Sacred Breath Academy Review: Cost, Format and Who It Fits

This Sacred Breath Academy review compares their 400-hour facilitator training with ours. The real question: a year of self-paced ceremonial study with an overseas intensive, or live training you finish in weeks?

Sacred Breath Academy is a trademark of its owner. Liquid Breathwork is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sacred Breath Academy or Kaya Leigh, and we don't teach or certify their method.

Next training
Online: next cohort March 9, 2027
In person: Scottsdale, Feb 5-7

See Our Training Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Training Fits What You Want

Choose Sacred Breath Academy

If you want a long, ceremonial path in their lineage, go with them.

  • 400 hours over up to a year, at your own pace
  • A nose-inhale, parasympathetic style of conscious connected breathing
  • Ceremony, sound, essential oils and smudging in the session

Choose Liquid Breathwork

If you want to learn live with two teachers and start guiding sooner.

  • Live teaching in person near Phoenix or on online group calls
  • Ryan and Shelby Von Oepen, RN, guide multiple sessions every month and share the exact strategies they use to grow community and repeat clients
  • Practice guiding our surrender-based signature session and a Rebirthing session
  • Physiology, safety and technique range

Liquid Breathwork vs Sacred Breath Academy

Sacred Breath Academy is a trademark of its owner. Liquid Breathwork is not affiliated with it. Updated October 25, 2026.

Quick answer: Sacred Breath Academy sells a 400-hour training (a 350-hour self-paced digital course plus a 50-hour in-person intensive) for $4,444 USD. Liquid Breathwork teaches live, over 3 days in person or 12 weeks online.

ComparedLiquid BreathworkSacred Breath Academy
Who runs itRyan McBurney and Shelby Von Oepen, RN, teach every cohort togetherFounder Kaya LeighShe lists early training in a Shamanic Breathwork lineage.
FormatLive training, in person or on online group calls, built around hands-on practice and real experience so you leave confident guiding.Self-paced digital course, then an in-person intensivePlus live Zoom journeys. A virtual intensive costs more.
Trauma-informedYes. Woven throughout the training and built into our whole approach to Breathwork.Yes, stated on their siteThey say: “Trauma-Informed Breathwork Teacher Training”
SessionsA taught session structure, script, AND guiding phrasesThen we encourage fluidity and following your intuition.Not stated on their site
In person in the USYes. Phoenix area, plus seven more US cities in 2027.No US date listedNext listed: Bali, November 9 to 17, 2026.
Duration3 days in person, or 12 weeks online400 hoursThey say most students take 6 to 12 months.
Price$1,497Online. Early bird through January 1, 2027, then $1,797.$1,997In person, 2027 early bird, then $2,497.$4,444 USDIntensive travel, food and lodging extra.
FocusConscious connected Breathwork / Rebirthing and surrender, with our signature Liquid Breathwork sessionPlus a wide technique range and business training.The Sacred Breath Method, a ceremonial, nose-inhale style

Sacred Breath Academy figures from sacredbreathacademy.life, checked October 25, 2026, trauma-informed claim checked October 26, 2026. Prices change, so confirm on their site.

Ryan McBurney guiding a live Liquid Breathwork class in Phoenix

Feel our style first

Get a free recording of one of our live Breathwork classes.

Get My Free Recording

What We Liked, and What to Weigh

Their page is unusually thorough. It publishes the full price and every certification step, and it gives real weight to integration after a session. That's rare.

What to weigh: you train within their lineage, and certification needs the intensive, a final quiz and three private sessions each with ten people. Plan for up to a year, and a flight unless you pay more for the virtual intensive. Our Breathwork certification is built for people who want to learn live and start guiding sooner. Want to try a session first? Get a free recording of one of our live Breathwork classes.

These lessons cover safety, integration and running a practice.

  • Trauma-Informed Facilitation
  • The Nervous System & Polyvagal Theory
  • Intention Setting & Integration Prompts
  • Physical Touch: Consent & Techniques
  • Session Rates & Pricing

See the full curriculum

What we don't teach: We don't teach or certify the Sacred Breath Method, and we don't train its ceremonial elements like essential oils and smudging herbs. If you need those, train with them.

Breathwork Training
Dates and Tuition

Three days in person or twelve weeks online. The same surrender-based method and mentorship from Ryan and Shelby either way.

See all dates and locations (6 more)

Every Training Includes

  • Complete course materials and manual
  • Ongoing mentorship from Ryan and Shelby
  • Private graduate community
  • Monthly graduate call on the first Wednesday of every month

Not sure yet? Share your info and we will reach out or Book a Clarity Call.

Sacred Breath Academy Review FAQ

Is Sacred Breath Academy legit?

It's an established school founded by Kaya Leigh, who says she has worked with breath for over a decade. They publish their price, curriculum and certification steps in full.

How much does Sacred Breath Academy cost?

In October 2026 their site listed the full 400-hour certification at $4,444 USD, or in stages: $3,333 for the immersion and digital course, then $1,111 for the intensive. Food and lodging at the intensive are extra.

Is Sacred Breath Academy accredited?

They list an organizational membership in the International Breathwork Foundation (IBF). They say they don't follow the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance timeline.

Can I do both trainings?

Yes. They don't conflict. Sacred Breath Academy certifies you in its method and lineage, and we certify you in ours.

Still comparing? Read our roundup of the best Breathwork certifications, or the Holotropic Breathwork alternative comparison.

See Full Training Details Talk to Ryan