What Type of Breathing Exercise Is For Me? | Patrick McKeown Oxygen Advantage

[@jennyquiambao9166]

Good sharing thanks.

[@marep17]

Such important and clear information. I find most breathing exercises I come across in exercise/movement classes don't pass this criteria.

[@OxygenAdvantage]

We have been working hard on breathing for many years @marep17 so hopefully we know our stuff. 😀 Well done on keeping a critical eye on breathing. We always work from a scientific basis and would hope anyone else teaching breathing does the same.

[@jayaprakashrao7535]

Thanks Patrick....Your book Oxygen Advantage is life changing...❤❤

[@dianneoconnor6767]

Thank you Patrick

[@chrisjordan6693]

Wim Hof breathing has helped me so much I can't imagine not doing it

[@seeryoo9696]

It’s a very good breathing technique but this breathing it’s to do it all day long it’s not a technique

[@OxygenAdvantage]

Breathing techniques are so beneficial to so many @chrisjordan6693. The variety of breathing is a reflection perhaps on the variety of humanity. Wim Hof works amazingly well for so many, including yourself obviously. It won't work for everyone and that is why we need to ask, what is the right breathing for me? Thank you for commenting.

[@samcb219]

Think about your breathing off the mat, your everyday breathing for living life. Wim Hof doesn’t teach proper breathing

[@guybuysse7]

Very interesting 🙏

[@fabasso78]

This is huge. Thanks

[@balintlosonci3578]

Hi Patrick! Thanks for all your tremendous work, you really changed my life. I'd like to ask if during strength training I reduce my total breathing volume by not breathing at all during around half of the set, then it could make also good adaptations like hypoxia sprints? Even set higher the lactate treshold? Of course only with safe excercises, definetly not with squats or bench press.

[@OxygenAdvantage]

We are all for breath training and breath holding to improve CO2 tolerance @balintlosonci3578 but it's about a happy medium. "Not breathing at all during around half of the set" sounds risky as you could be pushing yourself too hard and there is the risk of blackout if you become too hypoxic. You do NOT want to blackout when holding heavy weights over your body. Of course you should challenge yourself but anything like that needs to be done carefully and in increments. Also, make sure you have a gym buddy if you are doing any kind of hypoxic training. Also, make sure all hyperventilation / hypoxia / hypercapnia training is done on dry land as possible blackouts are a dangerous drowning risk.

[@balintlosonci3578]

@@OxygenAdvantage thanks Patrick for the thorough answer. I was thinking just about smaller movements, with dumbells, machines, pushups... But apart from this when I focus on not breathing too hard during the sets, I find I can do more reps, my focus is better. I think by hyping up too much before and during a hypertrophy set people get rid of too much co2 too soon. Just enough breath is the key. But first I have to work my Bolt score up. If I want to improve it as soon as possible, how many total time a day do you recommend excercising breath holds? Thanks and best wishes, Bálint from Hungary (a natural winemaker and hobby bodybuilder)

[@OxygenAdvantage]

That sounds pretty darn good@@balintlosonci3578. I like it when you say "when I focus on not breathing too hard during the sets, I find I can do more reps, my focus is better". You sound like you are preventing yourself from over breathing, which is great. "Just enough breath is key" is very similar to what we say. It's about efficiency of breathing. Breathing as much as you require in that moment. Taking big gulps of air through the mouth, to fill the upper chest is not good breathing. Thanks for the questions.

[@adameastwood9705]

Fantastic video. What are your thoughts on the breathing trainer mouthpieces to work the diaphragm?

[@OxygenAdvantage]

We can see the benefits @adameastwood9705. Training to strengthen the diaphragm is a great way to help improve your breathing. In fact we have our own SportsMask (oxygenadvantage.com/product/sports-mask/) device to help with simulated high altitude training and strengthening the diaphragm. Also our Buteyko Belt (oxygenadvantage.com/product/buteyko-belt/) helps to strengthen the diaphragm and breathing muscles. However, any device that goes in the mouth is where we would have hesitation. If the device encourages nose breathing we would probably be in support. If it promotes a mix of mouth and nose breathing or mainly mouth breathing, then we would advise to go with a different device. One that encourages nose breathing in and out through the nose. The best way to consistently benefit and strengthen the diaphragm is to do daily functional breathing exercises.

[@danielploy9143]

Really liking your videos Mr Patrick. I have a BOLT score of about 10. If I push hard 15 but really hard. I find to get over 30 seconds to 1 minute I have to do the Wim method of breathing in and out many times before hold in breath on exhale. Why can other people achieve the same with a single breath when it takes me many more breaths?

[@jellings8060]

It comes down to your tolerance of CO2. In WHM you are eliminating CO2 from your blood. The 30sec to 1 min is the time it takes to build it back up to the point your body says, I need more oxygen. The one breath and hold you still have CO2 in your blood and you must have a low tolerance to the CO2. Work on creating slight air hunger during breathing and you will build up you CO2 tolerance raising your Bolt score

[@danielploy9143]

@@jellings8060 thank you

[@OxygenAdvantage]

As @jellings8060 says in his reply @danielploy9143, it's likely about your CO2 tolerance. Using daily techniques like light breathing exercises, steps exercises and similar to work on improving CO2 tolerance should see your BOLT score improve. And remember, the BOLT score is a guide and not a rule. Our scores will naturally fluctuate based on a wide variety of factors from health, to mood, to environmental circumstances. You're obviously still doing a lot, so keep it up, well done and don't push too hard. Listen to your body. Thanks for the comment.

[@pablocotua8289]

Hi Patrick, Does the hypopressive breathing exercises strengthen the diaphragm? Are other exercises that you recommend? I have the oxygen advantage app

[@OxygenAdvantage]

Hi @pablocotua8289 I recommend all the breathing techniques we offer as they are all very advantageous for so many different needs. It all depends on what your personal needs are. We have breathing for reducing asthma symptoms, breathing to improve athletic performance, breathing for anxiety and many more. On the OA app you can set a program to suit your needs depending on your requirements. I've not used any hypopressive breathing exercises personally but having read up on it, I can see how it could definitely help strengthen the diaphragm. Part of the reason we designed the Buteyko Breathing Belt (buteykoclinic.com/product/buteyko-breathing-belt/) was to help with strengthening the diaphragm. Thanks for the comment. I hope that answers your questions.