The breathing industry is emerging, and right now it feels like the Wild West. There is no single global governing body — certifications are issued by specific schools and methods. At the national level, only in some countries breathing becomes the topic and very slowly is entering the mainstream, but still it is in unregulated, grey area.
It feels a little bit like “who’s first” to setup a new instructor certification path. We have so many options right now, it became confusing for someone who has interest in breathing but no prior knowledge nor experience. Every year we hear of a new certification path for breathing instructor. I try to mention as many as possible in this blog post – if you know a new one, please let me know.
The problem is anyone can start any certification path at any time.
Why is this a problem? This is only my personal view, based on observation and experience: we live in a society where many people suffer from dysfunctional breathing patterns, sleep disorders etc. My assumption and concern is that teaching intense breathwork as a first step may not be the best approach for everyone and could even cause harm in the long term. This can happen when someone creates a daily habit of intense breathwork without balancing it with functional breathing, then intense breathing might become a habit and could even disrupt breathing patterns during sleep.
It is better — for you and for your clients — to begin with calm techniques and functional methods, and only later introduce more intense breathwork practices.
3 main categories
This is not entirely true, but for the sake of simplification and bringing some structure to the work, we can say that breathing exercises can be divided into 3 main categories:
- calming
- activating
- transformative
However, some techniques can calm us down and sharpen our cognitive function in the same time, or bring a transformative effect. Under one single methodology, we can find exercises that bring different effects too. So, this is not black or white categorisation. Generally speaking, for the beginning, I would recommend calming techniques and methodologies that are mostly focused on functional breathing.
The mother of all techniques
In 2025, I did the Buteyko Breathing Instructor course (this one is all about functional breathing). I’m exploring Pranayama now, and my goal for 2026 is to start teacher training in this ancient art of breathing. Why I choose that? I believe, Pranayama is overarching all other techniques, it is at the root. Some techniques brought to the west, they seem like a slice of Pranayama without the religious context. I want simply learn at the top of the stream – which might take a while.
List of possible pathways
Problably not a complete list, I will try to keep it updated. I focused on western methodologies, for now I excluded pathways in yoga – when I learn more about these I will update this post.
Functional / Clinical-Oriented Breathing
- Buteyko Clinic International (BCI) – focuses on functional breathing, CO₂ tolerance, nasal breathing, and asthma support. Often used in therapeutic and health settings.
- BradCliff – modernized Buteyko approach with online delivery and structured modules for coaches.
- Respiratory Therapy – at the national level you can find trainings for respiratory care professionals. These are addresed primarly at medical, nursing or physiotherapy students. Often t sia regulated healthcare profession.
Performance & Stress Resilience
- XPT Performance Breathing – performance training integrating breathwork, stress exposure, and recovery methods.
- Oxygen Advantage – performance-oriented system based on Buteyko principles. Emphasizes CO₂ tolerance, nasal breathing, sleep, and sports performance.
- Wim Hof Method Instructor – cold exposure and controlled hyperventilation-based method. Structured 3-level certification.
Transformative Breathwork
- Transformational Breath – facilitator certification in conscious connected breathing for emotional release.
- Rebirthing Breathwork – circular breathing method developed by Leonard Orr, focused on emotional processing.
- Biodynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release (BBTRS) – integrates breathwork with somatic trauma release techniques.
- Alchemy of Breath – facilitator training in conscious connected breathwork.
- Breathing Space – trauma-informed breathwork facilitator pathway.
- Soma Breath – rhythmic breathing, breath retention, and music-based sessions.
- Breathwork Movement – modern online breathwork facilitator training.
Thank you for coming to our website, keep on nose breathing:),
Krzysztof
