LV1 | Foundations of Facilitation
Breathwork Facilitator Training - Level One, Foundations of Facilitation (15-hours online)
Breathwork is a powerful vehicle for healing and expanding one’s awareness to see beyond the habituated patterns of life and mind. Since ancient times, conscious breathing practices have been used as a bridge to non-ordinary states of consciousness and to that which transcends the self, and to regulate the activity of the body and mind.
Today, many are struggling in a world of increasing overwhelm, isolation, and dissociation, with increasing anxiety, depression, and simply feeling disconnected from life and the vitality of their own being. In helping people discover the power and beauty of their innate breath, we can help people come home to themselves, and to the profound wisdom within.
The Foundations of Facilitation program is offered for wellness practitioners and individuals seeking to deepen their relationship with breathwork and to build the requisite foundation for guiding others. The robust curriculum offers a holistic approach, meeting at the intersection of somatic psychology, respiratory physiology and the science of breathwork, and the more energetic and spiritual aspects of expanded state healing processes.
This training is intended to support you in facilitating breathwork from a place of deeper embodied resource, awareness, and mindfulness, so that you may skillfully respond to what arises in each unique session and support the highest outcome for your clients.
The Foundations of Facilitation training is offered both online and in-person in Seattle. It is the prerequisite for continued Sword & Lotus breathwork training and certification.
CURRICULUM:
The History & Landscape of Breathwork
Breathwork is a widely used term, and you will learn the difference between yogic pranayama, generalized stress-reduction approaches, breath training techniques such as Buteyko, and overbreathing modalities derived from Holotropic Breathwork and Rebirthing Breathwork, influenced by somatic psychotherapy and Reich’s theories of character and body armoring. We will explore the limitations of a “one size fits all” approach and develop a fundamental understanding of guiding others in a breathwork process that is responsive and non-harming.
Verbal Facilitation Techniques & Common Breathing Patterns
You will learn core techniques for guiding journeys without touch, including verbal cues, vocal toning, body movement and activation, client-directed self-touch, and breath retentions. You will also learn techniques for responding to common breathing patterns.
The science: Breathing Physiology & Contraindications
You will learn the basics of respiratory physiology and what happens in hyperventilation and overbreathing (tetany respiratory alkalosis, hypocalcemia, etc.), gas exchange, the role of carbon dioxide, and why some physical and/or psychological conditions may be contraindicated for more active styles of breathwork.
The Nervous system: Arousal response & polyvagal Theory in Breathwork
To facilitate a somatic modality (and specifically one that alters the breath), it is important to have foundational understanding of the autonomic nervous system and difference between sympathetic discharge and potential states of hyper- and hypo-arousal, as well as what’s required as a facilitator to skillfully guide and respond to shifting arousal states. We will also discuss how to facilitate with awareness of someone’s window of tolerance, with an orientation towards integrative healing, not catharsis.
Trauma-Informed Facilitation & Holding safer Spaces
As a healing guide, it is imperative to have context for trauma and how to create the safest container possible to support positive outcomes for your clients. We will discuss the nature of trauma and how experiences are held and expressed in the body, identifying trauma energy in breathwork and skillful response, and actions for holding the safest container possible. We will also discuss when breathwork is NOT appropriate for some histories and presentation of trauma.
Guiding an expanded State Journey
As a form of ‘experiential therapy’ in which expanded states of awareness can be accessed, we will discuss the primary stages of ceremony: preparation, journey, and integration, as well as context for the terrain one might encounter in breathwork and how to navigate it.
Session Format Considerations
We will discuss specific considerations for 1:1 sessions, couples, small and large groups, corporate events, and in-person versus online facilitation.
The Role of a Guide, Liability, & Ethics
While breathwork is not currently overseen by a governing body or recognized by most State boards, it is important to understand the implications of facilitating this type of work and considerations in receiving informed consent before taking people through what can be a physically and psychologically demanding – and potentially destabilizing – process. We will also touch on the inherent responsibilities, honor, and gifts of being a healing guide, as well as orientations to healing.
Training Format & Materials:
Live Lecture & Discussion: The training format is primarily didactic lecture and discussion, with one group breathwork journey during the training.
Training Manual & Workbook: One week prior to the training, you will receive a 126-page Training Manual & Workbook, with detailed information and reference for the robust training curriculum.
Online Training Community Platform: All training participants will be granted free access to the Sword & Lotus Training Community on the Circle platform. This is a comprehensive resource library including: breathwork-related articles and research papers, breathwork articles in the press, music and playlists, poems & quotes, resource links (legal resources, podcasts, intakes & waivers), and an opportunity to post and engage with the broader community, as well as your specific training cohort.
Pre-Requisites & ALIGNMENT:
Prior to registering, it is required that you attend a group breathwork session (online or in-person) with Tai, or receive a 1:1 private session to ensure there’s alignment with this style and approach to breathwork.
This training is intended for those who are mature in their own journeys of healing and personal development, and who have a history of personal breathwork practice (private sessions and/or group experiences). This program will be well-aligned for healing arts practitioners (therapists, yoga teachers, life coaches, acupuncturists, coaches, shamanic practitioners, etc.) who would like to add breathwork to their toolkit, or to deepen their understanding and personal experience of breathwork so they can refer clients from a deeper place of awareness.
Recommended Reading: For the Foundations training, I highly encourage all participants to read: “Consciousness Medicine” by Francoise Bourzat & “Breath” by James Nestor.
TUITION & REgistration:
Online Training Tuition: $750 USD (limited to 14 participants)
In-Person Training Tuition: $875 USD (limited to 8 participants)
UPCOMING TRAININGS:
Online Trainings: 9:30am-3:30pm Pacific daily
In-Person Trainings: 10:00am-5:00pm Friday & Saturday, 10:00am-4:00pm Sunday
In-Person Training Location: 1817 Queen Anne Avenue North, Seattle 98109
IN-PERSON IN SEATTLE: October 18th-20th, 2024
2025 PRIORITY NOTIFICATION:
Submit your request to be the first to know when our 2025 dates are announced and registration opens!
PAYMENT TERMS & CANCELLATION POLICY
$150 of your registration is a non-refundable deposit to reserve your spot in the training.
Balance payments are due 30-days prior to the training start date.
Refunds (less the deposit) will be offered for cancellations prior to 30 days from the training, less the deposit. For cancellations within 30 days of the training, no refunds will be available. For any illness-related event that prohibits you from attending, including Covid, your registration may be transferred to the next training that has space available.
Sword & Lotus has the right to cancel the training due to low registration with minimum 30 days notice and all payments will be refunded.
In registering for the Level One Training, you agree to the training Terms & Conditions.
“The training went above and beyond a level 1 training. I love Tai’s approach, philosophy and teaching style. The materials are fantastic with spiritual, emotional and physical elements all Incorporated. I really appreciated Tai’s open, and accessible yet professional approach and incorporation of student questions and feedback. It made me feel included and that I have what it takes to continue down this path. I appreciated that she shared her own experiences as well. I would 100 percent recommend this training to my peers. Tai truly has done the work required to be a leader in this field.”
“Tai expertly guided our cohort through the level one training with incredible presence, mindfulness and kindness. No questions were too basic and all input was greatly welcomed. Do not hesitate to enroll if you are interested in taking your breathwork to the next level, you will not regret it!”
“The Sword & Lotus Breathwork Facilitator Level 1 Training with Tai supported me becoming a better practitioner. In just a few short days, I was able to learn and acquire knowledge and tools that will be of a great benefit to the people I serve. This is a FULL YES if you are considering facilitating breathwork experiences.”