Medical contraindications

For your wellbeing and safety, Grof® Breathwork may not be suitable in certain health situations. If any of the conditions below apply to you, please consult with your healthcare provider and discuss with us before registering.

 

• Cardiovascular conditions: uncontrolled high blood pressure, significant arrhythmias, history of stroke or heart attack, or known aneurysm. These raise risk because breathwork can evoke intense emotional and physiological arousal.  

• Recent surgery, serious injury, or debilitating illness: sessions can be physically demanding; recent operations, fractures, vertebral disc issues, whiplash, hernias, osteoporosis, colostomy, etc., may require avoidance or strict modification (e.g., limited bodywork).  

• Seizure disorders / some forms of epilepsy. 

• Eye conditions: glaucoma; risk is heightened by pressure changes/strain.  

• History of significant head injury with intracranial bleeding. 

• Serious psychiatric conditions: active, untreated psychosis or severe mental disorders. (Note: past hospitalisations require careful, case-by-case evaluation by someone versed in both conventional psychiatry and transpersonal work.) 

• Pregnancy (especially advanced): breathwork can trigger strong uterine contractions; generally contraindicated during pregnancy.  

• Active infections / infectious diseases.

• Active substance use (including alcohol, cannabis, other drugs/psychedelics); typical programmes require a period of abstinence beforehand.