Transpersonal

The Long Circle

Advanced

Thirty minutes of circular breathing

30 min
Begin

Advanced practice for experienced practitioners. Go slowly, stay aware of your body, and leave time to ground afterward.

surface depth

Source current

Thirty minutes of continuous, connected circular breathing — no pause between inhale and exhale — for experienced practitioners. The sustained unbroken wheel of breath can open deep layers of feeling and awareness. Extended integration afterward is essential. Not a practice to try for the first time alone.

The science behind it
Connected, circular breathing increases CO2 fluctuation and can shift subjective state toward openness or emotional release. Holotropic and rebirthing lineages frame this as access to non-ordinary consciousness.

Biologically, sustained connected breath is arousing; integration afterward matters. These practices are not gentle down-regulation tools.
Sources and references
  • Website

    Holotropic Breathwork

    Grof Transpersonal Training

    History, safety, and facilitator-led context.

  • Book

    The Holotropic Mind

    Stanislav Grof

    Transpersonal framework for breath and psyche.

  • Article

    Hyperventilation and altered states

    Frontiers in Psychology

    Research on breath and subjective experience.

Breathing rhythm

Entering
6 min
Inhale
4s
Hold
0s
Exhale
4s
Pause
0s

Connected breath. Gentle, continuous, no pause.

Circling
14 min
Inhale
3s
Hold
0s
Exhale
3s
Pause
0s

Maintain the wheel. Let sensation and emotion move.

Opening
4 min
Inhale
2s
Hold
0s
Exhale
2s
Pause
0s

Slightly quicker if it feels right. Stay with the body.

Integration
6 min
Inhale
6s
Hold
0s
Exhale
10s
Pause
0s

Slow to natural breath. Rest without analyzing.

Continuous circular breath, gradually deepening, then long integration.

How to practice

  1. Lie down where you will not be disturbed for forty minutes.
  2. Breathe in a continuous circle: inhale into exhale with no gap.
  3. Use mouth or nose, whichever keeps the circle smooth.
  4. Let the body tremble, cry, or laugh if it needs to.
  5. Do not chase intensity. Stay with the rhythm.
  6. Plan quiet time after. This is a deep session.
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