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Biodynamic Breathwork and
Trauma Release System®

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Biodynamic Breathwork and Trauma Release System® (BBTRS) was created by Giten Tonkov, being a therapeutic approach that uses breathing as a tool with the help of other supporting elements such as movement, touch, sound, expression. emotional awareness and meditation to support trauma release and healing on a somatic level. Biodynamic breathwork is very effective in detraumatizing and releasing the tensions that we accumulate.

Giten Tonkov

Giten Tonkov

Breathwork is a generalized term that describes several possible ways that use breathing as a tool for exploring non-ordinary states of consciousness.

Breathing has been used for thousands of years to access these non-ordinary states of consciousness, as shown by Anthropology through Mircea Eliade in his work Shamanism and the Techniques of Ecstasy.

The breathing we use in our daily lives allows us to control our emotional patterns and, consequently, our way of being in life. The amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide that we breathe in, breathe out or maintain in our blood levels has a direct effect on our bodies, our emotions and our well-being.

A direct connection between our breathing and our emotional responses is used by many existing breathing modalities. Many of these current methods of body-oriented psychotherapy, such as the Bioenergetic Therapy founded by Alexander Lowen, as well as conventional therapies rooted in the foundation of the work of famous body-oriented psychologist Wilhelm Reich, use the breath as one of their main tools.

Stanislav Grof, creator of Holotropic Breathwork is a pioneer in this field, spread breathing in the West and brought this experiential approach to humanity.

BBTRS® uses deeply connected breathing to recharge the body by activating specific parts of muscle tensions and emotional patterns. We now describe the main aspects of this breathing model:

Movement

Somatic and creative movement exercises are used, the therapeutic use of dance to allow vibration and release energy held in body tissue, creating fascial opening and releasing tension.
From playful warm-ups to full-body shakes and spinal undulations, movement is one of the keys to what makes BBTRS® truly transformative.

Sound

The effects of sound on our nervous system are truly remarkable. This is one of the most powerful and supportive tools we can use in this work. With conscious intention, creative use, vocalizations, recordings and some live instrumental sounds become a huge and powerful resource in this work.

Touch

BBTRS® uses conscious touch on many levels, from the body’s energy field to contact with core muscles. This is used sensitively to increase awareness and support the flow of energy. Understanding how and when to use conscious touch is fundamental to all experiences.

Emotions

Gentle emotional release may be part of this work, but not a goal. Participants are invited to remain present while revisiting deeper feelings and sensations, and to return to their own sense of comfort whenever necessary. This balance is key to this approach helping to release and integrate trauma rather than simply reliving it.

Meditation

Meditation is where BBTRS® begins and ends. It is used to support resonance in the practitioner, but also as preparation and process integration. It is also the state of rest and centeredness that the body and mind usually return to after this work.

References

  • Eliade, M. (2002). O Xamanismo e as Técnicas Arcaicas do Êxtase. Editora Martins Fontes
  • Frederick, A. & Levine, P. (1999). O Despertar do Tigre: Curando o trauma. Editora summus
  • Lowen, A. (1994). Bioenergética. DIANA
  • Tonkov, G. (2019). Feel to Heal: Releasing Trauma Through Body Awareness and Breathwork Practice. Kristin Donnan Editor
  • https://www.biodynamicbreath.com