Holotropic Breathwork and the Bonny Method: The Co-Evolution of Two Transpersonal Modalities
Ryan, Mark B. - Volume: 12
The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music, created by Helen Lindquist Bonny, and Holotropic Breathwork, created by Stanislav and Christina Grof, have a common provenance: both grew out of the experience at the MarylandPsychiatric Research Center, where Stan Grof was principal investigator and Bonny was the staff music therapist. In addition to their historical roots, the two techniques bear many similarities, operating with a common philosophical foundation and purview of consciousness, utilizing music as a vehicle for inner exploration, and employing common strategies to initiate, promote, and integrate the client’s journey. Despite their shared origins and approach, there is little in the literature that provides a comparative account of the two methods. The purpose of this article is to explain their genesis and theoretical foundations, and to review the fundamental similarities and differences in their practice.