.png)
What is Functional Breathing and How Can Oxygen Advantage Training Help?
So, you’ve probably heard a lot about “mindful breathing” or “deep breathing” in yoga classes or even stress management tips online. But functional breathing? That’s a term that might be new to some. Let’s dive into what functional breathing is and why training like Oxygen Advantage could make a big difference in how you feel day-to-day.
First Off, What is Functional Breathing?
Simply put, functional breathing means breathing in a way that supports our bodies optimally. Imagine if your breathing worked for you like a well-tuned engine – giving you exactly what you need without any extra effort. When you breathe functionally, you're not only getting enough oxygen, but you're doing it in a way that doesn’t overwork your respiratory system.
Good breathing is quiet, steady, and efficient – a bit like sipping water instead of gulping it down.
Functional breathing should ideally look like this:
Nasal breathing: Yep, breathing through your nose is best! It helps filter and warm the air, and it activates your diaphragm (which is a major muscle involved in breathing).
Slow, steady breaths: Rapid or shallow breathing often means your body isn’t getting the oxygen it needs – it’s a stress signal. Slow, deep breathing calms the nervous system.
Diaphragmatic breathing: Using your diaphragm means you're breathing “low” (your belly might expand slightly), rather than breathing high in your chest. This reduces tension and gets more oxygen into the bloodstream.
In essence, functional breathing allows your body to work at its best, whether you’re working out or just chilling on the couch.
Why Does Functional Breathing Matter?
When we breathe functionally, we’re keeping our bodies in a state of balance. Functional breathing helps manage stress, improve focus, and even supports physical endurance. But here’s the kicker: most of us are not breathing functionally. Many people tend to breathe through their mouths, breathe too fast, or rely on shallow breaths – all things that can lead to fatigue, stress, and poor performance (both physically and mentally).
That’s where training methods like Oxygen Advantage come in of which I am an Advanced Instructor in. Developed by Patrick McKeown, this training system combines breathing exercises with scientific principles to help us breathe in a way that’s truly functional. So, let’s dive into how it can help.
How Oxygen Advantage Training Can Help You Breathe Better
Oxygen Advantage is all about training your body to make the most out of every breath. It’s a bit like strength training for your lungs and respiratory system! The training focuses on increasing carbon dioxide tolerance, improving breath control, and strengthening the diaphragm. Here’s how it can benefit you:
1. Improved CO₂ Tolerance
Oxygen Advantage exercises teach your body to tolerate higher levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is super important. CO₂ is often seen as a “waste gas,” but it's actually essential for delivering oxygen to your cells. When you increase your tolerance to CO₂, you improve your ability to stay calm under stress and boost your endurance during physical activities.
2. Increased Focus and Reduced Anxiety
Breathing exercises in the Oxygen Advantage method help activate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the “rest and digest” mode. This is the opposite of fight-or-flight and is key for relaxation. Functional breathing can help reduce feelings of anxiety, increase focus, and give you a clearer headspace to work with.
3. Enhanced Sports Performance
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just love a good workout, Oxygen Advantage breathing exercises can help improve stamina, speed, and endurance. By improving CO₂ tolerance and breathing efficiency, your body learns to function well with less breath, which can prevent you from gasping for air during intense exercise. Athletes from runners to swimmers use these techniques to optimise their breathing, and it can be beneficial even if you’re a beginner.
4. Better Sleep and Recovery
Functional breathing doesn’t stop being important when you’re asleep. In fact, poor sleep can often be linked to dysfunctional breathing patterns, such as mouth breathing or snoring. The Oxygen Advantage method promotes nasal breathing and helps relax the body, leading to better-quality sleep and faster recovery times.
Simple Oxygen Advantage Techniques to Try
If you’re curious to give Oxygen Advantage a go, here are two simple techniques to start with:
Nasal Breathing Practice: This one’s easy – just breathe in and out through your nose as much as possible throughout the day. If you're usually a mouth-breather, this might take some time to get used to, but it’s worth it.
Breath Holds (Lightly Challenging): Take a gentle breath in and out, then hold your breath for a few seconds before resuming normal breathing. Start with just a few seconds and gradually build up. This helps your body adapt to higher CO₂ levels, improving your tolerance over time.
Wrapping It Up
Functional breathing isn’t just about survival; it’s about thriving. Oxygen Advantage training takes something as automatic as breathing and makes it work for us on a higher level. Through exercises that boost CO₂ tolerance and promote calm, nasal breathing, we can all enjoy benefits like less stress, better sleep, improved focus, and more endurance.
If you are interested in getting your breathing assessed, you can book in a session either online or in person with Sally.
Comments