Grof® Breathwork Facilitator Certification

The Grof® Breathwork Facilitator Certification, developed under the guidance of Stanislav and Brigitte Grof, is a multi-stage training for individuals committed to supporting others through the transformative potential of holotropic states of consciousness in safe and professional settings. It integrates Grof’s theoretical framework with deep personal exploration, hands-on facilitation practice, and community-based learning.

This program emphasizes three foundational pillars of facilitator development:

Personal process – engaging your own self exploration and transformation as essential preparation for holding space for others.
Facilitator training – developing presence, awareness, and practical skills for safely facilitating Grof® Breathwork sessions.
Group and community holding – learning to support groups with cultural sensitivity, relational integrity, and trauma-informed care.

Ethical considerations in facilitating holotropic state experiences are considered throughout the program. In addition to teaching ethical practices important in any therapeutic context, we encourage development of personal awareness of the impact we may have on others based not only on how we understand ourselves but also on how we may be received by a diverse range of individuals. We consider ethical practice in holotropic work to include ongoing attention to our capacities to work with difference, intensity, and the unknown and to sit with the discomfort that may arise when they are being expressed.

Rather than a checklist-style curriculum, this training is intentionally and individually paced to support deep integration and the emergence of genuine facilitation presence.

Our Grof Breathwork Facilitator Program has two levels. Completion of Level I qualifies participants to apply for Level II, an advanced practicum and apprenticeship, and/or the Grofian Psychedelics Facilitator Program.

Level I: Foundational Training

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Level I begins with an introductory in-person workshop, followed by four comprehensive training units that combine self-paced study, live Zoom meetings, and immersive experiential learning.

Each of the four core units include:

Online Component: The online component uses an inverted classroom model to foster active, collaborative learning. Rather than passively receiving content during class time, students engage with readings, video lectures from Stanislav Grof, and other resources in advance—allowing live weekly Zoom sessions to become rich spaces for discussion, group work, and deeper integration. The courses also include integration quizzes and reflection papers to support embodiment and personal insight. Participants should plan to spend 10–12 hours per week engaging with materials at their own pace. This dynamic format empowers learners to take ownership of their journey, deepen their understanding, and connect meaningfully with peers in a supportive learning community.

In-Person Experiential: Each week-long in-person training includes four Grof® Breathwork sessions, hands-on facilitation practice, mentorship meetings with faculty, and integrative group process. These immersive retreats are essential for building the grounded presence and skill set required for effective facilitation.

This hybrid format is designed to balance academic depth with embodied practice —creating a strong foundation for personal transformation and the art of holding space for others.

Introduction to Grofian Theory and Practice

This workshop serves as the foundational prerequisite course for participants accepted into the Grof® Breathwork Facilitator Training Program. It is also open to individuals who are exploring the possibility of training and wish to experience an introduction to the work and the community.

In-Person Experiential

January 18 - 25, 2026

Sane Living, Ojai, CA

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Unit 1: Grofian Psychology

Online Zoom Schedule (10am PT)

March 1, 2026

March 8, 2026

March 15, 2026

March 22, 2026

In-Person Experiential

April 26 - May 3, 2026

Mount Madonna, Watsonville, CA

Unit 2: Architecture of Emotional and Psychosomatic Disorders

Online Zoom Schedule (10am PT)

August 2, 2026

August 9, 2026

August 16, 2026

August 23, 2026

In-Person Experiential

September 13-20, 2026

Mount Madonna, Watsonville, CA

Unit 3: Spiritual Emergence/Emergency

Dates to be confirmed

Unit 4: Archetypes, Cosmic Game, and Consciousness Evolution

Dates to be confirmed

Tuition is paid in stages as you progress through the program.

Introductory Unit

Tuition: $2,000, Early Bird Rate: $1,800 (available until November 1, 2025)
This unit is non-residential. Participants are responsible for their own lodging and meals.
Click here to sign up for the Introductory Unit

Units 1–4 (Core Training Modules)

Tuition: $2,500 per unit
These modules are residential, offering a fully immersive training experience.
Lodging and meals are paid separately and arranged directly through the retreat center. A link to reserve accommodations will be provided upon acceptance into the program.

Payment Plans:
Flexible payment plans via Afterpay and Klarna are available to support access and affordability.

Scholarships:
Limited partial scholarships are available. Click here to learn more.

Level I is a hybrid training that combines theoretical grounding, experiential practice, and community learning. Participants engage in both online and in-person components, developing and deepening their understanding of Grof’s cartography of the psyche, the healing potential of holotropic states, and the core competencies of Grof® Breathwork facilitation.

This level supports your personal transformation as much as your capacity and skill development—recognizing that becoming a facilitator starts with knowing yourself and learning to be fully present with oneself and others.

Applicants must complete at least four sessions as a “breather” and four as a “sitter” in Grof® Breathwork before beginning the program. Ideally, applicants should complete at least one or two sessions before applying to confirm that the program aligns with their interests and goals, with the remaining sessions completed before the program’s start date.

Sessions under brand names Grof® Breathwork, Holotropic Breathwork, or Transpersonal Breathwork (Dreamshadow community) count as sessions in the Grof lineage. BodhiBreath™ sessions including sitting may be counted toward this requirement. One BodhiBreath session without sitting may be counted without consultation with us. Other experiences may be considered with approval from Gianna Sutley at gianna@grof-legacy-training-usa.com but strong emphasis is on experience in the Grof Breathwork/holotropic breathwork modality.

To view upcoming workshops that fulfill the prerequisite, visit our Calendar. Particularly recommended are the workshops hosted by Grof Legacy Training or the retreats in New Mexico hosted by our sister organization, Grof Legacy Project.

Training as a Grof® Breathwork Facilitator involves a commitment to personal growth, ethical integrity, and compassionate presence. Our application process includes:

Application Submission: Complete the application form, providing details on your background, relevant experiences, and interest in Grof® Breathwork.
Interview: After submitting your application, a Zoom interview with a senior faculty member will be arranged. This interview will allow us to learn more about you and discuss your goals for the program. We anticipate scheduling interviews to begin in August, 2025.
Application Fee: A $100 application fee is required to cover the time and resources involved in the admissions process. If accepted, this fee is applied to your deposit for your first unit.

Level II: Advanced Training and Apprenticeship

Level II includes the following components, all of which can be completed at your own pace to support organic integration and growth.

Two Advanced Modules

Level II requires completion of two modules: “Holotropic Music” and “Applied Grofian Psychology.” Each module includes four live Zoom sessions and one in-person experiential retreat with two to four Grof® Breathwork sessions.

Note: You may attend these modules before formally entering Level II.

Apprenticeship

Apprenticing is the means through which trainee facilitators gain hands-on experience, receive guidance and mentorship, and benefit from the support of the professional Grof® Breathwork community in preparation for becoming certified facilitators in their own right.

Certification as a Grof® Breathwork Facilitator will require a minimum of six apprenticeship experiences. The six apprenticeship experiences are counted by workshop, not by the number of breathwork sessions. We ask that at least two of those apprenticeships take place at multiple-day (preferably residential) workshops, with four breathwork sessions. Other apprenticeships may be at shorter workshops with two breathwork sessions.

Note: Please do not begin scheduling your apprenticeships until you are accepted into Level 2 of the training.

Consultations

You will be required to complete a minimum of 10 structured consultations during Level II, including at least five with a primary GLT mentor. These consultations support your development by helping you track your progress, navigate challenges during apprenticeships, integrate personal experiences, and prepare for your role as a facilitator.

Personal Breathwork

Perhaps the single most important part of your training as facilitator is the depth and variety of your own personal experience in breathwork sessions. To complete Level II of the training we require a total of at least 24 breathwork experiences (24 as breather and 24 as sitter). Experiences in Grof® Breathwork or holotropic breathwork accumulated prior to and during Level I apply toward those 24 experiences.

Workshop Organization

You must co-organize or lead the planning of at least one Grof® Breathwork workshop under the guidance of certified facilitators. This is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with logistics, hosting, and team collaboration.

Final Certification Requirements

Upon completing the above requirements, the final step in certification is to submit:

A final written reflection on your facilitator journey
A completed Level II training checklist
Two letters of recommendation
A certification interview with a senior GLT facilitator

Upon successful review, you will receive your certificate and be listed as a certified Grof® Breathwork Facilitator.

We have scheduled two modules in each subject for 2025-2026. In 2027 and beyond, we will move to a pattern of one module in each subject per year. There is no urgency to complete these modules, in fact, we recommend spacing them out over time.

The dates for the 2025/26 modules are:

Holotropic Music

Sane Living

Ojai, CA

November 9-16, 2025

(Zoom gatherings: August 16, August 23, September 27, and October 4).

Holotropic Music

Genesis Spiritual Life Center

Westfield, MA

February 23 – March 1, 2026

(Zoom gatherings: January 11, January 18, February 1, and February 8).

Applied Grofian Psychology

The Franciscan Center

Tampa, Florida

May 10-16, 2026

Applied Grofian Psychology

Sane Living

Ojai, CA

July 11-19, 2026

(Zoom sessions for both the Tampa and Ojai modules will be the same; to be announced.)

Level II has the following costs associated with completion:

Program Administration Fee

A $1,000 admin fee (due upon acceptance into Level II) supports mentorship coordination, administrative support, apprenticeship guidance, requirement tracking, and certification review.

Experiential Modules

Ojai, CA modules
- Tuition: $2,000 (Early Bird: $1,800)
- These modules are non-residential. Participants are responsible for their own lodging and meals.
Westfield, MA modules
- Tuition:
  - Single Room: $3,510 (Early Bird: $3,310)
  - Double Room (shared): $3,350 (Early Bird: $3,150)
- These modules are residential, offering a fully immersive training experience. Tuition includes 6 nights accommodation and 3 meals per day.

Flexible payment plans via Afterpay and Klarna are available to support access and affordability. Limited partial scholarships are also available. Click here to learn more.

Apprenticeships

Participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and any related expenses during apprenticeship workshops. Apprenticing is arranged directly with certified facilitators, and fees (if applicable) will vary by workshop and location.

Consultations

Consultation fees are paid directly to the facilitator based on individual arrangements. The recommended rate for consultations is $100/hour.

Level II is a self-paced, mentored journey toward full certification as a Grof® Breathwork Facilitator. Designed to deepen your skill, presence, and embodiment of the work, this level moves beyond foundational training into the heart of advanced facilitation. It includes immersive modules, guided apprenticeship, personalized mentorship, and meaningful community engagement.

Completion of Level II authorizes you to facilitate Grof® Breathwork sessions independently under the Grof Legacy name.

Participants may apply to Level II after completing all components of Level I. The application process opens in July 2025.

To apply, you will need to:

Submit an online application
Affirm agreement with Grof Legacy’s Holotropic and Ethical Principles
Acknowledge respect for Grof® trademarks and branding
Pay the GLT-USA administration fee
Complete a consultation with a senior facilitator

What Our Students Say

Tyler B.

"The multi-year span of the Grof Breathwork Facilitator Training allows for ample time to process and ground what is learned theoretically and experientially. For future breathwork practitioners, the pace enables and models the healing and evolution that can occur when deep inner work is given opportunity and space to be properly integrated. Facilitator training programs, especially those developed around a pioneer in a field, can become cult-like and border on guru worship or even worse can feel mercenary and callous. GLT’s training, while honoring Stan’s many decades of contributions in multiple fields, approaches the work the very way Stan has lived his life - intentional, curious and authentic.

The teaching and facilitation team individually and collectively possesses a tremendous amount of awareness and care, while also remaining open to feedback and allowing for evolution of the program. The mentorship from the faculty and the camaraderie developed amongst the diverse cohorts helps to build in future practitioners the knowledge and wisdom required to carry forward this work into the world."

Grof® Breathwork Facilitator Certification

Level I: Foundational Training

Level II: Advanced Training and Apprenticeship

What Our Students Say

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