The Oxygen Advantage: The simple, scientifically proven breathing technique that will revolutionise your health and fitness

by Patrick McKeown

The idea of taking bigger breaths to take in more oxygen is akin to telling an individual who is already eating enough food to provide their daily caloric needs that they need to eat more. Many of my students initially have a hard time grasping this. For years they have been indoctrinated with the ‘benefits’ of taking deep breaths by well-meaning stress counsellors, yoga practitioners, physiotherapists and sports coaches, not to mention the Western media. And it’s easy to see why this belief is perpetuated: taking a large breath can actually feel good, even if it can actually be bad for you. Just as a cat enjoys a good stretch following a midday nap, taking a big breath into the lungs stretches the upper part of the body, allowing a feeling of relaxation to follow. But this leads many to believe that with breathing, bigger is better.