The Rebirthing Breathwork Revolution
From Humble Beginnings
Breathing is an essential part of life, but what if it could be used to heal emotional and physical blockages? This is precisely what Leonard Orr, founder of rebirthing breathwork, discovered in his 20’s, when submerged in a small pool of water experimenting with his breathing, unexpectedly experienced a spontaneous "rebirth", transporting him back to his own birth to relive the experience in a vivid and intense manner.
This experience led him to develop the rebirthing technique, which involves conscious connected breathing to help individuals heal, access deeper levels of consciousness, and transform their lives.
Spiritual Pioneer
Orr, considered by many to be the father of modern breathwork, stated that he drew inspiration from various spiritual and healing traditions. Following his discovery he began teaching the technique to others, eventually founding the Rebirthing Breathwork International organisation in 1978.
The popularity of rebirthing rapidly grew, becoming a significant part of the alternative healing and New Age movements of the 1970s and 1980s.
What is it
Also called Conscious Connected Breathing, and Energy Breathing, Rebirthing breathwork is a gentle, non-intrusive, healing system that uses the power of our own breath to access deep levels of consciousness and release emotional and physical blockages. Quality sessions are done one-on-one, but can also be facilitated in a group setting.
The technique has been safely used to help people heal from a wide range of physical and emotional issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction. It has also been used to enhance greater levels of self-awareness, spiritual growth, and personal development.
The Eight Biggies
According to Orr, there are eight "biggies" of human trauma that hinder individual happiness that can be healed with rebirthing:
Birth trauma
Primal separation from the mother
Specific negative experiences between birth and age 6
Inherited genetic tendencies
Past life trauma
Unconscious death urge
Karma from past lives
The collective unconscious.
By releasing the emotional and physical blockages associated with these traumas, individuals experience greater levels of healing, clarity, and personal growth.
Spiritual Purification with the 4 Elements
Drawing inspiration from various spiritual and healing traditions ,including yoga, meditation, and the teachings of his guru, Babaji Nagaraj. Orr emphasised the importance of working with the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water), as practiced by the Himalayan Yogis. Each element is associated with a specific human function, and working with them helps release related blockages and achieve greater harmony.
Overview of Rebirthing Breathwork Sessions
Rebirthing breathwork is a therapeutic modality that uses a circular breathing technique to promote physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The main goal of the therapy is to help release emotional and physical blockages that may be preventing them from leading fulfilling lives. Session duration vary depending on the clients’ needs, and can last from 1 hour and 30 minutes to several hours.
Note that it is essential that a session is completed without interference, however long it takes, to avoid risk of disturbing the experience and causing potential harm.
Safety
The majority of people who experience rebirthing breathwork describe it as the most blissful experience they have ever had. However, the experience can be intense and emotional. Therefore, it is strongly advised that only a trained and experienced practitioner should facilitate the experience to ensure the clients’ physical and emotional well-being throughout the session.
Rebirthing Breathwork Today
Rebirthing breathwork has gained popularity in recent years as more people seek alternative and complementary forms of healing and personal growth. It has also been the subject of research studies, that have shown promising results in terms of its effectiveness for treating a variety of physical and emotional issues.
Conclusion:
Rebirthing breathwork is a powerful tool for healing emotional and physical blockages and accessing deeper levels of consciousness. Leonard Orr's discovery of this technique has led to a global awakening of its transformative power. Today, rebirthing and other forms of breathwork are widely used for purposes such as stress reduction, emotional healing, and spiritual growth.
It's an exciting time to be a part of the breathwork revolution!
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