Emotional Regulation Focus & Cognitive Performance Nervous System Regulation Sleep Optimization Stress Management

Oxygen Advantage: Breathing for Yoga Training

A breathwork instructor training for yoga teachers, combining classical pranayama with the science of functional breathing developed by Patrick McKeown. Covers respiratory physiology, biomechanics, biochemistry, and applied techniques for nervous system regulation, sleep, stress, and athletic support. Yoga Alliance-recognized continuing education for 200-hour certified teachers.

Modules: 18 Modules
Duration: 50h
Certification: accredited certification, CE credits
Format: hybrid (self-paced and live online)
Skill level: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Career pathway: advanced training

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Course program

Breathing for Yoga Training is a Level 1 certification by Oxygen Advantage, the functional breathing method developed by Patrick McKeown. The course is designed for yoga teachers who want to integrate the science of functional breathing with classical pranayama, equipping them with the tools to apply breath as a clinical and pedagogical resource in their classes and one-on-one work.

The course is open to seasoned yoga teachers and to practitioners just beginning their breathwork journey — no breathwork prerequisite is required. Yoga teachers who hold a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training certificate can earn Yoga Alliance continuing education credits on completion. Practitioners without a 200-hour YTT can still take the course to deepen personal practice, though they will not be eligible for CECs.

The curriculum is organized into four sections covering 18 modules. The first section introduces the essential principles of functional breathing and the Oxygen Advantage approach in a yoga context — the science of breathing, the role of respiration in yoga, applying OA fundamentals to pranayama, and yoga’s historical relationship with breath. The second section is built around practical demonstrations of breathing exercises with Tiger Bye and Satu Chantal Welling.

The third section covers nervous system regulation, sleep, and specialty topics across six modules. The fourth section addresses stress, over-breathing, and advanced breath practices. Students gain a working understanding of respiratory physiology, biomechanics, biochemistry, and psychophysiology, and learn to identify dysfunctional breathing patterns and adapt practices for students with asthma, anxiety, fatigue, or performance goals. Each module includes guided video presentations by Patrick McKeown, downloadable materials, and supporting videos for every breathing exercise.

The course is led by Patrick McKeown, creator of the Oxygen Advantage and a Buteyko-trained breathing expert with over 20 years of clinical experience. Patrick delivers the theoretical material. Practical demonstrations are taught by Tiger Bye, an international yoga professional and OA Master Instructor, and Satu Chantal Welling, an Advanced Wisdom and Meditation teacher and OA Master Instructor.

The format is hybrid. Core content is delivered through a self-paced eLearning portal, and students can register at any time. Quarterly live workshops are included so students can join immersive Q&A sessions with the faculty. Access is lifetime. Certification requires a minimum score of 80% on the assessments for all required modules.

Meet your teacher

Patrick McKeown

Patrick McKeown is a world-renowned Buteyko breathing expert who has worked with thousands of people on breathing, sleep, and anxiety since 2002. He trained clinically under Professor Konstantin Buteyko and is the author of ten books, including The Oxygen Advantage.