Rebirthing
Frequently asked Questions
Rebirthing Today
"The
rebirthing modality has been in practice since the end of the 60s. Of late it
has been renamed to 'breathwork' for a number of reasons. It is the practice of
Conscious Connected Breathing . Its use enables us to deepen our experiences
and access dormant parts, submerged into unconsciousness or never explored. It
is a tool for inner work and it produces change. Most people find their desire
to change when life presents challenges, difficulties or sickness.
Physical
conditions, such as sickness and well-being are self-created states, the result
of belief systems and unresolved feelings. By applying breathwork we enter a
process of gradually taking responsibility for these conditions and connecting
with the part in our being that feels and knows what is right for us.
Breathwork
helps to open the heart chakra and increases the ability to love and to
forgive. Being human becomes an exciting exploration and a fulfilling and
passionate expression of love. Love and a sense of purpose gradually replace
our desires and become the foundation for mature and intimate relationships
with the people around us and our environment.
Breathwork
is a tool for people who are serious about their growth and who want to evolve.
We do not have to wait for the challenges or the difficulties to demand that we
change. Change can become the way of life itself. It is totally empowering.
Breathing
increases aliveness, awareness and sensitivity. Breathing more efficiently
and effectively rejuvenates and increases our potential to live forever. Humans
are divine in essence and have the potential to transcend the cycle of cause
and effect of our earthly plane. By using breathwork you are inviting yourself
to participate in and celebrate your full expression of life" (
The
Breathconnection style of conscious connected breathing evolved out of Nemi's many years of experiential breathwork with over
15000 people. It is based on the rebirthing/breathwork of Leonard Orr, Stan Grof, Ararah Bhakti,
the transformational work of Adam Davis and Nemi’s
thousands of hours spent in meditation and self-exploration through breathwork
and other modalities .
Nemi
teaches not only how to safely and powerfully process oneself with connected
breathing, she also presents a transformational model with strong emphasis
on the importance of clarifying issues before breathing sessions. This technique
of setting intentions enables the breather to work effectively on the content of a session
and its relevance to the current life situation. It makes the outcome predictable
and its integration into everyday life easy.
The
immediate benefits of a Breathconnection session are a more oxygen circulation,
fuller, more effective breathing, relaxation, reduced stress and increased
aliveness, emotional and mental health and wellbeing.
The
lasting benefits are the release of limiting physical or psychological patterns
and conditions and the emerging and integration of the spiritual self as a
foundation for conscious living and planetary awareness. Love takes on a
different meaning and becomes an integral part of all relating.
The
purpose of breathwork is self-healing and enlightenment through the use of
breath.
about Breathwork
What is it?
Breathwork
is a breathing technique. It is a tool for inner work. Continual connected
breathing over a period of time energizes the body and may bring old memories,
feelings and physical tension into awareness or produce an altered state of consciousness.
Accepting (integrating) these sensation and experiences results in a profound
sense of relaxation and wellbeing. This usually results in healing of sickness,
realisations that change one's attitudes to situations or inspiration for
renewing or new projects.
How do I do it?
It
is usually done lying down. The Breathworker (sitter) sits beside the breather
and guides him/her into a relaxed breathing rythm.
He/she is also available for support physically and energetically during the
session. Within a two hour consultation the breathing may take from 30 to 90
minutes sometimes longer.
What can happen?
Because
there are many differnt ways to breathe and
approaches to breath sessions it is difficult to
predict any one session. Every person is unique and each session is influenced
by their state of mind, health, emotions and physical fitness. Typical symptoms
during the session are:
- changes of temperature (feeling hot or cold)
- tightness, tingling, cramping, perspiration
- emotional release of sadness, anger or
fear etc.
- memories of past events, recent and back to early
childhood, birth and conception
- memories of past lifetimes
- deep relaxation and a sense of bliss
- an experience of meditation
- realisations, understanding
Is it for everyone?
Everyone
can benefit from a breathing session. There are many differnt
styles and it is a matter of finding the one that is most suited to the type of
condition a person is in. However it is not recommended to anyone who is not
ready yet to accept personal responsibility. This means someone who does not
believe in the concept that 'we are the creators of all our experiences'. Also,
people who do not want to change themselves or are willing to accept change of
their life situation. People who are not able to follow breathing instructions
cannot be guided into a breathing session. Even children, elderly people and
the infirm can benefit from one of the meditative connected breathing styles.
Is it safe?
No-one
has died from breathwork so far.
Does it always work?
It
works if the breather is able to keep the breath connected, breathe deeply and
stay conscious and connected to their body during a session. Sometimes if a
person cannot breathe deeply enough in the allotted time or they are too
uncertain to fully relax into the process or they fall asleep, the session does
not bring any results. When the breather has certain expectations of the
session it can happen that he/she does not notice the results if they are differnt from their expectations.
Will breathwork change my
life?
Yes,
breathwork is a powerful tool. It brings about changes in the personality by
releasing physical and emotional tensions. This increases your awareness and
clears unconscious beliefs and patterns of behaviour.
Breathwork
also transforms. This refers to our state of soul. After some time of regular
sessions the rebirthee's understanding of human
nature expands. Through the dis- identification from
personality patterns the individual emerges and an awarenes
of being a soul evolves. The changes that occur in the soul are usually
referred to as transformation, because they change a person, not just their
behaviour. .
Is it hyperventilation?
Breathwork
is not hyperventilation. The extract of an article by Gunnel Minett explains why. (..Link to come...)
How many sessions should I
do?
Rebirthers
offer different cycles of sessions. It is recommended that new rebirthees have a sequence of sessions to begin with. This
helps to really learn how to use the breath efficiently. It cannot be learned
in one session. Another reason for session cycles of 3, 5 or 10 sessions is to
have the continuity to work on deeper issues. Some issues are not dealt with in
one session. For example the effects of very traumatic events like rape or
violence or severe accidents, war tauma etc, require
time. Each Rebirth is a step in the unfolding of the body memory and each
person will find their own pace at which to work. A commitment to a session
cycle also helps to overcome resistance when uncomfortable feelings and
experiences emerge from the subconscious.
Is it a cult?
Definitely
not; breathwork is a breathing technique. It is not a religion. Rebirthers
respect most systems of thought and belief. The technique is open to your
individual interpretation.
Why has the name been
changed from Rebirthing to breathwork?
When
the technique was established in the late 1970s, many people experienced
release from birth trauma. However, to day it is known that birth trauma is
only one aspect of a wide range of traumas. Back then, many people experienced
the beginning of their spiritual journey through breathwork as a spiritual
birth. The energies during a breathwork session can be the same as during
childbirth. The name change has cause confusion. Some people believe that
breathwork and rebirthing are two different things and there has been much
debate amongst the members of the profession. Many ex-rebirthers believe that
breathwork more accurately describes the technique.
How much does it cost?
The
fee for an individual two to three hour consultation is between $50 to $180,
depending on area and rebirther. Group session fees range from $40 to $80 per
person.
Do you have any other
questions? Please write to: info@breathconnection.com.au
By
'Rebirthing in the
New Age' is the title of Leonard Orr's first book on rebirthing. Leonard Orr is the founder of rebirthing.
Today I would say 'Rebirthing has come of Age'. Leonard Orr's story is
absolutely unique. He has been instrumental in passing on to mankind a tool and
the know-how to overcome our inner dilemmas, to find inner peace and hence be
able to manifest peace around us. He explored consciousness in a unique
grassroots way, showing that the ordinariness of everyday life indeed carries
the potential for personal and global miracles.
Through his self exploration which began during relaxation in his bathtub, and through the documentation of such in various books and tapes , he has demonstrated the importance of each individuals unique experience, and further how to look for uniqueness in ourselves as proof for divine existence rather than formulating spiritual doctrines. His explorations defy all conventional scientific methods of discovery and proof of validity. They demonstrate that simple truth stands strong on it's own, and that human evaluation through the heart and with love are a viable measure to discern what is good and beneficial for mankind and what is not.. His simplicity of approach shows that this kind of exploration is sufficient to support the evolution of mankind and that science can be used to strengthen these evaluations if necessary. Science should never be the master of our evolution that leads us into our future, because it is driven by desire for recognition, fame and money, all of which rarely harmonise with the deeper needs and interests of mankind.
Rebirthing
is a healing and self transformation method, that puts the power and
responsibility for wellbeing into the hands of the individual and views health
in a wholistic context where physical, emotional, mental and spiritual create a
harmonious balanced interplay, and where nature is seen as a place to share and
enjoy peacefully, not to conquer and to use as a means to demonstrate the power
of man over the environment.
Rebirthing
has somewhat struggled it's way into mainstream, meaning that it underwent the
perils of being tested by controversy. Like many new things it was rejected by
some and 'tried to be made' into a cult by others. For the rest, we receive it
openheartedly and with gratitude. We are now change
over to the name 'breathwork'.
Along
side Leonard's untiring spreading of his findings; Stanislaw
Groff developed his style of breathwork, now known as 'Holotopic
Breathwork'. Still up to the present some people contest as to who actually
brought breathwork into modern society. Leonard claims himself to be the father
of rebirthing. Some people clam that Stan Groff, who came from mainstream
psychiatry, developed rebirthing from his extensive, legal LSD experimentations
in the 50s. Whatever is true, both approaches evolved side by side and formed
the first generation of breathwork.
So
where are we now, 20 years and more down the track of conscious breathing. Leonard Orr's bathtub story is great for it's
time and totally inspiring us to look for evolution and innovations in the
ordinariness of everyday life, rather than scientific laboratories…But we
have moved on and come a long way. Today breathwork/rebirthing is a viable
natural therapy that is helping millions of people to get well, People who are
well, motivated and open to an active, real and grounded spiritually in their
lives, thanks to our pioneers and those who followed them and also made
breathwork/rebirthing their calling in life.
Like
all new things that work and bring change, rebirthing/breathwork has it's opponents, and it is this challenge that inspires
rebirthers/breathworkers to broaden their knowledge and shape up their
professionalism and appear alongside other natural therapies and
psychotherapies in mainstream society. Unlike most other profession
rebirthing/breathwork can be learned in 10 days, 6 weeks, one year or up to
4-year study and experiential courses, all of which are respected and supported
by the experts within the profession. It is taught in private trainings and
colleges and as accredited trainings though RTO's. It has branched out into
many brother and sister forms that are presented under trade names like Holotopic Breathwork, Vivations,
LRT, Transformational Breathing, Breathconnection, Breath Meditation, and
Emotional Release Counselling etc…
There
are well established rebirthing and breathwork centres and schools in almost
every country of the world. Since nine years the IBF, International Breathwork
Foundation is conducting it's yearly convention, the
Global Inspiration Conference in a different country every year. The Foundation's
10th birthday was celebrated during GIC 2003 here in
In
Rebirthing/Breathwork
is the science of uniqueness. It is based on the understanding that each individual
is responsible for his/her states of being and circumstances in life, and is
therefore able to change unwanted conditions. A rebirther/breathworker acts as
a breathing guide only. Because a breath session is essentially a
self-exploratory process, the level of skill to accompany someone starts with
simply being able to stay present and give breathing instructions occasionally.
The more inner work a breathworker has accomplished on him- or herself, the
further a rebirthee is able to go in his/her session.
Rebirthing/breathwork
is based on the technique of conscious connected breathing. There is a current
trend towards calling the method breathwork, rather tan rebirthing, to include
the brother and sister modalities. It's effectiveness
lies in the simplicity of the technique. A simple connection between the
in-breath and out-breath produces the profound effect of being able to access
one's suppressed memories as well as altered states of consciousness. It is
therefore a method through which we effect change at the cause of our ailments
not at the symptomatic level. And it requires the rebirthee to take full
responsibility for his/her state of being, because nothing is administered from
the outside. Anything that occurs during a session is activated by the rebirthree firstly by setting a clear intention of what
he/she wants to accomplish during the breathing cycle and secondly by staying
focused on him/herself whilst using the connected
breath.
The
diverse styles of breathwork offered today provide a wide scope of techniques
of breathing, which covers just about any issue a rebirthee could bring to a
session. Some people need soft integrative breathing to deal with the content
of their issue, others need a strong intense breath to
gain access to the suppressed memories. Mentally oriented people need a
non-verbal style of session with plenty of experience, to open the doors to
their feelings, and emotionally oriented people have a need for understanding
and the means to assimilate emotional content through the higher mind.
Recently
a tragic accident in Colorado America has setback the reputation of rebirthing
and caused a lot of despair amongst the rebirthing and breathwork community,
especially in
If you have never tried
conscious connected breathing try Leonard Orr's 20 connected breaths exercise:
" 20 connected breaths is the basic
breathing exercise.
" Do four sets of five breaths. Each set of five breaths contains four
short breaths and one long one.
" When you connect the inhale to the exhale in a
short rhythm it feels like it is fast, or rapid breathing, but it must not be
forced. It must be gentle, soft and connected.
" Then on the long breaths, slow down and relax as deeply as you can on
the inhale and then let go on the exhale. Do not push or force the exhale.
" The proper rhythm in rebirthing is always a gentle, connected rhythm. It
has to be a free breathing rhythm. When people breathe that way they contact the
divine energy. People stay with the rhythm till it recedes naturally.
" Breathe through the nose, but you can switch to
the mouth if you have to, e.g., blocked nose.