Breathwork has quickly become one of the most sought-after modalities in coaching and wellness because of its ability to create deep, embodied transformation. More than just a breathing exercise, it’s a powerful somatic tool that helps clients release trauma, regulate the nervous system, and experience breakthroughs that talking alone often can’t reach.
To explore how coaches can integrate breathwork into their practice and what training is available, we invited Adrienne Rivera, founder of the Breath of Gold Breathwork Facilitator Program, to tell us more. In this interview, Adrienne shares the science, benefits, and unique approach behind her trauma-informed certification program.
Description of Program
The Breath of Gold Breathwork Facilitator Program is a trauma-informed training that teaches the neuroscience of breathwork and the art of transformation, equipping you to confidently guide powerful healing sessions.
What types of breathwork do you teach?
In the Breath of Gold Breathwork Facilitator Program, we teach every main style of breathwork. We have a deep focus on circular connected breath, a powerful modality that supports trauma release. It is the most advanced and transformative style to facilitate, and we emphasize teaching it in a fully trauma-informed way to ensure profound and safe healing experiences.
What are the benefits of breathwork—both personally and professionally?
Breathwork has been one of the most transformative tools I’ve ever experienced, both personally and professionally. For individuals, it helps regulate the nervous system, release stored emotions and trauma, and create a deeper sense of clarity, peace, and connection to themselves.
Professionally, for coaches and practitioners, it provides a powerful somatic tool that goes beyond talking to create real, lasting change. It gives clients an experiential way to access breakthroughs from within, which makes the shifts they experience more embodied and sustainable. Breathwork also helps build trust quickly, allowing coaches to facilitate deeper transformations in less time.
What are the scientific or research-based benefits of breathwork?
There is growing scientific evidence that supports the benefits of breathwork for both physical and emotional well-being. Research has shown that conscious breathing practices can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering stress hormones and promoting relaxation (Zaccaro et al., 2018).
Studies have also found that breathwork can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve emotional regulation, and increase overall well-being (Caldwell & Steffen, 2018). Additionally, certain styles like circular connected breathing have been linked to processing and releasing trauma stored in the body, supporting nervous system regulation and resilience (Van der Kolk, 2014).
These findings highlight what many breathwork practitioners experience firsthand: when you change your breath, you change your state of mind, your body, and your ability to heal.
How can coaches integrate breathwork into their coaching practice?
The best way coaches can integrate breathwork into their practice is by leading transformational experiences, such as Circular Connected Breath, that take clients deep and create powerful breakthroughs. These deep breathwork journeys open the door for clients to want more support from their coach to integrate insights and take inspired action. This approach not only deepens the coaching relationship but also amplifies lasting change.
What breathwork programs or certifications do you offer?
At Breath of Gold, we offer the Breathwork Facilitator Program, a trauma-informed 4-month certification approved for 84 continuing education hours by Yoga Alliance.
90 total training hours, including:
- 14 hours of pre-recorded modules
- 24 hours of live Zoom training over 16 weeks
- 24 hours of personal breathwork practice
- 3 hours of live test-out sessions
- 25+ hours of lifetime access to guided journeys for continued growth
Curriculum covers:
- Every major pranayama and modern breathwork modality, from basic abdominal breathing to circular connected breath, Wim Hof, rebirthing, and holotropic styles
- Trauma-informed facilitation, nervous system science, session design, music selection, ethics, body-based practices, working with challenging situations, client safety, and integration work
- Guest teaching by doctors, therapists, and paramedics exploring the neuroscience of breathwork and how it affects the nervous system
- Special emphasis is placed on circular connected breath (from rebirthing), one of the most advanced and powerful forms of breathwork. We train facilitators to hold it safely with trauma-informed methodology and nervous system awareness.
- Graduates emerge as confident, trauma-informed breathwork facilitators ready to lead individuals, couples, groups, or retreat experiences, with credibility recognized by Yoga Alliance and international bodies such as IPHM (International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine).
Coming soon: The Breathwork for Kids Certification, a specialized program teaching ways to help kids focus, feel emotionally supported, and build strong self-esteem through breathwork practices.
What sets your breathwork certification program apart?
Breath of Gold stands out because it blends trauma-informed facilitation, the neuroscience of breathwork, and the art of transformation to create powerful, safe, and life-changing sessions. We teach every major style but specialize in circular connected breath, one of the most advanced and healing modalities. With a focus on nervous system regulation and emotional integration, this program is designed to create truly exceptional facilitators.
Share any testimonials or customer feedback about your breathwork certification program.
“I loved Adrienne’s continued support, encouragement, and knowledge. She provided thoughtful insights and feedback throughout. All of the materials and live calls were invaluable. Also, I loved receiving the added bonus of the weekly group breathwork sessions she provided on Sunday evenings!” – Rachel Gosset
“The most valuable part of the Breath of Gold Facilitator Program was threefold for me. I found value in the student support coordinators who advised me throughout the journey, they were extremely helpful with tips and advice and any questions I had during the course of the program. Working with a buddy to practice with really made the curriculum an experiential journey. This aspect of the program was crucial to really be able to grasp the concepts that Adrienne presents. And finally, Adriennes weekly live calls and very thorough curriculum was second to none. Anyone can learn how to breath, with Breath of Gold you learn the nuanced art of trauma informed facilitation.” – Kristina Benthal
“The depth and variety of instruction. There were so many areas where specialists were brought in to help further our understanding and ensure that we could not only facilitate from a place of basic functionality–but to truly hold space for the process, the experience, and the transformation from all levels. This education was imparted masterfully in ways that were easy to comprehend, while still being conscientious of the power and impact of this modality and the responsibilities that come with donning the role of facilitator. I will be forever impressed by the heart, wisdom and energy that has gone into making this program so well rounded and inviting its participants to match that vibe–not only in breathwork but I’ve also found my baselines raising in how I interact with the world around me.” – Holly Kellogg
Do you have any other advice or recommendations about breathwork for coaches?
For coaches who want to create lasting breakthroughs, breathwork is a powerful tool because it gives clients an experiential way to see what’s really in their way. Change sticks best when it’s felt in the body and comes from the client themselves, rather than being told what to do.
In today’s world, combining coaching with a somatic tool is essential, and breathwork is one of the easiest & most effective ways to bring that into everyday sessions.
Conclusion
If you’re a coach or wellness professional who wants to help clients move beyond surface-level change and into deeper, embodied transformation, the Breath of Gold Breathwork Facilitator Training Program may be the right fit.
By the end of the 4-month certification, you’ll not only understand the neuroscience behind breathwork but also have the skills and confidence to hold space for profound healing.
If you want to see how Breath of Gold holds up to other programs, check out the best breathing coach certifications. You can also explore our guides on somatic breathwork training and Yoga Alliance-approved breathwork certification.
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