9D Breathwork Certification Alternative: In-Person Training, No Subscription
This 9D Breathwork certification alternative teaches you to lead a live room yourself, with hands-on mentorship from Ryan and Shelby and one published price.
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Online: next cohort March 9, 2027
In person: Scottsdale, Feb 5-7
Liquid Breathwork vs 9D Breathwork
9D Breathwork is a registered trademark of its owner. Liquid Breathwork is not affiliated with it. Updated October 14, 2026.
Quick answer: 9D Breathwork trains facilitators online to run its pre-recorded audio journeys through 9D headphones, under a monthly or yearly license. Liquid Breathwork trains you to guide a live session yourself, in person near Phoenix or online, for one published tuition.
| Compared | Liquid Breathwork | 9D Breathwork |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $1,997In person. Early bird, then $2,497.$1,497Online. Early bird through January 1, 2027, then $1,797. Monthly payment plans on both. | Not published. Their team sends it after you apply.Plus a monthly or yearly facilitator license that renews automatically, and 9D-branded headphones. |
| Format | Live training, in person or on online group calls, built around hands-on practice and real experience so you leave confident guiding.3 days in person near Phoenix, or 12 weeks online. Online support continues after. | Online, at your own pace, with weekly live callsOptional in-person retreats and events. |
| Trauma-informed | Yes. Woven throughout the training and built into our whole approach to Breathwork. | Not stated on their siteIt mentions body-based trauma release, not trauma-informed facilitation. |
| How sessions run | A taught session structure, script, AND guiding phrasesThen we encourage fluidity and following your intuition, led live with music on room speakers. | A pre-recorded 9D journey on headphones. The track sets the timing. |
| Group size | Capped at 20 in person, 15 online | Not published |
| What you learn | Conscious connected Breathwork / Rebirthing and surrender, with our signature Liquid Breathwork sessionPlus a wide technique range and business training. | The 9D nine-layer system and its business model |
| Style | Surrender-based and quiet. The breather sets the pace.Sound healing and Reiki included. | Emotional release inside an immersive audio journey |
| Mentorship | Ryan and Shelby, directly, during and after trainingRyan has guided sessions since 2018: 100+ one-on-ones and hundreds of group sessions. | Weekly community calls and a private facilitator community |
| Business training | Included, taught by people who have filled four classes a month for years | Included. The training covers the 9D business model. |
| Where you can use it | Any live session format. No license fee. | In person or online, while your 9D license is active |
9D details from 9dbreathwork.com and its facilitator terms and conditions, checked October 14, 2026, trauma-informed claim checked October 26, 2026. Read our full 9D Breathwork review
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Get My Free RecordingWhy People Choose Liquid Breathwork Over 9D Breathwork
In-person, hands-on facilitation practice
In our Breathwork certification, you guide each other through full sessions in the room and get feedback on your voice, pacing, hands, and presence.
A wide range of techniques
Knowing several styles lets you choose the right approach for the person in front of you.
Lead a live room without a pre-recorded track
A playlist you mix in real time lets you slow the music when the group needs two more minutes at the peak.
A gentle method with safety built in
Liquid Breathwork is a surrender-based inward journey: still powerful, but not as intense as some styles like Holotropic Breathwork, so you can actually go deeper through surrender. The breather sets the pace and nothing is forced. You learn why tingling and emotional waves happen. Shelby Von Oepen's nursing background (RN, BSN) adds a layer of clinical safety.
These lessons teach the live-room skills a 9D audio track would otherwise handle for you.
- Breathwork Session Structure
- Music & Playlists: Building the Energy Arc
- Structuring a Session: The Energetic Arc
- Breath Mastery Techniques: Part 1
- Tetany & Why It's Safe
When 9D Breathwork Is the Better Fit
- If you want to teach the 9D-branded method, certify at the source. Their audio library and instructor network is its own ecosystem.
- 9D trains fully online, so you can certify from anywhere.
- Headphone sound design is 9D's strength, and their tracks are built for it.
- A fixed protocol from session one can build early confidence for a brand-new facilitator.
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9D Breathwork vs Liquid Breathwork FAQ
What is the best alternative to 9D Breathwork certification?
It depends on what you want to change. If you want to guide a live room yourself, with mentors watching you practice and one published tuition, Liquid Breathwork. If you want to keep delivering 9D's audio journeys, stay with 9D, since only 9D licenses them.
How much does 9D Breathwork certification cost compared to Liquid Breathwork?
9D doesn't publish tuition. Their team sends the breakdown after you apply. Certified facilitators also pay a monthly or yearly license that renews automatically and use 9D-branded headphones bought from 9D, so ask for the first-year total. Liquid Breathwork is $1,997 one time, with payment plans.
Who is the founder of 9D Breathwork?
Brian Kelly founded 9D Breathwork. 9D pairs the breath with layered, multi-directional audio played through headphones, and 9D Management certifies its facilitators.
Does Liquid Breathwork teach the 9D Breathwork method?
No. We teach our signature 90-minute session: a guided meditation written by Shelby, about 50 minutes of surrender-based Breathwork, sound healing, and an integration circle. Only 9D certifies facilitators to deliver its audio journeys.