The 4 Mandatory Grof Transpersonal Training Modules
- Grof Transpersonal Training
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
The 4 mandatory Grof Transpersonal Training® modules are the core of the training and offer the theoretical and practical foundation for supporting people in holotropic states of consciousness and certifying in Transpersonal Psychology and the Holotropic Breathwork method.
In total minimum 7 modules must be attended before joining the two week Certification Intensive. Following the principle of true teaching, that nothing can be taught. Each Grof Transpersonal Training offers experiential components. Participants will take part in four Holotropic Breathwork sessions, two as a “breather” and two as a “sitter,” gaining a balanced understanding of both roles while practicing presence for oneself and the other.
These experiences are enriched with creative practices, as well as time for integration, providing a holistic foundation in Holotropic Breathwork.
The Holotropic Paradigm
The Holotropic Paradigm provides the theoretical overview of Transpersonal Psychology and specifically the work of Dr. Stanislav Grof and his wife Christina.
The Holotropic Paradigm module is a cornerstone and one of the four mandatory modules for those seeking certification as facilitators in Holotropic Breathwork, and it's also ideal for anyone working in the psycho-social or therapeutic fields who wishes to deepen their understanding of the psyche and its profound healing capacities.
Together we will explore the core theoretical foundations of Transpersonal Psychology, Holotropic Breathwork and the therapeutic safe work in expanded states of consciousness.
1) The Origins of Holotropic Breathwork
Tracing the historical and philosophical roots of Holotropic Breathwork, we explore how it evolved as a powerful modality in the field of transpersonal psychology, bridging ancient wisdom with modern therapeutic techniques.
2) Holotropic Principles and Strategies
The foundational principles guiding Holotropic Breathwork are reviewed, providing a framework that includes respect for each individual's unique process and the innate inner healing wisdom of the psyche, the non-judgmental facilitation of inner exploration, and the facilitator's role in "doing not doing", thus supporting each person’s journey toward balance and wholeness.
3) Cartography of the Psyche
Dr. Stanislav Grof's cartography of the psyche—covering the perinatal matrices, biographical, and transpersonal dimensions—is studied in depth, helping participants to contextualize their own and others' inner experiences during expanded states of consciousness.
4) Perinatal Matrices
Grof’s Perinatal Matrices outline how experiences associated with the birth process shape our lives. By recognizing these layers in Holotropic experiences, participants gain insights into deep-seated themes of struggle, transformation, and rebirth.
5) COEX Systems
COEX (Systems of Condensed Experience) describes clusters of emotionally linked memories that shape our inner landscape. By exploring and working with these systems deeply rooted patterns in the psyche can be unlocked and open a potential for growth. Open forums and community dialogue provide a space for sharing and reflecting on the many facets of the Holotropic experience.
This intensive retreat offers a journey toward self-awareness and healing that equips participants with the theoretical foundation and insights essential for working with expanded states of consciousness and supporting others on their healing journeys.
One Module on psycho-spiritual Crisis: Spiritual Emergency or Trauma Transformation
“Many of us spend our whole lives running from feelings with the mistaken belief
that you cannot bear the pain. But you have already borne the pain.
What you have not done is feel all you are, beyond that pain.”
— Khalil Gibran
There are moments in life when the structures that once held us together begin to dissolve. What we often call crisis may in fact be a threshold — a confrontation with unresolved trauma, unmetabolized experience, or dimensions of the psyche that seek expression.
A psycho-spiritual crisis can emerge when biographical wounds, perinatal imprints, or transpersonal experiences overwhelm our usual coping strategies. Without understanding and support, such states can feel destabilizing or even pathological. Yet, when approached with discernment and care, they may carry profound transformative potential.
Moving beyond the pain is at the core of the human journey. Trauma is often intertwined with spiritual emergency; unintegrated trauma can intensify spiritual openings, and spiritual experiences can reactivate unresolved trauma. For this reason, supporting any form of psycho-spiritual crisis requires a deeply trauma-informed approach.
Within Grof Transpersonal Training, we offer two complementary modules that address this territory from slightly different perspectives: one focused on trauma transformation, the other on spiritual emergency. You may choose either module to fulfill the mandatory requirements. If you are on the facilitator path, we strongly recommend completing both — with the second taken no later than two years after certification.
Trauma Transformation - The Holotropic Approach
In this GTT module, we acknowledge the deep pain trauma brings while embracing the potential for something greater to guide our way toward healing. Whether you are navigating your own trauma journey or supporting others in theirs, this seminar offers a profound exploration into the nature of trauma and the transformative potential of the work in expanded states of consciousness, specifically with the Holotropic Breathing method.
Through a combination of theoretical insights and experiential practices, we will dive into the following topics and questions:
Defining Trauma and Its Impact: Understanding trauma as a “wounding”—from the Greek word trauma—and recognizing that woundings occur from before birth to the end of life. We’ll examine how trauma is stored in the body, mind, and soul and how it shapes our relationships with ourselves, others, and the world around us.
The Effects of different forms of Trauma on Our Being: Exploring how trauma of omission and commission impacts physical, emotional, and psychological well-being, and why it often leaves us feeling fragmented and disconnected.
Healing in Expanded States of Consciousness: Discovering how the Holotropic approach uses expanded states of consciousness to facilitate trauma integration and healing. Through the method of Holotropic breathing deep layers of the psyche may be accessed, connecting us with our innate wisdom and allowing for profound release and transformation.
The Holotropic Paradigm and Trauma Integration: Understanding how Holotropic states of consciousness can support the integration of fragmented aspects of the self and facilitate healing from biographical, perinatal, and transgenerational trauma.
Survival Strategies and Ego Defenses: Examining common survival strategies and defense mechanisms in response to trauma, their purpose, and their limitations in long-term transformation.
Trauma, the Nervous System, and Neuroscience: Investigating how trauma impacts the nervous system, creating patterns of dysregulation. We’ll examine recent insights from neuroscience on trauma recovery, and explore how Holotropic Breathing can support the nervous system’s return to balance, helping to restore a sense of safety and calm.
The Power of Presence: Cultivating presence as a key to holding space for ourselves and others, creating safety and allowing for deeper emotional processing.
The Trauma Transformation Process – When to Focus on What?: Identifying different stages of trauma work and recognizing when to apply specific approaches and/or trauma informed practices other than Holotropic breathing for support and integration.
This immersive seminar will guide participants through a journey into the wisdom of the body, revealing how lived experiences—from perinatal to biographical and transgenerational—are stored within us, waiting to be accessed and transformed. By understanding how trauma is stored somatically, you’ll discover why practices like Holotropic breathing can access these deep layers, facilitating release, integration, and healing.
Our approach will balance theory and experiential practices. Each participant will engage in four Holotropic Breathwork sessions—two as a “breather” and two as a “sitter”—providing a complete experience of the process. We will also draw on creative practices, using art materials, writing, and movement to deepen our personal insights and integrate what we uncover.
Join us to deepen your journey towards wholeness and enhance your capacity to hold compassionate presence for others in their healing journeys. Whether you are seeking personal growth or professional development, this seminar offers valuable insights and tools for trauma transformation through a Holotropic perspective.
Spiritual Emergency - Embracing Unexpected Transformation
Healing and transformation can sometimes imply challenging moments in which we feel destabilized, particularly when following a path that involves experiences in expanded states of consciousness. Are you or someone you know navigating the powerful and often disorienting realm of a psycho-spiritual crisis?
This seminar, “Spiritual Emergency – Embracing Unexpected Transformation,” is designed for those seeking clarity and guidance on the path of psycho-spiritual crisis, whether personally, through loved ones, or professionally. Combining in-depth lectures on the nature of spiritual emergency with four Holotropic Breathwork sessions, this week provides a unique opportunity to explore expanded states of consciousness, aiding in the integration and healing of these profound experiences.
In this module, we will explore the challenging manifestations that people sometimes encounter on transformative journeys. We aim to understand the factors leading to such difficulties and identify supportive approaches from a non-judgmental, caring perspective.
Topics covered will include:
The concept of Spiritual Emergence versus Spiritual Emergency, distinguishing natural spiritual growth from crises that require careful support.
An exploration of various types of Spiritual Emergencies, as described by Stanislav and Christina Grof, including Kundalini awakenings, near-death experiences, and mystical states.
Contemporary perspectives on Spiritual Emergencies, considering how they present in current psychedelic therapy, shamanic practices, and experiential work.
The diverse challenges individuals may face after difficult experiences in Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness.
Distinguishing between pathological and transformational states, understanding when a crisis is an opportunity for profound growth versus when it requires medical or psychological intervention.
Practical approaches for addressing different scenarios in Spiritual Emergencies and best practices for integration, helping individuals make sense of and meaningfully integrate their experiences.
Participants will learn how Holotropic Breathwork and expanded states of consciousness can support individuals in navigating these crises and facilitate a return to wholeness.
The seminar will also offer tools and insights to help participants distinguish between supportive and potentially harmful responses to these experiences.
Whether you’re part of Grof Transpersonal Training, personally affected by psycho-spiritual crisis, or working in a therapeutic role, this module offers a compassionate, practical framework for navigating and embracing the transformative potential of spiritual emergency.
This experience is open to anyone seeking personal growth or professional development, providing insights and tools for both personal and collective transformation. Join us to deepen your understanding and gain confidence in supporting others through the challenging yet deeply meaningful journey of spiritual emergency.
The Spiritual Emergency module may be taken like the Trauma Transformation module as one of the four mandatory module.
The Power Within - The Practice of Holotropic Breathwork
The Module is a professional advanced training event. To participate in this module it is necessary to have experience with Holotropic Breathwork and to have completed two previous GTT Modules. You will also need to sign an ethical agreement, because with this module provided you have already completed two modules beforehand As you may begin working as an apprentice within a holotropic breathwork team carrying greater responsibility.
In this module, Holotropic theory comes alive. It’s where we experience the essence of the practice first-hand. We will discuss the principles that support and inform the practice of Holotropic Breathwork®. Sitara will explain the fundaments of HB and why it is such a special method for personal exploration and self-healing. We will also practice the technique of focused energy release.
Topics include:
1) The power of the Inner Healing System
2) Facilitator Presence and Skills
3) Focused Energy Release Work - Principles and Ethics
4) Focused Energy Release Demonstration and Practice
5) Moving Toward Closure and Integration
6) Special Challenging Situations when facilitating
Music & Transcendence
Music plays a crucial role in supporting humans to move into expanded states of consciousness. In this module, we will explore the necessary elements to create a Holotropic Breathwork session.
We will discuss important aspects of preparation, the necessary components to conduct sessions, paying special attention to music, and the integration. We will listen to a wide variety of music for the different phases of experiences in expanded states of consciousness, immersing ourselves in an exciting and transformative journey through the world of music.
Experientially we will journey through sound and rhythm. Music has always been vital for creation, as well as a spiritual tool of transformation. It is even said about music, that it is the language of the soul. This is a unique opportunity to learn, first hand, the structure of the music that makes Holotropic Breathwork so special.
The module covers:
1. The creation of the holotropic context and it's set and setting.
2. Music in the context of Holotropic Breathwork: history, theory, and practice.
3. Use of music in expanded states of consciousness. A detailed explanation of the structure of the music, demonstration of specific pieces. Creation of music set for an HB session.
4. Explanation and demonstration of the relaxation.
5. The sharing group:
Philosophy.
Challenging situations for the facilitator.
6. Integration: Importance and methods.
7. Technical aspects of music: quality and sound equipment.
8. Practical information about conducting workshops: place, prices, promotion, brochures and types of workshops.
9. Facilitator self-care.
