Functional Breathing
Practitioner Certification
Led by Ralph Skuban, PhD, breathwork expert and author of ‘Breathe to Heal with the Buteyko Method’ (Findhorn Press)
"Change your breath, change your life."
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Breathing is a powerful tool for improving health, well-being, focus, and inner calm. When trained and applied systematically, it also offers profound therapeutic potential for various chronic conditions, including asthma, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, sleep issues, fatigue, and more.
In this certification program, you will explore your own breathing in depth while learning how to safely and confidently guide others into a more functional, healing breathing pattern—based on the Buteyko Method.
Live Online — Courses in English available upon request
“Ralph Skuban guided the coaching with exceptional calm, great care, and an impressive depth of knowledge. For anyone who takes a holistic approach to health, I can wholeheartedly recommend this coaching.” - Dr. Dietlinde Krell, MD, Orthodontist
Your Functional Breathing Practitioner
Certification Program
Eight Live Sessions with Ralph
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8 thematic sessions: Approx. 3 hours each, scheduled on weekdays starting at 6:00 PM (CET / Berlin time).
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At least 2 Q&A sessions: Approx. 90 minutes each.
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Continuing Education: Free, lifetime access to all future Q&A sessions (approx. 6 times per year).
Program Curriculum
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Theory and Practice: Comprehensive instruction in evidence-based, professional breathing methodology, firmly rooted in scientific research and years of practical experience.
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The Buteyko Method: Bridging the gap between the Buteyko principles and other modalities (including Slow Breathing, Pranayama, etc.).
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Core Physiological Concepts: Extensive focus on functional vs. dysfunctional breathing, breathing mechanics, and respiratory physiology.
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Practical Application: Developing the skills to structure, design, and confidently conduct your own customized breathing training sessions.
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Specialized Focus Workshops: Targeted strategies for addressing specific respiratory challenges in your coaching practice (such as Asthma, COPD, etc.).
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Comprehensive Student Portal: Access to a wide range of downloadable teaching materials, slide decks, and study resources.
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Hands-on Experience: The program is designed to allow you to actively start your first coaching sessions and practical work during the training phase.
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Peer Exchange & Case Studies: Collaborative group discussions, shared insights, and structured case reviews.
Continuing Education
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Regular Q&A sessions: Held approx. 6 times a year, allowing you to ask questions and stay connected beyond your initial training.
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Recorded sessions: All meetings are recorded, making it easy to catch up on any missed content.
Exam, Registration & Tuition
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Optional certification: Complete a voluntary written exam (online multiple-choice plus a report on a conducted breathing training session) to earn your official certificate.
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Tuition: $1,950 USD (or 3 monthly payments of $695 USD) (*)
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Easy registration: Simply sign up via email.
"Dr. Ralph Skuban is a pioneer in his quest to explore breathing. His work has the potential to transform the lives of thousands of people positively for the better.”
- Patrick McKeown, Author of Oxygen Advantage
What is the format of this training program?
The Functional Breathing Practitioner program is delivered as an interactive online certification. "Interactive" means that we actively work and collaborate as a group. This exchange covers your own personal breathing practice as well as your practical experiences coaching clients.
Who is this program for?
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Aspiring Professionals: Anyone looking to seriously immerse themselves in the science of breath to confidently teach and guide others as a certified practitioner.
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Therapists & Healthcare Providers: A highly valuable advanced credential for professionals in therapeutic fields, including psychology, psychotherapy, medicine, physical therapy, osteopathy, occupational therapy, bodywork, speech therapy, and related disciplines.
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Performance Coaches: Ideal for specialists working in environments where optimizing respiratory efficiency directly impacts performance—such as athletics, performing arts, media, schools, universities, and corporate training.
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Personal Growth Seekers: Individuals who wish to master the tools of functional breathing to optimize their own health, resilience, and personal wellness goals.
What is the objective of this program?
Based on the latest scientific research, this compact program delivers the complete theoretical knowledge and practical expertise required to successfully launch your career as a professional coach. The ultimate goal is to enable you to help others achieve superior health and enhanced performance across all areas of life.
What topics are covered?
The core of this training is the Buteyko Method, as its underlying scientific insights form the foundation for all effective breathwork. Additionally, advanced modules cover various Slow Breathing techniques as well as traditional modalities (such as Pranayama).
We place a special focus on the core essentials of breathing, including:
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Functional vs. dysfunctional breathing: Exploring their root causes and physiological consequences.
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Breathing mechanics: Understanding the physical foundations of respiration.
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Respiratory physiology & biochemistry: The science behind how the body processes breath.
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Practical clinical topics: Tailored strategies for specific challenges such as asthma, COPD, panic attacks, sleep-related breathing disorders, and more.
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Session design: How to structure and conduct your own customized breathing training programs.
What prerequisites do I need?
The most important prerequisite is your commitment to establishing a daily personal breathing practice, investing 30 to 60 minutes a day (spread throughout the day). Developing your own breath awareness is essential to understanding the process practically, which allows you to effectively guide others toward a healing breathing rhythm.
How much time do I need to invest?
The program consists of eight 3-hour live online sessions held on weekdays in the early evening. In addition, you will need to dedicate 30 to 60 minutes daily to your personal breathing practice and keep a breathing journal. You should also allocate time for required reading and integrating the course materials. Finally, you may spend time working independently with your first practice clients during the training phase (we recommend conducting at least one full coaching process during the program).
When can I start working with my own clients?
You can begin gaining practical coaching experience during the training program, for example, by working with friends or family members. You will have regular opportunities to share your experiences, ask questions, and discuss these case studies with the group during our live online sessions.
Is there an exam option?
Upon completing the program, you have the option to take a voluntary exam to earn your official certificate. This exam consists of two parts: a written online multiple-choice test and a short report detailing a breathing training session you conducted. However, the exam is entirely optional, and the training program provides full, unconditional value even without taking it.
Course Materials
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Live Sessions: The core of the program, delivering all essential knowledge. All sessions are recorded and made available to you via permanent video stream.
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Presentation Decks: The slide shows from the live sessions will be accessible on your practitioner portal, allowing you to study the material at your own pace.
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Supplemental Resources: You will receive additional materials, including guided audio downloads for breathing exercises, publications, and more, to help you deepen your understanding as desired.
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Recommended Reading: We highly recommend reading Ralph's book on the Buteyko Method before or during the training program.
“Simple yet highly effective exercises that tremendously enrich my daily practice as a pulmonologist. It adds a profound depth to my specialty, allowing me to provide even better support to patients who want to do more than just rely on steroid inhalers.”
— Martina Fenselau, MD, Pulmonologist
“The online program was excellently structured, highly practical, and immediately applicable to daily clinical work. I was able to implement what I learned directly into my practice—with tangible benefits for myself and my patients. Ralph Skuban guided the training with immense serenity and a remarkable depth of knowledge. Highly recommended for anyone taking a holistic approach to healthcare.”
— Dr. Dietlinde Krell, MD, Orthodontist
“This program was truly enriching, both personally and professionally. As a family physician specializing in holistic medicine and psychosomatics, I find the breath to be a vital key to self-regulation. Ralph’s curriculum is exceptionally clear, highly practical, and allows for seamless integration into your own professional context. I highly recommend this training to anyone who works with people or wants to support their own health.”
— Dr. Magdalena Mischkounig, MD, Family Medicine Physician