Connecting to Breathwork
“Have you wanted to dive deeper into breathwork — in a way that goes beyond the surface?”
A whole where breath, body and facilitation meet.
The training consists of deep breathing, biodynamic breathwork themes, touch and bodywork, and shibari as support for breathwork.
Meetings are weekend-long in Helsinki. Participants facilitate breathing in pairs during training weekends, find their own practice clients, and log session themes against each module's goals. Somatic movement runs throughout the entire training — though it has no dedicated module, it is an important part of the healing journey.
Breath is the oldest medicine.
This is not about intensity but regulation — a simple way to tell the body: there is no danger here.
Embodied experience has been identified in research as the most significant factor in the somatic release of trauma. The work rests on nervous system regulation, the window of tolerance, and six integrated elements. The lineage runs from Reich through Lowen and Grof to BBTRS.
Four modules
Deep breathing
The foundation for everythingThe effects of breathwork plus the outline of its history and aims. Participants facilitate breathing exercises for one another — Saturday is a shared, facilitator-supported practice.
Biodynamic breathing
Nervous system and embodied experienceBiodynamic breathwork accounts for the effect of breath on the nervous system and aims to strengthen embodied experience — the core of embodied trauma release.
Touch & bodywork
Touch in the processTouch is brought more strongly into the practice; practice clients are shared across modules 2 and 3.
Shibari & breath
Rope as a dimensionCombining rope with breath supports the client's capacity to stay present with bodily experience and deepens connection to the body's outer layers.
Throughout the entire training, somatic movement accompanies the journey, supporting embodied release and integration.
You learn by facilitating.
You find your own practice clients and log session themes against module goals. Clients aren't always easy to find — allow time for this.
A three-day rhythm
Zoom · theory
We attune to the weekend's theme together online — background theory and nervous system understanding.
Guided practice
In Helsinki in person: your own experiential process and partner work.
Facilitation practice
You practise holding space and facilitating in a safe group.
Meetings span the weekend but do not include accommodation or meals.
The seven-month path
Foundation
The effects and principles of breathwork. Saturday: shared practice; participants facilitate breathing for one another.
Nervous system regulation
Breath's effect on the nervous system and strengthening embodied experience.
Biodynamic + touch
Touch is brought into biodynamic breathing; practice clients are shared across modules 2–3.
Touch & presence
Safe touch as support in the process, embodied interaction and presence.
At the edge
Rope as support for presence; connection to the body's outer layers, safely.
Your own facilitation
Review, strengthening one's own facilitation, and integration of practice into a whole.
The purpose of the training is to
- clarify the aims of breathwork
- create a safe group container
- strengthen facilitation
This training is for you if you want to
- deepen facilitation from an embodied perspective
- understand breath through the nervous system and body
- work with people safely and presently
- build your own way of facilitating breathwork
You can facilitate your own work.
After the training you may facilitate the modality created by Breathwork by Merja Kallunki and use the name Northern Shamanic Breathwork.
After the training you may facilitate the modality created by Breathwork by Merja Kallunki and use the name Northern Shamanic Breathwork. It gives a broad overview and understanding so you can facilitate a safe practice for your clients. It does not include a Biodynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release certificate, but biodynamic skills can be deepened later per separate guidance.
Merja Kallunki
Somatic therapist, breathwork facilitator, and bodywork teacher.
Read more about Merja →Safety is the ground.
The work is trauma-informed and always proceeds within the window of tolerance. No forcing, continuous consent, the option to adjust or stop at any time. Some practices have contraindications (including cardiovascular conditions, pregnancy, epilepsy, acute psychosis) — we discuss suitability before the training.
Everything in one place
Places are limited. Join the waiting list by sending a message.
Get in touch → waiting listTrainee Breath Facilitators
Trainee facilitators from the first cohort are currently conducting their practice facilitations and welcoming practice clients. Click to get to know them — and if you hear the call, reach out.
You can also reach out via Merja, who will connect you with the right trainee.