Mastering the skill of breathing to enhance resilience and wellbeing: Oxygen Advantage master trainer David Jackson
Feb 3, 2025
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In this enlightening discussion, David Jackson, an Oxygen Advantage Master Trainer and breathwork coach, shares his expertise on the art of breathing. He emphasizes breathing as a cornerstone of health, revealing how nasal breathing enhances well-being. Jackson debunks myths about deep breathing and highlights the benefits of slow, low breathing for managing stress. He elaborates on the connection between breath, resilience, and the vagus nerve, offering practical tips for incorporating mindful breathing into daily life.
Conscious control of breathing patterns can significantly improve energy levels, sleep quality, and overall resilience against stress.
Prioritizing nasal breathing enhances oxygen intake and promotes a calmer nervous system, essential for managing anxiety and stress effectively.
Deep dives
The Importance of Breathing for Health
Breathing plays a crucial role in overall health and wellness, often overlooked due to its automatic nature. Conscious control of breathing can significantly influence one’s physiological state, including how people feel, think, and perform. It is essential to recognize that breathing not only happens on its own, but it also serves as a reflection of our nervous system's condition. Therefore, improving breathing patterns can lead to enhanced energy, sleep quality, and a more settled state of being.
Identifying Stress Through Breathing Patterns
Observing breathing patterns can reveal signs of stress and anxiety. When individuals experience stress, their breathing typically becomes faster, which can be easily measured by counting breaths per minute. A common indication of anxiety is audible and chest-dominant breathing, rather than the deeper, calmer diaphragmatic breathing associated with relaxation. Recognizing these patterns provides an opportunity to implement techniques that can help in calming the nervous system and restoring balance.
The Role of Nasal Breathing
Nasal breathing should be prioritized for effective oxygen intake and overall health. The design of the nasal cavity is optimized for breathing, aiding in filtering and conditioning the air, while mouth breathing tends to be a less efficient, emergency response. Practicing breath awareness, particularly focusing on the transition from mouth to nasal breathing during stress or exercise, can have profound effects on health. Using the nose for breathing at rest and during activity ensures optimal function of the respiratory system.
Enhancing Calm Through Breathing Techniques
Extending the exhale during breathing significantly activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting a state of calmness. Techniques such as humming can also contribute to this state by stimulating the vagus nerve and increasing vagal tone. Incorporating these methods into daily practice helps in regulating stress levels, enhancing recovery, and improving sleep quality. By training breathing patterns and being aware of their effects, individuals can develop resilience against stress and enhance their overall well-being.
Improving how you breath is probably the best way to get more energy, sleep better and enjoy a calm and resilient nervous system. I'm talking to David Jackson, Oxygen advantage Master Trainer and Breathwork coach extraordinaire. We’ve split this conversation in 2 as there’s quite a lot to take in, but it’s powerful stuff. In part 1 we explore the:
Importance of breathing as a fundamental health pillar
Overlooked signs of stress and anxiety in breathing patterns
Misconceptions around breathing techniques
Vital role of nasal breathing
Science behind slow and low breathing
How slow and low breathing can help manage stress and activate the parasympathetic nervous system
Jacko's website: https://www.probreathwork.com/
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