Breathwork Certification
Three formats. One 284-hour pathway. The same surrender-based method in every room, from a live online cohort to a lakefront retreat in Lake Tahoe. From $1,497 with payment plans available.
What Breathwork Certification Actually Is
Breathwork certification is a structured training that qualifies you to guide others through intentional breathing practices. A complete program covers facilitation skills, nervous system anatomy, trauma-informed approaches, ethics, contraindications, supervised practice sessions, and the business fundamentals needed to fill rooms and build a sustainable practice.
The industry is unregulated, so anyone can call themselves a breathwork facilitator. Certification matters because it ensures you can hold space safely, qualify for liability insurance, and earn the trust of the studios, clinics, and corporate clients you want to work with.
Liquid Breathwork's 284-hour pathway includes 24 in-person contact hours, NCBTMB-approved continuing education credit, a maximum of 6 students per cohort, and direct instruction from Ryan McBurney and Shelby Von Oepen, RN, BSN. You graduate with 3 certifications and a business curriculum built from experience filling rooms across Arizona and beyond.
Choose Your Breathwork Certification Format
12-Week Online Cohort
Live weekly group calls, video curriculum, business training, and ongoing mentorship. Train from anywhere. Next cohort: October 4, 2026.
Phoenix In-Person Intensive
3 days of hands-on facilitation practice in Phoenix plus the full 12-week online curriculum. Lead real sessions before you leave.
Lake Tahoe Retreat
5 days of immersive breathwork training at a lakefront location. The deepest immersion and the smallest cohort we offer.
All three formats include the same NCBTMB-approved curriculum and lead to the same 3 certifications. The difference is how much in-person facilitation time you get before you graduate.
Three Certifications, One Program
- Breathwork Facilitator Certification (NCBTMB-approved, 284 hours) — qualifies you to guide individuals and groups through surrender-based breathwork in professional settings.
- Trauma-Informed Breathwork Facilitator — specialized training in nervous system literacy, somatic awareness, and safe container-holding for people with trauma histories.
- Breathwork Business Foundations — curriculum built from real experience: how to fill your first class, price your work, grow through referrals, and build a sustainable practice from day one.
Max 6 students per cohort. You are not a number here. Ryan and Shelby know your name and your goals before the first call, and they stay involved through the full program.
Breathwork Certification FAQ
How long does breathwork certification take?
The 284-hour pathway takes 12 weeks in the online format, or includes a 3-day or 5-day in-person intensive before entering the 12-week online curriculum. Most graduates feel ready to guide their first paid session before they finish.
How much does breathwork certification cost?
Liquid Breathwork runs $1,497 to $3,250 depending on format. Deposits and monthly payment plans are available on all three. For a full industry price comparison, see our breathwork certification cost breakdown.
Do you need experience to enroll?
No prior breathwork experience is required. Many students come with a yoga, massage, counseling, nursing, or coaching background. What you need is genuine interest in guiding others and the capacity to show up fully for your cohort.
Is the certification NCBTMB-approved?
Yes. The program is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and awards continuing education hours applicable toward NCBTMB and other CE requirements.
What makes Liquid Breathwork different from other programs?
The method is surrender-based, not cathartic or screaming-based. That matters if you want to work in yoga studios, massage practices, counseling spaces, sound healing events, or corporate wellness settings. The cohort cap of 6 students means you get real mentorship, not a video library. And the business curriculum is built from the actual work of filling rooms in Arizona, not from theory.
Is there a sports or athlete-focused track?
Yes. See the sports breathwork certification page for how the method adapts to athletic performance, recovery, and team settings.
Explore Every Aspect of Breathwork Certification
Pick Your Format and Apply
The online cohort starts October 4, 2026. The Phoenix intensive and Lake Tahoe retreat have their own dates. All three have small cohorts, so spots fill before the deadline. If you have questions before applying, Ryan reads every inquiry.