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Somatic Breathwork Facilitator Training
Breathwork. Somatics. Nervous system science. Trauma-informed practice.
A professional certification for practitioners ready to deepen how they hold space.
This training brings together functional and somatic breathwork, body-based awareness, nervous system regulation and trauma-informed facilitation so you can guide others with clarity, presence, and integrity.
Somatic Breathwork is most powerful when it is held well. In the right hands, it becomes a precise and supportive tool for regulation, integration and meaningful change.
At Breathing Tree, we teach you to facilitate from a grounded understanding of the body and nervous system integrating breathwork, somatic practice, coaching principles and trauma-aware care into a coherent and embodied approach.
So your work is not only effective but safe, attuned and deeply human.
2026 applications are now closed
Apply now for 2027
Embark on a comprehensive and deeply embodied 10 month in-person and on-line somatic breathwork facilitation training. This programme emphasises safety, clinical competence and genuine personal integration offering far more than technique alone.
To apply for the 2027 Somatic Breathwork Training Cohort, please read the full details below.
WHAT THIS TRAINING OFFERS
A 400+ hour professional training pathway both online and in-person including:
400+ structured training hours
Two in-person immersion training weeks in the UK
Three supervised live public facilitation sessions
Monthly online training with Rebecca Dennis & Philip Parker every 3rd Saturday from 09.00 to 16.00 and 2nd Wednesday from 19.00 to 20.30
Lectures from experts in neuroscience, trauma, psychology, physiology, compassionate space holding, science of breath & more
Comprehensive teaching in anatomy, breath science & nervous system regulation
Supervision + mentoring opportunity throughout and access to a supportive training community
Membership to the Breathing Tree online learning platform
Curated themes & playlists for your future sessions
TRAUMA-INFORMED LEARNING: HOLDING SPACE WITH INTEGRITY
Supporting someone through somatic breathwork is profound and complex work. It can open doors to releasing trauma, unearthing memory, reconnection and deep personal insight but only when held within a container of genuine safety and trauma-informed care. At Breathing Tree, we teach somatic breathwork in a way that honours the nervous system, respects personal pacing and places emotional safety at the centre of every session.
You’ll discover how to create spaces where clients feel safe, grounded, supported and empowered to make choices that honour their own limits. You’ll learn to attune to subtle shifts in breath, body and nervous system, using language, presence and touch ethically and compassionately. This training cultivates the confidence to witness without judgment, to allow without interfering and to collaborate without taking over, keeping the client at the heart of their own healing process.
Trauma-informed breathwork isn’t simply an approach, it is a discipline, a responsibility and a profound act of respect. Within this training, you will develop both the knowledge and the embodied presence to hold safe, compassionate and transformative space for others.
WHO THIS TRAINING IS FOR
You can only witness in others what you’ve had the courage to face within yourself.
This training is for those already working in mental health, wellbeing or personal growth and who are ready to deepen beyond technique into an embodied, relational way of working.
It is for those who hold space for others and recognise that their capacity to support depth, complexity and transformation is inseparable from their own inner development.
You may be drawn to this work if you are seeking to integrate breath and body-based approaches into your practice in a way that is grounded, trauma-aware and ethically held. You likely already have a foundation in personal or professional development and are now ready to strengthen your ability to stay present with emotional intensity, nervous system activation and trauma-related experience without bypassing or shutting down.
This training is especially relevant for those working across care-based, therapeutic or support roles who want to expand how they facilitate regulation, resilience and meaningful change.
What is required is not perfection but participation in your own process, a willingness to keep meeting yourself and an openness to both the science of the nervous system and the more subtle, lived dimensions of human experience.
Readiness for Training
This training is designed for practitioners who already have a lived experience of conscious connected breathwork. Before applying, we ask that you have attended a minimum of five breathwork sessions, either in group or one-to-one settings with a qualified practitioner. This ensures you arrive with a felt understanding of the practice, not just a conceptual one. Applications are reviewed individually to ensure the training is aligned in both timing and readiness.
This is an advanced, trauma-informed training. It moves beyond introductory breathwork into nervous system awareness, emotional integration, and the subtle dynamics of holding space for others. It requires personal maturity, self-responsibility, and a willingness to remain in your own process throughout.
This training may be a strong fit for you if:
WHO THIS TRAINING IS NOT FOR
This training is not a starting point.
It is not designed for those who are at the beginning of their personal development journey or for those seeking a space focused primarily on their own healing without the responsibility of working with others.
The work requires an ongoing commitment to self-inquiry, the willingness to notice your patterns, stay with your responses and engage with your own history as part of your growth as a practitioner. If that level of engagement does not feel accessible to you right now, it may be more supportive to continue building a strong personal foundation before stepping into work of this depth.
MEET REBECCA DENNIS, YOUR LEAD TRAINER
WHAT YOU’LL WALK AWAY WITH
This training equips you to lead somatic breathwork that is safe, grounded and genuinely transformative for your clients and for you.
Inside the training, you’ll learn how to:
This is more than a certification. It’s a solid foundation for breathwork facilitation built on trust, embodiment and long-term sustainability so you can meet people where they are and guide them with safety and care.
Completion of this training does not constitute a licence to practice psychotherapy, counselling, medicine or any regulated profession.
HEAR FROM OUR TRAINEES
Rebecca, Breathing Tree Facilitator Trainee
Coenraad, Breathing Tree Facilitator Trainee
Jo, Breathing Tree Facilitator Trainee
Kim, Breathing Tree Facilitator Trainee
Lara, Breathing Tree Facilitator Trainee
THE BREATHING TREE PHILOSOPHY
Respecting The Personal Journey
Each person’s experience with breath and emotions is unique. A gentle approach allows facilitators to honour individual journeys, recognising that some may be navigating trauma, high anxiety, physical or emotional sensitivity. This gentle approach creates a safe space for exploration and healing.
Encouraging Natural Flow
Breath is an innate and natural process. By adopting a gentle approach, we encourage participants to connect with their breath in a way that feels organic and effortless. This fosters a greater sense of ease, allowing individuals to discover their natural rhythm without force, pressure, or the feeling of ‘doing it wrong’.
Building Trust & Safety
Establishing trust is essential in any therapeutic setting. A gentle, compassionate approach fosters a safe and supportive environment where participants feel comfortable expressing their experiences and emotions. This sense of safety is not only fundamental to building a strong therapeutic relationship, but also vital for deep healing and lasting transformation.
Promoting Awareness
Gentle somatic breathwork encourages awareness, helping individuals become more attuned to their bodies and emotions. This heightened awareness allows participants to process their feelings in real-time, fostering emotional resilience and self-acceptance.
Facilitating & Supporting Sustainable Change
Gentle techniques are powerful and can help promote long-lasting change by allowing participants to integrate their experiences at their own pace. This gradual approach encourages sustainable growth, as individuals learn to listen to their bodies and honour their needs.
Cultivating Compassion
A gentle approach to functional and advanced therapeutic methods embodies the principles of compassion and empathy, both for oneself and for others. This nurturing mindset fosters a sense of connection and community, reinforcing the idea that we are all on this journey together.
At Breathing Tree, we believe that breath is the foundation of life and a gateway to deeper awareness and personal empowerment. Our ethos is centred around the idea that by cultivating a mindful relationship with our breath and body, we can unlock our potential, release emotional blockages, and connect with ourselves and others on a profound level. Breathing Tree represents growth, grounding and the interconnectedness of all beings, reminding us that just as a tree flourishes by drawing nourishment from the earth and sky, we too can thrive by embracing our breath and the present moment.
We embrace and advocate for a gentle approach to breathwork because we recognise the profound impact that safety, compassion and mindfulness can have on our practice and the individuals we serve. Here are several key reasons why this approach is essential.
By choosing a gentle approach to somatic breathwork, we create an inviting, safe and nurturing space where individuals can explore their breath, body and subconscious with curiosity and kindness. This philosophy not only enhances the effectiveness of the practice but also deepens the connection between facilitators and participants, ultimately leading to a more enriching experience for all involved.
TRAINING FORMAT
Online Sessions (mandatory)
- Saturdays once a month, 09.00 to 16.00
- Some sessions include guest lecturers
- Modules Content Released Each Month Consisting of Reading Material and Video
In-Person Immersion Weeks
- Two 6-day immersions in London, United Kingdom
- 09.00 to 1700 daily
- Full attendance required
- Two workshops facilitated by students
- Breathing Tree Manual provided for students
Ongoing Learning & Support
- Monthly online supervision & Q+A sessions
- Breath circles for students (scheduled as needed)
- Required reading
- Case studies + written reflections
- Open-book test highlighting any knowledge gaps
- Continued personal breath practice and journal
- Peer support group
- Alumni access
- Listing on Breathing Tree website upon qualification
KEY DATES
Immersion 1
2nd – 7th November 2026
Immersion 2
22nd – 27th February 2027
FULL ONLINE & IN-PERSON DATE LIST
Wednesday 23rd September 2026, Online orientation
Saturday 26th September 2026, Online
Wednesday 14th October 2026, Online
Saturday 24th October 2026, Online
November 2nd – 7th 2026, In person Immersion
Wednesday 18th November 2026, Online
Wednesday 9th December 2026, Online
Saturday 12th December 2026, Online
Wednesday 6th January 2027, Online
Saturday 16th January 2027, Online
Wednesday 10th February 2027, Online
22nd – 27th February 2027, In person Immersion
Wednesday 10th March 2027, Online
Saturday 20th March 2027, Online
Wednesday 7th April 2027, Online
Saturday 24th April 2027, Online
Wednesday 12th May 2027, Online
Saturday 22nd May 2027, Online
Wednesday 9th June 2026, Online
Saturday 19th June 2027, In person London
Saturday 17th July 2027, In person London
(Wednesday Monthly Meet Ups Online 7pm – 8.30pm)
INVESTMENT
Total Investment
- 10 month training, includes all online & immersion weeks tuition & resources.
Additional Costs
- Required reading material
- Optional personal mentoring sessions
- Travel, meals (and accommodation if you’re travelling from outside the London area) for immersion weeks at Indaba Yoga studio, 18 Hayes Place, London, NW1 6UA.
Bursaries
We offer three bursary places per cohort, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, each providing a £1,000 reduction in course fees. These are intended for applicants who can demonstrate financial need or hardship and a strong commitment to their professional development in breathwork facilitation.
Bursary Application
Application is via email only at breathingtreetraining@gmail.com and your bursary application should include:
1. A brief explanation of your circumstances and why a bursary would enable you to participate
2. How this training aligns with your professional goals and your commitment to trauma-informed practice
Bursary applications are reviewed thoughtfully and bursary places are awarded at the discretion of the Breathing Tree Training Team. Please take the time to provide a considered application — we want to support those truly committed to this work.
ACCREDITATION
The Breathing Tree Somatic Breathwork Facilitator Training is independently recognised through accreditation by leading professional organisations within the fields of counselling, coaching, holistic and complementary health, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD). These independent accreditations provide assurance that the training has been assessed against recognised standards of educational quality, course design, learner outcomes and professional practice. They reflect our commitment to delivering a professionally structured, ethically grounded and evidence-informed training that prepares graduates to facilitate Somatic Breathwork safely, confidently and responsibly.
The Breathing Tree Somatic Breathwork Facilitator Training is accredited by the CPD Standards Office, one of the UK’s leading independent accreditation organisations for Continuing Professional Development. This accreditation confirms that the training has been independently assessed for its educational quality, learning objectives, course structure and contribution to professional development.
Benefits for Graduates
- Independently quality assured.
- Recognised CPD learning hours.
- Enhanced professional credibility.
- Demonstrates commitment to best practice.
- Supports lifelong professional development
The Breathing Tree Somatic Breathwork Facilitator Training is accredited by ACCPH – Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists & Hypnotherapists. ACCPH is an internationally recognised professional accreditation body dedicated to promoting high standards of education, ethical practice and professional excellence across the counseling, coaching, complementary health and wellbeing sectors.
Benefits for Graduates
- Independently accredited training.
- Professional membership pathway.
- Practitioner directory eligibility.
- Increased professional credibility.
- Ongoing CPD opportunities.
Breathing Tree is recognised by the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM) as an Accredited Training Provider. IPHM is a leading independent accreditation board for the holistic and complementary health industry, and this accreditation recognises Breathing Tree’s commitment to delivering professionally structured education that meets IPHM’s standards for quality, ethics and professional training delivery.
Benefits for Graduates
- Professionally accredited training provider.
- Professional membership pathway.
- Practitioner directory eligibility.
- International professional recognition.
- Access to IPHM member benefits.
At Breathing Tree, we believe accreditation is a foundation and not a finish line. While external recognition provides valuable assurance of quality and professional standards, true excellence comes from continual reflection, learning and responsibility. We do not simply follow existing frameworks; we actively question, review and evolve our approach to ensure our training remains ethical, relevant and aligned with the highest standards of practice. Through ongoing self-reflection and commitment to improvement, we empower facilitators to think critically, practise responsibly and contribute to the professional development of Trauma Informed Somatic Breathwork.
TRAINERS & GUEST EXPERTS
REBECCA DENNIS
Rebecca Dennis is the Lead Trainer and Founder of Breathing Tree, a London-based breathwork training school with an international reach. With over two decades of experience in holistic and alternative therapies, Rebecca is widely respected for her depth of knowledge, embodied teaching style and her ability to translate complex nervous system science into practical, transformative breathwork practices. Her work is grounded in a deep belief that conscious breathing is central to wellbeing, health and inner peace and that when we learn to work with the breath, profound change becomes possible.
Rebecca’s expertise spans breathwork, trauma release, somatic modalities, polyvagal theory and nervous system regulation. She holds a Diploma in Anatomy alongside ITEC Diplomas in Swedish and Sports Massage, giving her teaching a strong anatomical and physiological foundation. Her training journey includes co-trainer level experience with some of the most influential figures in the field, including Judith Kravitz, Donna Farhi and Max Strom, among others. This rich lineage informs a teaching approach that is both rigorously informed and deeply intuitive, with a strong emphasis on safety, embodiment and trauma awareness.
An accomplished author, Rebecca has written three books, including Let It Go and Breathe – A Practical Guide To Breathwork, with her work featured in Amazon and Sunday Times Best Seller lists. Through Breathing Tree, she offers professional trainings, workshops and immersive learning experiences for those wishing to deepen their personal practice or train as breathwork facilitators. Known for her warmth, clarity and grounded presence, Rebecca creates learning environments that are inclusive, empowering and profoundly supportive—inviting students to not only learn breathwork, but to truly live it.
PHILIP PARKER
Philip Parker is a breathwork therapy facilitator and bodyworker whose work is grounded in both deep personal transformation and extensive professional training. After years as an advertising and marketing executive in the high-pressure communications sector and a later transition into the travel industry, Philip experienced a pivotal life shift that reshaped his relationship with stress, trauma, purpose and wellbeing. This turning point led him to breathwork, which quickly evolved from a personal practice into a profound vocational calling.
Philip is trained in a variety of breathwork modalities and is a certified facilitator with Alchemy of Breath. He is also mentored by respected Breathwork practitioner Rebecca Dennis. He is also a trained trauma-informed integrative somatic counsellor with ISOHH and separately a student of Shiatsu, weaving together breath, somatic awareness , touch and embodied presence to support deep nervous system regulation. His particular areas of interest include trauma, complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) and the ways in which the body holds and releases lived experience.
Known for his highly skilled, intuitive and authentic approach, Philip places safety and attunement at the heart of his work. He creates a nurturing, grounded environment in which clients feel supported to explore their inner landscapes at their own pace. Guided by a strong mission to bring breathwork and somatic practices to the widest audience possible, Philip’s work empowers clients to reconnect with their bodies, restore balance to their nervous systems and access their own innate capacity for healing and resilience.
GUEST EXPERT TEACHERS
Emma Gilmore – Fascia, Anatomy and Physiology
Founder of the School of Bodywork and the Bodywork Clinic Emma is an expert on how trauma is held within the system.
Emma’s passion for the benefits of bodywork is enthusiastically transmitted through her national and international teaching. An advanced bodywork therapist specializing in Fascia Informed Bodywork, with a deep knowledge of human anatomy, fascia and the delicacy of the human condition, Emma shares her knowledge of how physical and emotional trauma manifests in our physiology causing pain, discomfort and pathologies, as well as the potential for its release through bodywork. Emma is currently researching a book on the manifestation of trauma in the body.
Having been a bodywork therapist for over 30 years, Emma shares her detailed knowledge in an accessible and engaging way; she encourages students to quiet their own system, to enable a deep listening, thus the client’s system can express itself in safety.
Gillian Steer – Body Memory and Intuition In The Healing Space
Gillian has been working as a therapist in the fields of Body Memory, Emotional Freedom Techniques and massage for just shy of 40 years.
She describes herself as a facilitator helping to translate the body’s pain, discomfort or illness. Her unique method and approach to unlocking true health and potential comes from years of continuous study of a diverse range of healing techniques.
Working with clients, not on them, she listens to what the body is holding. Sometimes it is the soul whispering, sometimes it is trauma that’s stuck in the tissues needing a voice and other times it’s energy that needs clearing away so the client can feel themselves again. Gillian’s unique technique is guided using her hands and of course her inner knowing. Above all she says ‘keeping myself out of the way and simply listening to the story the body is telling me is key to my technique and the healing process’.
Martin McPhilimey – Breath Science
Martin is a renowned authority in Breath Science, bringing together an impressive blend of expertise as a Respiratory and Sleep Scientist, Exercise Physiologist, and Behavioural Science Practitioner.
With over 15 years of experience in research, clinical work, and training, Martin is not only an accredited coach and mentor but also a passionate advocate for healthy, connected living. Martin is the founder of both The School of Breath Science and Performance Through Health and works with a vast range of high performers worldwide.
Committed to his vision of creating a world where people can achieve optimal health and happiness his unique blend of academic rigor, clinical expertise, and personal passion positions him at the forefront of the Breath Science field, making him a trusted figure in helping others achieve their best health and raising the standard of scientific understanding in the breath and wellbeing space.
Michele Anne Barocchi – Neuroscience and Altered States
Michèle defines her experience as a long journey that, through different disciplines and techniques, has led her to work with the human body and its capacity for self-healing.
Her journey began with a PhD in Infectious Diseases and Immunology at the University of California, Berkeley. The lifestyle of a doctoral student can be very stressful, and Michèle found relief in the regular practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. She soon realized that she had found a simple yet powerful tool for connection. Breath saved Michèle’s life on more than one occasion, motivating her to use this practice to support others in their personal journeys, helping them achieve greater unity and connection.
In 2015 she was involved in a nearly fatal car accident, she used breath to stay conscious until help arrived. Her accident resulted in the amputation of her left leg giving her the opportunity to explore non-physical forms of connection and healing. Currently, Michèle is the co-founder of MAPS Italia, an organization dedicated to raising awareness of psychedelic medicine, research, and therapy and advancing psychedelic science and its therapeutic applications and benefits for mental health and well-being.
Paula Shaw – Modern Wisdom, Ancient Teachings
Paula Shaw is a spiritual guide and mentor who supports individuals on their journey of self-discovery and transformation. Her work blends astrology, tarot and intuitive insight, drawing deeply from over a decade of study and practice in Tibetan Buddhism, as well as influences from Western esoteric traditions and Vedic wisdom.
With more than 15 years’ experience and over 15,000 sessions with clients worldwide, Paula helps people uncover hidden truths, karmic patterns, and the deeper cycles shaping their lives. Meditation and mindfulness are her daily anchors, and she is passionate about sharing these tools to support clarity and presence in uncertain times.
Through Soul Sessions and astrological guidance, Paula offers grounded, soulful support—helping others align with their inner wisdom and the greater rhythms of life.
Aimee Rai – Nervous System Regulation and Trauma Informed Space Holding
Aimee is an integrative therapist and movement & meditation teacher specialising in trauma and somatics, as well as the founder and lead trainer at ISOHH – International School of Holistic Healing.
In addition to having trained with some of the most respected names in the field including Ariella Schwarz, Gabor Mate, Pat Ogden, Linda Parnell, Eric Gentry, Rob Preece and Miles Neale, much of the form of Aimee’s work and teaching has been shaped by her own experience, personal suffering, and pursuit of freedom over the last two decades.
Weaving together the science and psychology of trauma, with the art of meditative, contemplative and somatic practices, Aimee’s hope and intent is to always offer an approach that is truly holistic, highly effective, and deeply human at its heart.