Level II Grof Breathwork Facilitator Program
Completion of Level II of the Grof® Breathwork Facilitator Training leads to certification as a Grof Breathwork Facilitator. This means you will be authorized to conduct independent workshops using the brand name Grof® Breathwork.
Certification will require your written agreement:
• to follow Holotropic Principles and Ethical Agreements created by Stan and Brigitte Grof,
• to work in the spirit of cooperation with other certified facilitators and the international Grof Legacy community, including understanding that your work may be evaluated from time to time by representatives of Grof Legacy Training,
• that trademarks and brand names involving Grof remain under the ownership of Stan and Brigitte Grof.
Level II of our program combines two in-person modules (Holotropic Music and Applied Grofian Psychology) with apprenticeship and continued mentoring. Level II moves toward skills and confidence in holding responsibility for offering Breathwork workshops under the facilitator's own leadership, typically in collaboration with other facilitators and in the context of a growing network of Grof Breathwork facilitators.
Teamwork and consciously shared responsibility is extremely important in offering holotropic experiences. Although some facilitators offer individual breathwork sessions, the work is preferably done in group settings, with the number of participants ranging from a few to large numbers. Even for small groups, at least two facilitators are necessary. In larger groups, a ratio of at least one additional facilitator for every ten participants is strongly recommended.
Given the importance of teamwork in facilitating groups, Level II moves the focus of learning toward community settings and intentional collaboration with other facilitators. Facilitator growth in Level II includes the art of working with other facilitators to offer the shared presence, safety, and support from the team to breathers and sitters that is essential for Grof Breathwork.
The length of time for completion of Level II will depend on the timing of the participant's apprenticeship and attendance in the two required Level II modules, which we anticipate will be offered yearly beginning in 2025.
We estimate that Level II may be completed within 1 to 2 years. We understand the commitment undertaken by participants in this program. Please remember that our intention is to work with participants toward their ability to offer Grof Breathwork workshops independently with competence, skill, and confidence. The Grof training programs have historically preferred at least three years devoted to training to allow for the important transformational components of moving toward holotropic facilitation.
Apprenticeship
Level II requires the participant to participate as an apprentice on the facilitation team of at least six sessions of Grof Breathwork. For example, if the participant apprentices in a Grof Breathwork retreat involving four breathwork sessions, four apprenticeship experiences will be counted. Apprenticeship in a weekend workshop with two breathwork sessions will count for two apprenticeship experiences.
The participant will take the lead in making arrangements for apprenticeship with Grof Breathwork certified facilitators. Arranging for all six apprenticeship experiences with the same facilitator or program may work well for some Level II participants. Others may prefer to work with a variety of facilitators.
GLT-USA leadership will be available for advice, guidance, and contact information for possible apprenticeship experiences. We will ask facilitators offering apprenticeship experiences to commit to providing debriefing opportunities and constructive feedback to apprentice working with them. A senior member of the GLT-USA leadership team will also debrief Level II participants after each apprenticeship experience and generally supervise participation in the apprenticeship program. GLT-USA will request a one-time fee of $500 for supervision and administration aspects of the Level II program.
GLT-USA is already working in collaboration with Level I participants and other colleagues in development of weekend workshops where apprenticeship opportunities will emerge around the United States. We are hopeful that experienced practitioners offering their own retreats, workshops and programs will also welcome Level II apprentices into their offerings.
The cost of apprenticeship in various settings will depend on arrangements made between the Level II apprentice and the particular facilitator offering the apprenticeship. It is anticipated that costs will include transportation, lodging and meals if an apprenticeship is in a retreat setting or away from the home of the apprentice.
Facilitators offering apprenticeship experiences may also request compensation from the Level II participant for their time in leading the apprenticeship experience and/or mentoring the apprentice if ongoing mentoring is offered. These arrangements will be individually discussed between the apprentice and lead facilitator. Other than the one-time administration fee, and lodging and meal expenses relating to apprenticeship in GLT-USA hosted workshops, GLT-USA will not charge participants for apprenticeship experiences and will not directly compensate facilitators offering apprenticeships.
Level II Modules
Level II includes two additional modules:
- Holotropic Music
- Applied Grofian Psychology
To be launched in 2025, these modules will include both online and in-person components.
The Holotropic Music module is currently planned to be open to the general public upon application. The module will focus on the use of music in a variety of holotropic settings, including both Grof Breathwork and experiences with psychedelics. A three-week online module will include discussion of theory, current research, and worldwide traditions relating to music in various holotropic settings. The module will conclude with a residential retreat continuing discussion and demonstration of holotropic music along with Grof Breathwork sessions.
Open only to participants in Level II and the upcoming Psychedelic Facilitator Training Program, the Applied Grofian Psychology module will return to the important topic of understanding human psychodynamics from the perspective of the holotropic paradigm. The module will include discernment of whether and under what circumstances our model of work can be safe and productive for people with particular issues and presentations. The important topic of spiritual emergence/emergency will be investigated in greater depth, in the context of comparison to more traditional models of mental health and diagnosis. Theory and practice of Grof Breathwork will also be placed in the context of other models and practices of working with trauma, dissociation and attachment in the current field of psychology and psychiatry.
Level II Costs
Level II costs include:
- a $500 administration fee payable to GLT-USA upon enrollment in Level II.
- Travel, lodging and meal costs associated with apprenticeship experiences
- Fees that may be requested by Grof Breathwork certified facilitators offering apprenticeship and/or mentoring experiences (to be arranged independently by facilitators and Level II apprentices)
- Costs for the two Level II Modules (Holotropic Music and Applied Grofian Psychology), to be determined based on costs of retreat centers booked (estimated $1,250 to $1,500 per person per module, inclusive of online and in-person components, assuming included meals and lodging).
Completion of Level II
Participants completing Level II will be granted a certification authorizing them independently to conduct Grof Breathwork workshops. The participant will enter into agreements with GLT-USA and Grof Legacy International to acknowledge their commitment to honor holotropic and ethical principles, including agreement to supervision from time to time if requested by senior leadership in the Grof Legacy community.
Depending on circumstances for format, celebration of completion of the Grof Breathwork Facilitator Certification journey will be enthusiastically arranged by GLT-USA.
Certification Program Application