The Breath Between Us: Grof® Breathwork in Richmond, VA

This workshop is now full. To join the waitlist, please email gianna@grof-legacy-training-usa.com.

Join us for a powerful weekend of self-discovery, healing, and transformation through Grof® Breathwork , the profound method developed by Dr. Stanislav Grof. Rooted in transpersonal psychology and non-ordinary states of consciousness, this experiential practice uses deep, connected breathing, evocative music, and focused bodywork to access the innate wisdom of the psyche.

In this community-centered workshop, we create a sacred and supportive space for each participant to explore their inner landscape. Working in pairs, each person will have the opportunity to both breathe and sit — holding space for one another in a deep spirit of trust and presence. This collective field enhances the healing potential, reminding us that though the journey is personal, we are never alone.

The workshop includes:

• An introduction to the principles of Grof® Breathwork

• A full breathwork session (one experience as a breather and one as a sitter)

• Integration practices including sharing, journaling, and grounding

• Community connection and reflection

  
  

No prior experience is necessary — only an open heart and willingness to surrender to your inner healer. Whether you are seeking emotional release, spiritual insight, or a deeper connection with yourself and others, this workshop offers a safe and sacred container for profound inner work.

Come as you are. Breathe into the mystery. Leave transformed.

Hosted By

Ashley Mannell, PMHNP

McKenzie Casad, LCSW

Facilitation Team

Jay Dufrechou, J.D., PhD

Jay Dufrechou, J.D., PhD is the Director of Grof Legacy Training USA, the United States branch of the international training organization founded in 2020 by Stanislav and Brigitte Grof. Along with Marianne Murray, Jay leads the teaching and facilitation team for Grof Breathwork training programs in the US.

In the mid-90s, while working as an attorney, experiences of “spiritual emergence” changed Jay’s understanding of the cosmos and led him to the doctoral program at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (ITP), now Sofia University, to follow and integrate his experiences. Earning a Ph.D. in 2002 in Transpersonal Psychology, Jay has taught for various transpersonal-related schools and supervised dissertation research, often involving Stan Grof’s work.

Jay first experienced Stan Grof’s Breathwork in 1995, immediately realizing the power of the technique for personal growth and healing. He came back to breathwork in the mid-2000s and started the facilitator training path in 2009, receiving certification in 2015. He has worked as a holotropic breathwork and Grof Breathwork facilitator across the US, as well as in the UK, Europe, Canada, India and China.

When not traveling for work in Grof programs, Jay divides his time between Helena, Montana, and Panama City Beach, Florida, where he lives with his partner Rob Sharp. Jay is the proud father of three children and “papa” to three grandchildren.

Sandy Wiggins

Sandy is certified as a Breathwork Practitioner and Psycho-Spiritual Facilitator by the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance and has completed the core curriculum of Grof Legacy Training® for Grof® Breathwork and Psychedelic Therapy. He is also a meditation teacher, and he designs and facilitates experiential workshops, communities of practice and retreats with groups and individuals around the globe.  

Ashley Mannell, PMHNP (apprentice)

Ashley Mannell is a nurse practitioner and the founder of Nourish Health & Wellness, an integrative psychiatry practice in Richmond, VA. With certifications in functional medicine, mind-body medicine, and extensive training in ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapy, Ashley is passionate about helping people uncover and address the root causes of mental and emotional distress—rather than simply “medicating” symptoms.

Her journey into expanded states of consciousness began in 2021 with training in ketamine-assisted therapy, which inspired her to pursue advanced study in psychedelic-assisted modalities. In 2022, she completed training in MDMA-assisted therapy through MAPS and the California Institute of Integral Studies. In 2024, Ashley joined the Grof Legacy Breathwork Facilitator Training Program, deepening her commitment to sharing the healing potential of non-ordinary states of consciousness with her community. She is also currently training as a somatic experiencing practitioner, integrating body-based trauma resolution into her work.

In her personal life, Ashley finds deep joy and meaning in raising her three lovely teenage daughters (together with her “best-girl-dad” husband Ben), whose growth and individuality continually inspire her. Her Cavalier King Charles dog Steve is the other love of her life and accompanies her almost everywhere she goes. An avid reader, she is especially drawn to the rich truths and lived experiences found in non-fiction and memoirs. She loves to travel and explore new landscapes—particularly the vast, soul-stirring beauty of the American West—which has been deeply intertwined with her own inner work and profound transformation. Through practices such as breathwork, these journeys have rekindled within her a vibrant sense of awe, wonder, and delight in both the world around her and her own unfolding healing journey.

McKenzie Casad, LCSW (apprentice)

McKenzie Casad, LCSW is a psychoanalyst in private practice in Richmond, VA. Guided by psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theory, her work is grounded in the belief that thinking together fosters insight and deeper understanding, opening the door to connect more fully with one’s inner world. As clients come to know themselves, a positive and expansive space emerges—offering the opportunity to grow, evolve, and flourish.

McKenzie’s approach is informed by many years of study and training, including infant and young child observational studies, psychoanalysis, yoga, breathwork, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. These diverse modalities enrich her work both in the therapy room and in her role supporting participants in the breathwork field.

Schedule

Friday, October 3: 6:00 - 8:30pm | Check-in begins at 5:00pm*

Saturday, October 4: 8:30am - 6:30pm*

Sunday, October 5: 9:00am - 12:00pm*

*Attendance at all three days required

Accommodations

This is a non-residential workshop. Participants are expected to coordinate their own meals and lodging.

Contraindications

Grof® Breathwork is a transformative experience designed to facilitate deep self-exploration and healing. Due to the intense physical and emotional nature of the practice, certain health conditions may pose risks during breathwork sessions. To ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, please review our health considerations before registering for a workshop. You may also view our health questionnaire prior to registration.