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Cary Sparks is director of Grof Transpersonal Training (GTT), a role she shared with her husband, Tav Sparks, until his death in August, 2020. Beginning about two years before Tav passed and following his retirement, Cary and a circle of advisors have shepherded GTT and Holotropic Breathwork® forward. When Covid-19 put a temporary hold on in-person Holotropic Breathwork®, they created a program of “Virtual Modules” that offer the didactic, experiential and community components of in-person modules. They also invited the community to Movie Yoga® Salons and other free events online. Now that in-person modules are taking place again, the Virtual Module program will also continue.
Cary started administrating the GTT, the only facilitator training program in Holotropic Breathwork®, in 1990, working at that time with Stanislav and Christina Grof. In 1998, the Grofs sold the training organization to Tav and Cary. Cary organized multiple large workshops, trainings, and other events – led by Stanislav Grof, Christina Grof, Tav Sparks, and others – for over 30 years.
Cary began facilitating seekers on their inner journeys in 1986. She was certified in Holotropic Breathwork® in 1988, and has worked as a facilitator, workshop leader, and at training events. In 2019, Cary certified as facilitator of a SoulCollage®, a practice for accessing one’s intuition and creating a unique deck of cards with deep personal meaning. Both practices have in common a profound respect for the healing impulse and empowerment of the individual.
Cary’s book Incensed: The Novel, is a humorous take on the world of transformational workshops (not breathwork!). In addition to writing, her passions are birding, equestrian sports, rock music, nature, her family and friends, and cats Layla and Echo.
Holotropic Breathwork® provides a safe and caring container for deep exploration in an “expanded” or “holotropic” state of consciousness. A combination of breath and music enables a participant to surrender to a natural process of spiritual and psychological healing. This healing takes many, often mysterious, forms and becomes a collaboration of mind, body, and spirit.
While Western society tends to ignore or turn away from anything related to the idea of dying, those of us drawn to the holotropic are often fascinated by the experience and meaning of death, rebirth, and the continuity of consciousness. From our journeys in the holotropic state, as well as in learning to be present for others, we also become natural “sitters” for our loved ones in their dying process.