Pause Breathwork Certification Alternative: In-Person, a Third the Tuition
Pause runs a six-month online certification led by Samantha Skelly. Liquid Breathwork is a small-cohort training taught by both founders, in person near Phoenix or online.
Liquid Breathwork vs Pause Breathwork
Quick answer: Choose the Liquid Breathwork certification for in-person practice and one-time tuition of $1,997. Choose Pause Breathwork® for a six-month online program and the brand recognition of Samantha Skelly's program.
Pause Breathwork® is a trademark of its owner. Liquid Breathwork is not affiliated with Pause Breathwork or endorsed by it.
| Compared | Liquid Breathwork | Pause 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. Ryan was quoted $8,000 on a 2024 sales call.They offered $1,000 off ($7,000) if he committed that day. |
| Group size | Capped at 20 in person, 15 online | Not publishedTheir site says Samantha has trained nearly 3,000 certified facilitators. |
| 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. | 6 months online in four phases, with weekly live embodiment calls |
| Trauma-informed | Yes. Woven throughout the training and built into our whole approach to Breathwork. | Trauma-informed principles taught online, starting in the first phase |
| Sessions | A taught session structure, script, AND guiding phrasesThen we encourage fluidity and following your intuition. | Off script by phase 3They say you “stop following a script and start reading the room.” |
| Method | Conscious connected Breathwork / Rebirthing and surrender, with our signature Liquid Breathwork sessionPlus a wide technique range and business training.Sound healing and Reiki woven in. | The Pause Method: continual connected breathing to move emotion stored in the bodyDescribed on their site as trauma-informed and somatic. |
| Mentorship | Ryan and Shelby Von Oepen, a Registered Nurse (RN, BSN), directly. Support continues after graduation.Ryan has guided sessions since 2018, trained in Somatiq, SOMA and Rebirthing, and still leads sessions in Phoenix every month. | Weekly live calls with Samantha and trainers, a peer community and lifetime portal access |
| Business training | Included: pricing and marketing to fill your first class | Through the Pause Business Accelerator, after graduation |
| Who certifies | Liquid Breathwork issues its own certificateNo third-party accreditation. | Pause Breathwork issues its own Pause Method certification |
Pause facts from pausebreathwork.com, checked October 14, 2026, trauma-informed claim checked October 26, 2026. Read our full Pause Breathwork certification review.
Feel our style first
Get a free recording of one of our live Breathwork classes.
Get My Free RecordingOur Graduates, In Their Own Words
Why People Choose Liquid Breathwork Over Pause Breathwork
Students who pick our Breathwork certification usually want a method they can teach in their own voice, practiced by guiding each other in the room. 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.
What Breathwork income looks like
Pause's site says over 70% of its graduates earn back their tuition within 90 days, and that its top facilitators have $10K+ months. Our number: eight years in, we just had our first 10K month, and it included certification tuition. Starting from zero, plan on a multi-year build.
When Pause Breathwork is the better fit
If you want to teach the Pause method and join their facilitator network, certify at the source. Their six-month arc also suits people who learn best over a long, structured program.
Two Ways to Train With Liquid Breathwork
These lessons cover guiding live sessions and building the business around them.
- Breathwork Session Structure
- Structuring a Session: The Energetic Arc
- Trauma-Informed Facilitation
- Building Your Offer Ladder
- Session Rates & Pricing
Pause Breathwork vs Liquid Breathwork FAQ
What is the best alternative to Pause Breathwork certification?
It depends on what you want. For in-person practice and one-time tuition, Liquid Breathwork is a strong fit. For body-based trauma release, look at BBTRS. For a self-paced online program with published prices, SOMA Breath is the closest match, at $497 to $6,497 on its site.
Does Liquid Breathwork teach the Pause Breathwork method?
No. Pause describes its method as continual connected breathing. Ours centers on our signature 90-minute session: an intro, a guided meditation written by Shelby, about 50 minutes of Breathwork, sound healing, and an integration sharing circle. We also teach the history of Breathwork and a range of breathing techniques.
Who certifies Pause Breathwork facilitators?
Pause Breathwork certifies its own facilitators in the Pause Method, and only Pause can certify you under that name. No state licenses Breathwork facilitators. Liquid Breathwork issues its own certificate and holds no third-party accreditation.
Compare Dates and Tuition
Both paths are on the training page, or talk to Ryan before you decide.