Breath as Medicine: Connecting to the Healer Within
With Dr. Laurane McGlynn and Stephanie Purnell
October 4 - 7, 2026
A Holotropic Breathwork® Workshop
This workshop will explore how Holotropic Breathwork® can facilitate healing from trauma, addiction, mental health issues and our desire for transcendence and wholeness.
The New York Times described Holotropic Breathwork® as “heart opening” and a way to heal yourself and improve mood. For centuries, and across many cultures, non-ordinary states of consciousness have been used as a tool for transformation and healing.
The therapeutic benefits of Holotropic Breathwork® can include release and healing of trauma and grief, improving anxiety and depression, supporting recovery from addiction, higher insights of spiritual understanding, increased connection to self and others, and opening to compassion and love.
You are invited to join us to experience the remarkable healing potential and therapeutic benefits of Holotropic Breathwork®, a powerful breathwork practice that allows for self-exploration and healing. With eyes closed and lying on a mat, you will use your own breath and the music in the room to enter an expanded state of consciousness. This state activates the natural inner healing potential of the breather, or “inner healer”, which guides the experience.
In this immersive double breathwork workshop, you will experience:
- Four Holotropic Breathwork® sessions (two as a breather and two as a sitter)
- Sound healing Session
- Nature-based Practices
- Sharing Circles
- Mandala Drawing
- An Introductory Talk on the Theory and Practice of Holotropic Breathwork
- Expressive Movement Experience
- Integrative Writing Practice
This workshop is open to new breathers, experienced breathers, those in the Grof Transpersonal Training community, Grof Legacy Training community, Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies or anyone interested in Holotropic Breathwork,
Sacred Geometry or the healing nature of mandalas. This workshop is approved by Grof Transpersonal Training for completion of the double breathwork requirements for the online training modules. It is also approved by Grof Legacy Training to meet the breathwork requirements for their training program.
*Contraindications: pregnancy, serious heart conditions, epilepsy, glaucoma, retinal detachment, history of severe mental or emotional disorders, acute infectious disease, and recent injury or surgery. For more information or to register please email drmcglynn6@gmail.com.
Schedule:
Sunday, October 4
- 3 Check-in begins
- 6 – 7 pm Dinner
- 7:30 – 8 pm Opening Circle
- 8 – 10 pm Talk: Introduction to Holotropic Breathwork
Monday, October 5
- 8 – 9 am Breakfast
- 9:15 am – 12:15 pm Holotropic Breathwork #1 – Please arrive by 9 am to set up if you are breathing
- 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
- 1:30 – 2:15 pm Self-Care Time
- 2:30 – 5:30 pm Holotropic Breathwork #2 – Please arrive by 2:15 pm to set up
- 6 – 7 pm Dinner
- 7:15 – 8:30 pm Sharing Circle
- 8:45 – 9:15 pm Sound Healing Session
Tuesday, October 6
- 8 – 9 am Breakfast
- 9:15 – 12:15 pm Holotropic Breathwork #3 – Please arrive by 9 am to set up
- 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
- 1:30 – 2:15 pm Self-Care Time
- 2:30 – 5:30 pm Holotropic Breathwork #3 – Please arrive by 2:15 pm to set up
- 6 – 7 pm Dinner
- 7:15 – 8:15 pm Sharing Circle
- 8:30 – 9:30 pm Dance Celebration or Fire Ceremony
Wednesday, October 22
- 8 – 9 am Breakfast/Room Check-Out
- 9:15 – 10:15 am Integrative Writing/Nature-Based Practice
- 10:30 – 11 am Talk on Integration
- 11 am – 12:00 pm Closing Circle
- 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
- 2 pm Departure
*Please note this schedule is subject to change at any time.
About the Leaders
Dr. Laurane McGlynn
Dr. Laurane McGlynn, PsyD is a clinical psychologist who integrates mind/body medicine, psychotherapy, mindfulness, meditation, Holotropic Breathwork, functional medicine and shamanic practices to support healing and transformation. She holds doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy and Masters degrees in Counseling Psychology and Child and Adolescent Therapy. In addition, she has advanced […]
Learn more about Dr. Laurane McGlynn
Stephanie Purnell
Stephenie Purnell, Founder of Spiritus8 ®, is a certified Holotropic Breathwork® facilitator, Trance Movement™ practitioner, and expert in the use of expanded states of consciousness for healing addiction. Sober since 2010, she credits her recovery to Holotropic Breathwork®, which succeeded where traditional approaches — including AA, therapy, and treatment — could not. For her, Holotropic […]
Learn more about Stephanie PurnellCategories : Accommodations Only, Other Retreats at Menla