A Conversation with Buteyko Breathing Expert, Patrick McKeown

The Breathing Lab with Dr. Jenny

At the Hobson Institute, we’re dedicated to exploring holistic approaches to health, with a strong focus on how breathing impacts overall well-being. In a recent Breathing Lab session, I had the pleasure of interviewing Patrick McKeown—a leading expert on breathing techniques and the Buteyko Breathing Method. Patrick shared with our listeners how simple changes in the way we breathe can help manage conditions such as asthma, sleep disorders, and anxiety.

Key Highlights from Our Podcast Discussion

Understanding the Unified Airway
We explored the concept of the unified airway—the idea that the entire respiratory system is interconnected. This understanding is essential when addressing sleep and breathing issues. For example, mouth breathing increases airway resistance, which can impair sleep quality and affect overall health.

Supporting Children with Anxiety and Breathing Issues
Children’s breathing habits can have a profound effect on their mental and emotional health. We discussed the importance of assessing children for both anxiety and dysfunctional breathing patterns. Gentle nasal breathing techniques, a calm and reassuring clinical environment, and tools like MyoTape can support better sleep and reduce anxiety by encouraging nasal breathing.

The Benefits of Mouth Taping
Mouth taping can help promote nasal breathing during sleep.

Breathing Techniques to Manage Anxiety
We also discussed how specific breathing practices—such as reducing breathing volume and encouraging nasal breathing—can help regulate carbon dioxide levels, promoting calm and relaxation. While results may take time, consistency and patience with these techniques can lead to meaningful improvements in anxiety symptoms.

How to Learn More For Healthcare Professionals
If you're a clinician interested in integrating these techniques into your practice, consider taking my Intro to Airway Evaluation and Treatment Course. In this course, I share how I’ve combined the Buteyko Breathing Method with myofunctional therapy, cranial nerve integration, and physical therapy into a comprehensive approach. Sign up here.

For Individuals Seeking Relief
If you're struggling with poor sleep, chronic tension, jaw clenching, TMJ, or tinnitus, our online breathing retraining program is designed to help you address these concerns through proven techniques. Sign up here.

At the Hobson Institute, our mission is to empower individuals and professionals with holistic tools and knowledge to achieve optimal health. We’re proud to continue this journey of exploration and education with our community.

About Patrick McKeown, Breathing Expert and Author

Patrick McKeown is a leading expert in breathing and its impact on asthma, sleep, and mental health, with over two decades of experience in breathing re-education. He has authored 12 books on the science of breathing, including the internationally acclaimed The Oxygen Advantage, and has a forthcoming book, The Sleep Cure, set for release in June 2025 by Humanix Books.

His work focuses on functional breathing, sleep-disordered breathing, and nervous system regulation, offering practical techniques to improve respiratory health, sleep quality, and mental well-being. His research has been published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, and he collaborates with leading experts in medicine, sports performance, and neuroscience.

Patrick trains healthcare professionals, athletes, and individuals worldwide, helping them harness the power of optimal breathing for better health, sleep, and resilience.