Rebirthing (breathwork)
Rebirthing-breathwork is a type of breathwork invented by Leonard Orr.[1] Orr proposed that correct breathing can cure disease and relieve pain.[1]
Orr devised rebirthing therapy in the 1970s after he supposedly re-lived his own birth while in the bath.[2] He claimed that breathing techniques could be used to purge traumatic childhood memories that had been repressed.[2][3]
Rebirthing-breathwork is one of the practices critiqued by anti-cult experts Margaret Singer and Janja Lalich in the book Crazy Therapies: What Are They? Do They Work?.[1] Singer and Lalich write that proponents of such "bizarre" practices are proud of their non-scientific approach, and that this finds favor with an irrational clientele.[1] In 2006, a panel that consisted of over one hundred experts participated in a survey of psychological treatments; they considered rebirthing therapy to be discredited.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Carroll RT (2011), "Psychotherapies, New Age", The Skeptic's Dictionary: A Collection of Strange Beliefs, Amusing Deceptions, and Dangerous Delusions, John Wiley & Sons, p. 317, ISBN 978-1-118-04563-3
- ^ a b Radford B (2000). "New Age 'Rebirthing' Treatment Kills Girl". Skeptical Inquirer. 24 (5): 6.
Rebirthing therapy was founded by therapist Leonard Orr in the 1970s, who is said to have re-experienced his own birth while taking a bath
- ^ Turner S (30 May 1988). "Echoes of the age of Aquarius; Festival of Mind-Body-Spirit". The Times.
- ^ Norcross, J.C., Koocher, G.P., & Garofolo, A. (2006). Discredited Psychological Treatments and Tests: A Delphi Poll. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 37: 515-522.