How to Train Your Brain to Train YOU to ‘Breathe Well’.

Dan Hughes
Jul 15
4 min read

Man coaching a woman in a breathing exercise at home; she lies on a mat with a book on her stomach while he provides guidance. — Our Oxygen Advantage workshop.

Did you know your mouth wasn’t designed for breathing?

That’s right - your mouth is a backup plan. A survival tool. If your nose were out of action (thanks to a tiger attack or prehistoric mishap), your mouth would step in. But in the modern world, many of us default to mouth breathing - and it's quietly taking a toll on our brains, bodies, and wellbeing.

Here’s the good news: you can train your brain to train you to breathe functionally and unlock a cascade of physical and mental health benefits.

Let’s dive in…

Man demonstrating a nasal breathing technique while speaking to a woman outdoors, holding an open book. — Learn to breathe well in daily activities.

The Oxygen Your Brain Is Craving

Your brain is the first organ to receive the oxygen you breathe - it uses over 20% of the oxygen in your bloodstream. And it thrives on a steady supply.

When you breathe correctly (hint: Light, slow, deep, nasal breathing), oxygen uptake increases and your brain becomes less “excitable,” meaning fewer mental health challenges like anxiety, overwhelm, and stress.

But when you breathe poorly, your brain panics.

It doesn’t like the drop in oxygen, and it’ll try to retrain you to breathe better. The beauty is, you can take control of that process yourself. That is what we'll teach you about in our Oxygen Advantage 6-Week Programme.

How to Train Your Brain to Train YOU to ‘Breathe Well’

In just a couple of weeks, you can start rewiring your brain’s breathing habits.

Try this:

Sit quietly and place your index finger just beneath your nose.
Inhale and exhale so gently that you can barely feel the air across your finger.
You should feel a slight air hunger - a mild sense of breathlessness.

That’s a good sign. It means your carbon dioxide levels are rising just enough to help your body release more oxygen into your cells — a process known as the Bohr Effect.

This is where the magic begins.

By breathing 30% less than you think you need, especially during rest (watching TV, in bed before sleep, during a walk), your brain will start to learn that less air is safe -and more effective, and in time, the breathlessness will diminish.

Man explaining breathing mechanics to a woman outdoors, pointing to his side while holding an open book. — Improve lung condition, capacity, oxygenation, and respiratory function.

This Is Where the Magic Happens…

It's counterintuitive, but when you train your body and brain to feel safe with less air, everything starts to shift. Your nervous system calms. Your brain gets the oxygen it needs. And functional breathing becomes second nature.

Practice for just 2–5 minutes a day, especially during restful moments.

Within a short space of time, you’ll notice a real difference.

And your brain will take over the habit for you.

What Else Does Breathing Affect?

(pretty much everything!)

~ Back pain:

Up to 50% of people with lower back pain have dysfunctional breathing. Improving your breath can help relieve tension and support your spine by toning and strengthening your diaphragm. Your breath shapes your spine. Diaphragmatic breathing helps maintain alignment and relieves tension in your shoulders, neck, and back.

~ Nervous system:

Your breath is your remote control for calm. Slow nasal breathing activates your parasympathetic system — bringing safety, stillness, and ‘groundedness.’

~ Sleep quality:

Dysfunctional breathing is linked to snoring, sleep apnoea, and restless nights. Functional nasal breathing supports deep, restful sleep.

~ Digestion:

Slow, rhythmic breathing shifts your body into a rest-and-digest state. Nasal breathing also activates your diaphragm, which massages your intestines to help with digestion, reducing bloating and removing toxins from your body.

~ Mental clarity:

Shallow, chest breathing leads to brain fog. Functional breathing boosts oxygenation, focus, and emotional resilience.

~ Circulation:

Balanced breathing supports your heart and blood flow by optimising the oxygen/CO₂ ratio in your bloodstream.

~ Core strength:

Your diaphragm is a key player in your core. When you breathe well, you build stability from the inside out.

Want to Feel It for Yourself?

If you’re ready to experience the benefits of functional breathing in person, we’d love to hear from you to arrange a free and helpful consultation.

Or, if you are curious to explore more, take a peek at this Blog: Unlocking the Power of Breathwork: A Path to Resilience, Health, and Well-Being.

If Breathwork is more your thing, find your nearest class and book your free session here - your first one is on us!

Let your breath change your life — one inhale at a time.

We’ve added some NEW events to our calendar - in partnership with Goodwood Wellbeing!

Woman lying on the floor on her back, man holding his hands over her abdomen. — Our Breathwork classes.

Breath Workshop | Goodwood Hotel - 6th September

Unlock the power of your breath in a safe, supportive environment. Starting with simple techniques to release tension, you'll move into conscious breathwork with varied rhythms and music, followed by deep relaxation. Book you spot, here.

Breathwork Escape | Goodwood Hotel - 7th - 8th November

More than just an introduction to Breathwork, this retreat is an opportunity to explore practical, science-backed techniques that can help you manage stress, sharpen focus, increase energy, improve sleep and support your overall wellbeing. Secure your space, maybe even bring a friend!