Using seemingly simple means—deeper and faster breathing, specially selected music, and bodywork—it is possible to access experiences that remain closed to normal everyday consciousness. The method was developed by Manuel Aicher and represents a synthesis of Holotropic Breathwork, which was created by Stanislav and Christina Grof, and the prenatal work developed by William Emerson dar.

Like shamanic journeying, this method can lead to deep insights and a deeper understanding of one's own being and the world.

Above all, however, it involves all levels of human existence and does not stop at the cognitive, intellectual level.

We perceive our environment primarily through our bodies and respond to stimuli with our bodies. In the case of traumatic experiences, it can happen that the physical reaction remains stuck, so to speak, and does not come to a conclusion. The memory of such an experience may also be stored in individual fragments: images, emotions, and physical reactions cannot be consciously linked to each other and are not classified as “past” in the memory. Instead, such fragments may surface unintentionally when some stimulus triggers them, or even without any apparent external cause.

The Holistic breathwork journey is a very physical process that via the body also makes emotions accessible. At the same time, however, the “adult self” is also aware of the processes, so that the previous fragments are finally pieced together and integrated into an experience that can then be clearly located in the past. This process can be very painful, but it does not lead to retraumatization because it takes place consciously and is supported by the facilitator, the group, and the entire framework. In this way, it opens up access to greater vitality and freedom.

The group plays a special role in the holistic breathwork journey. It bears witness to what is happening and helps to hold the space. The actual breathing experience takes place in pairs, with one person breathing and the other sitting in support, and vice versa. The facilitators provide support as needed, for example with focused or nourishing bodywork, following in their actions that which arises rather than any preconceived concepts.

The experiences that become accessible in this way may relate to one's own biography or current life, or to events during one's own birth and pregnancy. However, they can also go far beyond this, for example, when it comes to an experience that has its origins somewhere in the family system, in possible past lives, or even in collective experiences of an entire generation or population. Likewise, overwhelming experiences of divine unity can occur.

A three-day retreat (Friday-Sunday) begins on Friday evening with a sharing circle, clarification of one's own intention, and an introduction to the method. On Saturday, two breathing sessions take place, so that each participant "breathes" once and "sits" once. The experience is shared with the group in another discussion round in the evening. Sunday is dedicated to a lighter breathing process and a final round of integration.

Participation does not require any previous experience or other prerequisites. There are few medical reasons for exclusion, which are clarified in advance by means of a questionnaire.

Date: None is currently planned, but I would very much like to offer this again. Interested parties are welcome to contact me at any time.