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MindStrong

#101 - Patrick McKeown | How To Breathe Like A Pro

Nov 9, 2021
Patrick McKeown, world-renowned breathing practitioner, discusses the impact of COVID-19 on respiratory health, the benefits of nasal breathing, and the importance of breathwork for mental and physical performance. He shares personal struggles with asthma and sleep apnea, the basics of breathing, and techniques to address dysfunctional breathing and manage panic attacks. Patrick also discusses his inventions and provides book recommendations for further reading.
01:03:46

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Nasal breathing improves heart rate variability, diaphragmatic movement, and reduces the risk of injury in athletes.
  • Slow and relaxed exhalation stimulates the vagus nerve and induces a relaxation response, beneficial for managing panic disorder and anxiety.

Deep dives

The Importance of Nasal Breathing

Patrick McEwen discusses the benefits of nasal breathing compared to mouth breathing, especially in athletes. He highlights that nasal breathing helps stimulate the vagus nerve, leading to a relaxation response in the body. Nasal breathing also improves heart rate variability, enhances diaphragmatic movement, and reduces the risk of injury. McEwen suggests that athletes should aim to breathe through the nose during exercise, but allowances can be made for high-intensity activities where mouth breathing may be necessary. He also recommends the use of nasal dilators to improve airflow in individuals with compromised nasal airways.

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