Trauma-Informed Breathwork Certification
A trauma-informed breathwork certification teaches you to keep the nervous system safe while you guide. At Liquid Breathwork that means gentle, surrender-based facilitation where nothing is forced, never the loud cathartic style that can re-traumatize. Train in person in Arizona, at Lake Tahoe, or online, and earn your facilitator credential.
Gentle, Not Cathartic
A lot of Breathwork in the world is loud. Push harder, breathe faster, scream it out. For someone carrying trauma, that can do real harm. We teach the opposite, and it is the whole reason this training exists.
Trauma-informed facilitation is a skill you can learn. You leave able to read a room, recognize when someone is bracing, and guide them gently back to safety.
- The participant sets the pace. You learn to follow the body, never override it.
- Inward, not outward. Release through gentle surrender, so the nervous system softens instead of bracing.
- Integration is built in. You learn to hold the after, which is where trauma-informed care really lives.
What the Certification Gives You
Our trauma-informed breathwork facilitator training teaches the surrender-based method Liquid Breathwork is known for. Tuition starts at $1,497 for the online cohort and $1,997 for the in-person Arizona intensive, up to the Lake Tahoe retreat. You earn the Liquid Breathwork facilitator credential.
We teach more than breath. You leave with the methodology, the safety training, and the business groundwork: pricing, marketing, and how to fill your first sessions. Mentorship from Ryan and Shelby continues long after your last day.
Pick the format that fits: the in-person Arizona training, the Lake Tahoe retreat, or the fully remote online cohort. The trauma-informed core is the same in all three.
What Trauma-Informed Means to Us
Every Liquid Breathwork session is trauma-informed. For us that is not a buzzword, it is how we hold the room. You set the pace, you stay in control, and nothing is ever forced. Our work is built around going inward through gentle surrender, not outward through screaming or forced catharsis, which can be re-traumatizing in itself. That does not happen in our space. Because we move gently rather than pushing through, the nervous system is invited to soften instead of brace. We have guided hundreds of people through this work, many of them carrying real weight, and integration support is always offered. Our door stays open if you ever need to talk. You are met exactly where you are, every time.
Meet Your Guides
Ryan McBurney
Founder & Lead Facilitator
Ryan is the founder of Liquid Breathwork and the creator of the surrender-based methodology at the heart of this training. He has spent years guiding hundreds of people through transformative Breathwork experiences across Arizona and beyond. His facilitation style is grounded, intuitive, and deeply present. Ryan brings both the technical depth and the lived experience to teach you not just the how of Breathwork, but the why.
Shelby Von Oepen
Co-Founder & Lead Facilitator
Shelby brings warmth, emotional intelligence, and deep somatic skill to every training. She has an exceptional ability to read the subtle language of the nervous system, recognizing when someone needs support, space, or gentle encouragement. Her training in somatic support and ethical touch practices ensures that graduates leave with the sensitivity and skill to work with clients at the body level.
Voices from Our Community
"What a growing experience I have had the pleasure of having with Ryan. I'm so happy I took the chance to reach out when coming across him on the social platform. He has been so warm and authentic from the first moment we got introduced. I have learnt so much through his journey and greatful for him sharing it and the technique of this amazing breathwork with me. Do not hesitate, just do and let Ryan guide you."
"Ryan and Shelby are incredible! They create a very safe and supportive environment to practice Liquid Breathwork. I always get exactly what I need. I highly recommend taking a class!"
"I was so intimidated before starting and to now feel that it’s all possible feels so exciting. Super grateful for this experience!! Thank you Ryan! You’re such a gentle soul, wealth of knowledge, and make learning Breathwork fun and simplified!"
"The Liquid Breathwork Masters Course has been amazing! The videos are packed full of helpful content on the breath, as well as the more technical side of hosting Breathwork classes like audio equipment, Zoom tips, and crafting incredible playlists. The group calls are supportive and range from business growth to breaking down student’s teachings for feedback."
"The space you both created during the course felt incredibly warm, welcoming, and safe, which made it easy to stay present and engaged throughout. The simplicity of the Breathwork really stayed with me, and I've already started noticing how restorative it is. Grateful for the experience and for both of you!"
"LBW is always a worthwhile experience. Ryan and Shelby tend to always find a way to cultivate an environment that allows clients the space to identify and realize what they need. For me, it’s a perfect stage-setter in lead up to a stressful week."
Trauma-Informed Certification FAQ
What is a trauma-informed breathwork certification?
It trains you to facilitate Breathwork in a way that keeps the nervous system safe. That means gentle, surrender-based guidance where the participant sets the pace and nothing is forced, rather than loud, cathartic methods that can re-traumatize. You learn to hold a safe room and earn the Liquid Breathwork facilitator credential.
How is your method different from cathartic breathwork?
Our work goes inward through gentle surrender, not outward through screaming or forced catharsis. Because we move gently, the nervous system is invited to soften instead of brace. Integration support is always offered, which is central to a trauma-informed approach.
How do I train and what does it cost?
Tuition starts at $1,497 for the online cohort and $1,997 for the in-person Arizona intensive, up to the Lake Tahoe retreat. Deposits and monthly payment plans are available.
Become a Trauma-Informed Facilitator
Learn to guide Breathwork in a way that keeps people safe. See the full training and pick the format that fits, or book a call to talk it through first.