Breathing Practice

    Breathing Practice involves the conscious training and strengthening of breathing as a foundation for health, relaxation and performance. Breathing function can be improved and breathing awareness enhanced through targeted exercises that regulate breathing, strengthen respiratory muscles and mobilise the chest.

    Regular breathing exercises support oxygen supply, relieve tension in the chest and shoulder area and positively influence the autonomic nervous system. They promote relaxation, stress reduction and concentration, and can be used as a complementary method in cases of respiratory conditions or increased physical strain.

    Breathing Practice is suitable for individuals with respiratory issues, stress-related symptoms or those seeking general health promotion. It is practised individually or in groups and is applied in medical-therapeutic settings, prevention, sports and artistic disciplines such as singing or acting.

    to the application form

    Criteria

    Minimum requirements

    To qualify for certification, you must generally provide evidence of 280 hours of training in the subject areas listed under Training Content. Alternatively, certification may be granted through a combination of formal training and verifiable practical experience, with a maximum ratio of 50:50.

    These minimum requirements apply to certification at NQF Level 4.
    If you are not self-employed and/or deliver programs based on a predefined concept, certification at Level 3 or Level 2 may also be possible. Please contact QualiCert for guidance on the applicable level and requirements.

    Training content

    The following subject areas must be covered:

    • Min. 8–10 hours: Respiratory physiology, breathing control, strengthening of respiratory muscles, mobilisation of the chest
    • Min. 6–8 hours: Risk assessment and contraindications for respiratory and cardiovascular conditions
    • Min. 4–6 hours: Integration into medical-therapeutic settings (e.g. rehabilitation, physiotherapy, prevention)
    • Min. 4–8 hours: Practical instruction of breathing exercises for different target groups
    • Min. 4–6 hours: Supplementary methods of modern breathing work (e.g. breathing posture, rhythmic techniques, movement-breathing integration)
    • Min. 2–4 hours: Thermoregulation (exposure to heat and cold), metabolic and circulatory functions
    • Min. 2–4 hours: Trauma-sensitive guidance, psychological safety and first aid

    Re-certification

    To maintain certification, instructors must complete continuing education. QualiCert verifies this as part of the re-certification process. The number of training days required depends on the number of certified areas:

    Number of certified areasRequired training days
    1 area2
    2 areas3
    3 areas3
    4 and more areas4

    Recognition of Practical Experience

    Practical teaching experience can be credited toward certification at a ratio of 2:1, meaning that two hours of documented experience count as one hour of formal training. 

    To have your experience recognized, you must submit appropriate supporting documents along with your certification application. Acceptable forms of evidence include job references, payslips, AHV statements, or other comparable official records. Please note that self-declared experience without documentation cannot be accepted.

    Health insurance recognition

    Certification of your qualification as a course instructor is part of the overall course provider certification process.
    However, this alone does not entitle participants in your courses to receive reimbursement from health insurance companies. For this, a certification as a course provider is also required.

    Questions & Answers

    A course is deemed to be recognised if both the qualification of the course leader and the certification of the provider are available.

    In concrete terms, this means

    • The course leader has a valid certification as a course instructor.
    • The course provider is recognised as a provider by the relevant certification body.

    Only if both requirements are met can participants claim contributions towards the course costs from their health insurance provider.

    The initial certification fee primarily covers the work involved in checking your documents and qualifications. These services also apply if certification cannot be granted.

    If you are unsure whether you fulfil the requirements, please contact QualiCert in advance. We will be happy to provide you with guidance so that you are optimally prepared for the certification process.

    The further training does not necessarily have to be subject-specific - topics relating to prevention such as exercise, nutrition, relaxation or prevention concepts are also valid.

    However, BLS CPR training or further training courses and courses aimed at end consumers are not recognised. It is important that the further training is offered by an institution whose core business is professional training and further training.

    The detailed requirements for further training courses are set out in the further training regulations. You will automatically receive these with every initial or re-certification.

    No. You do not have to send in your training certificates on an ongoing basis. QualiCert will check them collectively as part of your re-certification.

    Persons who have reached the age of 60 before 1 January of the period of validity for which re-certification is requested are exempt from the continuing education requirement.

    However, QualiCert recommends that you continue to attend further training courses voluntarily even after reaching this age limit. In this way, you can stay up to date professionally and ensure the quality of your services in the long term.

    Yes, QualiCert reserves the right to reject an initial or re-certification even if the formal requirements and criteria are met. This applies in particular if there are indications that applicants do not offer a guarantee of irreproachable professional practice.

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