Welcome to the new home of Breathwork with Ben Goldberger. Explore the site to learn about Neo-Shamanic Breathwork, upcoming events, and psychotherapy services.

What is Neo-Shamanic Breathwork? NSB is an intensive body-centered process that facilitates emotional, physical, and psychological release and spiritual exploration. In groups or private sessions, this powerful method combines deep breathing, evocative music, body movement, artwork, and the co-creation of safe, sacred space to support personal growth and transformation. Neo-Shamanic Breathwork takes place in small groups or individual sessions with special attention paid to developing a safe, strong, and flexible container to support our work.

What does Neo-Shamanic Breathwork look like? The method is simple: lying down on a comfortable mat and working at your own pace, breathers engage in intentional, deep and rapid breathing set to evocative, rhythmic music. The breathwork bypasses our normal analytical mode and initiates a body response that can lead to deep physical and emotional release, self-expression, spiritual discovery, and relaxation. Each session is immediately followed by a brief artwork process and opportunities to connect with others to discuss the experience.

Is Neo-Shamanic Breathwork for me? As part of registration for those new to my workshops, I hold a brief Zoom call which allows for any questions you might have, and helps to build in safety and familiarity before the workshop. Safety, agency, and choice are fundamental to Neo-Shamanic Breathwork. Breathers are only asked to move as they are ready to. Nothing is forced. Once the breathing begins, you go at your own pace, intensifying the process when it feels right to do so, and easing off when needed. Support is always available throughout the process.

Why is it called Neo-Shamanic Breathwork? The term “Neo-Shamanic” recognizes that while this modern practice of Breathwork draws from a variety of wisdom traditions, the facilitators themselves do not refer to themselves as shamans. Rather, we like to say we are calling in the energy of the archetypal magician, and holding space to reveal the divine, thereby respecting the powerful healing potential and beliefs of each participant.

Is Neo-Shamanic Breathwork the same as Holotropic Breathwork? The practice of Neo-Shamanic Breathwork comes directly out of the tradition of Holotropic Breathwork as developed by Stan and Christina Grof. Neo-Shamanic Breathwork's founder, James Frazier, was trained by and worked with Grof more than 35 years ago. James builds on Grof's extensive research and experience with an added emphasis on neo-Jungian and shamanic ideas and practices. These elements provide depth and richness to the Breathwork process by emphasizing container-building and a high level of facilitator integrity. I completed James Frazier's NST facilitator training in 2015.

For more information on our use of the term “Holotropic”, you can explore Stan Grof's open letter regarding his work and the history of Grof Transpersonal Training here