Testimonials

After decades of struggling with an eating disorder and addiction and three treatment centers later, I spontaneously signed up for a 6 day breathwork facilitation training in Sedona, Arizona with Gwen Payne—intuitively knowing I needed a deeper level of healing. Life was good, but felt stagnant and forced. Most days I was wound tight and was going through the motions more often than not. I wasn’t sure how 6 days of breathing (something I did every day) could possibly help, but I felt called. And thankfully, I listened.

A seeker by nature, I had sought out every healing modality known to humanity from EMDR, reiki, hypnosis, yoga, meditation, astrology, etc.. I would have never guessed my own breath and Gwen’s unparalleled guidance, intuitive nature, and depth would forever shift my self-image, unearth my deep-seeded wounds, and permanently shift my perspective of life in this body. I feel like I healed more in one week under Gwen’s protective wing than in every healing modality I’ve experienced put together.

Even as a self-proclaimed wordsmith, I find it difficult to accurately put the impact of my short time with Gwen into words. I not only discovered my own power, but shifted limiting beliefs from a traumatic childhood that kept me rooted in victimhood. I tapped into intuitive power I haven’t felt since I was young. I felt rooted in my own body and experience like never before and finally gave myself the grace, compassion, and acceptance I deserved. It came from me and to realize I held the keys to my own cage was nothing short of a miraculous feeling of empowerment and peace.

Gwen’s teaching style is second to none and the sacred container she holds for this retreat is unmatched. My fellow students became a soul family as I was patiently brought home to my own body and spirit. She not only humbly guided us with her authenticity and nurturing maternal instincts, but immersed us in her gifts while leaving no stone unturned in the process. By the time I left, I felt confident I could not only continue this path, but bring this powerful healing modality to life in my own business and help others to realize the power of breath.

I highly recommend this training to anyone and everyone who feels stuck, lost, or simply desires a deeper, bigger, more insightful and impactful life. Gwen will forever be my Glenda, the good witch from the Wizard of Oz—reminding me of my ruby red slippers and how the power was within me all along.

I had the privilege of working with Gwen as my mentor during a period of time where I was just beginning to practice facilitating breathwork in a 1:1 setting.

She was an invaluable asset to me and helped guide and support me to cultivate the confidence I needed to step into further leadership and to hold safer space for people. Without her I would not have grown as quickly as I did and my practice would have been a long time in the making.

Our weekly check in’s brought me a lot of clarity and I felt like I could ask her anything and she would guide me with such grace. It was clear that Gwen has an incredible amount of experience working with people especially facilitating breathwork, specifically in small groups and individual settings, which is not often taught when you are trained as a facilitator.

Her expertise and wisdom in these areas changed the game for me and I definitely attribute my success in part to having her as my mentor through the pivotal moments of my growth as a leader, facilitator, space holder and business owner.

Nothing will prepare you to step into the unknown with people and breathe them into deeper connection with themselves. All you can do is practice and get better. Hence why mentorship for this modality is very key to being a successful facilitator.

Before embarking on this journey with Gwen, I have been in a major life transformation these past few months. Feeling a bit unsure of the direction to take my life. Following my heart, for the first time in a long while, I decided to try out a breathwork certification class in Sedona. Hosted by SSA with Gwen as the teacher. I was excited, yet apprehensive not knowing what to expect. I felt a calling to breathwork, due to some wonderful experiences I had previously.

Learning from Gwen, took things to another level. She brought not only her vast knowledge in facilitating breathwork, I felt the warmth, love and passion that she feels for it, and for everyone that was there in the class. The experiences that I had, and the connections I made, while being witness to all the miracles from others and myself, was nothing short of amazing. I walked out of class everyday thinking, OMG! What just happened? This experience has brought more depth to my life.

I was already a deep diver, although this just took it to another level.

I feel this is something I will use for the rest of my life, and not only for myself, but to help others find their depth and wholeness.

It has helped me to see past the uncertainty I had for my future in breathwork. I highly recommend this work, not only to learn more about yourself at a deeper level, but to help others find their untapped potential. This work has so much to offer! Many of us left there feeling like we were touched by an Angel in a session facilitated by one of the participants, you know who you are! who I believe the Angels were working with and through at the time.

I think the real Angel we were touched by the whole week, goes by the name "Gwen Payne".

I feel blessed to have learned from you, Gwen.

Before breath work & Gwen Payne, I was waiting to die. I had lost my husband at 54 and would wake up and think, “one day closer to being with you hun”.

I was thrown into a Breath work session without even knowing what it was, just that I needed to be open to anything that might help with my grief.

I have seen visions of angels and my husband trying to take the hurt and pain from me!

I was given answers to questions that gave me a new purpose, therefore a reason to live!

Now I can’t live without breath work and the chance to just be me, visit with what comes in my journeys and relax into a far more sustaining breath.

Gwen has a caring, loving way about her, that she gives freely.

She is gift to this earth and I am blessed to know and work with her!!

Prior to working with Gwen in her Breath Is Prayer breathwork facilitator training, I was your stereotypical, overworked entrepreneur who was aware of a plethora of self-help techniques, but ironically allowed myself to be too busy to actually implement any of them consistently. I had quarterly breakdowns, experienced clinical anxiety, and thought it was all completely normal because of the responsibility of owning my own business. My day-to-day life consisted of eating, breathing, and dreaming about my business. My brain was in constant creation mode and I consistently had 20 different tabs open simultaneously, both literally and figuratively. I allowed my external titles and worth ethic to define who I was. Little did I know that I had no clue who the hell I was at my core because I was too busy being busy because that's where my self-value was derived from.

Before arriving for the breathwork training I had an agenda that I would walk away having learned something I could simply add to my business and retreat offerings. I looked at it kind of like a function. Input learning = output of increased earnings. Simple, right? I've never been happier to be so wrong about my assumptions of what breathwork would mean for me and how it would become a sacred practice I view with full reverence.

I immersed myself completely in my breathwork training with Gwen and breathed in every delicious, beautiful word and move she made. Gwen demonstrated what it looks like to simply be present, to really listen to yourself and others, to witness our own feelings and the feelings of others without the need to feel like saving anyone, including ourselves. She taught us to acknowledge our feelings and sit with them instead of jumping into action - something I didn't know how to do prior to this training because I equated action with success. I now know that's not true at all and that the biggest success happens when I'm simply fully present. She demonstrated a gentle strength that I have immense respect for because it showed me that I, too, can be both strong and gentle at the same time.

Breathwork saved me in so many ways. I wore an overly-masculine mask of busyness, overachieving, defensiveness, and would isolate myself from the world because the world showed me it's ugliness for far too long. I used all of that busyness, unconsciously, as a means to avoid facing memories and trauma I've experienced. Through daily breathwork practice I can now say I am more connected to my true self than I've ever been. I feel more connected to my own body and can recognize when anxiety begins to creep in and I breathe through it and it's gone within moments. My body has released so much stored trauma and I can feel the difference breathwork has made in my body and my life. I am more present in my daily life, more present with my family, and more present with myself. I'm a different person and it's for the better.

If you're considering a breathwork certification, do it. Don't hesitate and don't overthink it. And while there are many choices to learn breathwork, I cannot encourage selecting Gwen as your instructor enough. If you are looking for an instructor with over 2 decades of experience, strength and grace, and incredible insight into this practice Gwen is your clear choice. She is the best there is and I will forever be grateful for my time spent in her presence.

The first time I was exposed to a breath work session was in 2019 as part of my SSA 5 day soul adventure. It was a remarkable experience. I was opened up to a whole new world of healing. Breathwork answered questions, showed me what I needed to see and feel.

Since then I have searched for a program that would teach me how to continue my own healing journey and learn how to facilitate a session for others. None of the other programs felt right for me until I received the email from SSA. I immediately signed up for the class, I knew this was the program I had been waiting for.

Working with Gwen was amazing. Her style of teaching was inspiring, comforting and encouraging all at once. Gwen has a way of moving you forward on your path with confidence and knowledge. I would highly recommend Gwen Payne and her program to anyone who seriously wants to heal and help others through breath work. Thank you Gwen for the amazing work you do.

I was a long-time yogi and certified instructor of meditation when I applied to take Breath as Prayer facilitation training with Gwen Payne. I recognized the importance of the breath in other disciplines, and I wanted to learn how to use the breath as a standalone healing instrument. Training with Gwen Payne was the perfect way for me to realize this goal. Drawing from more than 20 years’ experience, Gwen has devised a meticulous learning strategy to orient students and teach them tried and true methods she developed over time. Simultaneously, she emphasizes how each student is unique and encourages original playlists, personal examples, and trusting intuition as key tools to establish a distinctive approach to leadership in the practice. Gwen has the uncanny ability to say the right thing at the precise moment to unleash cognitive and/or emotional breakthroughs that help focus energies and talents students already possess. The rigor, the guidance, the empathy and the love Gwen poured over the class completely dissolved doubts I may have had concerning my ability to be successful. Finally, a huge bonus to studying and practicing with Gwen was the group bonding that occurred organically as we progressed. Not only have I gained a solid foundation in breathwork facilitation with Gwen, I am also connected with a close-knit group with whom I can share my successes and concerns going forward. Anyone who wants to learn, grow, and evolve as a breathwork facilitator and a human being should sign up for Breath as Prayer training with Gwen Payne.

Before I started working with Gwen I was on a spiritual journey. Looking to deepen my relationship with myself and with the world around me. My husband and I were lucky enough to work with Gwen prior to Breathwork, in a Sensual Blueprint session for couples. The amount of trust and respect I gained for Gwen after our session was incredible. When I found out that she is a Breathwork facilitator and trainer, I knew immediately that this was a calling and something I needed to dive into. My time with Gwen at the Breath in Prayer training was one of the most profound weeks of my life. The amount of knowledge, genuine love, and her ability to hold a safe space for anyone and anything is something I will never forget. Gwen has given me permission to feel. Which is something Irealize that I have put on the back burner for way too long. I am forever grateful for Gwen. She has left a lasting mark in my life and inspires me to continue to dive deeper.

I have to be honest; I didn’t completely understand what I was getting myself into when I signed up for Gwen’s Breathwork is Prayer course. And it definitely didn’t cross my mind that I would ever consider the possibility of becoming a breathwork facilitator. I had experienced one inner journey breathwork session on my Sedona Soul Adventure about two months prior, and this experience made me curious and long for more.

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My heart was pounding out of my chest as I walked into a room full of strangers. I was ready to run for the door but sat and tolerated a variety of emotions as everyone shared “why” they were there. Gwen has this way of creating a safe space that challenges your comfort level in a gentle, loving way. Gwen’s style of guiding is compassionate, intuitive, playful and nurturing. She has a lifetime of experience that she is so graciously sharing, and has developed a course that is truly the “Golden” standard. I left this course feeling more energized, courageous, vulnerable and curious about sharing this life force energy with others. The opportunities and possibilities are infinite, as I truly believe this conscious connective breathwork can help others on their healing journeys. I’m at the beginning of my healing journey, and hope that one day I can pass this gift onto others. This breathwork is now inside of me and I feel a gentle spark for life. I look forward to continuing my inner journey to create a life worth living. Thank you from bottom of my heart, Gwen! Can’t wait to continue to learn from you.

Working with Gwen helped me move from feeling stuck to feeling inspired.

Gwen helped me discover that my breath is the medicine that can heal the deepest parts of me.

My life is/ I am different now in that I have the experience of using the breath to open up and explore all that I have been holding onto for so long. I was able to experience how our breath can unlock, declutter, and release that which no longer serves me.

The opportunities I have been given in learning conscious body breathwork with Gwen is beyond words. I now feel I can use what Gwen has taught me and go out into this world with such knowledge and confidence, using breathwork to help others heal and find wholeness within. Gwen is so inspiring and after this course I feel I have a purpose again.

Gwen creates a space that feels safe and promotes so much growth in oneself. Her style of teaching covers everything and more. She delivers her teachings in a way that is so rich in hands-on learning. I am forever grateful for being part of her training and truly feel blessed to have been trained by someone with so much wisdom and years of experience.

What worked about Gwen' style of guiding is her genuine passion for teaching and the ease in which she walks you through each technique step by step. She has given me a solid foundation in which I feel I can successfully launch my business and begin my career as a healer and breathwork facilitator.

I recommend working with Gwen if you want to become a successful breathwork facilitator who can step into this work with confidence and creativity. Her style makes such a difference and is like no other out there.

What makes working with Gwen special is she is so gifted as a teacher mentor and is so on point with her gift of facilitating breathwork.

My private retreat with Gwen was something I will never forget and feel so privileged to have been a part of. I felt so supported and encouraged every step of the way.

Working with Gwen helped me move from fear about facilitation to feeling confident as a facilitator.

Gwen helped me discover everything I needed/wanted to know and to understand about how to conduct a breathwork session. I also discovered some very important things about myself!

My life is/ I am different now in that I am making my time with myself more important. I feel much calmer and I also feel I have a very significant tool for dealing with everything that life throws at me.

The opportunities and possibilities that exist now are still being considered but, if I were going to go full force into breathwork, I would certainly be able to do so! I feel I could have a thriving practice in the future if I chose to pursue it.

Gwen creates a space that is safe, beautiful, bright, loving and so much more!

What worked about Gwen' style of guiding is the experiential nature of her teaching method. She is truly one of the top 5 teachers I have ever known.... and that's a LOT of schooling. Gwen is definitely more thoughtful, creative and open (and entertaining) than most. She is WAYYYY up there!

I recommend working with Gwen if you want to feel more peace, love, joy in your life and most especially, if you want a strong foundation on which to build a breathwork practice.

What makes working with Gwen special is... well, it's Gwen! She is a very special human being!

As someone who has gone through a stroke, this retreat was not only transformative but also deeply healing for me.

Your guidance and teaching throughout the retreat were nothing short of remarkable. Your expertise and compassionate approach created a safe and supportive environment where I felt comfortable exploring and healing. The breathwork techniques you shared were powerful and helped me connect with myself on a profound level.

What truly stood out for me during the retreat was the hands-on opportunities you provided. Your willingness to work closely with each participant individually was incredibly valuable. It allowed me to tailor my practice to my specific needs and circumstances, which was particularly important for someone in my situation.
Throughout the retreat, I felt your genuine care and dedication to helping each of us on our journey towards healing and self-discovery. Your wisdom and guidance have left a lasting impact on me, and I am immensely grateful for the knowledge and tools you shared.

Thank you, Gwen, for being such a wonderful teacher and for creating an environment where personal growth and transformation can flourish. This retreat has been a life-changing experience for me, and I can't thank you enough for your role in that.
I look forward to continuing my journey with the invaluable lessons I've learned under your guidance. You are a true gem in the world of breathwork, and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from you.

Working with Gwen helped me move from fear about facilitation to feeling confident as a facilitator.
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Gwen helped me discover everything I needed/wanted to know and to understand about how to conduct a breathwork session. I also discovered some very important things about myself!

My life is/ I am different now in that I am making my time with myself more important. I feel much calmer and I also feel I have a very significant tool for dealing with everything that life throws at me.

The opportunities and possibilities that exist now are still being considered but, if I were going to go full force into breathwork, I would certainly be able to do so! I feel I could have a thriving practice in the future if I chose to pursue it.

Gwen creates a space that is safe, beautiful, bright, loving and so much more!

What worked about Gwen' style of guiding is the experiential nature of her teaching method. She is truly one of the top 5 teachers I have ever known.... and that's a LOT of schooling. Gwen is definitely more thoughtful, creative and open (and entertaining) than most. She is WAYYYY up there!

I recommend working with Gwen if you want to feel more peace, love, joy in your life and most especially, if you want a strong foundation on which to build a breathwork practice.

What makes working with Gwen special is... well, it's Gwen! She is a very special human being!

Before working with Gwen for the Breathwork Training Program I thought that, as a skilled coach who had experienced breathwork, that I could start taking clients through breathwork sessions. Luckily I listened to a deeper intuition and signed up for the course. WOW!!! I discovered just how much deep and professional training is needed to successfully and safely guide breathwork sessions. I was blown away by how much there was to learn and by how easily and clearly Gwen made th curriculum accessible and relatable.

The training was rich with content and also a true joy to experience. Gwen’s extensive experience allowed her to share with us small but oh so important details that other trainers may very well miss. Now when I’m working with clients I have the confidence that I’ve been trained by the best and the skills to really deliver breathwork as the powerful and transformative art form that it is.

After training with Gwen, one of my first breathwork clients informed me that she had experienced dozens of breathwork journeys with some of the best facilitators out there. After the session she said that it was the best breathwork experience of them all. Thank you Gwen, I couldn’t have doe it without you!!

If you’re considering whether to get trained to be a breathwork facilitator. I say, go for it! 100%. Breathwork is now a solid and powerful tool that I employ with all my clients in addition to meditation, non-duality teachings and psychedelic plant journeys. And if you are going to get trained, train with the best. Train with Gwen!!

It was incredible. I'll never forget the first breathwork session we did online and how profound it was. The breathwork training I did later on with Gwen helped me deepen my own practice and then step into facilitating which still feels surreal how things have unfolded!

Working with Gwen using her Family Constellations method has awakened a level of self discovery that was unconscious to me. This new found knowledge about myself and my lineage helps me to understand why I get stuck in patterns that do not serve me. Gwen guided me into the depths of my internal wisdom where I regained consciousness of my truth. And when I struggled to find the answers myself, Gwen gently and gracefully provided the exact tools needed to resurrect any self doubt or defeat. Gwen is truly a gift to all who work with her and if you are guided to her, consider it a blessing.

I immediately felt safe working with Gwen and being welcomed into her space. She was present without judgement and I think helped us both settle in simply by her grounding demeanor.

Gwen guided and supported me to successfully begin the process of moving past the trauma and guilt so I could begin the healing process. If you are wanting to do some deep work to heal trauma and/or break patterns in your Family Constellation I would encourage you to give yourself the gift of working with Gwen and explore your personal Family Constellation. I promise you it will be one of the best gifts you can give yourself.

Gwen Payne is a vital, gifted human being who has the profound ability to hold a phenomenal healing space. She is an adept facilitator in a number of different transformational healing modalities and is passionate about all of them.

I have most recently been working with her remotely, using her specific version of Family Constellation therapy and I see stunning unmissable change impacting my life as a result. I love working with Gwen! She is intuitive, capable, fun and lovely, in addition to being highly experienced. She is a powerful healing force and I recommend working with her wholeheartedly!

Gwen is the ideal guide for an inner journey through breath and music. She gently and patiently observed as my soul traveled along the guided path at its own pace and vibration. It was truly a powerful and positive experience!

Gwen's unique approach to breathwork was an extraordinary experience for me! I was able to release so many emotions and had a profound heart opening that has helped to free me from old family patterns and embrace living a life that I love. Gwen shows up with so much compassion, power and wisdom, she inspires me to show up for myself

I have experienced quite a few breathwork sessions in my time, but this past one with Gwen on her Sunday ‘Breath Is Prayer’ Zoom Call was by far the biggest breakthrough I have had to date. As Gwen’s magical playlist of music and incredible spoken facilitation guided my journey, the emotional release simply poured out of me.

I felt wave after wave of pent up frustration and bitterness simply melt away and I was left with the perfectly simple and profound feeling of finally saying YES to this beautiful life I have been gifted. Thank you ever so much Gwen! I am in deep gratitude to you and can’t wait for your next Sunday’s session.

My breathwork session with Gwen was divine. I left feeling lighter, more grounded and more expansive than ever before. It was such a beautiful, effortless experience and so very different to anything I'd ever experienced! Gwen has a beautiful soul and such a calming energy and was the perfect facilitator. I can't wait to go back again next time I visit from Australia!

I felt all my senses come alive for the first time in a very long time. I reveled in the peace that settled on me with a knowingness that my life was just starting on the track where it belongs!

I laughed. I cried…. I realized that I AM SAFE and I’m doing things to make myself feel safe that are actually creating obstacles for me to realizing true happiness within.

Breathwork took me to incredible places within my soul, pointing out my true friends and helping me heal from too much hurt that had happened to me over my life. Tears, tears, and more tears, I cried releasing all the hurt, anger, and pain I carried for myself and others.

Thank you so much for yesterday’s breathwork class. It was such a wonderful, safe deep dive into my subconscious mind. I have had chronic fatigue for the last several years and the breathwork has really helped me connect with my highest self. I have noticed more clarity and energy in this past week. I am truly grateful for this experience.

What an absolutely beautiful experience. It’s a blessing to be so free and alive looking down upon myself and cradling myself in the moment of my own sovereignty. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Gwen! You’re a gift to all of us who experienced being held by you, while I was being shown my truth.