Bruce and Susan have been friends for over twenty years. They are both happily married, living in Houston with their families, and are successful in their respective business communities (Susan in Insurance, Bruce in Finance). They have explored and studied many disciplines and spiritual paths, and first learned about Rebirthing from Sondra Ray in 1982. Their study of the process has included training with Sondra, Leonard Orr, and other experts to qualify them to lead others in the Rebirthing experience. From Susan Shorr: Rebirthing is a name for a breathing process which can be used to enhance spiritual growth and self-discovery. The term "rebirthing" may, for some people, invoke an association with other "goofy New Age" practices; however, for many people it offers a completely new and refreshing outlook for life. Rebirthing is not a name I really love, but it is what I will continue to call this breathing practice until I come up with something better. We have called the process "power breathing," "aliveness breathing," "conscious breathing," and "breath meditation" at different times; but none of these has exactly the right ring. And since Rebirthing is the name given to the process by its founders, I guess it is good enough!

During a Rebirthing session, the subject practices a circular breathing technique, high in the chest, usually through the mouth, always connecting the inhale and exhale with no pauses in the breath. It is not like a yoga breathing technique or the breathing used in other disciplines. The tempo may change, depending on how it feels or what the breather is experiencing. Sometimes it will be almost like panting-quick and shallow; other times, deeper and slower. The exercise is generally done lying down in a relaxed and comfortable setting, either individually or in a group. An experienced Re-birther is present to "hold the space," to encourage the breathers to remain focused on the breath and to offer appropriate guidance and support.

In individual sessions, the Rebirther also gives personal consultations so that greater emphasis can be put on the needs and goals of the breather.

What I really love about the process is how it works. Even at times when I have felt restless and bored all through my session, it relaxed my body and "evened out" my energy. It brought insights, discovered a day or so later. There have been many sessions during which I have had dramatic results-huge and important realizations about decisions or beliefs formed in the past, that I can now release, creating the opening to experience new freedom! Healings of physical conditions, easing of mental or emotional stresses. Inspiration! Being restored to feeling love for someone I previously found irritating or with whom I had been upset. Having clarity dawn on a previously baffling, "impossible" situation. Finding humor in a matter that was deadly heavyweight, or something I had considered to be a dreadful personal mistake. Having my sense of order, rightness, and confidence restored. Rediscovering my connection to God again after being in a spiritual wilderness. Feeling supported, loved, and nurtured again by a Universe that had seemed cold and cruel only an hour before.

I would really like to say WHY and HOW it works. I wish I knew! I think the oxygen being taken into the body is refreshing and cleansing for the cells and for the aura. I think that cellular memory is stimulated by the flow of oxygen (and the intention of the breather) into parts of the lungs not generally used in our normal, shallow breathing. I think it is just something I must call miraculous! In truth, I don't need to know why, because I do know it works for me. And the longer I practice it, the more easily and quickly I achieve results with it.

I have been interested in and practicing Rebirthing since 1982, when I first took the Loving Relationships Training with Sondra Ray, the "Mother of Rebirthing." For years, I have participated in workshops and volunteered in their production here in Houston. I continue sharing the practice of Rebirthing with others as a testimony to my own on-going healing and growth. I am joyful to be able to share it with others!

From Bruce Hurta: I cannot give a better description of rebirthing than the one offered by my friend Susan above. I will just offer an additional view by explaining that rebirthing is an exercise. It is a breathing exercise. Many proponents of sustained physical exercise have touted the importance and benefits of intentional focus on the breath. Some also report the benefit of physical and emotional release from at least half an hour of sustained deep breathing. Imagine capturing some of those benefits from a "lying-down" exercise! That is what the Rebirthing process does. Rebirthing uses a breathing technique which involves supervised, connected breaths, at different paces, for approximately forty-five minutes. I am always enthusiastic about the spiritual and emotional benefits which I gain and which I observe in others from using the rebirthing process.