In the first part of this 2-part blog series, we spoke about what to look for when choosing a breathwork practitioner or training school. In this article, we will focus specifically on the BBTRS® training, what makes it so unique and powerful, and why people from around the world choose BBTRS® as their breathwork training of choice.
BBTRS® is a revolutionary, safe and effective practice which is rooted in the latest science and research on psychosomatic therapy, PTSD, and the workings of the human nervous system. Our founder, Giten Tonkov, was a massage therapist for decades before creating BBTRS®. This gave him a strong basis for understanding the physical workings of the body and how the body responds to various aspects of touch. Giten also studied breathwork, body-oriented psychology, trauma-informed practices, and family constellations. All of these teachings are infused into the trauma-informed training.
The unique, multipronged 6-Element approach outlined below is a big part of what makes BBTRS® so powerful. Whereas most breathwork practitioners are taught to work with the breath, we use the breath as a foundation and include an additional 5-Elements to support the journey.
Through this dynamic and versatile approach, participants are able to experience profound depths of healing that surpass the limitations of traditional therapies or breathwork offerings.
BBTRS® uses deep connected breathing to charge up the body and activate specific belts of muscular tension and emotional patterns. The sessions are designed in a series to stimulate and rebalance the mind and body from head to toe.
BBTRS® uses somatic and creative movement exercises to stimulate vibration and release held energy in the body’s tissue. This may include fascial opening, core tension release, and the therapeutic use of dance. From playful warm-ups, to whole-body shaking, to undulating spinal waves, movement is a key part of what makes BBTRS® so transformative.
At BBTRS® we take touch very seriously, in fact, it is a fundamental part of our training. BBTRS® is the only breathwork school that we are aware of that focuses on bringing forth both tension and trauma release through touch. We teach and use conscious touch at many levels, from the body’s energetic field, to contact with core muscles. Touch is applied with sensitivity and specificity to increase awareness, promote energy flow, open up healing channels, and support the breather in staying within their window of tolerance.
The effects of sound on our nervous system are truly remarkable and it’s one of the most powerful and supportive tools we can use in breathwork. This is why BBTRS® places such a strong emphasis on sound. While many breathwork schools include instructions on the use of music, at BBTRS® you will also learn about how to incorporate vocalization, recordings, and live instrumental sounds into your sessions to support the journey.
Soft emotional release can be part of a BBTRS® session but it is not the goal. Participants are supported to stay present while revisiting deeper feelings and sensations – and to return to their own sense of comfort whenever necessary. This balance is key to the BBTRS® approach. It eliminates overwhelm and supports the participant in safely releasing and integrating trauma in a lasting way.
Meditation is used to support resonance in the practitioner and integration for the client. Integration is incredibly important because without it cellular rewiring and lasting change cannot occur. Meditation is also the resting state the mind and body often return to after BBTRS® sessions. Different approaches are used within BBTRS® workshops and trainings, from active meditations, to sitting silently in nature.
Our emphasis on trauma-informed care is a huge part of what makes our training so special. We spend a great deal of time training our BBTRS® practitioners to work with trauma safely and effectively. Our graduates are not only trauma-informed, they are attuned to the pace of healing needed for a trauma survivor and understand how to deal with a potential trauma response during a session. They are also taught practices such as resourcing, titration, and pendulation, which, when applied throughout the sessions, help prevent retraumatization and ensure that participants remain within their window of tolerance.
Trauma release can happen spontaneously during a breathwork session so practitioners need to be equipped to handle it safely and appropriately. And while there are several schools that offer a trauma-informed curriculum, BBTRS® also teaches how to intentionally stimulate the release of tension and trauma from the body. An integral part of this trauma release is the use of shaking and movement, as well as touch. In the touch training segment we cover the ways in which trauma impacts 7 different segments of the body (“belts of tension”) – as well as the role of body-based psychotherapy. We also teach our practitioners how and where to touch their breathers to facilitate the release of tension and trauma in the body.
While many breathwork trainings emphasize out-of-body experiences and catharsis (which can lead to retraumatization), we recognize that with trauma the body separates from the mind and in order to heal we must reconnect the two. Because of this recognition, BBTRS® is a body-centered practice. We guide our breathers to connect to their bodies and to both sense and interact with what’s happening internally. This self-awareness offers rich possibilities to step out of negative patterns that prevent us from shining to our fullest potential. And from this loving and therapeutic perspective, past traumatic experiences have the potential to assist in deep and healthy transformations.
Our curriculum is incredibly comprehensive and we strive to create a safe and nourishing, unrushed environment for our trainees to flourish. We have a team of highly skilled, world-class facilitators who support our students every step of the way. And we understand that becoming a skilled practitioner takes time and practice. Our level one training is 213 hours for the Practitioner Certification and 438 hours for the Online/In-person Hybrid Professional Practitioner Certification. The online segment of the Professional Practitioner Training is stretched out over 5 months, which allows for ample time to practice and integrate the teachings and to embark on a deep personal inner journey. It additionally offers our trainees sufficient time to engage in the required number of practice sessions necessary for certification.
BBTRS® does not just teach knowledge-based skills. It is a spiritual and physical growth process based on creating space and relaxation in the body. All of our students embark on a deep inner journey first, before they can offer this journey to their clients. By moving through a healing and growth process themselves, they can then support others from a space of experience and integration. This emphasis on inner work is what makes our graduates really stand out as world-class practitioners.
We provide five different training tracks tailored to suit your specific goals. If you want to experience our transformative training for personal enrichment only, we have both an online and an in-person experiential training course available for you. If you want to hold space for others online, we have a training for that as well. We also have online and in-person certification workshops available for people who are already breathwork facilitators or wellness practitioners and looking to add depth to their offerings.
Finally, if you aspire to become an Advanced Professional Practitioner and acquire the skills to provide breathwork sessions both online and in-person, we offer a dynamic hybrid training program that combines online and in-person modules. This hybrid approach ensures you receive comprehensive training while enjoying the flexibility and convenience of virtual learning alongside valuable hands-on experiences.
If you are committed to being of service to others or excited by the prospect of holding space for deep and transformative work, then becoming a breathwork practitioner may just be for you. If you’re willing to dedicate yourself to stepping into greater leadership and becoming the change you want to see in the world, then we would love to welcome you into our global practitioner family. You can find out more about our Practitioner Certification Training here, or sign-up for one of our upcoming Certification Q&A’s here.
Sound has been a part of human healing practices for centuries, weaving its way through cultures and traditions as a tool of transformation. Today, the use of sound to heal trauma is gaining recognition for its soothing and restorative potential. Sound healing offers an alternative path to healing where one can safely process and release […]
Biodynamic Breathwork and Trauma Release System (BBTRS) provides a unique path for healing trauma by emphasizing the body’s innate ability to heal itself. This method involves combining various elements such as breath, movement, sound, emotions, meditation, and notably, touch. Touch is more than a simple gesture or action—it’s a powerful tool that plays a significant […]
Chronic pain is more than just a persistent ache; it can affect every aspect of our daily lives. Whether it’s back pain, migraines, or joint discomfort, ongoing pain can make even the simplest tasks challenging. Traditional pain management often focuses on medications or surgeries, but these approaches may not always address the underlying issues. Somatic […]
Sleep is essential for everyone, but getting a good night’s rest isn’t always easy. Stress, busy schedules, and worry can keep our minds racing long into the night. Sleep problems affect daily life, mood, and overall health, making it hard to focus or enjoy the day. Fortunately, there are natural ways to help improve sleep, […]
Emotional resilience is about bouncing back from life’s ups and downs with grace. It’s what helps us face stress, trauma, and challenges without feeling overwhelmed. Building this resilience means we can manage our emotions better and maintain a positive outlook, even in tough times. This quality is essential for mental health and achieving overall happiness. […]
Childhood trauma can leave deep marks that last well into adulthood, affecting emotional and mental health. These early experiences, if unresolved, can shape our behavior, self-esteem, and overall outlook on life. Understanding the origins of these emotional knots is the first step toward beginning the journey of healing. Breathwork offers a gentle yet powerful way […]
Want more information about our Bali training or our other locations?
Drop your email below to receive our comprehensive training brochure and stay updated with all the details.
"*" indicates required fields
By subscribing, you agree to receive emails from BBTRI®. We only send emails when we have something to say. Your information will be treated with respect and we’ll never share your information. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Meet BBTRS®
Experience BBTRS®
About
Training
Experiential
Resources
Membership
Foundation
Upcoming Workshops
Upcoming Workshops
Upcoming Start Dates:
Upcoming Start Dates:
For processing change requests, please note that we require a minimum of 30 days’ notice before the booked initial BBTRS training starts.
If you are attending an In-Person training, we strongly suggest you obtain travel insurance to protect against potential changes or regulations related to COVID-19.
In the unlikely event that we must cancel this BBTRS Training, we will refund you the total amount, excluding any currency exchange and bank platform fees incurred.
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully before using this website.
The website and its content is owned by The BioDynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release Institute (“Company”, “we”, or “us”). The term “you” refers to the user or viewer of https://biodynamicbreath.com (“Website”).
This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, process and distribute your information, including Personal Data (as defined below) used to access this Website. We will not use or share your information with anyone except as described in this Privacy Policy. The use of information collected through our Sites shall be limited to the purposes under this Privacy Policy and our Terms of Service to customers.
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. We reserve the right to change this Privacy Policy on the Website at any time without notice. In the event of a material change, we will let you know via email and / or a prominent notice on our Website.
Use of any personal information or contribution that you provide to us, or which is collected by us on or through our Website or its content is governed by this Privacy Policy. By using our Website or its content, you consent to this Privacy Policy, whether or not you have read it.
We collect personal information from you so that we can provide you with a positive experience when utilizing our Website or content. We will only collect the minimum amount of information necessary for us to fulfill our obligation to you. We may collect:
Please note that the information above (“Personal Data”) that you are giving to us is voluntarily, and by you providing this information to us you are giving consent for us to use, collect and process this Personal Data. You are welcome to opt-out or request for us to delete your Personal Data at any point by contacting us at info@biodynamicbreath.com.
If you choose not to provide us with certain Personal Data, you may not be able to participate in certain aspects of our Website or content.
Anonymous Data Collection and Use
To maintain our Website’s high quality, we may use your IP address to help diagnose problems with our server and to administer the Website by identifying which areas of the Website are most heavily used, and to display content according to your preferences. Your IP address is the number assigned to computers connected to the Internet. This is essentially “traffic data” which cannot personally identify you, but is helpful to us for marketing purposes and for improving our services. Traffic data collection does not follow a user’s activities on any other websites in any way. Anonymous traffic data may also be shared with business partners and advertisers on an aggregate basis.
Use of “Cookies”
We may use the standard “cookies” feature of major web browsers. We do not set any personally identifiable information in cookies, nor do we employ any data-capture mechanisms on our Website other than cookies. You may choose to disable cookies through your own web browser’s settings. However, disabling this function may diminish your experience on our Website and some features may not work as intended.
Contact You
We may contact you with information that you provide to us based on these lawful grounds for processing:
Process Payments
We will use the Personal Data you give to us in order to process your payment for the purchase of goods or services under a contract. We only use third party payment processors that take the utmost care in securing data and comply with the GDPR.
Targeted Social Media Advertisements
We may use the data you provide to us to run social media advertisements and / or create look-alike audiences for advertisements.
Share with Third Parties
We may share your information with trusted third parties such as our newsletter provider in order to contact you via email, our merchant accounts to process payments, and Google / social media accounts in order to run advertisements and our affiliates.
Viewing by Others
Note that whenever you voluntarily make your Personal Data available for viewing by others online through this Website or its content, it may be seen, collected and used by others, and therefore, we cannot be responsible for any unauthorized or improper use of the information that you voluntarily share (i.e., sharing a comment on a blog post, posting in a Facebook group that we manage, sharing details on a group coaching call, etc.).
Submission, Storage, Sharing and Transferring of Personal Data
Personal Data that you provide to us is stored internally or through a data management system. Your Personal Data will only be accessed by those who help to obtain, manage or store that information, or who have a legitimate need to know such Personal Data (i.e., our hosting provider, newsletter provider, payment processors or team members).
It is important to note that we may transfer data internationally. For users in the European Union, please be aware that we transfer Personal Data outside of the European Union. By using our Website and providing us with your Personal Data, you consent to these transfers in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
Data Retention
We retain your Personal Data for the minimum amount of time necessary to provide you with the information and / or services that you requested from us. We may include certain Personal Data for longer periods of time if necessary for legal, contractual and accounting obligations.
Confidentiality
We aim to keep the Personal Data that you share with us confidential. Please note that we may disclose such information if required to do so by law or in the good-faith belief that: (1) such action is necessary to protect and defend our rights or property or those of our users or licensees, (2) to act as immediately necessary in order to protect the personal safety or rights of our users or the public, or (3) to investigate or respond to any real or perceived violation of this Privacy Policy or of our Disclaimer, Terms and Conditions, or any other terms of use or agreement with us.
Passwords
To use certain features of the Website or its content, you may need a username and password. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the username and password, and you are responsible for all activities, whether by you or by others, that occur under your username or password and within your account. We cannot and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to protect your username, password or account information. If you share your username or password with others, they may be able to obtain access to your Personal Data at your own risk.
You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized or improper use of your username or password or any other breach of security. To help protect against unauthorized or improper use, make sure that you log out at the end of each session requiring your username and password.
We will use our best efforts to keep your username and password(s) private and will not otherwise share your password(s) without your consent, except as necessary when the law requires it or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary, particularly when disclosure is necessary to identify, contact or bring legal action against someone who may be causing injury to others or interfering with our rights or property.
You have the right to:
You may unsubscribe from our e-newsletters or updates at any time through the unsubscribe link at the footer of all email communications. If you have questions or are experiencing problems unsubscribing, please contact us at info@biodynamicbreath.com.
Security
We take commercially reasonable steps to protect the Personal Data you provide to us from misuse, disclosure or unauthorized access. We only share your Personal Data with trusted third parties who use the same level of care in processing your Personal Data. That being said, we cannot guarantee that your Personal Data will always be secure due to technology or security breaches. Should there be a data breach of which we are aware, we will inform you immediately.
Anti-Spam Policy
We have a no spam policy and provide you with the ability to opt-out of our communications by selecting the unsubscribe link at the footer of all e-mails. We have taken the necessary steps to ensure that we are compliant with the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 by never sending out misleading information. We will not sell, rent or share your email address.
Third Party Websites
We may link to other websites on our Website. We have no responsibility or liability for the content and activities of any other individual, company or entity whose website or materials may be linked to our Website or its content, and thus we cannot be held liable for the privacy of the information on their website or that you voluntarily share with their website. Please review their privacy policies for guidelines as to how they respectively store, use and protect the privacy of your Personal Data.
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Compliance
We do not collect any information from anyone under 18 years of age in compliance with COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) and the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation of the EU). Our Website and its content is directed to individuals who are at least 18 years old or older.
Notification of Changes
We may use your Personal Data, such as your contact information, to inform you of changes to the Website or its content, or, if requested, to send you additional information about us. We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to change, modify or otherwise alter our Website, its content and this Privacy Policy at any time. Such changes and/or modifications shall become effective immediately upon posting our updated Privacy Policy. Please review this Privacy Policy periodically. Continued use of any of information obtained through or on the Website or its content following the posting of changes and/or modifications constituted acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy. Should there be a material change to our Privacy Policy, we will contact you via email or by a prominent note on our Website.
Data Controller and Processors
We are the data controllers as we are collecting and using your Personal Data. We use trusted third parties as our data processors for technical and organizational purposes, including for payments and email marketing. We use reasonable efforts to make sure our data processors are GDPR- compliant.
Analytics
We may use third-party Service Providers to monitor and analyze the use of our Service.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at: info@biodynamicbreath.com
Last Updated: March 6th 2025
Please make sure that you read the full text and that you agree with every detail mentioned here. It is very important that you confirm this agreement before attending any of our events.
By registering, I understand that I am required to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of demo clients and my fellow participant’s attendance regarding anything they’ve shared or processed.
By registering, I agree this will be a safe space of openness where cultural, historical, generational, societal, and personal differences are respected without verbal or physical judgment, criticism, or harm.
By registering, I am aware that recording equipment maybe be present during this workshop. If I ask a question my voice will be recorded and I may appear on video. This video may be posted on the Biodynamic Breathwork and Trauma Release™ website, YouTube, FaceBook, and other media outlets.
If I do not want to appear on video it is my responsibility to inform the course facilitators at the beginning of course. In this case I will not be videoed.
By registering, I understand that I may be presented with the opportunity to participate in a recorded demonstration session in front of the class. I understand that my participation is voluntary. We may pause or discontinue my participation at my discretion or the discretion of BBTRI course facilitator or another Faculty member. I acknowledge that demonstration sessions may include questions about my personal trauma history and/or my emotional and psychological states. My decision to reveal such information is entirely voluntary. I am under no obligation to share anything I do not want to.
II understand that the BioDynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release Workshop & Training can be physically and emotionally intense. By registering, I agree that neither Alexander ‘Giten’ Tonkov, Biodynamic Breathwork and Trauma Release™ Institute, nor any of its staff, coordinators, assistants, faculty members, technicians, affiliates, the venue, or representatives have any responsibility or liability for physical or emotional harm, property loss or damage that may result from attendance at or travel to and from the Workshop and I hereby release them from all claims in connection with my attendance of this workshop.
I acknowledge that I am required to inform the staff about relevant psychiatric history, infectious diseases, drug use, and all present health conditions before participation in the training. I understand that no refunds are provided under any circumstance after the beginning of the workshop. I understand that BioDynamic Breathwork & Trauma Release Institute (BBTRI) Staff reserve the right to request termination of my participation if I have not complied with all of the above guidelines, and/or if BioDynamic Breathwork and Trauma Release Institute’s staff deems it not suitable for me to continue at any point in the workshop.
