“So grateful for both of you, Ryan and Shelby. You’re changing my life right as we speak ... the ladies both booked for next week for paid sessions.”
After getting certified she had paid one-on-ones and a group session booked in Santa Clarita.
Breathwork Certification & Facilitator Training
A Breathwork certification you earn live online or in person in Phoenix and cities across the US, practicing on real people before you graduate.
Meet Ryan & Shelby
We're an engaged couple in Phoenix. Ryan created the surrender-based method and has guided Breathwork since 2018. Shelby, a registered nurse, trained with him as a student and now teaches with him in every cohort.
Ryan McBurney
Founder & Lead Facilitator
8 years guiding Breathwork, 7 breath programs behind him including 4 full certifications, and a 21-day Breath Mastery Retreat in the Baja desert with Dan Brulé. He has guided hundreds of one-on-one sessions and led groups for thousands of people. Ryan created the surrender-based method this training is built on.
Shelby Von Oepen
Co-Founder & Lead Facilitator
A registered nurse of fourteen years, and the graduate Ryan still calls his “Star Student”. She has been selling out women’s only classes almost every month for more than two years. Shelby brings an intuitive & nurturing energy into sessions and the training, which is the part of facilitation nobody learns from a video.
Hear What Graduates Have to Say
“I was really looking for something that was more gentle, more supportive ... and Liquid Breathwork delivered just that.”
She arrived a beginner, after one Breathwork class elsewhere that felt like a lot. She left certain that everything we need is already within us.
Hear from past students as they went through our June 2025 training.
A short look at what a full Liquid Breathwork session actually looks like from the inside.
Sells out a women’s only class every month.
Fourteen years a registered nurse, and Ryan’s star student. She has kept those classes full for over two years.
“I felt like that one session of Breathwork was more impactful than multiple sessions of EMDR that I received in therapy.”
He now guides Liquid Breathwork along with practicing as a clinical psychologist.
Leads Breathwork at music festivals.
Gem & Jam and Peak State in Austin, 20+ people on the grass.
“The training gave me the confidence to speak with knowledge about breathwork ... the experiencer is put more at ease and able to go deeper knowing that what is happening is normal and ok.”
He has run a class or two every month since April under his own brand.
“The group calls are supportive and range from business growth to breaking down student’s teachings for feedback.”
Weekly classes, held so consistently that three of her breathers came and got certified in Liquid Breathwork too.
Swipe →
Why Become a Breathwork Facilitator
If you already work with bodies or emotions, Breathwork slots into what you do. If you don't, it stands on its own.
Nurses, see our Breathwork certification for nurses.
Breathwork Certification Dates & Tuition
Most Breathwork facilitator trainings run $3,500 to $7,000 or more. Ours runs in person or online, with the same method and mentorship in both.
Online
Online Cohort
12 Weeks, Live
A 12-week live, small-group online cohort. Train from anywhere with the same surrender-based method and mentorship.
Live weekly group calls, the complete course materials and business curriculum, and the same private graduate community as our in-person students.
See the full online cohort details →12-Week Online
Starts October 6
Tuition · $1,497
6 spots left
In-PersonSoonest
Phoenix Intensive
October 2026
A three-day in-person intensive in Phoenix. Hands-on facilitation practice with Ryan and Shelby in the room.
Three days of live, hands-on facilitation practice in Phoenix, plus the same private graduate community as our other students. The 12-week online cohort is a separate training you can add.
See the full in-person details →Phoenix, Arizona
October 23-25
$1,997
1 spot left
In-Person
Phoenix Intensive
November 2026
A three-day in-person intensive in Phoenix. Hands-on facilitation practice with Ryan and Shelby in the room.
Three days of live, hands-on facilitation practice in Phoenix, plus the same private graduate community as our other students. The 12-week online cohort is a separate training you can add.
See the full in-person details →Phoenix, Arizona
November 6-8
$1,997
2 spots left
In-Person
Scottsdale Intensive
February 2027
A three-day in-person intensive in Scottsdale. Hands-on facilitation practice with Ryan and Shelby in the room.
Three days of live, hands-on facilitation practice in Scottsdale, plus the same private graduate community as our other students. The 12-week online cohort is a separate training you can add.
See the full in-person details →Scottsdale, Arizona
February 5-7
$2,497 $1,997
2 early-bird spots left
See all dates and locations (8 more)
In-Person
Atlanta Intensive
March 2027
A three-day in-person intensive in Atlanta. Hands-on facilitation practice with Ryan and Shelby in the room.
Three days of live, hands-on facilitation practice in Atlanta, plus the same private graduate community as our other students. The 12-week online cohort is a separate training you can add. The venue is not signed yet; the address goes out by email before the training.
Flexible refund policy. Transfer or refund within 30 days of dates and location being settled.
See the full in-person details →Atlanta, Georgia
March 19-21
Venue TBD
$2,497 $1,997
5 early-bird spots left
In-Person
Salt Lake City Intensive
April 2027
A three-day in-person intensive in Salt Lake City. Hands-on facilitation practice with Ryan and Shelby in the room.
Three days of live, hands-on facilitation practice in Salt Lake City, plus the same private graduate community as our other students. The 12-week online cohort is a separate training you can add. The venue is not signed yet; the address goes out by email before the training.
Flexible refund policy. Transfer or refund within 30 days of dates and location being settled.
See the full in-person details →Salt Lake City, Utah
April 30 - May 2
Venue TBD
$2,497 $1,997
5 early-bird spots left
In-Person
Washington, D.C. Intensive
May 2027
A three-day in-person intensive in Washington, D.C. Hands-on facilitation practice with Ryan and Shelby in the room.
Three days of live, hands-on facilitation practice in Washington, D.C., plus the same private graduate community as our other students. The 12-week online cohort is a separate training you can add. The venue is not signed yet; the address goes out by email before the training.
Flexible refund policy. Transfer or refund within 30 days of dates and location being settled.
See the full in-person details →Washington, D.C.
May 21-23
Venue TBD
$2,497 $1,997
5 early-bird spots left
In-Person
Milwaukee Intensive
June 2027
A three-day in-person intensive in Milwaukee. Hands-on facilitation practice with Ryan and Shelby in the room.
Three days of live, hands-on facilitation practice in Milwaukee, plus the same private graduate community as our other students. The 12-week online cohort is a separate training you can add. The venue is not signed yet; the address goes out by email before the training.
Flexible refund policy. Transfer or refund within 30 days of dates and location being settled.
See the full in-person details →Milwaukee, Wisconsin
June 11-13
Venue TBD
$2,497 $1,997
5 early-bird spots left
In-Person
Lake Tahoe Intensive
July 2027
A three-day in-person intensive in South Lake Tahoe. Hands-on facilitation practice with Ryan and Shelby in the room.
Three days of live, hands-on facilitation practice in South Lake Tahoe, plus the same private graduate community as our other students. The 12-week online cohort is a separate training you can add. The venue is not signed yet; the address goes out by email before the training.
Flexible refund policy. Transfer or refund within 30 days of dates and location being settled.
See the full in-person details →South Lake Tahoe, California
July 30 - August 1
Venue TBD
$2,497 $1,997
5 early-bird spots left
In-Person
Seattle Intensive
September 2027
A three-day in-person intensive in Seattle. Hands-on facilitation practice with Ryan and Shelby in the room.
Three days of live, hands-on facilitation practice in Seattle, plus the same private graduate community as our other students. The 12-week online cohort is a separate training you can add. The venue is not signed yet; the address goes out by email before the training.
Flexible refund policy. Transfer or refund within 30 days of dates and location being settled.
See the full in-person details →Seattle, Washington State
September 17-19
Venue TBD
$2,497 $1,997
5 early-bird spots left
In-Person
New York Intensive
October 2027
A three-day in-person intensive in New York. Hands-on facilitation practice with Ryan and Shelby in the room.
Three days of live, hands-on facilitation practice in New York, plus the same private graduate community as our other students. The 12-week online cohort is a separate training you can add. The venue is not signed yet; the address goes out by email before the training.
Flexible refund policy. Transfer or refund within 30 days of dates and location being settled.
See the full in-person details →New York, New York
October 15-17
Venue TBD
$2,497 $1,997
5 early-bird spots left
In-Person
Phoenix Area Intensive
November 2027
A three-day in-person intensive in Phoenix. Hands-on facilitation practice with Ryan and Shelby in the room.
Three days of live, hands-on facilitation practice, plus the same private graduate community as our other students. The 12-week online cohort is a separate training you can add. Dates and venue are being settled now; the address goes out by email before the training.
Flexible refund policy. Transfer or refund within 30 days of dates and location being settled.
See the full in-person details →Phoenix area (Mesa or Scottsdale), Arizona
Exact Dates and Venue TBD
$2,497 $1,997
5 early-bird spots left
None of these dates work?
- Complete course materials and manual
- Ongoing mentorship from Ryan and Shelby
- Private graduate community
- Split it up with a monthly payment plan
Not sure yet? or book a Clarity Call.
Payment Plans Available
Email [email protected] or call 480-660-9890 to set one up.
Financing through Affirm, Afterpay and Klarna, as low as 0% interest depending on your situation.
The In-Person Immersive
Our in-person Breathwork certification is a three-day immersive, Friday through Sunday, held in cities across the US. Ryan McBurney and Shelby Von Oepen, RN BSN, co-lead every one. You receive sessions yourself and get feedback in the moment as you guide others.
Cohorts are small, so everyone gets practicum time and honest feedback. You graduate with the Liquid Breathwork Facilitator Certification and the reps to stand behind it.
Dates are listed above, and we add new cities as they are booked. 2027 tuition is $1,997 early bird while early-bird seats last, then $2,497, with monthly payment plans. Add the 12-week online cohort for $300 more. We email the exact address before the training.
Our 2027 cities each get their own page with travel notes and the cities nearby: Breathwork certification in Atlanta, Georgia, Salt Lake City, Utah, Washington, D.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Lake Tahoe, California, Seattle, Washington State and New York City.
No training in your city? Pages like Breathwork certification near Chicago, near Denver and near Philadelphia point you to the closest one, and the East Coast page compares Atlanta, D.C. and New York side by side.
| What matters to you | In-Person Intensive | Live Online Cohort |
|---|---|---|
| Hands-on practice | Practice on real bodies in the room, every day | Practicum guided over live video calls |
| Lead real sessions | You facilitate live participants before you leave | You build toward leading sessions over 12 weeks |
| Format | 3-day in-person immersive, Friday to Sunday | 12 weeks, live weekly group calls |
| Flexibility | Travel to the host city on set dates | Join from anywhere |
| Investment | $1,997 in 2026; 2027 from $1,997 early bird | $1,497, the most affordable path |
The 12-Week Live Online Cohort
A typical week pairs one live group call with Ryan and Shelby and a video module you watch on your own schedule. The calls are where the work happens: teaching, practicum, feedback on your facilitation, and business coaching.
Pay $1,497 once and you are certified for life, with no subscription. The next cohort starts October 6, 2026.
Breathwork Certification Curriculum
Five modules, three pillars. The in-person immersive and the 12-week online cohort teach the same curriculum, and it runs from your own practice to your first paid session. In person it is hands-on, in the room. Online we have more time, so the 60+ video lessons and weekly calls go deeper. They are separate trainings, and you can bundle them. If you found the breath through yoga, somatic therapy or transformational breathwork, you will recognize the roots.
Self & Breath Mastery
27 lessons
Self Mastery 5 lessons
- The Activation & Surrender Formula
- The L.I.Q.U.I.D. Method
- Parts Work (IFS)
- Coping Mechanisms & Letting Go
- Intention Setting & Integration
Breath Mastery 22 lessons
- History of Breathwork: the Source and the Streams
- The Biochemistry of Breath
- Techniques I to IV, everyday regulators to ancient lineages
- Nervous System States & Polyvagal Theory
- CO2 Tolerance & Hypoxia Training
- Tetany & Why It's Safe
The Art of Facilitation
17 lessons
The Art of Facilitation 17 lessons
- Guiding 1:1 and Group Sessions
- Our Signature Liquid Breathwork Session
- Conscious Connected Breathing (Rebirthing)
- Trauma-Informed Facilitation
- Physical Touch: Consent & Techniques
- Vocal Cueing & the Breathwork Script
- Opening, Structuring & Closing a Session
Includes two full narrated live sessions, close-up touch demos and a practice assignment.
Breathwork Marketing
17 lessons
Breathwork Marketing 10 lessons
- Organic, Referrals & Grassroots
- Social Media & Email Marketing
- Website & SEO (GEO, AI-SEO, AEO)
- Paid Ads
- Building Your Offer Ladder
Business Setup & Resources 7 lessons
- Session Rates & Pricing
- Insurance, Waivers & Contraindications
- Music & Playlists: Building the Energy Arc
- Events, Booking & Payments
- Requirements for Certification & the Practicum
Beyond our method. You'll study how Holotropic Breathwork®, the Wim Hof Method®, transformational breathwork and Rebirthing work, so you know where each one comes from and how ours differs. You'll also learn both ends of the breath: when to breathe more than the body needs (hyperventilation), when to breathe less (hypoventilation), and how to guide people safely through either.
Holotropic Breathwork and the Wim Hof Method are registered trademarks of their owners. Liquid Breathwork is not affiliated with them, and your certification is in the Liquid Breathwork method.
The Liquid Breathwork Difference
- Surrender-based method. Active release instead of forced intensity. Breath awareness, activation, relaxation and surrender, then integration.
- Your own work comes first. Nobody can hold a space they have never been in.
- Practice on real people. Ryan and Shelby correct you as it happens.
- Trauma informed throughout. Consent, boundaries and nervous system awareness at every level, not a bolt-on module.
- The business is included. Pricing, filling your first classes, and what to actually do the week after you certify.
Who this training is for
Train at our Breathwork certification in Arizona or live online from anywhere. Comparing programs first? Read our Breathwork certification guide or the full cost breakdown.
- Yoga teachers and wellness coaches. A modality that sets you apart in a crowded market.
- Therapists and counselors. A direct route to the nervous system for clients that talk alone may not reach.
- Community leaders. Group experiences for your community, team, or organization.
- Healers and bodyworkers. Nervous system regulation alongside the work you already do.
- Anyone called to this. No wellness background needed, since we teach you everything.
- Not for you if you want a certificate to frame without the inner work, you want the cathartic push-them-through-it style, or you need a state license or clinical credential.
Registered Yoga Teachers can log this training toward Yoga Alliance® continuing education hours through the Subject Matter Expert pathway (details in the FAQ below). Comparing programs first? Read our Breathwork certification guide.
What Your Certificate Looks Like
Every graduate receives a numbered Certificate of Completion signed by both co-founders, naming the full training curriculum and six supervised practicum sessions, plus the Certified Facilitator badge for their own website.
The June 2026 Phoenix Cohort
Book a Call with Ryan & Shelby
Breathwork Certification FAQ
How long does it take to get certified in Breathwork?
Getting certified in Breathwork with us takes three days in person (Friday through Sunday) or 12 weeks in the live online cohort. Most graduates feel confident guiding sessions within a few weeks of finishing.
What is the difference between a Breathwork facilitator, teacher, practitioner, and coach?
Mostly language. Programs pick different words for the same work: guiding people through Breathwork safely. A practitioner tends to focus on private 1-on-1 sessions, an instructor or teacher on group classes, and a coach folds Breathwork into an existing coaching practice. Our certification trains you for all of it.
Do I need prior Breathwork experience?
No prior Breathwork experience is required. The training is built for complete beginners and experienced wellness professionals alike. What matters is your willingness to do your own inner work.
How do you get certified in Breathwork?
You get certified in Breathwork by completing a facilitator training with supervised practice, after which the school issues its own credential, in our case the Liquid Breathwork Facilitator Certification. Breathwork facilitation is not a licensed profession, and we don't hold any third-party accreditation.
Does this training count as Yoga Alliance continuing education?
Yes, for Registered Yoga Teachers. Yoga Alliance® counts training from qualified subject matter experts toward the 30 training hours RYTs complete every three years. Ryan has guided Breathwork since 2018. Each in-person intensive is 24 live hours; online, log the live hours you attend. Add it in your Yoga Alliance account as training from a subject matter expert. Liquid Breathwork is not affiliated with Yoga Alliance.
How much does a Breathwork certification cost?
A Breathwork certification at Liquid Breathwork costs $1,497 for the 12-week online cohort or $1,997 for a three-day Phoenix intensive in 2026. Every 2027 intensive is $1,997 early bird while early-bird seats last, then $2,497. Every format includes the full training, course materials, ongoing mentorship, business support, and the private graduate community. Most comparable programs run $3,500 to $7,000, and our full cost breakdown shows what each price buys.
Can I do the Liquid Breathwork teacher training online?
Yes. The live online cohort runs 12 weeks with weekly group calls taught by Ryan and Shelby, plus the full video curriculum, and you can join from anywhere.
What can I do after completing the Breathwork facilitator training?
Guide private sessions, facilitate at retreats and wellness events, run corporate wellness programs, add Breathwork to a coaching, therapy, or yoga practice, or build a standalone Breathwork business.
How is Liquid Breathwork different from other Breathwork teacher trainings?
Our method is surrender-based, which is gentler than cathartic or control-based styles. Business training is included, cohorts are small, and mentorship and the graduate community continue after you graduate.
Is Breathwork certification worth it?
Breathwork certification is worth it if you plan to guide sessions. Private sessions range from $100 to $300 each, and many graduates earn back their investment within the first few months.
Do you offer payment plans for the Breathwork teacher training?
Yes, monthly payment plans on every format. Email [email protected] or call 480-660-9890.
Where is the Liquid Breathwork teacher training held?
In person, we train in the Phoenix area and, in 2027, in Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Washington, D.C., Milwaukee, Lake Tahoe, Seattle, and New York. Those seven cities now have set dates, from March 19-21 in Atlanta to October 15-17, 2027 in New York, and each venue is still TBD. Flexible refund policy. Transfer or refund within 30 days of dates and location being settled. The online cohort runs from anywhere in the world.
When does the next online cohort start?
The next online cohort starts October 6, 2026 and runs 12 weeks, with live weekly group calls, video modules and mentorship from Ryan and Shelby. Tuition is $1,497, with monthly payment plans. Join from anywhere; no prior Breathwork experience needed.
Should I choose the online cohort or the in-person immersive?
Both teach the same surrender-based method. The 12-week online cohort (starts October 6, 2026, $1,497) runs on live weekly group calls you can join from anywhere. The three-day in-person immersives run Friday through Sunday on October 23-25, 2026 ($1,997), November 6-8, 2026 ($1,997), and February 5-7, 2027 in Scottsdale ($1,997 early bird for the first 3 spots, then $2,497), plus seven more cities through 2027 with each venue still TBD, all with hands-on facilitation practice and time to connect with your cohort in person.
Start Your Breathwork Certification
Get the details, or book a call and ask us anything first.
Or call 480-660-9890 to talk with Ryan or Shelby directly.