Trauma-informed breathwork is a practice that combines the therapeutic power of breath with an understanding of how trauma affects the mind and body.
If you’re a coach, wellness practitioner, or therapist, adding this type of breathwork to your toolkit can make a big difference for the people you help. In this guide, we’ll cover what trauma-informed breathwork is, highlight some amazing trauma-informed breathwork training programs, and help you decide which one might be the right fit for you.
- Loka Yoga School – Most In-Depth Training
- The Whole Health Project – Best Internationally Recognized Approved Continuing Education Provider
- Sacred Breath Academy – Best Comprehensive Option
- Pause Breathwork – Best for Healing and Embodiment
What is Trauma-Informed Breathwork?
Trauma-informed breathwork is about more than teaching someone how to breathe deeply. It’s an intentional approach that prioritizes safety and sensitivity and recognizes that trauma can change how people experience their bodies and emotions.
For trauma survivors, even something as simple as deep breathing can feel overwhelming. A trauma-informed practitioner understands these nuances and creates an environment where clients feel safe to engage with the practice without fear of being re-traumatized.
Trauma-Informed, Trauma-Aware, Trauma-Sensitive, Trauma-Responsive: What’s the Difference?
You’ve probably seen these terms used interchangeably. While they each have unique implications:
- Trauma-Aware refers to a basic understanding of trauma and its effects.
- Trauma-Sensitive involves intentionally designing practices to avoid triggering or harm.
- Trauma-Responsive focuses on adapting to meet the specific needs of trauma survivors.
- Trauma-Informed integrates all of the above into a holistic, compassionate approach.
For simplicity, we’ll use these terms interchangeably here, as they share a common goal: helping clients feel safe and supported during their healing process.
How We Evaluated The Top Trauma-Informed Breathwork Teacher Training Programs
Here’s what we considered:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: We looked for programs that thoroughly cover trauma awareness, breathwork techniques, and facilitation skills.
- Trauma-Informed Approach: It was important that the training addressed how to safely support individuals with a history of trauma.
- Flexibility: We assessed whether the programs offered online, in-person, or hybrid options to accommodate different schedules and learning preferences.
- Hands-On Practice: We prioritized programs that included live practice sessions and opportunities for real-time feedback
- Community Support: Strong alumni networks, ongoing support, and access to a community of peers.
Best Breathwork Facilitator Training
1. Loka Yoga School
The Loka Yoga School Breathwork Teacher Training is an in-depth online certification designed to take you from personal practitioner to confident, trauma-aware facilitator.
The program is built around the LOKA Method™, which combines modern breath science, nervous system education, and anatomy with traditional pranayama and energetic practices.
The training emphasizes embodiment, safety, and ethical teaching, and helps students develop a strong personal practice before working with others. It also places heavy focus on trauma-aware facilitation, consent, session structure, and handling emotional release, making it suitable for those who want to guide clients, groups, or workshops in a grounded and informed way.
- Course Length: Self-paced, 50 hours
- Program Cost: $395
- Accreditation: Yoga Alliance and counts toward continuing education (YACEP)
- Mode of Delivery: Online
Special Offer: Use code LIFECOACH10 to get 10% off any Loka Yoga School course.
2. The Whole Health Project
If you’re looking for an internationally-recognized online training that teaches accessible breath practice grounded in ancient wisdom and modern methodologies, we highly recommend the Whole Health Project’s 35-hour Trauma Aware Breath Coach Certification program.
Upon enrollment, you’ll gain immediate access to two core courses—the Breath Coach Training and the Trauma Aware Facilitation Training. These can be taken simultaneously or one after the other, depending on your schedule.
Through bitesize lectures, you’ll learn the physiological, energetic, and practical aspects of breathwork, as well as techniques to create safe, inclusive spaces for your students.
Beyond the core curriculum, you’ll enjoy lifetime access to a private Facebook group where you can connect with instructors Lucy and Rachel and a community of like-minded wellness professionals. You’ll also have access to recordings of past live Q&A sessions and monthly live group calls.
To help you take your practice to the next level, the program includes over 10 exclusive interviews with wellness practitioners for added inspiration and insight, as well as a bonus business module with guidance on starting a sustainable career in breath coaching.
- Course Length: Self-paced, 25 hours (Breath Coach Training) + 10 hours (Trauma Aware Facilitation Training)
- Program Cost: $429
- Accreditation: YACEP, IBF, Recognized by the NASM as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (Trauma-Aware Breath Coach Training offers 1.9 NASM CEUs and 15 AFAA CEUs)
- Mode of Delivery: Online
Special Offer: Get 10% off The Whole Health Project’s courses using code LIFECOACH10.
3. Sacred Breath Academy
Sacred Breath Academy offers a transformative and comprehensive Breathwork Facilitator Training and Certification Program that spans 400 hours.
This holistic, trauma-informed training is led by the academy’s founder, Kaya Leigh, and combines a 350-hour self-paced digital course with an immersive 50-hour breathwork facilitator training in-person intensive.
It includes dynamic multimedia modules covering a wide range of topics, and provides flexibility for you to learn at your own pace, and features 30 live breathwork journeys and 10 live breath technique sessions conducted over Zoom.
You’ll also participate in live facilitator circles, sacred sharing sessions, and reflective practices that foster a safe and supportive learning environment.
With up to two years to complete the program, including post-requisites, this is a flexible and accessible path to certification.
- Course Length: 400 hours
- Program Cost: Pathway 1 (Immersion) – $1,111; Pathway 2 (Immersion + Digital Course) – $3,333; Pathway 3 (Intensive) – $1,111
- Accreditation: SBA is a member of IBF.
- Mode of Delivery: Online and in-person
4. Pause Breathwork
Pause Breathwork Training is a mission-driven facilitator program ideal for coaches and wellness professionals who want to focus on healing and embodiment.
Developed by Samantha Skelly, this program certifies you in the Pause Breathwork Technique and gives you the skills to guide clients in both one-on-one and group settings, either online or in person.
This certification opens the door to various professional opportunities, including hosting immersive breathwork retreats. You’ll also be able to bring breathwork into corporate environments, where it is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool for employee well-being, alignment, and retention.
Additionally, you’ll have the skills to organize and lead workshops and events, both online and in person. These gatherings not only introduce breathwork to new audiences but also help you grow your network and establish a strong sense of community around your work.
- Course Length: 6 months
- Program Cost: Book a call to learn about their pricing.
- Accreditation: Pause Breathwork is a member of IBF and is an ICAHP-Accredited Holistic Practitioner.
- Mode of Delivery: Online
How to Choose the Right Trauma-Informed Breathwork Certification?
Choosing the right trauma-informed breathwork training depends on your goals and the type of practice you envision for yourself. A quick summary to help you decide:
- Choose Loka Yoga School for something more in-depth.
- Choose The Whole Health Project if you want something flexible, affordable, and internationally recognized.
- If you are looking for a balance of self-paced coursework and in-person training, Sacred Breath Academy is a fantastic choice.
- And if your focus is on healing and embodiment and you’re interested in leading workshops and retreats, we highly recommend Pause Breathwork.
To explore related training options, check out our guide to the best breath coach and trauma-informed coach certification programs.
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