Have you ever heard of people using special breathing techniques to improve their health and well-being? If so, you might have heard about the Wim Hof Method and Oxygen Advantage. These are two popular approaches to breathing exercises, and they've gained a lot of interest lately. This article will explore what each method entails, their potential benefits, and any downsides to consider. So, whether you're an athlete or just someone looking to optimize your health, let's see how breathwork can benefit you!
What is The Oxygen Advantage?
The Oxygen Advantage is a patented program that teaches individuals to optimize their breathing patterns. It was developed by Patrick Mckeown, a respected expert on breathing and wellbeing.
For the last 20 years Mckeown has contributed to the scientific field of breath-based sports, mindfulness training, and breathwork training. His program has coached thousands, and he has a string of accolades including fellowship of the Royal Society of Biology in the UK.
The Oxygen Advantage is based on functional breathing, which promotes nasal breathing as opposed to mouth breathing.
The primary function of the nose is to filter and humidify the air we breath, with nasal breathing having a variety of health and wellness benefits:
- Lowered blood pressure
- Activates the parasympathetic nervous system
- Improved sleep quality
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Increased oxygenation
- Resistance to colds and flu
Oxygen Advantage Benefits
With nasal breathing as its foundation, the goal of the Oxygen Advantage is to enhance athletic performance, and overall health.
The program teaches mostly athletes and individuals who want to optimize their health how to optimize their breathing patterns during exercise, which may result in improved endurance and recovery time after exercise.
Also read about: Discover the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique for Better Sleep in Just 60 Seconds
What About Wim Hof?
Also known as ‘The Iceman’, Wim Hof is a Dutch extreme athlete known for breaking records related to cold exposure. Some of his honors include:
- Summiting Kilimanjaro in shorts.
- Running a half marathon above the arctic circle barefoot.
- Submerged himself in ice for 112 minutes.
Wim Hof believes that breath control is what is at the center of his ability to withstand extremely cold conditions. By controlling his breath, Wim Hof argues that he is able to control his heart-rate and blood circulation.
Wim Hof’s method is broken down into three pillars:
- Breathing to increase oxygenation
- Cold therapy
- Focused commitment to the practice
Wim Hof’s breathing technique can be practiced as follow:
- Find a comfortable position that can be maintained throughout the exercise.
- Inhale deeply through your nose or mouth, filling your lungs so that your belly and your chest expand .
- Once you’ve inhaled to full capacity, exhale through your mouth passively.
- Repeat the process 30 to 40 times.
- After your last exhalation, hold your breath for as long as is comfortably possible.
- Breath only once you feel the urge.
- Take a deep breath in and hold it for 15 seconds.
This completes one round of the Wim Hof breathing technique. The full cycle may be repeated 3 to 4 times.
Wim Hof’s claims gained international attention in 2011, when a study conducted by Radboud University proved that Wim Hof was able to voluntarily control his autonomic nervous system using his breathing technique and gradual cold exposure.
While the Wim Hof method is a relatively under-researched breathing technique, there have been some recent studies aimed at understanding the method's effectiveness. Much of what Wim Hof has achieved was widely considered impossible.
Get to know about: Combat Burnout with Smart Devices: A Comprehensive Guide
Drawbacks and Considerations
|
The Oxygen Advantage |
Wim Hof |
|
Not a quick fix. Mastering the Oxygen Advantage techniques requires regular practice and guidance. |
More and more scientific research to support its effectiveness. |
|
May not be suitable for everyone. Individuals with certain respiratory conditions should consult a healthcare professional before starting any new breathing program. |
Wim Hof’s complete method is not for everyone. If, like many people, you do not have access to ice-baths, cold showers will do the job. And if you are simply repelled by the idea of voluntarily freezing yourself, it may be that you need to do it ! |
|
Air hunger is a demanding feeling and the method might be difficult to implement at first. |
Breathing in this way may affect motor control and in certain cases it could lead to a loss of consciousness. |
|
Individuals with certain health conditions (epilepsy, cardiovascular disease…) should consult a healthcare professional before starting the method. |
Taking Control of your Breath With Oxa Life
If the Oxygen Advantage and Wim Hof have got your mind ticking about how you can improve your health and well-being through breath training, then you should take a look at Oxa, the breathing device.
Oxa acts like your own personal breath coach. Not only is the app stocked with an array of science-based breathing exercises, but Oxa also offers a wearable that provides real-time biofeedback. This helps you practice safely and track your progress over time to optimize your results.
Both The Oxygen Advantage and Wim Hof’s breathing techniques offer valuable insights into maximizing your potential through the use of your breath. The Oxygen advantage may triumph over Wim Hof’s method due to its accessibility and the variety of online courses and coaching options on offer. While it might not be possible to achieve the impossible with the power of your breath, with the help of Oxa, you can definitely take your practice to greater heights.
FAQs
What are the main differences between Oxygen Advantage and the Wim Hof Method?
The Oxygen Advantage primarily focuses on improving breathing efficiency and performance through nasal breathing, promoting better oxygenation and reduced stress. It's targeted towards athletes and those looking to optimize their health. The Wim Hof Method combines breathing techniques with cold exposure and commitment, aimed at controlling the autonomic nervous system to enhance resilience to cold and improve overall well-being.
Who developed the Oxygen Advantage, and what is its foundation?
Patrick McKeown, a fellow of the Royal Society of Biology in the UK, developed the Oxygen Advantage. The method is based on functional breathing that emphasizes the benefits of nasal breathing over mouth breathing.
What are the potential benefits of practicing the Oxygen Advantage?
Benefits include lowered blood pressure, activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, improved sleep quality, reduced anxiety, increased resistance to respiratory infections, and enhanced athletic performance.
Are there any risks or considerations associated with these breathing methods?
Yes, both methods require cautious practice. The Oxygen Advantage might not be suitable for individuals with certain respiratory conditions, while the Wim Hof Method's intense breathing and cold exposure aren't suitable for everyone, especially without proper guidance.
How scientifically supported are these breathing techniques?
While both techniques have some research backing, the Wim Hof Method has been specifically studied at Radboud University, which found that Hof could influence his autonomic nervous system. The Oxygen Advantage is based on established principles of respiratory science but might need more direct research to support all claims.
