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.

Ryan and Shelby introducing the Liquid Breathwork certification training

What Is Breathwork Facilitator Training?

Breathwork facilitator training teaches you to guide other people through Breathwork safely: the physiology, the contraindications, how to hold a room, and how to fill one. At Liquid Breathwork it runs three days in person (24 hours) or as a separate 12-week live online cohort, and both end in the Liquid Breathwork Facilitator Certification.

Breathwork trainingIn personOnline
Format3 days, Friday to Sunday12 weeks, one live call a week
WherePhoenix now, more US cities in 2027From anywhere
Teaching24 hours in the room with Ryan and ShelbyWeekly calls with Ryan and Shelby, plus 60+ video lessons
PracticeYou guide real people before you leaveYou guide classmates in live breakout rooms, in a safe container
Tuition$1,997Early bird, then $2,497. Payment plans available.$1,497Payment plans available.
Group size6 to 20 studentsUp to 15 students
Next startOctober 23-25, PhoenixMid-March 2027
You earnThe Liquid Breathwork Facilitator Certification, for lifeBoth include ongoing mentorship and the graduate community.

Is Breathwork teacher training the same as facilitator training?

Yes. Breathwork teacher training, facilitator training, instructor training and practitioner training are different names for the same work: learning to guide people through Breathwork safely. Our certificate says facilitator, and graduates use whichever title fits the room they are in.

Can you do Breathwork training online?

Yes. Our live online cohort runs 12 weeks from anywhere, with a weekly group call where you practice facilitating in live breakout rooms and get feedback. It is a separate training from the in-person immersive, with the same method and the same certification. See how the online Breathwork certification works and how to choose.

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 of Liquid Breathwork

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 giving hands-on somatic support during a Liquid Breathwork session

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.

What Our Graduates Say

Matthew Seibert, Liquid Breathwork certification graduate

Matthew Seibert - Healing practitioner, LBW graduate

“One of the things that really stood out for me during the training was a lot of the hands-on practice that we got, all the reps. It helped me feel more prepared and more confident in my ability to facilitate Breathwork on my own.”

He chose Liquid Breathwork after comparing several certification programs, and now brings Breathwork into the healing work he already does.

Sisily Chevalier, Liquid Breathwork facilitator

Sisily Chevalier - Owner of Body by Sisily, LBW facilitator

“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.

Krystal, Liquid Breathwork facilitator

Krystal - Realtor, nurse, LBW facilitator

“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.

Students speaking about the Liquid Breathwork certification training

Inside the Liquid Breathwork room - June 2025 training highlights

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.

Shelby holding space at a Liquid Breathwork sound session

Shelby - Registered nurse, LBW facilitator

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.

Nigel, therapist and Liquid Breathwork facilitator

Nigel - Therapist and LBW facilitator

“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.

Kat McGill guiding a Breathwork session at a music festival

Kat McGill - Chef and LBW facilitator, owner of Breath and Blossom

Leads Breathwork at music festivals.

Gem & Jam and Peak State in Austin, 20+ people on the grass.

Joseph Norris, Liquid Breathwork facilitator in Flagstaff

Joseph Norris - LBW facilitator and dad, owner of TranceSENDent Breathwork, Flagstaff, Arizona

“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.

Brittany Prince guiding a Breathwork class

Brittany Prince - LBW facilitator, owner of Awakened Prana

“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 →

Meet more graduatesRead every review

Why Become a Breathwork Facilitator

# 1

More People Are Looking for Breathwork

It's one of the fastest growing wellness practices in the world, and people are actively searching for someone to guide them.

# 2

Your Nervous System Helps Others Heal

You have a heartbeat, you emit an electromagnetic field, and your nervous system helps others co-regulate and HEAL.

# 3

In-Person Experiences Keep Gaining Value

The more life moves onto a screen, the more people want something they can FEEL in a room with other people.

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.

Talk to Ryan & Shelby First

Breathwork Certification Dates & Tuition

Breathwork facilitator trainings run from about $1,500 to over $12,000. Ours runs in person or online, with the same method and mentorship in both.

Online Cohort

12 Weeks, Live

Twelve weeks of live, small-group calls from home, 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

Next: Mid-March

Tuition · $1,497

6 spots left

Join the cohort

Phoenix Immersive

October 2026

Three days in person in Phoenix, with Ryan and Shelby in the room. Phoenix is home base for Liquid Breathwork.

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.

See the full in-person details →

Phoenix, AZ

October 23-25

$1,997

1 spot left

Reserve your spot

Phoenix Immersive

November 2026

Three days in person in Phoenix, with Ryan and Shelby in the room. The next Phoenix-area weekend after October.

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.

See the full in-person details →

Phoenix, AZ

November 6-8

$1,997

2 spots left

Reserve your spot

Scottsdale Immersive

February 2027

Three days in person in Scottsdale, with Ryan and Shelby in the room. The next Phoenix-area weekend after November.

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.

See the full in-person details →

Scottsdale, AZ

February 5-7

$2,497 $1,997

2 early-bird spots left

Reserve your spot
See all dates and locations (7 more)

Atlanta Immersive

March 2027

Three days in person in Atlanta, with Ryan and Shelby in the room. Our only Southeast training in 2027.

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. The address goes out by email before the training.

Your deposit transfers to another training date. Refunds are handled case by case.

See the full in-person details →

Atlanta, GA

March 19-21

$2,497 $1,997

5 early-bird spots left

Reserve your spot

SLC Immersive

April 2027

Three days in person in Salt Lake City, with Ryan and Shelby in the room. Our only Mountain West training in 2027.

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. The address goes out by email before the training.

Your deposit transfers to another training date. Refunds are handled case by case.

See the full in-person details →

Salt Lake City, UT

April 30 - May 2

$2,497 $1,997

5 early-bird spots left

Reserve your spot

D.C. Immersive

May 2027

Three days in person in Washington, D.C., with Ryan and Shelby in the room. Our only Mid-Atlantic training in 2027.

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. The address goes out by email before the training.

Your deposit transfers to another training date. Refunds are handled case by case.

See the full in-person details →

Washington, D.C.

May 21-23

$2,497 $1,997

5 early-bird spots left

Reserve your spot

Tahoe Immersive

July 2027

Three days in person in South Lake Tahoe, with Ryan and Shelby in the room. Our only California training in 2027.

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. The address goes out by email before the training.

Your deposit transfers to another training date. Refunds are handled case by case.

See the full in-person details →

South Lake Tahoe, CA

July 23-25

$2,497 $1,997

5 early-bird spots left

Reserve your spot

Seattle Immersive

August 2027

Three days in person in Seattle, with Ryan and Shelby in the room. Our only Pacific Northwest training in 2027.

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. The address goes out by email before the training.

Your deposit transfers to another training date. Refunds are handled case by case.

See the full in-person details →

Seattle, WA

August 27-29

$2,497 $1,997

5 early-bird spots left

Reserve your spot

Milwaukee Immersive

September 2027

Three days in person in Milwaukee, with Ryan and Shelby in the room. Our only Midwest training in 2027.

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. The address goes out by email before the training.

Your deposit transfers to another training date. Refunds are handled case by case.

See the full in-person details →

Milwaukee, WI

September 17-19

$2,497 $1,997

5 early-bird spots left

Reserve your spot

Phoenix Area Immersive

November 2027

Three days in person in Phoenix, with Ryan and Shelby in the room. The next Phoenix-area weekend after February.

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 are being settled now; the address goes out by email before the training.

Your deposit transfers to another training date. Refunds are handled case by case.

See the full in-person details →

Phoenix area (Mesa or Scottsdale), AZ

November 2027

$2,497 $1,997

5 early-bird spots left

Reserve your spot

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 and Seattle, Washington State.

No training in your city? Pages like Breathwork certification near Chicago, near Denver, near New York City and near Philadelphia point you to the closest one, and the East Coast page compares Atlanta and D.C. side by side.

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, live breakout practice, feedback on your facilitation, and business coaching.

The practice is peer to peer. In small breakout rooms you guide a classmate and are guided in return, inside a safe, confidential container, so you build real facilitation reps before you graduate.

Pay $1,497 once and you are certified for life. The next cohort is slated for mid-March 2027.

Deciding between online and in person? The online Breathwork certification page walks through the cohort week by week and the five questions to ask any online program.

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

  • How the Members Area Works (platform tour)
  • Welcome to Liquid Breathwork
  • Consciousness, Authenticity & the L.I.Q.U.I.D. Method
  • Lenses, Maps of Consciousness, Letting Go & Parts Work
  • Intention Setting & Integration Prompts

Breath Mastery 22 lessons

  • What Is Breathwork? The Breath Spectrum
  • History of Breathwork: The Source and the Streams
  • Understanding Liquid Breathwork
  • The Transformational Breath Formula
  • Nose vs Mouth: When to Use Each
See all 22 lessons
  • Breath Rate & Lifespan: Breathe Light, Low & Slow
  • The Biochemistry of Breath: Oxygen, CO2 & the Bohr Effect
  • The Full Range of Breath: Active & Passive
  • Anatomy of a Liquid Breathwork Session: Rounds & Holds
  • Techniques I: Everyday Regulators
  • Techniques II: Breath Holds & Retention
  • Techniques III: Breathing in Shapes
  • Techniques IV: Ancient Lineages & Advanced
  • Nervous System Anatomy & the Vagus Nerve
  • Nervous System States & Polyvagal Theory
  • Blended States, Trauma & Co-Regulation
  • Breath as a Dial: Inhales, Exhales & Holds
  • The Intensity Chart, Eu-stress & Hormesis
  • CO2 Tolerance, Hypoxia Training & Chemoreceptors
  • Three Modes of Being
  • Breathwork & the Brain
  • Tetany & Why It's Safe

The Art of Facilitation

20 lessons

  • Your Role: Objective & Subjective Safety
  • Trauma-Informed Facilitation
  • The 5 Factors & The Facilitator's Flow
  • Physical Touch: Consent & Techniques
  • Vocal Cueing
  • Opening a Session: Checklist & Intro
  • The Breathwork Script
  • Structuring a Session: The Energetic Arc
  • Session Planner Walkthrough
See all 20 lessons
  • Phrases for Guiding a Session
  • Closing a Session & Reminders for Facilitators
  • Live Session: Ryan Facilitates Shelby (narrated)
  • Live Session: Shelby Facilitates Ryan (narrated)
  • Physical Touch Demos (close-up)
  • Reading the Breather: Common Patterns
  • Practice Assignment: Facilitate Someone You Know
  • Goal Setting & Vision
  • Audio Equipment
  • Spotify for Breathwork Sessions
  • Zoom Settings for Online Sessions

Includes two full narrated live sessions, close-up touch demos and a practice assignment.

Breathwork Marketing

17 lessons

Marketing Channels 10 lessons

  • Keys to Success & Creating More Impact
  • Marketing Principles: The General Notes
  • Organic, Referrals & Grassroots
  • Social Media
  • Email Marketing
See all 10 lessons
  • Guerrilla Marketing
  • Website & SEO (GEO, AI-SEO, AEO)
  • Paid Ads
  • Building Your Offer Ladder
  • Capturing Content & Testimonials

Business Setup & Resources 7 lessons

  • Session Rates & Pricing
  • Requirements for Certification & the Practicum
  • Insurance, Waivers & Contraindications
  • Music & Playlists: Building the Energy Arc
  • Events, Booking & Payments
See all 7 lessons
  • Resources: Unearth Your Soul & the Community
  • Course Wrap-Up & Next Steps

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.

Ryan McBurney giving hands-on somatic support to a participant during Liquid Breathwork facilitator training

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.

Breathwork certification certificate of completion from Liquid Breathwork, sample
The Liquid Breathwork Certificate of Completion, sample copy
NCBTMB Approved Provider seal

Massage therapists: Liquid Breathwork is an NCBTMB Approved Provider (#1003401). Our separate massage therapist course earns 24 CE hours. See the CE course

The June 2026 Phoenix Cohort

Liquid Breathwork certification graduates, June 2026 Phoenix cohort, in Liquid Breathwork shirts
June 2026 cohort: Matthew Seibert, Krystal Jones, Nick Leland and Bonnie, with Ryan McBurney and Shelby Von Oepen. Trained in an intimate home setting in Phoenix.

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 immersive 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; our Breathwork continuing education for yoga teachers page has the steps. Teaching in the Valley? See yoga continuing education near Phoenix. 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 immersive in 2026. Every 2027 immersive 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. Comparable programs run from about $1,500 to over $12,000, 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. Calls include live breakout rooms where you guide each other in a safe container.

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 and Seattle. Those six cities now have set dates, from March 19-21 in Atlanta to August 27-29, 2027 in Seattle. Your deposit transfers to another training date. Refunds are handled case by case. The online cohort runs from anywhere in the world.

When does the next online cohort start?

The current online cohort started October 6, 2026, and the next one is slated for mid-March 2027. It 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 ($1,497, next cohort mid-March 2027) 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 six more cities through 2027, 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.

Book a Call Instead

Or call 480-660-9890 to talk with Ryan or Shelby directly.

Clarity Call