Oxygen Advantage® Breathing for Yoga Instructor Training

Oxygen Advantage® Breathing for Yoga

Introduction

The course includes a series of videos and presentations that guide you through the theory and practice of integrating the Oxygen Advantage® methodology with yogic philosophy. Each presentation is followed by a quiz or exam to assess your understanding. Passing the exams in the mandatory modules is required to receive certification.
The theoretical modules are presented by Patrick McKeown, creator of the Oxygen Advantage®, while practical demonstrations are delivered by Tiger Bye, an international yoga professional and Oxygen Advantage® Master Instructor, and Chantal Welling, a Master Instructor and Advanced Wisdom and Meditation teacher.

Course Modules

1. Introduction
   This module introduces the course structure, blending the Oxygen Advantage® methodology with traditional yogic philosophy. It outlines the course’s theory and practical components and explains the requirements for certification. You’ll learn how to merge modern breathing science with ancient yogic principles for a holistic approach.
2. Breath in Yoga
   Explore the historical roots of pranayama in yoga, tracing its evolution from ancient practices to modern-day applications. Learn how breathing patterns can influence physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Attendees will gain insights into assessing and optimizing their own and their students’ breathing patterns.
3. The Science of Breathing
   Delve into the critical roles of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitric oxide in human physiology. Understand how these gases impact overall health and how specific breathing techniques can manipulate them to improve physical and psychological outcomes. This module provides a scientific basis for pranayama.
4. Applying OA Fundamentals to Yoga
   Learn how to incorporate the principles of Oxygen Advantage® into your yoga practice. This module focuses on nasal breathing, CO₂ tolerance, and breath-holding techniques, offering practical strategies to implement them in yoga sessions and daily life for improved health, performance, and well-being.
5. Yoga and Breathing – A Historical Perspective
   Presented by Dr. Magdalena Kraler, this module provides an in-depth historical overview of prāṇāyāma teachings, tracing their evolution through various lineages. Understand how traditional practices align with modern breathing science and how to integrate them effectively into contemporary yoga instruction.
6. Practical Demonstration – Breathing Biomechanics
   Gain a deep understanding of the diaphragm’s role in breathing and how it interacts with other muscles during yoga asana practice. Learn techniques for optimizing diaphragmatic breathing, improving posture, and enhancing overall respiratory function. Practical exercises are provided to develop diaphragmatic strength and flexibility.
7. Practical Demonstration – Breathing Biochemistry
   Explore the biochemical processes involved in breathing, including how CO₂ levels affect oxygen delivery through the Bohr Effect. This module highlights how pranayama can be tailored to specific physiological needs, enhancing respiratory efficiency and overall health. Practical techniques are included for refining breathing cues during asana practice.
8. Practical Demonstration – Breathing Psychophysiology
   Understand how breathing mediates the connection between the mind and body. This module covers the impact of breathing on mental health, emotional regulation, and stress responses. Learn how functional breathing can balance the autonomic nervous system, promoting relaxation and emotional well-being.
9. Practical Demonstration – Integrating Pranayama with Asana
   This extended asana practice integrates breath training with alignment principles, combining familiar yoga postures with Oxygen Advantage® breathing techniques. You’ll learn how to incorporate breath-holds and strengthening exercises to improve respiratory function and enhance flexibility.
10. The Nasal Cycle and Uni-nostril Breathing
    Explore the effects of nasal cycles and uni-nostril breathing on brain activity, the nervous system, and physiological health. Learn practical techniques, such as left uni-nostril breathing, to calm the mind, down-regulate the nervous system, and improve mental focus.
11. Nervous System and the Breath – Part 1
    Focus on the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and their regulation through breath. Explore how heart rate variability (HRV) and the vagus nerve are influenced by breathing patterns, and practice techniques that encourage a shift from the fight-or-flight response to a parasympathetic “rest and digest” state.
12. Nervous System and the Breath – Part 2
    Continue exploring how breathing affects the central and peripheral nervous systems. Learn breathing exercises that promote parasympathetic activation, helping to calm the mind and body, reduce stress, and support overall nervous system health.
13. Breathing, Sleep, and Yoga
    Learn about the connection between breathing and sleep quality, including how dysfunctional breathing can affect sleep. This module covers breathing exercises and sleep hygiene techniques to improve relaxation, reduce insomnia, and promote restorative sleep, ensuring optimal physical and mental recovery.
14. The Female Breath
    Understand how female physiology and hormonal changes impact breathing patterns. Explore how the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause influence respiratory function, and learn techniques to address these changes. This module covers breathing strategies that improve overall health and well-being for women across different life stages.
15. Breathing and Pain
    This module explores the relationship between stress-induced breathing changes and chronic pain. Learn how dysfunctional breathing can exacerbate pain sensitivity and muscle tension, and discover practical breathing techniques that can help alleviate pain and promote relaxation for those dealing with chronic conditions.
16. Breath Training for Stress, Anxiety, Panic, and Pain
    Focus on the physiological effects of chronic stress and how breathing patterns influence mental health. Learn how to apply breathwork to alleviate anxiety, panic, and chronic pain. Techniques covered in this module aim to calm the nervous system and promote emotional balance.
17. Hyperventilation, Hypercapnia, Hypoxia
    Gain a comprehensive understanding of the biochemical, biomechanical, and psychophysiological aspects of functional breathing. Learn to assess breathing patterns and create individualized breathing programs to safely incorporate these techniques into yoga practice for physiological and psychological benefits.
18. Breathing Exercises that Use Deliberate Hyperventilation
    Explore the physiological effects of hyperventilation and its potential risks and benefits. This module compares Oxygen Advantage® techniques with other methods, focusing on the impact of hyperventilation followed by breath-holds. Learn safety precautions and the importance of tailoring these practices to individual needs.

Conclusion
Reflect on the similarities between traditional prāṇāyāma and Oxygen Advantage® principles, emphasizing the integration of subtle, nasal, and diaphragmatic breathing into yoga practice. The module highlights the profound benefits these breathing techniques can offer for overall health, well-being, and yoga practice.

Professional Growth & Development

This comprehensive course equips you with the knowledge and skills to teach pranayama with confidence. Here’s what you’ll gain:

Deep Understanding of Pranayama Science

• Biomechanics: Explore the physical aspects of breathing, including diaphragm function and respiratory muscle engagement during asana practice.
• Psychophysiology: Understand how breathing impacts the nervous system, emotions, and mental states, enabling you to help students manage stress, anxiety, and emotional balance.
• Biochemistry: Learn how breathing techniques influence oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitric oxide levels in the body, affecting health and performance.

Mastery of Pranayama Techniques

• Traditional and Modern Practices: Dive into a wide range of pranayama techniques, from ancient practices like Nadi Shodhana and Ujjayi to scientifically developed methods focusing on CO₂ tolerance and breath-holds.
• Safe and Effective Instruction: Learn how to teach pranayama techniques safely, recognizing which practices are suitable for different individuals and how to avoid potential contraindications.

Integration of Pranayama with Asana

• Seamless Incorporation: Discover strategies for integrating pranayama into asana sequences, enhancing the depth and effectiveness of your classes.
• Enhanced Cueing and Instruction: Refine your verbal cues and teaching methods to emphasize breath awareness and control throughout the practice.

Personalized Breathing Programs

• Tailored Approaches: Develop the ability to assess individual students’ needs and create customized pranayama plans that address their specific health concerns and goals.
• Holistic Well-Being: Equip your students with breathing techniques that improve their physical health, mental clarity, and emotional resilience, both in and out of the studio.

Application of Pranayama in Daily Life

• Beyond the Mat: Learn how to teach students to apply breathing techniques in their daily routines to manage stress, enhance sleep quality, and improve overall well-being.
• Empowering Students: Provide tools that enable your students to take control of their health and wellness through conscious breathing practices.

Understanding Special Topics

• The Female Breath: Explore how hormonal changes across different life stages affect breathing patterns in women, and learn techniques to support their unique needs.
• Breathing and the Nervous System: Gain insights into how breathing can regulate the autonomic nervous system, promoting relaxation or stimulation as needed.
• Managing Health Conditions: Learn how to use breathing to assist individuals with conditions such as asthma, anxiety, chronic pain, and sleep disorders.

Professional Growth and Development

• Elevate Your Career: Position yourself as a breathing instructor, opening up new opportunities for teaching, workshops, and collaborations.
• Continuous Learning: Gain lifetime access to course materials and updates, ensuring you stay at the forefront of pranayama research and practice.

Community Engagement

• Join a Supportive Network: Become part of a global community of instructors dedicated to advancing the practice of breathwork.
• Collaborative Opportunities: Participate in discussions, share experiences, and learn from peers and mentors who share your passion for breathwork.

By enrolling in this course, you position yourself at the forefront of a movement to bring pranayama back to its rightful place at the heart of yoga. You’ll not only transform your own practice but also profoundly impact the lives of your students, both on and off the mat.

Trainers

Tiger Bye
Tiger Bye is an international yoga professional and Oxygen Advantage® Master Instructor, with an M.S. in Health and the Public Interest from Georgetown University. She co-founded Better Yoga (betteryoga.net), an online sanctuary that fuses yoga, breath training, and Ayurveda. Her expertise lies in helping people optimize their breathing for enhanced fitness, focus, stress management, and sleep improvement. Tiger’s work extends to corporate and group settings, where she teaches people to adjust postural and breathing habits for optimal performance and well-being. Her approach helps clients identify unconscious patterns, encouraging freedom through alignment and functional breathing.

Satu Chantal Welling
Chantal Welling began her career as a therapist, earning accreditation in several natural healing modalities. Her lifelong passion for understanding the mind, body, and health led her to yoga, which she has practiced since the age of 13. Today, Chantal is an International Executive Coach and Trainer, and the CEO of two companies—an international training organization (completo.fi) and a psychometric assessment provider in Milan, Italy. In addition to her business acumen, she is also a certified Oxygen Advantage® Master Instructor and Advanced Wisdom and Meditation Teacher®. Through her third company (wellnesswelling.com), Chantal guides individuals in breathing techniques, meditation, and personal growth, helping them elevate their consciousness and uncover their true selves.

Patrick McKeown
Patrick McKeown is a globally recognized breathing expert and author, based in Galway, Ireland. Since 2002, he has worked with thousands of clients—ranging from Olympic athletes to elite military forces—improving their breathing, sleep, performance, and resilience. A prolific author, Patrick has penned eleven books, including The Oxygen Advantage, which has been translated into 16 languages. His recent works include Atomic Focus (2021), The Breathing Cure (2021), and Breathing for Yoga (2023). As an inventor, he has developed tools like MyoTape, a breathing support product. His work has been featured in major outlets like USA Today, CNN, and The New York Times, and he frequently appears on top podcasts, sharing his expertise in functional breathing techniques.

A TEDx speaker, Patrick’s work has touched the lives of thousands and more worldwide. His work has been published by leading publishing houses including Harper Collins (UK), William Morrow Press (USA), Red Wheel Weiser (USA), Sperling & Kupfer (Italy), Kanki Publishing Inc. (Japan). Journal publications include the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Journal of the American Orthodontic Society and Clinical Otolaryngology.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I receive immediate access to the course portal once I register?

Answer: Yes, upon registration, you will receive an instant login to the email address you provided. Please check your spam or promotions folder if you don’t see it in your inbox. You will have lifetime access to the course portal, allowing you to complete the learning materials and certification at your own pace. If you encounter any issues with login or access, please contact us at [email protected].

2. What makes the Oxygen Advantage® Breathing for Yoga course different from other programs?

Answer: This course bridges the gap between traditional pranayama practices and modern scientific understanding. While many yoga programs focus heavily on asanas, the Oxygen Advantage® course delves deeply into the practice and science of pranayama, offering a comprehensive exploration of the biochemistry, biomechanics, and psychophysiology of breath. You’ll learn how to apply scientifically validated breathing techniques to enhance your yoga teaching and provide profound benefits to your students both on and off the mat. This transformative approach, backed by years of research, sets you apart as an expert in the field.

3. Is this course suitable for yoga instructors with little to no experience in pranayama or breathwork?

Yes, this course is ideal for yoga instructors at all levels of experience, including those with limited or no background in pranayama or breathwork. We recognize that many yoga teacher training programs don’t cover these practices in depth, so our course is designed to fill that gap. It provides both practical and theoretical modules to deepen your understanding and equips you with the confidence and skills to teach breathing practices tailored to the needs of all students.

4. How is the course delivered?

Answer: The course is delivered entirely online, providing flexibility to learn at your own pace. You’ll have access to video lessons, live Q&A sessions with the instructors, downloadable resources, and interactive modules. Additionally, you receive lifetime access to all course materials, so you can revisit the content whenever you wish.

5. What can I expect to learn during the course?

Answer: You will gain a comprehensive understanding of pranayama, including:

• The Science Behind Pranayama: Dive into the biochemistry and biomechanics of breathing to understand how pranayama affects the body on multiple levels.
• Integrating Pranayama into Yoga Teaching: Learn how to effectively incorporate advanced breathing techniques into your classes, enhancing both asana practice and overall well-being.
• Tailoring Breathwork to Individual Needs: Develop the skills to customize pranayama practices for students of various ages, health statuses, and fitness levels.
• Managing Stress and Enhancing Health: Master techniques to help students manage stress, improve sleep, and boost physical and mental health.
• Confident Instruction: Gain the knowledge to teach pranayama with authority and clarity, ensuring safe and effective practice for all students.

6. Can I start teaching immediately after becoming certified?

Answer: Yes! The course is designed to be practical and actionable. Upon certification, you will have all the necessary tools, including session plans and marketing materials, to begin teaching right away. Whether you wish to incorporate pranayama into your existing yoga classes, offer specialized breathwork sessions, or conduct workshops, Oxygen Advantage® provides everything you need to succeed.

7. How long does it take to complete the course?

Answer: The course is self-paced, so you can progress according to your schedule. On average, students take approximately 60 hours to complete the course, which includes both practical and theoretical modules.

8. Will I receive support after completing the course?

Answer: Absolutely! Upon completion, you join a global community of instructors with ongoing support through live Q&A sessions, mentorship from experienced instructors, and access to updates. You’ll also retain lifetime access to all course materials for continued learning and growth. Our community and support system are designed to ensure your success.

9. Is the Oxygen Advantage® certification recognized internationally?

Answer: Yes, Oxygen Advantage® is recognized and trusted by thousands of professionals worldwide, including yoga instructors, athletes, and wellness coaches. Your certification is internationally recognized, allowing you to teach in various settings, from yoga studios to corporate environments.

10. What if I have questions during the course?

Answer: We provide multiple avenues for support:

• Email: Reach out to us at [email protected] for any queries.
• Live Q&A Sessions: Participate in live sessions with Patrick McKeown and master instructors to ask questions and gain deeper insights.
• Facebook Group: Join our community of instructors and peers to share experiences and seek advice.
• Phone: Call us at +353 91 335536 for direct assistance.
• Online Chat: Use the chat feature on our website for immediate support.