breathwork

[daniel]

Last week, I had my first opportunity to try Breathwork, working with Jhoti, a former Jungian psychoanalyst turned spiritually awakened shaman (her website: www.mothersgrace.com). (http://www.mothersgrace.com).) I found the Breathwork to be extraordinary - so simple! So utterly legal! It basically involves panting fast (hyperventilating) in time to fast rhythmic music - within a few minutes one enters a profound altered state that is both similar and very different from those produced through substances. It seems to work more with the "Emotional Body" than the psyche, though one can have fullblown visions, or subtle ones, during the session.

Many people around me wept copiously during the work - my own experience was very harmonious and seemed quite familiar. After a while, your body just takes over and it seems as though this breathing is something your body knows and wants to do. Some people got up and danced or seemed to be channeling gestures, perhaps from some past incarnation as a temple priestess. I was amazed by this experience, definitely recommend it, and would like to hear other reports.

[Halfglass]

Daniel: I was laying down some guitar tracks in a studio and the engineer decided the Middle Eastern drone sound we were cutting needed a chant over it, so he volunteered to do it. The piece was probably ten minutes long and he chanted all the way through (figuring he'd be able then to put the chant where ever he wanted in the song later). Anyway at the end he could hardly speak and crawled to a chair. Later, knowing I was into psychedelics, he approached me and said he'd entered another reality during the chant. He was completely amazed at what had happened to him and is now pursuing breathing studies such as you mention. P.S. When are you gonna give me a mercy response to some of my rantings?

[daniel]

hi halfglass,

I will attune myself to your rantings this week and come up with some responses, promise.

Been away for a bit, just got back.

[Jomo]

Daniel, just wanted to note that the link you posted is mistyped. Here's a good link:
http://www.mothersgrace.com/

Haven't had a chance to read through the site yet, but got a good vibe from looking at the lady's picture. In yoga I have generally found this to be a reliable indicator of a good teacher.

Jyoti is Sanskrit for 'light'. Luminescence.

[sire_012]

daniel... can you post a detailed description of what you did. this sounds exactly like Grof's holotropic breathwork which i've been interested in for quite some time. however, i have found it difficult to find any reports of a specific procedure for this process on the internet over several years of interest. the quick, deep, breathing i am aware of, mixed with the high tempo music, but i assume there is also some coaching or facilitation involved. is there any 'pathworking' or suggested trance work, and etc. would it be reasonable to ask for a play by play of the objective end of your experience for those who would like to investigate further?

thanks in advance!

[paul]

daniel

id also like to hear yr description of this ,

circular breathing?essential biorhythums?

some details please

[Joshua30]

As would I - thank you.

[daniel]

The session involved, first, a group meditation, then fast breathing (close to panting or hyperventilating) in time to fast drumming music. In just a few minutes, I felt the switch into a different state of consciousness - also a not unpleasant buzzing/tingling around my head and my hands - like a kind of tingly sheath. This sensation lasted for about one-half hours then subsided. The altered state included faint visions that were more of an emotional or felt quality than a viewed pictorial quality, as with psychedelics. Though the experience was quiet and harmonious for me, many people in the group, at some point in the 2 1/2 hr session, would start weeping, crying, or shouting. The attendants (4 women) would then go to them and do body work on them. It felt like within the group there was kind of a group consciousness, as the energy causing people to reach these states of sadness and release seemed to move around the room, landing here and then over there, so that the situation never became out of control.

What surprised me was how familiar the experience felt, and how quickly the body takes over the breathing automatically - as if it is something that the body knows and likes.