What is Vivation?

Vivation (from Latin vivation, vivo — to live, vividus — full of life, lively, strong, passionate) is a method founded by Jim Leonard. In 1979, together with Phil Laut, he introduced the concept of integration and established the integrative rebirthing movement. Since 1987, “vivation” has been a registered trademark.

In Leonard Orr’s rebirthing, the concept of “release” was central, with the release of suppressed material considered both the goal and sufficient condition for effective connected breathing. According to the creators of Vivation, however, it’s not enough to simply release (“let the tiger out of the cage”); specific methods are needed to work with the experiences that arise during a breathing session. That’s why Vivation includes the concept of five elements of the process, which help achieve integration quickly and effectively.

Integration in Vivation

Integration (from Latin integer — whole) is a concept introduced by Jim Leonard to explain the goal and content of connected breathing. Integration is the merging of a part with the whole. The “part” refers to a suppressed, unconscious structure (conflict, stress, negative idea, taboo desire, etc.). During connected breathing, this suppressed structure is recognized and accepted, and its energy is joined with the conscious self. Integration is the process of moving toward wholeness of human consciousness. According to Leonard, this leads to an ecstatic perception of the world, and the process itself is ecstatic. Integrated awareness is the ability to perceive the world as a whole, ecstatically, in every moment of life’s flow.

Vivation pays special attention to breathing technique, known as breathing classes.

Breathing Classes in Vivation

Breathing classes are types of connected breathing, each with its own structure and function. Vivation practices several key requirements for breathing:

• Cyclicity and connectedness: There are no pauses between inhale and exhale; each flows smoothly into the other, creating circular breathing.
• Relaxed exhale: The exhale is relaxed, free, and not controlled.
• Consistency: If you inhale through the nose (or mouth), you exhale the same way.

Depending on the pace and volume, Vivation distinguishes three breathing classes:

• Deep and slow: Best for entering the process or after integrating a block, as you prepare for a new cycle.
• Fast and shallow: Used when the process is moving quickly and deeply. Shallow breathing helps you stay in the process, and the pace accelerates integration.
• Fast and deep: Helps keep awareness in the body during an accelerated process. The large air volume keeps you grounded, while the pace speeds up integration.

The Conceptual Model of Vivation

At the core of Vivation is the idea of ecstatic perception, leading to experiencing reality as an “ocean of bliss.” Vivation has a system for guiding clients through different stages:

• Dry Vivation: At least 10 sessions.
• Water Vivation: At least 10 sessions.
• Ambulatory Vivation: Integrating the skill into daily life—while eating, driving, etc.

Vivation is a gentle, quiet breathing technique. There’s no loud music or mind-blowing journeys. Instead, it offers a gentle approach to everyday reality, with softness and attention to bodily sensations in the here and now. The goal is not to change reality, discover a new one, or recall pivotal life moments, but to form a friendly, partnership relationship with reality. To feel life within yourself, to feel alive right here and now, with whatever feelings and sensations are present (A. Zenger, 1994). Celebrate the life that’s already happening.

The Five Elements of Vivation

Jim Leonard transformed rebirthing by introducing five elements in the late 1970s (with Phil Laut). These are essential components of the connected breathing process:

1. Circular Breathing: For connecting with your body.
2. Complete Relaxation: Tension hides suppressed emotions. Like the tide revealing the ocean floor, relaxation reveals patterns of suppression as emotions and sensations.
3. Awareness in Detail: A moral category related to deep democracy—recognizing and respecting even the subtlest sensations and inner voices.
4. Integration into Ecstasy: Expanding awareness beyond a single feeling, seeing the background and context in which experiences unfold. It’s like seeing the forest for the trees, or remembering the water while being a fish.
5. Do Whatever You Do. Willingness is Enough: You don’t have to be perfect to do this perfectly. The focus is on expanding awareness, not intensifying altered states.

Vivation is about being perfect right now. You are always free and always have the right to choose. Mindful decision-making—whether to satisfy your desires or not—is essential. The five elements help you integrate your habits, see them from the outside, and disidentify from them. They allow you to relax—you don’t have to follow your inner voices, nor do you have to suppress them.

Life is Made for Ecstasy

Nirvana and samsara are one and the same. You are free and can choose sadness, fear, unhappiness, grief, and depression… But you can also choose joy, happiness, and the sweetness of life right now. Life, your body, your breath, what you see, hear, smell, and feel right now is a complete and harmonious ocean of bliss.

You can wall yourself off from this ocean and paint the world in black and white—or even just black—and drift in your shell of limitations, grumbling, “Poor me, nobody loves me, fate sends me suffering, a dark fate hangs over everyone, my karma is like this, such is life, and I must endure…”

But that’s just the shell. Meanwhile, life is bubbling, playing, bursting with color, and whispering, “Open up, accept, relax, drink in my juices…” Vivation is when your ears are open to the voice of life. Here is the boundless ocean of life—the ocean of bliss. Right now, you can drink from its waters. You can—that’s Vivation.

Vivation in a Few Sentences

• Find the strongest sensation in your body and breathe through it.
• Notice the subtlest changes.
• Integrate into ecstasy.

These instructions can be used to teach the basics of Vivation as a technique for internal and external work, in two formats: paired and group.

Paired Format

The group splits into pairs, sitting opposite each other on chairs or the floor, and begins connected breathing. After a few minutes, one partner closes their eyes while the other acts as the Vivation instructor, repeating the above instructions several times over five minutes (order doesn’t matter). After five minutes, a gong sounds and roles switch. The exercise lasts 30 minutes, with both partners maintaining connected breathing. The instructor mirrors the client’s breathing, but breathes more shallowly. Afterward, the group discusses the process.

Group Format

The group divides into two equal subgroups, forming inner and outer circles, with participants sitting opposite each other. This exercise develops skills in tracking breathing and using verbal communication with clients. Connected breathing is used, with enough intensity to stay present but not go too deep. The exercise is conducted as in the paired format for 10 minutes (5 minutes each). Then the outer circle rotates one partner clockwise, and the exercise repeats. This continues until all outer circle participants have worked with all inner circle participants. This exercise not only expands instructors’ professional skills but also helps integrate communication issues with clients of different genders and ages. It can be used in any group training and positively influences group dynamics.