[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text admin_label=”\u0395\u03b9\u03c3\u03b1\u03b3\u03c9\u03b3\u03ae” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
If you search for how to become a Breathworker, you will find quite different answers. Some train at one school, others combine multiple trainings, and some learn for years alongside a more experienced professional. This is not strange: Breathwork is a broad and relatively new professional field, with many schools and different roots. <\/span><\/p>\n What helps clarify the landscape is to distinguish three things: training, the certificate issued by a school, and independent professional certification. At Breathflow, when we talk about international professional certification, our main point of reference is the <\/span>Global Professional Breathwork Alliance (GPBA)<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”\u0397 \u03b4\u03b9\u03b1\u03b4\u03c1\u03bf\u03bc\u03ae Breathflow \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c4\u03bf\u03bd \u03b5\u03c0\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03cc \u03c1\u03cc\u03bb\u03bf” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”\u03a0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03c0\u03bf\u03af\u03b7\u03c3\u03b7 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c4\u03af\u03c4\u03bb\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c3\u03c4\u03bf Breathflow” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Breathwork training can largely be described as <\/span>non-formal learning<\/b><\/a>: organized training with specific goals, hours, practice, and guidance, outside the classic university system.<\/span><\/p>\n There is no single path. One can complete a multi-year program at one school, combine different trainings, or develop through education, personal practice, apprenticeship, and supervision. As the journey progresses towards a professional role, experience with people, ethics, supervision, and the ability to document what has actually been completed become increasingly important. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”\u03a0\u03ce\u03c2 \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c7\u03c9\u03c1\u03ac \u03ad\u03bd\u03b1\u03c2 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc\u03c6\u03bf\u03b9\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2 Breathflow \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c2 GPBA certification” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n A school certificate and an independent professional certification <\/span>are not the same thing<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n A school can issue a certificate of attendance, which records the hours, topics, and practice completed by a student. This documents the training undertaken. <\/span><\/p>\n GPBA professional certification is an additional, independent step. The GPBA examines whether a candidate’s overall training meets its own professional standards. Its official title is GPBA Certified Professional Breathwork Practitioner. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”\u03a0\u03ce\u03c2 \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c7\u03c9\u03c1\u03ac \u03ad\u03bd\u03b1\u03c2 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc\u03c6\u03bf\u03b9\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2 Breathflow \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c2 GPBA certification” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n The Global Professional Breathwork Alliance was created through international collaboration of schools and Breathworkers. The <\/span>professional training standards<\/span><\/a> were validated in 2003 so that different schools could maintain their own methods, but there would be a common reference point for the depth of professional training.<\/span><\/p>\n The core curriculum includes <\/span>at least 400 hours over at least two years<\/b>, along with personal practice, theory and experiential learning, supervision, ethics and boundaries, anatomy and physiology of breathing, communication, and practice with people.<\/span><\/p>\n The GPBA can assess graduates of schools it has already evaluated, as well as graduates who trained at schools it has not yet evaluated. In the latter case, the candidate submits detailed documentation of their training through the individual assessment pathway that the GPBA calls <\/span>\u201cOther Training\u201d<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.breathflow.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/gpba-ekpaideusi-breathworker-400-ores-1.webp” alt=”Key elements of professional Breathworker training according to GPBA standards, with 400+ hours and at least two years.” title_text=”Professional Breathworker Training and GPBA Standards” admin_label=” CREATIVE 2 \u2014 INFOGRAPHIC \u00ab\u0397 \u03b5\u03c0\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u03b4\u03b9\u03b1\u03b4\u03c1\u03bf\u03bc\u03ae \u03c4\u03b7\u03c2 Breathflow Academy\u00bb” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”\u03a4\u03b9 \u03c3\u03b7\u03bc\u03b1\u03af\u03bd\u03bf\u03c5\u03bd \u03c4\u03b1 \u03c0\u03c1\u03cc\u03c4\u03c5\u03c0\u03b1 \u03c4\u03b7\u03c2 GPBA” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n The Breathflow Breathwork Academy<\/span><\/a> is designed as a gradual journey that can start from personal experience and, for anyone who wishes to continue, reach a professional role.<\/span><\/p>\n Our approach is rooted in Rebirthing and uses Conscious Connected Breathing (CCB) and mindfulness as its core practices. Around these, personal experience, body observation, communication, gradual assumption of responsibility, practice with other people, and ethics are built. <\/span><\/p>\n Stage 1 \u2014 Entry into the world of Breathwork<\/b>: 40 hours of personal development, basic breathing theory, and autonomous nervous system function.<\/span><\/p>\n Stage 2 \u2014 Explore Your Depth<\/b>: through inner child work, through the Rebirthing perspective on trauma, improving communication, boundaries and interpersonal relationships, practice in pairs, and active support from the Breathflow trainee community.<\/span><\/p>\n Stage 3 \u2014 Professional training<\/b>: acquiring skills and experience in supporting individual and group Breathwork sessions, deepening physiology and embodied practices, client sessions, supervision, and ethics training.<\/span> The full professional pathway is designed for <\/span>400+ hours over at least three years<\/b> and has been organized based on GPBA professional standards.<\/span><\/p>\n Upon completion of each Stage, the trainee receives a <\/span>certificate of attendance <\/b>and a <\/span>signed detailed PDF file<\/b> with the hours, modules, and practice completed.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.breathflow.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/breathflow-academy-diadromi-breathworker.webp” alt=”The three Stages of the Breathwork Academy with Conscious Connected Breathing as the central practice and a total professional pathway of 400+ hours.” title_text=”The Breathwork Academy Journey” admin_label=” CREATIVE 2 \u2014 INFOGRAPHIC \u00ab\u0397 \u03b5\u03c0\u03b1\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u03b4\u03b9\u03b1\u03b4\u03c1\u03bf\u03bc\u03ae \u03c4\u03b7\u03c2 Breathflow Academy\u00bb” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Breathflow \u03bc\u03ad\u03c3\u03b1 \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7 \u03b4\u03b9\u03b5\u03b8\u03bd\u03ae \u03ba\u03bf\u03b9\u03bd\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c4\u03b1” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n The professional pathway is built towards the proposed professional identity \u201cBreathflow Professional Breathworker\u201d<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n After the full professional pathway and the final criteria of Stage 3 are completed, the graduate will be able, if they wish, to use the detailed documentation of their training for <\/span>a personal application for assessment to the GPBA<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.breathflow.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/breathflow-pros-pistopoiisi-gpba-1.webp” alt=”Pathway from completion of the full Breathflow professional training to individual assessment and certification by the GPBA.” title_text=”From Breathflow Professional Pathway to GPBA Certification” admin_label=”CREATIVE 3 \u2014 INFOGRAPHIC \u00ab\u0391\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03b7 Breathflow Academy \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c2 GPBA professional certification\u00bb” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n There is a broader international community around Breathwork. The <\/span>International Breathwork Foundation (IBF)<\/span><\/a>, established in 1994, primarily functions as a network for collaboration and exchange among Breathworkers, schools, and organizations. Additionally, there are national associations and many different schools worldwide.<\/span><\/p>\n The founders of Breathflow, Grigoria Natalia Nikolacopoulou and Haris Savvoglou, are <\/span>GPBA certified professional Breathworkers<\/b>, IBF members, and active members of the Breathwork Association of Greece.<\/span><\/p>\n For us, participation in these communities is a way to stay in touch with the broader field, to learn, and to evolve our training along with other people who work with breath.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n You don’t need to know from the beginning how far you want to go. Stage 1 is a complete 40-hour experiential cycle. <\/span><\/p>\n If you later wish to continue, the hours and what you have learned are integrated into the larger Breathwork Academy journey. This way you can proceed step-by-step, without having to decide from day one if you want to become a professional Breathworker. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjI3NzAifX0=@” button_text=”Discover the Breathflow Academy training journey” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” button_text_size=”26px” button_bg_color=”#9AB7BB” button_border_radius=”0px” button_on_hover=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjIyMTcifX0=@” button_text=”See Stage 1 \u2014 Entry into the world of Breathwork” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” button_text_size=”26px” button_text_color=”#5A7C87″ button_bg_color=”#DD9470″ button_border_color=”#FFFFFF” button_border_radius=”0px” button_on_hover=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjI5In19@” button_text=”Meet Natalia and Haris” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” button_text_size=”26px” button_text_color=”#000000″ button_bg_color=”#EBC951″ button_border_color=”#FFFFFF” button_border_radius=”0px” button_on_hover=”off” background_layout=”dark” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text admin_label=”\u03a0\u03b7\u03b3\u03ad\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u03b1\u03b9\u03c4\u03ad\u03c1\u03c9 \u03b1\u03bd\u03ac\u03b3\u03bd\u03c9\u03c3\u03b7” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n GPBA \u2014 Professional Training Standards<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n GPBA \u2014 Professional Certification Application and Other Training Process<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n GPBA \u2014 History of the Alliance’s Creation<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n IBF \u2014 History and International Activities<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nIn this article you will read<\/span><\/h2>\n
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How a Breathworker is trained<\/span><\/h2>\n
Some terms you will encounter<\/span><\/h3>\n
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What Breathworker certification means<\/span><\/h2>\n
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What GPBA is and what it examines<\/span><\/h2>\n
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The Breathwork Academy<\/span><\/h2>\n
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From Breathflow to GPBA certification<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Breathflow within the international community<\/span><\/h2>\n
If you are starting now from Stage 1<\/span><\/h2>\n
Sources and further reading<\/span><\/h2>\n