MOVE + BREATHE + FEEL + HEAL
Integrative Somatic Breathwork
Breath, Emotions, Energy, & the Body
September 4th. to 10th., 2026
(Arrival Sept. 3rd Depart Sept. 11th)
TUITION
$3,500 CAD
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[Accepting 10 Students ]
Integrative Somatic Breathwork Certification
Art of Self-Inquiry, Embodiment, and Felt Wisdom, a breath at a time…
BREATH is a reflection of our physical and emotional state. Observing the breath helps us tune into the state of the body and mind. The body adapts to changing conditions in many ways including the way we breathe. When the mind is calm, the breath is smooth and even. When the body is tense and the mind agitated, the breath is shallow or erratic.
Trauma leaves an ENERGETIC imprint on the body. When we energetically charge the body breathing techniques, we create an opening for deep suppressed emotional energy to surface and be released. Breathwork practice creates an opportunity for you to connect to felt wisdom; a deep intuitive experience of body’s sensations, emotions, movements and energy.
Once you have completed your training in ISTP™ levels 1 and 2, next step to training is HEALING YOURSELF! When you commit yourself in service to the healing of others, it is essential that you cultivate space for your own emotional healing. Your capacity to fully support others is dependent on your ability to move through the depth of your own emotional experience.
Through the creation of a safe supported healing circle, you are invited to explore, identify, and release self-restricting patterns, gain emotional resilience and insight with a renewed connection to self and others.
The greatest learning comes from your own healing practices. Insight gained from your healing allows you to share with others the gift of healing in the most meaningful way. Supporting others in their healing thus, must come from your own healing experiences.
Ratha Chek Tweet
Integrative Somatic Breathwork & Bioenergetic Unwinding
Integrative Somatic Breathwork is a practice of de-armouring self-restrictive or “holding” patterns due to body-stored trauma. During a traumatic event, our breath becomes shallow to prevent an overflow of emotions as a form of self-protective response or somatic armouring. Reich, a Psychoanalyst, identified 7 areas of armouring held throughout the body; “segmental armouring”. In Integrative Somatic Breathwork, we explore how de-armouring processes apply in ISTP™; where the different areas or “segments” are located, the sorts of emotions that tend to be stuck, unexpressed and unexperienced in tense muscles of each body area and the physical symptoms that accompany these tensions. For Reich’s article, View HERE. Seldom are we aware of our own armouring; the muscle tension that exists to protect us from conscious realization of our needs and feelings which may come as an extreme shock to us when the armouring gives way.
Breathwork originates from the Hindu practice of Pranayama – Sanskrit for “breath control” that supports the individual to achieve an altered state of consciousness; promoting spiritual growth. Breathwork used intentionally as an intervention naturally releases emotional and physical tension that honours your ability to self heal, opening you to an experience of a greater sense of peace and clarity in decision-making, and feeling more connected to your purpose and your spirituality.
Physical armouring also blocks energy centers throughout the 7 segments. When we access the 7 energy centers (chakras), we open energy that runs through all of the chakras freely; harmony can then exist between the physical body, mind, and spirit ~ A SOUL RETRIEVAL PROCESS!
Integrative Somatic Breathwork is a practice that integrates breathing techniques, movements, sound, myofascial release, and bioenergetic unwinding to facilitate conscious emotional release and body-stored trauma.. This practice is self-paced and self-led, through the process of titration, pendulation, and resourcing that allows you to experience the full range of your emotional expressions rather than intellectualizing them. When applied intentionally, Breathwork naturally stimulates the release of unconscious holding patterns; held patterns of suppressing, avoiding, numbing, distracting and so on.
REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE when training is at full capacity of 10 students.
Level 3 is a 7 day in person training immersion on Vancouver Island. This certificate training also includes 18 online course modules, 15 hrs. practicum,, and *seven group consultation & supervision. For curriculum, View HERE.
* Group consultation fee total $500 CAD is not included in tuition fee.
1600 Strougler Rd. Nanoose Bay BC V9P 9B7
For meals & accommodations, View HERE
Breathwork morning meditation is practiced daily prior to training to deepen awareness of and connections to the body. Training ends with plenty of time to enjoy the natural surroundings that Riversong Retreat has to offer
DATE & TIME DETAILS:
Arrival: September 3rd for our welcome dinner
Departure: September 11th after breakfast
Daily program schedule, View HERE
Accommodation & Meal:, View Here
Arrival & Departure
Arrival with check in time after 3:00 pm on September 3rd. Dinner in the main lodge is served from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. A Welcome Circle is at 7:00 pm with our First Nations Elder from the traditional and unceded territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən speaking peoples. She will open our training with blessings and words of wisdom. Please make every effort to attend the Welcome Circle with our Elder.
Certification in Integrative Somatic Breathwork is granted upon completion of the in 7 days in person training immersion in addition to 28 hours of documented practice sessions (practicum). Seven Group consultations and mentorships are provided at a fee of $500 CAD.
PREREQUISITE: Completion of Level 2 ISTP and Bodywork Certifications
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Online course study and an 8-day In-Person Experiential Practice Training.
- Understand anatomy and physiology of breathing, the pressure points and clinical applications.
- Explain the rationales for somatic armouring or “protective responses” or in the 7 areas of tension held in the physical body as defined by Wilhelm Reich
- Describe core practice components in an Integrative Somatic Breathwork and trauma release
- Identify areas of charge of distribution in the body during emotional states.
- Learn to decipher when to facilitate expansion, resource, and discharge
- Conduct body assessment and co-creating a trauma informed care plan
- Design a ceremony to support your session with heart and imagination
- Facilitate de-armouring processes within 7 areas of tension held the physical body using Integrative Somatic Breathwork techniques
- Enhance skills applications with 48 hrs. of documented practice sessions and 5 group consultations
- Experience your own personal ISTP™ sessions with one of our faculty trainers
- Completion of levels 1 and level 2 ISTP™
- Completion of Bodywork certification, Click HERE
- Complete 24 online self-study course modules
- Participate in the 7-day retreat training
- Complete minimum 48 hours of documented practicum sessions*
- Participate in online clinical group consultations with Ratha Chek
- Experience your own ISTP™ sessions
*Documented practice sessions can be obtained via 3 options:
- Within your training cohort (in your training group)
- With your own clients, friend and/or colleague circles
- Refer to yourself as Certified in ISTP™ or C-ISTP™
- Refer to yourself as Trained in Integrative Somatic Breathwork
- Work towards becoming a faculty trainer with the Institute
PHOTOS from past retreats
DATE & COST of training may change without notice
REFUND POLICY: Integrative Somatic Studies Institute does not issue refunds for online materials once purchased. All rights reserved.