Discover what to look for when choosing a breathwork facilitator training and how to find the best training for you!
Breathwork has exploded in popularity over the past several years, with many calling it the new yoga. Rooted in ancient wisdom and increasingly supported by modern science, this powerful practice has proven its ability to support deep healing and lasting transformation.
If you feel called to share breathwork with others and step into a career that is purpose driven and deeply fulfilling, you may be wondering where to train. Alongside the rapid expansion of breathwork has come an overwhelming number of unregulated training programs, leaving many aspiring facilitators unsure where to begin or who to trust.
This guide explores the best breathwork facilitator training programs for 2026, along with the key components to look for when choosing a training. It is designed to help you confidently select a path that aligns with your values, goals, and long term vision.
We compare program structure, curriculum depth, pricing, benefits, and unique offerings. Whether you are seeking mastery of the practice or a complete career transition, this guide will help you understand what truly sets high quality certifications apart and how to find the right fit for your journey.
The First Step in Finding the Breathwork Facilitator Training for You
In order to choose the best breathwork facilitator training for you, it’s important to first decipher what type of breathwork you want to offer, as there is a lot of variation in the breathwork world. When the term breathwork was originally coined in the late 1960s, it referred to a very specific practice. It described a conscious connected breathing pattern practiced for extended periods of time to induce non ordinary states of consciousness. This form of breathwork is deeply therapeutic and is commonly used for self healing, trauma release, and personal transformation.
In recent years however, the term breathwork has been reappropriated. It is now used to describe any practice that involves conscious breathing. This has created a lot of confusion, especially for those looking to train as facilitators. Not all breathwork trainings are the same, and each modality serves a different purpose.
An Outline of the Main Breathwork Training Types:
- Pranayama and Yogic Breathing Practices: Choose this if you want to teach pranayama from the yogic lineage. If this your main area of interest, look for a school accredited by the Yoga Alliance. These trainings typically require fewer hours (typically about 50 hours of training), as they do not usually work directly with trauma.
- Functional Breathwork for Physical Health, Sport Enhancement, and Performance: Functional breathwork focuses on breathing efficiently to improve physical health, performance, and resilience. Programs such as Patrick McKeown’s Oxygen Advantage are a well known example. These trainings are generally short (about 55 hours) and more performance oriented.
- Calming and Parasympathetic Breathing Practices: Some breath practices are designed to support relaxation and nervous system regulation. These techniques activate the parasympathetic nervous system and are often used in everyday wellness settings. If this is your focus, a shorter training such as the 50 hour breath coach certification offered through Make Some Breathing Space is usually sufficient.
- Connected Breathwork (harnessing altered states of consciousness for healing and transformation): Connected breathwork induces non ordinary states of consciousness and is used for trauma processing, self healing, and personal transformation. It is an activating practice, and when facilitated without thorough training, there is real potential for retraumatization and harm. For this reason, most reputable connected breathwork trainings are at least 400 hours in length.
If this is the type of breathwork you would like to offer, it is essential to choose a program that is trauma informed and certified by the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance. When reviewing schools on the GPBA list, ask which modalities are included. Some programs focus exclusively on connected breathwork, while others offer a more integrated and comprehensive approach. - All Breathwork Modalities in One Comprehensive Training: If you want to learn how to safely hold space for connected breathwork while also studying the other breathwork modalities outlined above, look for a school listed on the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance (GPBA) website. The GPBA regulates connected breathwork schools ensuring quality and safety, but it does not guarantee that a program will include additional modalities. For this reason, it is important to ask whether the curriculum also covers functional breathing, calming and nervous system regulating practices, and performance based breathwork.
Unity Breathwork offers one of the most comprehensive breathwork trainings available worldwide. The 450 hour hybrid training places its primary focus on safe and ethical facilitation of connected breathwork, while also integrating teachings on all the other types of breath-based modalities outlined above.
What to Look for When Choosing a Breathwork Facilitator Training
Now that you have clarified the type of breathwork you want to offer, the next step is finding the school that is the right fit for you. The guidance below is intended primarily for those who want to facilitate connected breathwork or are seeking a comprehensive training that covers multiple breathwork modalities.
With so many options available and very little regulation in the field, choosing a breathwork facilitator training can feel overwhelming. To make a grounded and informed decision, it is important to understand what separates professional, ethical programs from surface level certifications. Below are the key principles to consider when selecting your training.
Accreditation and Professional Recognition
When researching a breathwork facilitator training, accreditation should be one of your first considerations. A credible school is supported by an external governing body rather than operating in isolation. The appropriate accreditation will depend on the type of breathwork you intend to offer.
If you plan to facilitate conscious connected breathwork, look for programs accredited by the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance. For pranayama and yogic breathing practices, some trainings offer Yoga Alliance Continuing Education credits through YACEP registration. Certain functional breathing programs may also be CPD accredited, meaning they meet recognized professional education standards.
Some schools partner with independent accreditation boards such as IPHM. While no single body regulates breathwork globally, recognized accreditation increases professional credibility, supports access to insurance, and signals a commitment to ethical standards and safety.
Training Hours and Curriculum Depth
The best breathwork facilitator training is not only about course hours. It is about depth, integration, and curriculum quality. While some programs offer short introductory trainings, these are rarely sufficient for facilitating breathwork safely and responsibly.
Conscious connected breathwork works directly with the nervous system, subconscious material, and stored trauma. Short or fast track trainings are a major red flag, as this level of work requires time, self exploration, and careful integration.
A high quality breathwork facilitator training includes anatomy and physiology, breath science, nervous system regulation, trauma awareness, contraindications, ethics, and skilled facilitation. The strongest programs blend ancient practices such as pranayama or qigong with modern research, while offering hands on practice, live feedback, and real world teaching experience.
For true competency and confidence, look for a curriculum of at least 400 hours. This allows space for your own deep inner journey with breathwork and ensures the material is embodied rather than purely intellectual.
Trauma Informed Training and Safety
Facilitating connected breathwork inevitably involves working with trauma. Without proper training, there is a real risk of retraumatizing participants or leaving them overwhelmed rather than supported.
High quality breathwork facilitator training programs are trauma informed and place safety at the center of their curriculum. They teach facilitators how to recognize trauma responses, regulate the nervous system, establish clear boundaries, and support integration.
This also includes thorough education around contraindications, intake screening, and scope of practice. You should be taught when breathwork is not appropriate, how to modify sessions, and when to refer clients to licensed professionals. Ethical clarity protects both the facilitator and the participant.
Experienced Instructors and Mentorship
Who you learn from matters just as much as what you learn. The best breathwork facilitator trainings are led by experienced teachers who are deeply trained and actively involved in the learning process.
Programs led by founders or respected practitioners often offer nuance, lived experience, and practical wisdom that prerecorded content cannot provide. Access to trauma informed specialists or clinical professionals adds depth, especially for those intending to work with emotional processing.
Look for mentorship, live teaching, supervised practice, and direct feedback. These elements are essential for developing confidence and real world competence.
Supervised Practice and Integration Support
Facilitation skills are developed through practice, not observation alone. Strong breathwork facilitator training programs include supervised facilitation hours, teaching demonstrations, and structured feedback.
Equally important is learning how to support integration. Breathwork does not end when the breathing stops. High quality programs teach nervous system settling, post session care, emotional integration, and follow up practices so clients feel supported beyond the session itself.
Hybrid Learning Format
Consider choosing a breathwork facilitator training that offers both online and in person components. Fully in person programs can be impractical, especially when high quality trainings require 400 hours or more.
At the same time, elements such as presence, hands on support, and holding space for emotional release are best learned face to face. A hybrid format allows you to absorb theory and science online while developing embodied leadership through in person experiences.
A thoughtfully designed hybrid breathwork facilitator training offers accessibility without sacrificing depth.
Training for One on One and Group Facilitation
As a breathwork facilitator, it is essential to feel confident working with both individuals and groups. In real world practice, most facilitators guide a combination of private sessions and group journeys.
Some breathwork facilitator training programs focus on only one format or charge extra for the other. Look for a program that prepares you to facilitate one on one sessions, group journeys, online offerings, and in person experiences.
This versatility expands your reach, increases professional opportunities, and supports a sustainable long term practice.
Business Support and Long Term Growth
Consider what happens after certification. Many facilitators complete a breathwork facilitator training feeling inspired but unsure how to build a practice.
Strong programs include guidance around business foundations, ethical marketing, client communication, session structure, and professional boundaries. Some also offer advanced trainings, mentorship pathways, or assistant roles to support continued growth.
The best breathwork facilitator training programs view certification not as an endpoint, but as the beginning of a longer professional journey.
Ongoing Support and Community After Graduation
A breathwork facilitator training should not end the moment you receive a certificate. The most reputable programs offer continued support well beyond graduation, recognizing that facilitation skills deepen over time and real questions often arise once you begin working with clients.
Look for a training that includes an active alumni community you can turn to for guidance, reflection, and connection. Ongoing access to mentors, peer support spaces, and facilitated discussion groups can make a significant difference in your confidence and growth as a facilitator.
Many high quality programs also offer continued learning opportunities such as advanced trainings, refresher courses, mentorship circles, or assistant roles. This ongoing education helps you refine your skills, stay current with best practices, and continue your own personal and professional evolution.
A strong post graduation support system signals that a school is invested in your long term success, not just in issuing certifications. It also ensures you are never facilitating in isolation, which is especially important in trauma sensitive breathwork work.
Best Breathwork Facilitator Training Programs for 2026 – Quick Referral Chart:
| School | Strengths | Weaknesses | Duration | Tuition | GPBA Certified | Trauma Informed | Hybrid |
Unity Breathwork | Comprehensive, trauma-informed curriculum that blends science, personal growth, psycho-spiritual exploration, and hands-on learning. Delivered in a hybrid format with deep support, class size limits, and a strong sense of community. Affordable, flexible pricing options and taught by an experienced facilitator. | 8-day in-person segment near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico can be out of reach for some. | 450-hour, 10-12 months | $4,640-5,800 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Make Some Breathing Space | Caters to various learning styles, strong emphasis on support, community, and empowerment. When of the best pricing per value training’s on the market. Continued learning pathways offered after graduation. Can train 1:1, customizing your training hours completely to your schedule. | Fully online, without an in-person training segment. | 400-hour, 8 months | $3,650 | ✔ | ✔ | X |
| Owaken | .A comprehensive 12-month curriculum that blends healing arts with esoteric and practical teachings, while also incorporating key scientific research and insights. | Expensive and lacks an in-person training segment. | 12 months | $9,000-$12,000 | X | ✔ | X |
| Alchemy of Breath | Well-known hybrid training with many offshoots. Combines breathwork with personal development, online and in-person options. | Can be pricey, may not be as science-focused. | 400-hour, 8 months | $8,899+ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Biodynamic Breathwork (BBTRS) | Trauma-informed with deep emphasis on trauma release, integrates somatic therapy, bodywork, and movement. | Facilitators take a directive approach which can interfere with the inner wisdom of the breather. Longer learning curve. A multi-tiered training approach is required to facilitate both 1:1 and group sessions, online and in-person. | 460-hour | $6,700+ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
NeuroDynamic Breathwork | Fully online, science-based approach, self-paced, no need for music licensing. | No in-person training segment and a limited focus on the spiritual aspects of breathwork. The approach encourages facilitators to remain silent during the Breathwork segment, which may hinder some participants from fully “dropping in.” | 350-hour | $4,000+ | X | X | X |
| Rebirthing Training Programme (AIR School of Breathwork) | Specializes in warm and cold water Rebirthing Breathwork, trauma-healing. Emphasizes both personal and professional growth. | Niche focus. The residential nature of the training is expensive and may present logistical challenges for some participants. 2-year training duration can be too long for many. | 400-hour, 2 years | Varies | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Breath Masters | Practical online training with marketing and business support. Known for it 9D sessions with multi-dimensional sound experience, | Less emphasis on deep trauma release, more commercialized. The use of scripts can circumvent the depth that can happen when a facilitator holds a personalized space and speaks from their intuition. | 100-hour | $5,699 | X | X | X |
| Clarity Breathwork Professional Training Program | 175-hour training. Flexible paths, deep emotional processing. Gentle, compassionate, feminine approach. | Can be expensive for some. Not everyone resonates with the feminine approach. 175 hours is not as comprehensive as other GPBA training’s. | 175-hour | $8,000+ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Grof Transpersonal Training | The official ‘Holotropic Breathwork’ training, developed by Stanislav Grof. Robust, research-based, strong psychology focus. | Long 2-year certification, limited focus on client empowerment. A more detached and analytical style of space holding with less emphasis on emotional attunement. | 2 years | $9,000+ | X | X | ✔ |
Best Breathwork Facilitator Training Programs for 2026: A Deeper Look
Unity Breathwork
Unity Breathwork offers a 450 hour, trauma-informed breathwork facilitator training designed for those seeking depth, integrity, and embodied leadership. The program blends breath science, trauma informed facilitation, psycho spiritual exploration, and personal transformation. Delivered in a hybrid format over 10-12 months, the training emphasizes small group learning, mentorship, basic to advanced level facilitator skills, and a strong community container.
Strengths
The curriculum is exceptionally comprehensive and trauma informed, spanning anatomy, nervous system regulation, ethics, facilitation skills, and deep personal process. The hybrid format supports gradual integration of the material while also providing hands on, in person training where it matters most. Intentionally small class sizes allow for a high level of individual support, mentorship, and direct feedback. Tuition is accessible relative to the depth of training offered, with flexible payment options available. The program is GPBA certified. Explore this certified breathwork facilitator training further.
Potential Drawbacks
The training includes an eight day in person immersion near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, which may not be accessible for all students due to travel or scheduling constraints.
Make Some Breathing Space
Make Some Breathing Space offers a 400 hour breathwork facilitator training that is fully online and highly flexible. The program is known for its emphasis on empowerment, inclusivity, and adapting to different learning styles. It is well suited for students who need a self directed yet supported training pathway.
Strengths
The training provides strong mentorship, ongoing support, and one of the best price to value ratios in the breathwork space. Students can customize their training hours and complete the program on a schedule that works for them. Continued learning pathways are available after graduation. The program is GPBA certified and trauma informed.
Potential Drawbacks
There is no in person training component, which may be a limitation for those who value embodied, face to face facilitation practice.
Owaken
Owaken offers a twelve month breathwork training rooted in consciousness exploration, healing arts, and personal development. The program blends spiritual, esoteric, and practical teachings with selected scientific research, appealing to students drawn to altered states and inner exploration.
Strengths
The curriculum is expansive and integrates multiple healing modalities alongside breathwork. The program is trauma informed and supports deep personal inquiry and growth over an extended training period.
Potential Drawbacks
The training is fully online, does not include an in person component, and is not GPBA certified. Tuition is significantly higher than many comparable programs.
Alchemy of Breath
Alchemy of Breath is a well known breathwork school offering a 400 hour facilitator training in a hybrid format. The program combines breathwork, coaching, and personal development and has developed a global presence with multiple training pathways.
Strengths
The training includes both online and in person components and is GPBA certified. It offers a structured curriculum with a strong emphasis on transformation and practical facilitation skills. The school has a large international network.
Potential Drawbacks
Tuition is on the higher end, and the program may place less emphasis on breath science and physiology compared to more clinically oriented trainings.
Biodynamic Breathwork and Trauma Release System
Biodynamic Breathwork and Trauma Release System is a somatic based approach that integrates breathwork, movement, bodywork, and nervous system regulation. The training is designed for those seeking deep trauma resolution through embodied methods.
Strengths
The program is highly trauma informed and integrates multiple somatic modalities. It is GPBA certified and includes in person training components. The depth of trauma education is a major draw for many practitioners.
Potential Drawbacks
The facilitation style is directive, which may limit the breather’s self guided process. The training has a longer learning curve and requires multiple tiers to facilitate one on one sessions, groups, online, and in person.
Neurodynamic Breathwork
NeuroDynamic Breathwork offers a science based, fully online breathwork training focused on neurophysiology and self regulation. The program is self paced and appeals to those seeking a structured, research driven approach.
Strengths
The training does not require music licensing and provides a clear, science oriented framework. It is accessible for students who prefer independent learning and flexible scheduling.
Potential Drawbacks
There is no in person training component, and the program places limited emphasis on psycho spiritual or emotional processing. It is not GPBA certified or trauma informed, and facilitators are encouraged to remain largely silent during sessions.
AIR School of Breathwork
The AIR School of Breathwork specializes in Rebirthing Breathwork, including warm and cold water applications. The training is experiential and residential, emphasizing deep personal healing alongside professional development.
Strengths
The program is trauma informed, GPBA certified, and includes in person immersive training. It offers a strong foundation in rebirthing techniques and personal transformation.
Potential Drawbacks
The niche focus, residential format, and two year duration can be financially and logistically challenging for many students.
Breath Masters
Breath Masters offers an online breathwork training with a strong focus on business, marketing, and 9D breathwork experiences. The program is geared toward facilitators who want to quickly begin offering sessions.
Strengths
The training includes practical business support and introduces facilitators to multi dimensional sound based breathwork experiences. It is accessible and commercially oriented.
Potential Drawbacks
The program places less emphasis on trauma informed care and deep emotional processing. Script based facilitation may limit intuition and depth. It is not GPBA certified, trauma informed, or hybrid.
Clarity Breathwork
Clarity Breathwork offers a professional training rooted in a gentle, relational, and compassionate approach. The program emphasizes emotional safety, presence, and personal transformation.
Strengths
The training is GPBA certified, trauma informed, and hybrid. It offers flexible learning paths and is well suited for facilitators drawn to a softer, heart centered style of breathwork.
Potential Drawbacks
The training is shorter than many other GPBA certified programs, and tuition can feel high relative to total hours. The feminine oriented approach may not resonate with everyone.
Grof Transpersonal Training
Overview
Grof Transpersonal Training is the official certification for Holotropic Breathwork, developed by Stanislav Grof. The program is grounded in transpersonal psychology and decades of clinical research.
Strengths
The training is academically rigorous and provides a strong theoretical foundation in psychology and consciousness studies. It includes in person components and is internationally recognized.
Potential Drawbacks
The two year certification process requires a significant time and financial commitment. The facilitation style can feel more analytical and less relational, with limited emphasis on emotional attunement and client empowerment.
Commonly Asked Questions About Breathwork Facilitator Training Programs:
Is There a Difference Between a Breathwork Practitioner Certification and a Breathwork Facilitator Certification?
In most cases, the terms “breathwork practitioner training” and “breathwork facilitator training” are used interchangeably. Both are intended to prepare individuals to safely and effectively guide others through connected breathwork sessions. That said, some schools use a tiered structure in which “facilitator” refers to an entry level training, while “practitioner” represents a more advanced or specialized stage. This structure is not the norm, but it does exist in certain lineages.
For those seeking breathwork sessions, the title itself matters far less than the substance of the training behind it. What truly counts is how many hours the facilitator has completed, the depth of their education, and whether their training included trauma informed principles. As a general guideline, look for facilitators who have completed at least 300 hours of training and who are equipped to hold space with sensitivity, safety, and skill.
It is also worth noting that while the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance (GPBA) certifies breathwork facilitator training schools, completing a GPBA certified training does not automatically qualify you to be listed on the GPBA website as a breathwork practitioner. GPBA practitioner listing requires a minimum of two years of training and professional development.
Some schools make this process more accessible by offering a clear and supportive second year pathway for graduates who wish to earn this additional level of recognition. Unity Breathwork and Make Some Breathing Space both provide structured and affordable second year options for students who want to continue their training and work toward GPBA practitioner listing. Inspire Breathwork also offers a two year training pathway for those seeking this extra level of professional credibility.
While this additional designation is not required to facilitate breathwork, it can serve as a meaningful badge of honor for practitioners who want to demonstrate long term commitment, depth of training, and alignment with GPBA professional standards.
Word of Caution: Three Breathwork Training Schools to Be Wary Of
These three schools have invested heavily in marketing and have gained popularity among individuals seeking a quick and affordable certification:
While we don’t have personal or insider knowledge about their programs, we do have concerns. First, the duration of the programs are too short to be truly comprehensive or trauma-informed. They also lack accreditation from the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance (GPBA) and don’t meet the required training hours.
To hold space safely, it’s essential to undergo a deep inner journey with breathwork—one that takes time. This is why most accredited programs offer 400+ hours of training. Without this foundation, trainees may not be fully equipped to support the intense experiences that can arise in connected breathwork. Without sufficient preparation, facilitators risk retraumatizing participants, mishandling contraindications, and lacking the skills necessary for fostering deep, transformative healing.
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