Holotropic Breathwork®

Holotropic Breathwork® is a powerful experiential method of self-exploration and inner healing developed by psychiatrist Stanislav Grof, MD, PhD, and Christina Grof. Emerging from the field of transpersonal psychology, the practice was created as a non-pharmacological approach to working with non-ordinary states of consciousness. The method is practiced internationally within a clearly defined framework that emphasizes safety, preparation, skilled facilitation, and integration.

Hom Hot Yoga is hosting an official Holotropic Breathwork® one-day retreat, guided by Vaidas Butauskas , a certified facilitator trained through Grof® Transpersonal Training (GTT) and supported by Laura Kuliesiute, founder of Hom Hot Yoga. The retreat follows the established Holotropic Breathwork® model, which combines accelerated breathing, evocative music, focused bodywork when appropriate, and a carefully held group container to support deep inner exploration. Holotropic Breathwork® should not be practiced or facilitated outside of the Grof Transpersonal Training framework. Certification through this program is required to guide others safely through this work.


Curious if Holotropic Breathwork® is right for you?

Schedule a free consultation

holotropicchicago@gmail.com

What is Holotropic Breathwork®

Grof® Breathwork, also known as Holotropic Breathwork, is a powerful experiential practice that supports deep psychological, emotional, and spiritual exploration. Through a carefully held combination of accelerated breathing, evocative music, and focused bodywork, participants enter non-ordinary states of consciousness, accessed solely through breath and sound.

Developed in the 1970s by pioneering psychiatrist Stanislav Grof, M.D., Ph.D., in collaboration with his late wife Christina Grof, this method emerged from decades of research into consciousness, healing, and the innate intelligence of the psyche. The work was originally shaped at the Esalen Institute in California and has since been practiced worldwide as a profound path of self-discovery and transformation.

This immersive experience offers participants the opportunity to journey inward, guided by what Grof describes as the inner healing intelligence, the natural wisdom within each individual that brings forward exactly what is needed for healing and integration in the present moment.

Designed for those drawn to personal growth, emotional release, and spiritual insight, Grof® Breathwork invites a direct, embodied encounter with the deeper layers of the psyche. With intentional preparation, supportive facilitation, and space for integration, the process encourages a movement toward greater wholeness, clarity, and connection.

The Journey

A Grof® / Holotropic Breathwork day retreat follows a carefully held, experiential structure grounded in trust and non-directive support. Each participant takes part in one session as a breather and one session as a sitter. During the breathing session, participants lie comfortably with eyes closed, using focused breathing and evocative music to enter non-ordinary states of consciousness, accessed solely through breath and sound. Sitters offer quiet, attentive presence, supporting the breather’s process without guidance or interpretation. Both roles are essential aspects of the Holotropic Breathwork® model as taught through Grof Transpersonal Training, emphasizing safety, mutual respect, and integration. Often, participants discover that sitting for another can be just as profound as breathing — offering insight, compassion, and a deeper understanding of shared humanity

Within the Grof framework, non-ordinary states are understood to activate the psyche’s inner healing intelligence, allowing experiences, insights, or emotional release to arise organically, according to what is most needed in the moment. The work honors the three essential phases of Grof® Breathwork: Preparation, the Experience, and Integration, ensuring the process is held with care, clarity, and respect

Your Lead Facilitator

VAIDAS BUTAUSKAS was born in Kaunas, Lithuania. He started his personal journey with Holotropic Breathwork in 2002 and was certified in 2006. Vaidas combines a commitment to his own inner work with a passion for supporting others on their journeys. Throughout the last fifteen years, he attended multiple conferences and workshops in the U.S., India, Nepal, Mexico, Russia, and Lithuania. He studied Transpersonal Psychology and the world spiritual traditions of Shamanism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Currently, he studies SantMat teachings and continues his work in supporting spiritual education and holistic practices. He organizes and facilitates workshops in the U.S., Lithuania and co-ordinates in various Integral practices helping to raise spiritual awareness. Vaidas resides in Chicago area.

Space Holder & Integration Support

LAURA KULIESIUTE was born in Kaunas, Lithuania. Her path has been shaped by an ongoing exploration of consciousness, healing, and inner experience. She has since been immersed in the study of meditation, yoga, trauma-informed practices, and somatic awareness. Laura is the founder of Hōm Hot Yoga, a community-centered studio created from a deep desire to offer spaces where people feel safe, supported, and truly at home - inside and out. Through her work, she has facilitated and hosted a wide range of classes, workshops, and experiential events, with a strong emphasis on nervous-system regulation, emotional safety, and embodied presence. Laura will be holding the container for the day and is currently in the process of enrolling in formal Holotropic Breathwork training, drawn to the depth and transformative potential of the work. She remains deeply committed to her own inner exploration and approaches this path with humility, responsibility, and reverence.

A Day of Inner Exploration

May 16

Retreat Day Schedule

9am-8pm

9am - Arrival Time

10am - First Breathing Session

1pm - Mandalas/Integration

2pm - Light Lunch

3pm - Second Breathing Session

6pm - Mandalas/Integration

7pm - Closing/Sharing Circle

May 15

7pm

Pre-Retreat Orientation & Preparation

We’ll gather at Hom Hot Yoga for a preparation session. This time is designed to help everyone feel informed, supported, and grounded going into the experience. During this meeting, participants will pair into breather and sitter roles, and we’ll review the structure of the day, answer questions, and go over importnat guidelines for Holotropic Breathwork. We want everyone to arrive to the retreat day feeling clear, safe, and supported.

Please note times are subject to change

Post-Retreat Integration Gathering (Optional)

Following the retreat, we may offer an optional group integration session to support reflection, meaning making, and continued connection with your inner process. Integration spaces can be a valuable way to gently process insightd from the experince, ask questions, and fell supported as the work continues to unfold.

Details will be co-created after the retreat based on group interest and needs, allowing space for the experience to settle before deciding what additional support feels most appropriate.

Integration Support

As part of our commitment to conscious, responsible facilitation, Hōm Hot Yoga is offering a complimentary two-week access to select Yin Yoga and meditative classes for participants following the retreat experience. Deep inner work doesn’t end when the session concludes. Integration is an essential part of the process, allowing insights, emotions, and bodily experiences to gently settle and find their place in everyday life. Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra are especially supportive during this time, as they invite the nervous system to downshift, regulate, and restore. These practices emphasize stillness, breath awareness, and mindful presence, creating space for the body and psyche to process without force.

This complimentary access is offered as a gentle container for ongoing integration, not as a requirement or expectation, but as an available support for those who feel called to continue tending to their inner process. Classes are primarily offered in the evening to support rest, reflection, and ease.

This experience is for individuals who feel called toward deep inner exploration and are curious about engaging with their inner landscape through breath, music, and a carefully held container. Holotropic Breathwork is a non-directive, experiential practice that supports expanded awareness and self-inquiry. Each person’s experience is unique and guided by their own inner intelligence. This offering may resonate with those who:

  • • feel drawn toward personal growth, self-understanding, or inner inquiry

  • • are interested in exploring consciousness in a grounded, embodied way

  • • wish to connect more deeply with their inner world

  • • are navigating transitions, questions, or moments of reflection in life

  • • value experiential practices that emphasize presence, self-trust, and integration

Participants do not need prior experience with breathwork or altered-state practices. What is most important is a willingness to approach the experience with openness, curiosity, and self-responsibility.

Who is this for? 

Our Story

Who This Experience May Not Be Suitable For?

Because this experience may involve intense physical sensations, emotional expression, or altered states of awareness, it is important that participants carefully consider their readiness and overall health. For safety reasons, this experience is not recommended for individuals who are currently experiencing or have a history of:

• cardiovascular conditions or significant heart issues

• uncontrolled high blood pressure

• epilepsy or seizure-related conditions

• glaucoma or retinal detachment

• recent injury, surgery, or acute physical illness

• pregnancy or breastfeeding

• psychosis, bipolar disorder, or other conditions involving altered reality perception

• severe panic disorder that is currently unmanaged

• any condition requiring close medical supervision

This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure whether this experience is appropriate for you, we strongly encourage you to consult with your healthcare provider and to reach out to us with questions before registering. Participation is based on self-responsibility, informed consent, and honest self-assessment.

contact : holotropicchicago@gmail.com

When : May 16, 2026

Where: Hōm Hot Yoga Gurnee, IL

 

Contribution Levels

To support accessibility and honor different circumstances, we offer three participation tiers. Please choose the option that feels most aligned for you.

Sustaining Rate: $275

Helps support the space, facilitators, and community access

Standard Rate: $260

Covers the full cost of participation

Supported Rate: $250

Offered in limited availability for those who may need financial support

Request A Spot

Community Support Exchange

We are offering one Community Support Exchange space for this experience. This option is intended for someone who feels deeply called to the work and would genuinely benefit from participating, but for whom the standard registration cost presents a barrier. The Community Support Exchange participant will support the day through light, non-clinical tasks such as setup, simple logistics, and general assistance, while also participating in the experience itself. This role is held with care and clear boundaries, ensuring that participation remains respectful, grounded, and supportive of the individual’s own process. Those interested are invited to email us briefly, sharing why this experience feels meaningful to them, their current circumstances, and their capacity to support the day

All inquiries will be held confidentially and considered thoughtfully.

please email:

holotropicchicago@gmail.com