Anxiety & Stress Relief Athletic Performance Focus & Cognitive Performance Nervous System Regulation Sleep Optimization

Oxygen Advantage: Oxygen Advantage Functional Breathing Instructor Training

Course program

The Oxygen Advantage Functional Breathing Instructor Training is a Level 1 certification from Oxygen Advantage, taught by founder Patrick McKeown. It prepares students to assess and correct dysfunctional breathing patterns and to teach the Oxygen Advantage method in one-on-one and group settings.

The program is designed for fitness trainers and coaches, yoga and Pilates instructors, healthcare practitioners, sports coaches, corporate wellness professionals, and individuals who want to deepen their own practice.

The curriculum is built around sixteen modules — eleven required and five supplementary — organised into four sections. Foundations of Functional Breathing introduces breathing pattern disorders, nasal breathing, and the three dimensions of breath: biochemical, biomechanical, and psychophysiological. Health and Recovery covers sleep quality, hormonal physiology, heart rate variability, asthma, and nasal function.

Practical Application takes students through breathing exercises at rest, movement-based instruction, teaching formats, and client-facing tools. Performance and Movement focuses on running, dynamic environments, and techniques for focus and composure. Throughout the course, students learn to conduct the Body Oxygen Level Test and other assessments, build foundational breathing sequences, and structure sessions for different populations.

The training is led by Patrick McKeown, founder of Oxygen Advantage and a Buteyko-trained breathing educator with more than twenty years of clinical and coaching experience. He is the author of ten books, including The Oxygen Advantage, a TEDx speaker, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology.

The format is self-paced through the Oxygen Advantage eLearning portal. Students work through video modules, downloadable materials, and supporting exercise videos, typically completing the program in four to six weeks of part-time study. Lifetime access to all materials is included, along with email and phone support from the Oxygen Advantage team.

Graduates receive a Level 1 Instructor Certification in Functional Breathing, a listing on the Oxygen Advantage website, access to the OA logo and marketing assets, and entry to the OA instructor community. Students who complete Level 1 can also apply their tuition toward the Level 2 Advanced Instructor Training.

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.

Read more about Patrick
Patrick McKeown

Host reviews

  • Brian Johnson

    Patrick McKeown is one of the world’s leading authorities on optimal breathing. He’s also a really cool guy. He’s done some coaching of me and my breathing—for both meditation and sports performance with the Spartan races I’m doing. My life has changed from this book. I’m a huge fan of Patrick and his work. Highly recommend the book—and highly recommend we think more about breathing

  • Chris Martin

    These are some things that have been helping me on tour and in general, in hopes that maybe some of them might be good for you too... Free-form writing, Transcendental Meditation, the music of Jon Hopkins... and The Oxygen Advantage — it’s great for breathing. These are helping me stay grateful and happy to be alive