bag to the face to prevent a decrease in the carbon dioxide content in the alveolar air.

Based on the results and course of holotropic therapy sessions, this understanding of hyperventilation is incorrect. There are many people who do not develop the classic "hyperventilation syndrome" even after prolonged sessions; on the contrary, they experience a feeling of increasing relaxation, intense sexual feelings and even mystical experiences. Some of them develop tensions in various parts of the body, but the nature of these tensions is very different from carpopedal spasm. Moreover, prolonged hyperventilation not only does not cause a progressive increase in tension, but leads to a critical climax, followed by deep relaxation. The nature of this sequence is comparable to an orgasm. In addition, in repeated holotropic sessions, the overall amount of muscular tension and dramatic emotions tends to decrease. Everything that happens in this process can be interpreted as the body’s desire to respond to a change in the biochemical situation by bringing to the surface in a fairly stereotypical form various old, deeply hidden tensions and releasing them through peripheral discharge. This usually happens in two ways. The first is in the form of catharsis and arousal, which includes tremors, jerking, dramatic body movements, coughing, gasping, gagging, screaming and other vocal manifestations or increased activity of the autonomic nervous system. This mechanism is well known in traditional psychiatry from the work of Sigmund Freud and Joseph Breuer on hysteria.

The second mechanism is a relatively new principle in psychiatry and psychotherapy and appears to be much more effective and interesting than the first. In this case, deep tensions manifest themselves in the form of prolonged contractions and prolonged spasms. By maintaining such muscle tension for a long time, the body wastes a huge amount of accumulated energy and, freeing itself from it, facilitates its functioning.

The typical result of a holotropic session is deep emotional release (unloading) and physical relaxation. Thus, prolonged hyperventilation is an extremely powerful and effective method of stress relief, promoting emotional and psychosomatic healing. Spontaneous cases of hyperventilation in people suffering from mental illness can therefore be considered an attempt at self-medication. It follows from this that spontaneous hyperventilation must be supported in every possible way, and not suppressed.

The nature and course of the holotropic process depend on the individual characteristics of the person and change from session to session. Physical manifestations include, in addition to muscle tension, headaches and pain in different parts of the body, shortness of breath, choking, nausea and vomiting, increased salivation, sweating, sexual sensations and a variety of motor movements.

All this indicates that a change in the state of consciousness during a holotropic session under the influence of hyperventilation is accompanied by various changes in the physical state of a person. Stanislav Grof has developed a breathtakingly beautiful and at the same time convincingly rigorous concept that connects all the diversity of observed phenomena and healing effects into a single picture of the World, challenging the dominant scientific paradigm. A detailed presentation of the scientific and philosophical theory of S. Grof is beyond the scope of this review, however, in the context of the problems discussed, I would like to note some of its provisions.

Observations obtained in the process of practical work confirm the idea first put forward by Carl Gustav Jung: the psyche has a powerful potential for self-healing, and the source of autonomous healing powers is the collective unconscious. Healing turns out to be the result of the dialectical interaction of consciousness with the individual and collective unconscious. According to Grof, this interaction is realized through the inclusion of the “internal healer” program. Unfortunately, this concept remains purely philosophical and allegorical for him, devoid of structural substrate and physiological content.

The next important and interconnected concepts are the current holographic model of the human psyche, which has an expanded cartography that includes, in addition to the biographical, the perinatal and transpersonal levels. Moreover, if the idea of ​​the perinatal level of the psyche and guesses about its role belong to Otto Rank, then the transpersonal level, the content of which is not related to the biographical framework and events of the life of a given individual, was included in the model by Grof. He also developed Rank's ideas, formulating the concept of basal perinatal matrices (BPM), the pathological activation of which is associated with the presence of certain diseases and conditions in a person, and the correction of this activation leads to healing.

And finally, many observations from the practice of holotropic and psychedelic therapy, which are completely incompatible with the Newtonian-Cartesian paradigm of Western science and represent a serious challenge to the mechanistic model of the World, led S. Grof to the idea that consciousness can no longer be considered as an epiphenomenon of matter and a by-product of physiological brain processes. Taking into account the latest data, consciousness turns out to be the primary attribute of being and is woven into the very matter of the phenomenological world. The Human psyche is not the result of the biographical events of his life, but a manifestation commensurate with the entire universe and all of existence.

Grof's ideas served as a powerful catalyst for research thought in many countries of the world, incl. in Russia. Thus, a group of Moscow rebreathers, based on the works of S. Grof and a deep study of world spiritual traditions, created a psychotechnical breathing technique called psychosynthesis. In a guide to the use of the method of psychosynthesis in the psychotherapy of various mental and psychosomatic disorders, one of the creators of the method, V. Maikov, examines in detail the connection between breathing and consciousness based on seriously mythological and ethnological material. Noteworthy is the fact that the words “breath” and “spirit” are synonymous with life, having the same root in the vast majority of world languages ​​and dialects. This ubiquitous etymological connection between breath and life is not accidental. According to modern researchers, the fact that phenomena of different nature (mental and physiological) have a deep etymological relationship reflects not just the archaic undifferentiated ideas of our ancestors, but indicates a real psychophysiological unity, namely, the presence of certain intersections in the deep layers of the psyche with breathing as a somatic process, and these intersections represent single functional formations. This point of view can be supported by the following argument.

It is known that respiratory homeostasis is a unique means of regulating the homeostasis of the body as a whole, because breathing is subject to dual - somatic and vegetative - control. From a generally accepted physiological point of view, hyperventilation leads to excessive release of carbon dioxide from the body, the development of hypocapnia with a decrease in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the alveolar air and oxygen in the arterial blood, as well as respiratory alkalosis. Some researchers have traced the hyperventilation chain of changes in homeostasis even further, right down to biochemical processes in the brain. It turned out that the changes here are very similar to those that occur under the influence of psychedelics. Further, V. Maikov simply quotes Grof, saying that hyperventilation can be a nonspecific catalyst for deep mental processes along with psychedelic substances. Moreover, the fact that similar phenomena are observed under the influence of factors of different nature, one of which (hyperventilation) is purely physiological, indicates that all these phenomena and effects are not created by a psychedelic drug or intense breathing, but reflect the properties inherent in our psyche. This is where the philosopher Maykov’s excursion into physiology ends.

Meanwhile, it is known that the action of LSD and its derivatives is realized through the serotonergic system. LSD is a serotonin (ST) agonist-antagonist. Another psychedelic substance, mescaline, is similar to norepinephrine and dopamine. When carefully studying the effects that develop during psychedelic and holotropic sessions, one can identify manifestations characteristic of interaction with both monoamineogic mediator systems: anger, aggression, anxiety, sadness and depression, feelings of failure, guilt, followed by peace, calm, a sense of relief, elation mood. Let us note that the antagonistic effect is replaced by an agonistic one.

Thus, already from the analysis of the phenomenology of the holotropic process and data from special literature, it is obvious that the observed events do not exist on their own, but are realized through well-known physiological mechanisms.

Modern holotropic therapy represents a large set of methodological versions. Strictly speaking, each therapist develops his own approach in accordance with his capabilities and the needs of a particular patient.

I work using an individual method, which includes elements of rebirthing, pneumosynthesis and pneumocatharsis.

The main components of this technique are connected breathing, maximum possible relaxation, total attention, change of context (transformation into joy), active trust, inducing music, directed work with the body and mandala drawing. When working with this version, music and mandala drawing are optional.

Connected breathing is breathing with an open mouth without pauses between inhalation and exhalation and exhalation and inhalation.

It includes two types. The first type corresponds to hyperventilation and is conditionally divided into two classes. The first class is deep, rapid breathing with active, somewhat forced inhalation and passive, relaxed exhalation. This is the main inducer of an altered state of consciousness. The second class is less deep, but still deeper than usual, breathing with a significantly higher frequency. This is the main tool for integration in an altered state of consciousness.

The second type of breathing differs qualitatively from the first: it is not hyperventilation. It can also be divided into two classes.

Third class, or “dog” - very shallow and very rapid breathing. Technically, it is carried out in two ways, depending on the physiological characteristics of the patient’s breathing: either with the upper part of the chest or with the diaphragm. The frequency of "dog" breathing is limited only by the threshold of impulse activity of the respiratory center - 50 impulses per minute.

Fourth class - the so-called "injection" breathing, as well as stopping (delay for a long time) are not allowed.

The first and second classes of breathing during holotropic therapy are brought to the level of automatism, when maintaining breathing in the required mode no longer requires conscious control. Such automatic, coherent breathing contains a biological feedback system: without the participation of consciousness, breathing itself adapts to a specific therapeutic situation.

The fourth class of breathing arises spontaneously during a session and is permissible only in one single situation: when breathing is automatically suppressed so as not to interfere with the deep flow of personally very significant experiences.

The third class is an artificial technical technique, a kind of “life preserver” that allows you to quickly get out of the flow of experiences that have become overly intense and traumatic. This technique is specially taught to patients, but it is not always used.

This type of breathing work ensures gradual entry into an altered state of consciousness, its control and a smooth, soft exit.

The maximum possible relaxation of the body precedes the breathing session and is maintained throughout it. The quality of the process largely depends on the quality of relaxation. Relaxation skills are improved throughout the holotropic course.

Total attention is the most important element of breathing psychotechnics.

I would like to immediately emphasize that the altered state of consciousness that occurs during a breathing session is not hypnotic. It is not created by external influence, but is the result of the patient’s independent actions, which are under the constant control of his consciousness. This is a state of increased wakefulness, extreme concentration of attention on inner experiences. The patient is asked to focus on the sensations arising in his body, without judging, to track his reaction to them, and then relentlessly observe their changes. In essence, total attention is introjection, but active introjection. Unlike Grof, I invite patients not only to observe and become aware of their experiences, but also to work creatively with them.

This creative work is referred to as a change of context, or transformation into joy. The task: to transform any experience into a joyful one and receive, in addition to benefits, also pleasure from the process. For this, there is a humorous instruction called “ninety ways to transform any negative context into a positive one,” but patients cope perfectly with this task without any instructions, discovering completely unexpected pleasing abilities in themselves. As part of this principle, I allow the use of various ways of responding, encouraging them in every possible way, and often encouraging patients to do so. Everything unconscious can be realized, everything unmanifested can be manifested, everything unexperienced can be experienced; the feeling of completeness and joy of being can become all-encompassing.

Active trust is, first of all, self-confidence. Everything that happens is not evaluated or criticized, but is taken for granted, since everything is correct if breathing is coherent, relaxation is maximum, and attention is total. Confidence in the technique is formed on the basis of an explanation of its safety and increases during the process, as results accumulate. Trust in the therapist is based on information about his competence and integrity. In the future, this trust increases many times over due to the fact that the relationship between the therapist and the patient in the holotropic process is similar to the relationship between the Teacher and the student in spiritual practice.

These five elements make up the rebirthing technique.

Initiating music was proposed by Grof as a powerful psychic stimulant that facilitates entry into an altered state of consciousness. These are specially selected and arranged fragments of various musical works, folklore recordings, as well as so-called “white noise”, reproduced on stereophonic equipment of high sound purity.

Directed work with the body represents special techniques for relieving residual or excessively strong tension and pain. The technique was developed by S. Grof and is used by him only at the end of the session. I work with the body throughout the session to enhance the sensations that arise and deepen the altered state of consciousness, to facilitate response and to complete the process.

Drawing a mandala is a very deep, effective and beautiful technique for completing integration. Working with the mandala was proposed by Joan Kellogg, an art therapy specialist, as part of her participation in the creation of a holotropic therapy program together with the Grof spouses.

A psychotherapy session looks like this: The introductory conversation contains questions and answers aimed at clarifying and integrating the identified situations, and may also include the use of any methods of verbal psychotherapy. Then the patient lies down on the mat on his back, closes his eyes and relaxes. The therapist conducts an introductory guided meditation with him, deepening relaxation and increasing concentration on the internal plane. After the meditation, the actual breathing session begins. The session ends with a final meditation to facilitate recovery from the altered state of consciousness and a patient report aimed at achieving integration. Verbal contact between patient and therapist during the session is limited. The average session duration is 4-5 hours.

Introduction

On one of the psychological Web sites on the global Internet, I came across this interesting phrase: “Personal development is the greatest hobby in the world.”

The goal of self-development is obvious - to become happier and stronger, to concentrate your attention on those aspects of your personality that lead to success, internal and professional growth, to open up ways for further improvement, new ways of seeing reality. This opportunity is provided by personal development practices, whose wide range - from religion and philosophy to the newfangled transpersonal psychology and thanatotherapy.

A person can change and improve something only when he has a clear understanding of what he wants to improve. Personal development methods primarily teach self-understanding. Personal development practices are being improved all the time and modern methods are clear and, to one degree or another, available for study.

Self-development techniques, as a rule, affect all aspects of life. They are designed to restore the natural mental and spiritual balance for a person. In my essay on autodidactics, I will try to trace the emergence and development of the psychotechniques of Free Breathing.

Review of Free Breathing psychotechniques

The Free Breathing movement originated in the 70s and owes its appearance to the works of Stanislav Grof and Leonard Orr, who independently developed techniques that have much in common and are in many ways different.

These psychotechniques are based on inducing an altered state of consciousness. In these cases, a person may experience unusual conditions that are short-term and physiological.

There are many ways to induce an altered state of consciousness; in this case, hyperventilation is used. The techniques differ primarily due to the varying depth of hyperventilation achieved. The similarities between the methods are:
— using the principle of connected breathing to achieve an altered state of consciousness;
- the results themselves.

Rebirthing

The author of this technique was Leonard Orr. Before coming to the technique he called “rebirthing” and described in the work “Rebirthing in the New Age,” he changed many professions. Several years of research into what he discovered led to the creation of the first rebirthing center. The breathing used in the rebirthing process is as follows:

- with fast, frequent and deep, active inhalation and soft, completely relaxed, passive exhalation.

Rebirthing was intended to resolve the consequences of birth trauma. The consequences of birth trauma include the following:

1. birth stress (painful, directly related to the birth process, and psychological, related to the attitude of parents, mother to the expected child - wanted or unwanted, etc.);
2. fragmentation of consciousness (perception of the environment not as a single whole, but as having two independently existing components, positive and negative), and as a consequence - division of the choice of judgments into “bad” and “good”;
3. diseases (as a result of the formation of complexes that subsequently “trigger” some kind of disease);
4. psychological disturbances (for example, fears or anxieties).

Many people have undergone rebirthing processes. The development of Leonard Orr’s methodology was continued and expanded by other researchers - for example, Sandra Ray, who developed “training for loving relationships” (Loving Relationships), etc. Jim Leonard, who introduced the concepts of “five elements” and “integration” into the practice of Free Breathing, stands out in particular. on the basis of which he created the “waveysion” technique in 1979. This technique has made it possible to expand the use of rebirthing to almost any psychological situation.

Vivation

The authors of the “vivasion” technique are Jim Leonard and Phil Lauth (USA). The word vivation translates as "celebration of life", "being more alive", and was introduced by them to reflect the effect that develops as a result of the practice of this form of personal development. Vivasion was developed in 1975. Jim Leonard and Phil Lauth combined in their method the experience of using eastern practices (yoga, qigong, wushu) and developing breathing techniques such as Rebirthing and Free Breathing.

The peculiarity of vivation is its simplicity, safety and effectiveness, which made the technique attractive for people involved in personal and spiritual development. The technique can be easily learned; To master the technique, it is enough to participate in one seminar or several training sessions with a professional, after which you can practice on your own.

Wavelation includes five main elements that are performed simultaneously during performance:

1. Connected breathing.

   This breathing is called connected (or circular), since there is no pause between exhalation and inhalation (or it is minimal). The intensity of the situation being worked on is regulated by the depth of breathing, and the rate of change in this situation is regulated by the frequency of breathing.

   The vibration process uses four types of breathing, which differ in depth and frequency. The first type is deep and slow breathing (used to smoothly enter the process. The sensations become brighter, the body relaxes more and interest in the process increases). The second type is deep and frequent breathing. The third type is frequent and shallow breathing (allows you to feel experiences more deeply). The last, fourth type is shallow and slow breathing (as if it coordinates the transition between the everyday state and the state in process).

   Complete relaxation.

   AT classes, yoga, and meditation are a good help in the ability to relax.

   Attention to detail (Volume attention).

   It is believed that one of the negative ideas about attention is the belief that only controlled, sustained attention can provide information about the world around us. But constant control of attention is tiring, and free attention is sometimes even more effective, allowing you to balance between absent-mindedness and concentration.

   Integration of experiences (Context flexibility).

   The main feature of the waveform processes is the possibility of integration. Integration is experiencing feelings, both positive and negative, and fully accepting them.

   Very often people simplify their ways of perceiving reality, limiting the number of options to the categories of “bad” or “good”. Naturally, this sharply limits their choice of response to the environment.

   In the process of "vivasion" people learn to expand and change the context as desired, to accept situations in a new context. That is, it is important not to bind oneself to one system, one context, knowing that any event can be described in another system, defined by another context. Coherent breathing is believed to have the ability to automatically change context.

   Active trust.

   It's about trusting your feelings, even if they are not welcomed in everyday life. The student is faced with the task of believing that in each process exactly what is needed at the moment for a given person occurs, and therefore there are no unsuccessful, bad or empty processes. Active trust is based on personal responsibility for everything that has happened in one’s life and on openness to changes in the process.

In the process of "vivasion" these "five elements" must be used simultaneously.




Jim Leonard developed the following process principle:

• explore subtle changes in your body;
• “breathe in” through the strongest feeling;
• enjoy this feeling as much as possible.

Breathing sessions in vibration are divided into “large” and “small”. During the “big” session, the practitioner lies in a comfortable position and uses all five elements, increasing the intensity of breathing. It is believed that one “big” session per week is enough for noticeable results. The duration of this process can last up to one and a half hours. The duration of “small” sessions is up to half an hour. This type of practice is used in situations of everyday life when the practitioner feels that what is happening is somehow difficult for him, or when he needs more energy to solve a certain task.

The main feature of the waveform processes is the possibility of integration. Integration is experiencing feelings, both positive and negative, and fully accepting them. Each session leads to deep insight into oneself, and at the end of the session the person usually feels fresh and renewed.

You can do vivation during everyday activity, it depends on the person’s skill and is called “active vivation” or “vivation in action”. This practice is aimed at allowing a person to be more involved in what he is doing, to react less emotionally to troubles, but to be more focused and creative.

The vivation technique has great practical value, causing relaxation, refocusing of thinking and refreshing of perception, bringing a natural feeling of pleasure, embracing all the past experiences of the practitioner and helping to look at life with new eyes.

Holotropic breathwork

Stanislav Grof (American psychiatrist and psychotherapist of Czech origin) and his wife Christina Grof developed a technique called Holotropic Breathwork. It is a method of deep psychotherapy. The name translates as "movement towards integrity."

This psychotechnics is considered the most powerful and therefore has certain contraindications for widespread use. It is usually not recommended to practice it purely individually, without the help of an experienced instructor.

The type of breathing used in the Grof technique can be described as follows:
- twice as often and twice as deep as usual;
- no pause between inhalation and exhalation;
- with forced exhalation (the breather seems to push the air out of himself).

The experiences that people have in a state of altered consciousness are divided into the biographical, perinatal and transpersonal “levels of experience” that Stan Grof described in his “cartography of consciousness.” Thus, holotropic therapy recognizes the therapeutic, transformative and evolutionary potential of altered states of consciousness. Often, relief from emotional or psychosomatic symptoms and sustainable personality transformations are associated with experiences that are not amenable to rational comprehension.

Holotropic Breathwork is a method synthesized from various types of Western psychotherapy and includes the foundations of Eastern philosophies and shamanism. It has been known for centuries that profound changes in consciousness can be brought about through breathing techniques. The procedures used for these purposes in ancient and non-Western cultures cover a wide range of possibilities. Profound changes in consciousness can be caused by both extremes of breathing - intense breathing and prolonged deprivation of breathing, or a combination of both. Specific techniques, including intense breathing, as well as its retention, are included in various exercises of kundalini yoga, siddha yoga, Tibetan Vajrayana, Sufi practices, Buddhist (Burma) and Taoist meditation, etc.

The works of psychoanalytically oriented scientists such as William Reich, Otto Rank and Carl Gustav Jung played a special place in the development of the method.

S. and K. Grof came to the conclusion that specific breathing techniques are less important than simply the fact that a person breathes faster and deeper than usual, completely concentrating on what is happening inside him. The strategy of holotropic breathwork is to trust the inner wisdom of the body - and here one can find a parallel with the “vibration” technique I already mentioned.

Further, increasing the frequency and depth of breathing tends to weaken psychological defenses and lead to the release and manifestation of unconscious material. What happens during a therapy session using intensive breathing varies greatly from person to person. Physical tension during breathing, as a rule, occurs in certain parts of the body and has a complex psychosomatic structure. In a breathing session, tensions and blockages appear and intensify. Continuing intense breathing brings them to climax, then to resolution and relaxation.

This leads to the conclusion: by integrating elements of body-oriented psychotechniques into his methodology, Stanislav Grof interprets traumatic memories of this kind as important incomplete psychological gestalts, which subsequently make a significant contribution to psychological problems. Their elaboration promotes emotional and psychosomatic recovery.

I will consider the process of conducting a holotropic breathing session.

The breather is asked to spend the entire session comfortably leaning back or lying on his back, closing his eyes and focusing on the emotional and psychosomatic processes caused by breathing and music, completely surrendering to them, without trying to evaluate them. It is also recommended to refrain from deliberately using response techniques or any other attempts to interfere with or influence experiences; you just have to watch the experiences that arise, notice them, and allow them to happen.

Clothes should be light and comfortable. It is necessary to remove everything that could interfere with breathing and the flow of internal processes.

When the body is relaxed, you can move on to calming the mind and creating an attitude that is optimal for the upcoming experiences. At this stage, the breather, if possible, should focus on the present moment, on the “here and now”, separate himself from memories of the past, as well as from anticipation of the future, and abandon any programming of the upcoming session. According to Grof, the most correct approach is to, without trying to analyze, completely trust the wisdom of the body and the unconscious process.

Next, it is proposed to increase the frequency of breathing, making it fuller and more effective than usual. The details of the process - the frequency and depth of breathing, breathing through the mouth or nose, the participation of the upper parts of the lungs or the diaphragmatic areas of the abdomen - are left to the choice of a person’s intuition. When the breathing has become fast enough, the facilitator prepares the breather for the appearance of music, recommending surrendering to its flow, the breathing process and the experiences that may arise, without analyzing them or trying to change them, with complete trust in the process.

In holotropic therapy, to induce unusual states of consciousness, along with intense breathing, special music corresponding to these states is used. Ritual music, chanting, drumming, etc. have been used for thousands of years as a powerful means of changing consciousness.

According to Grof, in altered states of consciousness, music helps to mobilize old emotions and make them available for expression, intensifies and deepens the process, and creates a meaningful context for experiences. The skillful use of appropriate music facilitates the manifestation of specific contents - aggression, emotional or physical pain, sexuality and sensuality, the struggle for biological birth, ecstatic highs, the oceanic atmosphere of being in the womb. In holotropic therapy it is necessary to completely surrender to the flow of music, to let it resonate throughout the body, to react to it in a spontaneous and elemental way.

The last component of holotropic therapy is “directed work with the body.” It is used only when necessary. The basic principle of directed body work in the final period of a holotropic session is to manifest various forms of physical discomfort associated with emotional problems, using the clues that the body of the breather himself provides. Whatever the problem and whatever place in the body its manifestation is localized, the practitioner is asked to intensify the symptom.

While in a certain area of ​​the body the unpleasant sensations are intensified and the tension is maintained, the person is encouraged to express with his body everything else that he feels. These activities should be encouraged and continued until the emotional or psychosomatic discomfort disappears and the person feels relaxed and satisfied.

From the point of view of autodidactics, it is important that holotropic work is “open” and is an ongoing psychological experiment. Holotropic therapy is a continuous learning process, not a mechanical application of a complete system of concepts and rules.

Conclusion

Using Free Breathing techniques allows you to accept your feelings as a blessing, as evidence that life is beautiful in all its manifestations. This is due to the developing ability to understand the language of sensations and trust them.

N. Kolyanu in his work “Introduction to the Psychotechnique of Free Breathing” identifies the following stages of using breathing psychotechniques in life:

1. At the beginning of its application, Free Breathing is used to solve personal problems. In its process, a lot is revealed to a person and comes into conflict with his life attitudes and principles, prompting him to reconsider what he has lived and done, which is accompanied by temporary psychological discomfort and confusion.
2. Consolidating skills and expanding the scope of their application. At this stage, the emotional background is leveled out, and gradually everything comes to some new state of balance.
3. Using Free Breathing as a way of life in the creative process.

How can Free Breathing psychotechniques be useful in the context of self-healing and self-knowledge?

First of all, these are non-medicinal methods. The integration of emotions that occurs when using them allows the practitioner to get rid of anxiety and unpleasant experiences. The use of special breathing techniques focuses attention on the sensations of your body, which requires full attention to the present moment, and during a detailed study of the present there is a real opportunity to explore previous experience and find the right, but previously unnoticed solution to the problem. Also, attention to the present allows you to push aside the existing models of negative attitudes towards people and see them as they are. Many students noted an increase in creative energy and enthusiasm to achieve their goals.

List of used literature

1. V. Zastavny. "Breathing - Healing - Self-Knowledge." M, 1993.
2. S. Grof. "A journey in search of yourself." M, 1994.
3. N. Kolyan. "Introduction to the psychotechnique of Free Breathing." Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, 1992.
4. N. Kolyan. "Practice of using Free Breathing psychotechniques." Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, 1993.

The average person in our culture lives and acts at a level far below his or her potential.

Why is this happening? One possible answer is that a person identifies himself with only one aspect of his being, the physical body or Ego. Such false identification leads to an inauthentic, unhealthy and unfulfilling lifestyle, and also causes emotional and psychosomatic disorders of a psychological nature.
But there is a WAY OUT.

What is training?

In 1991, the UK Manpower Services Commission (MSC) proposed the following definition of training: “Training is a pre-planned process whose purpose is to change the attitudes, knowledge or behavior of participants through a learning experience, and aimed at developing skills in performing a specific task. activity or several of its types. The purpose of psychological training in a work situation is to develop the individual's abilities and meet the current and future needs of the organization."

Integrative personal growth training is:

• The opportunity to create a new life, like a work of art, based on the material of your inner reality.
• An amazing fusion of play and ritual, music and silence, madness and creativity, self-knowledge and great entertainment.
• Expectation of change is the only thing that can give us confidence in the world and in our own lives.
• An important step on the path through chaos to your future self.

Breathing trainings:

These are classic personal growth trainings that use as the main method one of the varieties of breathing psychotechnologies that use authentic and connected breathing:

Vivation

Contextual trainings for personal growth:

These trainings also involve working with expanded states of consciousness, but in addition to this, there are other aspects.

Thus, balancing on the brink of self-exploration and self-transformation, madness and creativity, you will discover new opportunities for yourself personal growth.
Often these are very provocative trainings, but precisely because they are provocative, they contribute to deeper and therefore more effective work.
People have long been interested in what is more than a person's personality. The craving for the transpersonal and transcendental prompted a person to turn to shamanism, religion, spiritual practices, and ultimately to alcohol and drugs. Undying curiosity about what is unknowable, lives in every person to this day...

Every person has the opportunity to consciously travel in altered states of consciousness. To understand your inner world, find the meaning of life, and rethink the old value system, transpersonal psychology and modern holistic psychotechniques or intensive integrative psychotechnologies (IIPT is a term introduced by Academician of the Moscow Academy of Pedagogical Sciences, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences) allow V.V. Kozlov).

These are empirical techniques of self-exploration and self-transformation, using work in an altered (expanded) state of consciousness. They are a system of methods holistic transformation, which is a synthesis of ancient spiritual practices (including shamanism) and existential-transpersonal psychology.
Holistic methods of self-research can be considered an intermediate zone between psychotherapy and an integrative compilation of psychopractices of world religious and philosophical teachings.

At the present stage of development of psychotherapy, the name " intensive integrative psychotechnologies"applies to a wide range of psychotechnologies based on the use of altered states of consciousness (ASC) of the client, including trance, expanded, psychedelic states of consciousness, as well as states of heightened awareness achieved by using connected breathing methods. It should be noted that breathing psychotechnologies (holotropic breathing, vivation: vibration, rebirthing, “Free Breathing”) are the most natural and environmentally friendly methods of achieving altered states of consciousness.

Integrative intensive psychotechnologies are an open space of concepts, speculative models, processes and skills, staying in which allows a person to gain and maintain integrity of your life.

The range of possibilities of IIPT is very wide and varied. In our opinion, IIPT currently represents the most holistic and effective direction in modern psychology. The use of expanded states of consciousness in psychological work allows in a fairly short period achieve integration and a state of integrity, while using methods traditionally used in psychology, for example, psychoanalysis (with all due respect and recognition), it would take several years to achieve the same results.

At the moment, the scope of application of IIPT extends not only to working with an individual person. The focus of our attention is still focused on the development of individual consciousness, but we are no longer talking only about people with deep-seated conflicts, with a desire to solve them and develop, but also about clients with more serious problems, such as drug addiction.

The proposed intensive integrative psychotechnologies are represented by a synthesis of ideas from the psychoanalytic direction, Gestalt therapy, existential and transpersonal psychology. The use of continuous connected breathing to achieve trance has analogues in pranayama yogis, qigong and other ancient psychotechnologies. The philosophical layer of these techniques is represented by a rich palette of ideas from Buddhism, Taoism, Sufism, Christian mythology, ancient Egyptian and Tibetan traditions.

Humanity has used healing potential unusual states of consciousness since ancient times. dates back, according to archaeological studies of rock paintings and ancient burial sites, about 40,000 years. Systems of meditation (Hatha yoga, Laya yoga, Raja yoga, etc.) were formed no later than 10 thousand years BC. Anthropologists' studies of more than half the world's cultures that have existed during the last five centuries have shown that 90 percent of them had some institutionalized form of altered states of consciousness. Unusual states of consciousness and to this day are central to the esoteric movements of canonical religions, hesychasm and many sectarian movements in Christianity, Sufism in Islam, in various yogic practices in Hinduism, Zen schools in Buddhism and Kabbalah in Judaism.

The most ancient ritual practices of shamanism are associated with the use powerful breathing sessions using sound forms against the background of drumming. Trance dance, which since ancient times has been a necessary means of manifesting feelings and thoughts that were not easy to translate into words, is also an intensive method of entering altered states of consciousness, physiologically determined by coherent natural, “animal” breathing.

Special methods based on accelerating, decelerating and stopping breathing were used in shamanism, various areas of yoga (kundalini practice, siddha yoga), Sufism, Taoism, Dzogchen, Zen Buddhism, Vajrayana, Hinayana and Mahayana schools, and in many other spiritual practices .

Techniques for using connected breathing were rediscovered and entered the arsenal of modern practical psychology only in the 70s, and their spread throughout the USSR began only in the late 80s.

Currently, it is no longer possible to deny that methods using altered states of consciousness have taken a strong place in the practice of psychological and psychotherapeutic assistance in most countries of the world, due to the fact that the world as a whole has moved away in its development from traditional spiritual practices in the last 100-150 years . Psychological science was the first among all existing scientific disciplines in its appeal to primordial experience, the original wisdom of humanity, centered in spiritual traditions, to those experiences that have been relevant to the survival of people over thousands of years of history.

Connected natural conscious breathing is used in a number of psychotechnologies, which Ph.D. Kozlov V.V. designates intensive integrative psychotechnologies. These include various methods self-exploration and transformation into an altered, expanded state of consciousness. These are holotropic breathing by S. Grof, rebirthing developed by L. Orr and S. Ray, vibration - integrative rebirthing by D. Lenord and F. Lauth, “Free Breathing” as a modification of rebirthing developed by S. Vsekhsvyatsky and V. Kozlov.

A special place is occupied by dynamic and static meditations, trance dances, shamanic rituals and other techniques, which, in combination with modern methods of self-research and therapy, allow conscious or spontaneous transform neurotic or problematic material in the process of self-integration.

The process of coherent, conscious breathing is a way to achieve RSC (expanded state of consciousness). “At the same time, the emerging RSS is a natural physiological and psychological phenomenon” (Kozlov V.V.)

Expanded state of consciousness, which occurs in the process of coherent breathing and is qualitatively different from the states that arise during deep hypnosis, trance, meditation and other methods of achieving altered states of consciousness. RSS qualitatively special psychological and psychophysiological state, different from sleep, wakefulness, pathological disturbances of consciousness, disturbances of consciousness when taking alcohol, drugs and psychedelic drugs. RSS has a specific phenomenology (Kozlov, 1992, 1994), is distinguished by autization of the sensory sphere, distortion of the perception of time, hypermnesia and some other qualitative changes in mental processes.

The process of coherent breathing as a way and means of achieving RSS has such qualities as awareness, controllability, controllability, the presence of will, intention and the ability to return to a normal state of consciousness at any time. By examining the breathing process, you can find that most people do not breathe most of the time. They take a short breath in, hold their breath before exhaling long, and then take another long pause before the next breath. The amount of time spent on inhalation and exhalation is less than on pauses.
An effective method to maintain metabolic balance in the body is coherent natural breathing when there is no gap between inhalation and exhalation: inhalation gently flows into exhalation, exhalation into inhalation, forming a single cycle, perfect circle mandala. In this case, the inhalation is done with muscle effort, flexible and elastic, the exhalation is completely relaxed, you just let go of the exhalation, you don’t control it and it happens by itself. It should be noted that in the holotropic breathing format, forced exhalation is allowed.

If a person supports coherent breathing within about an hour, he enters a state of expanded consciousness, thereby gaining access to old images and emotional states, repressed in the subconscious. By continuing the state of connected breathing, you can achieve a state in which suppression is lifted, and these images cease to carry a negative charge.

Through conscious work with the breath and body, a person can relieve the effects of psychological trauma, get rid of the consequences of stress and learn to enter healing unusual states that can compete with narcotic ones.
IIPT allows you to induce deep transpersonal experiences of a mystical and transcendental nature, promoting cathartic processes, positive personal changes, personal growth and self-knowledge. Breathing psychotechniques promote important insights (non-logical insights) regarding the problem finding meaning in life. They help in a radical transformation of views on one’s own “I” and the world around us, life and death, increasing creative activity, expansion of the spiritual horizon, harmonization relationships between a person and the world around him and other people.

The breathing technique of working in an altered state of consciousness guides a person through accommodation levels of death and rebirth, biographical experience, perinatal and transpersonal experience. As a result of going through the breathing process, a person extracts from the depths of consciousness or subconscious material that is priority and problematic at the time of the process and transforms it due to spontaneous and spontaneous or conscious integration manifested material with consciousness.

The respiratory process leads to disclosure strong-willed and creative potential, helps to increase stress adaptability and stimulate social success and is of interest not only for therapy, the process can shed new light on the philosophical problems of human existence, the purpose and meaning of life, the psyche, and the picture of the world as a whole.

The task of IIPT is to help each specific person in exploring your inner world. The work is carried out with those who want to reconsider their attitude to life, to themselves, to their personal foundations and value system. In a word, based on the latest achievements in the field of psychology, it is ensured personal development of clients. IIPT instructors are a kind of guides in depths of human nature, together with a person, revealing his unknown inner world, contributing to the fulfillment of the desire for a holistic transformation. Discovering hidden depths unconscious, involves raising a person to a new level of personal and spiritual development, his rebirth.

Work in altered states of consciousness has not only psychotherapeutic significance, but is also aimed at self-knowledge, spiritual growth and maximum realization of potentials. Ultimately, the widespread use of integrative empirical psychotechniques can lead to the creation of a new formation of homo spirltus - spiritual person.

Pneumosynthesis

Pneumosynthesis ΠΣ is an effective comprehensive method of self-development, self-knowledge and psychotherapy, developed by the leaders of European transpersonal psychology and psychotherapy. It generalizes, unites and develops the experience of a wide class of cognitive, developmental and healing practices based on breathing, such as holotropic breathing, rebirthing, vibration, qi gong, classical pranayama, representing the “middle way” of transpersonal breathing practices.

Theoretical basis Pneumosynthesis ΠΣ are the holotropic approach of Stanislav and Christina Grof, the integral approach of Ken Wilber, the process approach of Arnie and Amy Mindell, body-centered therapy and the cutting-edge science of the brain and mind.

Practice Pneumosynthesis ΠΣ based on scientific research and proven breathwork practices. It is a flexible and universal method, optimal for deep internal work and clinical use. It makes maximum use of the healing capabilities of unusual states of consciousness.

Pneumosynthesis ΠΣ effective when working:

• with chronic tension and stress;
• with life difficulties;
• with psychospiritual crises;
• with bad habits and addictions;
• with depression;
• with psychosomatic and emotional disorders;
• with the search for non-standard solutions and creative breakthroughs;

In the most general sense, it also serves as a natural psychological “reboot”, accompanied by a kind of psychological “spring cleaning of the body.”

(When reviewing the direction of IIPT, the works of S. Grof, V.V. Kozlov, I.S. Zingerman, as well as publications of other authors were used.)

Workshop on breathing psychotechnics

1. The concept of breathing psychotechnics

Breathing practices originated many thousands of years ago in the East: in India - Pranayama, in China - Qi Gong, in Central Asia - Sufi breathing practices, in Tibet - breathing practices of Vajrayana Buddhism. As a rule, they were an integral part of spiritual traditions.

In the twentieth century, Eastern spiritual traditions began to penetrate into the West. Fascinated by breathing, researchers expanded and refined techniques that became more focused on developing awareness rather than intense experiences. A new concept has emerged - integrative breathing psychotechnologies.

Breathing techniques entered Russia in the late 80s. Sandra Ray conducted the first rebirthing training in Moscow in 1987, and from that moment on, an avalanche of Western breathing leaders fell upon Russian seekers. Therefore, now in Russia you can easily find a qualified instructor and master breathing techniques.

Breathing practices can be characterized as the most accessible, understandable and powerful in terms of their impact and consequences of all known energy practices used for psychophysiological effects on humans. A person, without owning anything, at the initial stage can use what he knows from childhood - breathing and achieve serious results, depending on the goal.

In fact, the entire process of human life is controlled through breathing, even if we are not aware of it. We constantly use this regulation mechanism: when solving complex problems, we subconsciously regulate the thought process precisely by breathing - its speed, depth, “subtlety”. Sometimes we stop breathing altogether and become quiet in order to stabilize our condition. Depending on the situation, we either intensify or slow down our breathing, without even realizing it.

The goal of breathing practices is to bring this regulation to a conscious level.

2. Varieties of breathing psychotechniques

Rebirthing

Rebirthing (from the English rebirthing - rebirth, spiritual resurrection) is a system of coherent conscious breathing aimed at relieving stress, primarily the trauma of birth. The main tasks of rebirthing are:

Learning to inhale energy is as easy as air;

Unravel the mystery of birth-death and include the body and mind in the conscious life of the Eternal Spirit, become a conscious exponent of the Eternal Spirit.

In rebirthing, special attention is paid to the following aspects:

a) release of breath, release of energy;

b) elaboration of 5 Great Problems:

Birth traumas

Parental disapproval syndrome

Specific negative ideas (“Life is bad”, “The world is cruel, the law of the jungle reigns in it”, etc.),

Unconscious desire for death,

Past lives;

c) the concept of “Thoughts create reality.” Thoughts like “I can’t...”, “This is not for me...”, etc. narrow the scope of possible solutions and limit life. The goal of this aspect of rebirthing is to turn all the negatives into positives.

Rebirthing has a strong spiritual connotation and is part of a broader system that L. Orr called the yoga of eternal life. The system includes 9 basic principles: cleansing with Water, Fire, Air, Earth, Karma Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Love, Grace and Respect.

Various formats have been developed within rebirthing: “dry”, “water”, etc. The form of interaction with the client is individual.

Loving Relationship Training (LRT)

LRT is a subtly and detailed psychotechnology that uses connected breathing, elements of communicative training, and work with affirmations (deep statements). The emphasis is on the concept of “Thoughts create reality.”

The system consists of many exercises, techniques and processes that allow you to clear up “negative thoughts” and begin to improve the quality of your relationship with yourself, your body, your parents, sex, money, work, God, etc. “Relationships are everything” (Sandra Ray ).

Vivation

Vivation (from Latin vivation, vivo - to live, vividus - full of life, alive, fiery, strong), another name for the method is integrative rebirthing. According to the creators of vibration, not only release is necessary, but also certain methods of working with experiences that come during a breathing session. Therefore, in vision there is a concept of 5 process elements that allow you to quickly and efficiently achieve integration. These elements are:

1. Cyclic breathing

1. Complete relaxation

2. Detailed awareness

3. Integration into ecstasy

4. Do what you do, desire is enough.

Integration is the merging of a part with the whole. In this case, part is a suppressed, repressed structure (conflict, stress, taboo desire, etc.). In the process of coherent breathing, awareness and acceptance of this suppressed structure occurs, its energy is attached to the perceiving, aware personality. Jim Lenard believes that the process of integration itself is ecstatic. Integration is the ability for a holistic, ecstatic perception of the world here and now, at every moment of the flow of life.

In vibration, special attention is paid to breathing techniques. There are different stages of integration training:

- “dry” vibration;

- “water” vibe;

- “outpatient” - consolidating the skill of integration in everyday life (while eating, driving a car, etc.).

Vivasion is a modest and quiet breathing technique. There is no loud music and mind-blowing journeys. It has a gentle attitude towards everyday reality, gentleness and attention to the sensations of the body here and now. The goal of vision is not to change reality, not to discover a new one, or even to remember the turning points of a biography, but to create friendly and partnership relations with this reality.

Holotropic Breathwork

The word "holotropic" literally means "striving for wholeness" (from the Greek holos - whole and trepein - moving in a certain direction). The main elements of holotropic breathing are:

Deeper and faster coherent breathing than normal;

Specially selected music that creates a “carrier wave” and promotes the release of repressed emotional material;

Helping the holonaut release energy through specific techniques of working with the body.

These elements are complemented by creative self-expression of the individual - drawing mandalas, free dancing, clay modeling, etc. The form of work is mainly group.

Holotropic therapy recognizes the therapeutic, transformative and evolutionary potential of non-ordinary states of consciousness. In these states, the psyche exhibits spontaneous healing activity.

The emergence of troubling symptoms without any organic cause may indicate that the person has reached a critical point where the old, false way of being in the world becomes unbearable. This kind of breakdown can occur in a certain limited area of ​​life - family and sexual relationships, or in relation to some specific life goals, or it can simultaneously cover a person’s entire life.

The symptoms that appear reflect the body's efforts to free itself from old pressures and traumatic impressions and simplify its functioning. At the same time, this is a search for one’s own essence and those dimensions of existence that connect a person with the cosmos as a whole, making him commensurate with all that exists. This is a spontaneous therapeutic activity of the body that should be supported and not suppressed. Holotropic breathwork activates the unconscious, releases energy bound in emotional and psychosomatic symptoms, and transforms the static balance of this energy into a flow of experience. With the right support, the outcome of this process can be radical problem resolution, psychosomatic healing and evolution of consciousness.

Free breathing

Free breathing is a more technologically advanced, theoretically developed Russian version of the use of coherent natural breathing. This is a personality integration technique that gives a person access to the resources of his consciousness and frees his psyche from the burden of accumulated stress.

Free breathing allows you to radically change the situation, dramatically speed up the therapeutic process, ensures an impartial approach, and activates the creative activity of the unconscious. This technique triggers a mechanism to overcome the refusal of creative search activity and ensures a willingness to solve problems.

At the technological level, Free Breathing is expressed in 5 elements, two of which are similar to those in vibration, the other three differ in meaning and content. These elements are:

1. Complete relaxation.

1. Connected breathing.

2. Volumetric attention.

3. Context flexibility.

4. Active trust.

Each element has a deep theoretical basis, and their combination is systemic in nature. Much attention is paid to breathing technique and the contextual use of different classes of breathing. Within the framework of Free Breathing, various work formats have been developed: “dry” and “water” processes, processes with a mirror and eye to eye, contextual processes aimed at solving a certain range of problems.

Intensive integrative psychotechnologies are an open space of theories, concepts, speculative models, processes and skills, staying in which allows a person to gain and maintain the integrity of his life. This is the umbrella name for various methods of working with coherent conscious breathing, such as rebirthing, free breathing, vibration, holotropic breathing, as well as various other methods of integrating consciousness.

3. Practice using breathing techniques and exercises