The Anatomy of Functional Breathing | Patrick McKeown & Tom Myers

About this episode

This episode explores how modern life affects our breathing patterns and the anatomy behind it.

Discover how modern life is radically reshaping the way we breathe. In this in‑depth conversation, Patrick McKeown (Oxygen Advantage) and Tom Myers (Anatomy Trains) explore the hidden links between our environment, posture, jaws, emotions, and breathing patterns. You’ll learn: - Why we’ve “made a zoo and now live in it” – and how tech, sitting, and urban living drive anxiety and dysfunctional breathing - How our genes, lifestyle, and domestication have literally narrowed our faces, jaws, and airways - The crucial difference between nasal vs mouth breathing for sleep, concentration, child development, and long‑term health - What the diaphragm really does (beyond the usual “belly breathing” story) and how tensegrity explains rib cage mechanics - Why so many children mouth breathe, snore, and struggle with attention – and what can be done to help them early - Practical, anatomy‑based insights into opening the nose, improving airway function, and restoring more natural breathing patterns If you’re interested in breathing, sleep, posture, airway health, fascia, or human performance, this episode offers a rare blend of deep anatomy and practical breathing wisdom. Chapters: 0:00 Intro…

People in this episode

Host: Oxygen Advantage

Guests: Patrick McKeown, Tom Myers

Topics covered

• breathing
• health
• anatomy
• posture
• airway function
• child development

Keywords

• breathing patterns
• nasal breathing
• mouth breathing
• airway health
• diaphragm function
• childhood development

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Oxygen Advantage, Anatomy Trains

More episodes of Oxygen Advantage

• Addiction, Prison & Recovery — The Power of Breath | John O’Hegarty · April 16, 2026 · 1h 2m
• Breathing Techniques That Transform Athletic Performance - Patrick McKeown and David 'Jacko' Jackson · March 13, 2026 · 1h 17m
• Eating Disorder to World-Class Strongwoman | Sandra Bradley on Mindset, Breath & Oxygen Advantage · February 16, 2026 · 54 min
• Season 6 Finale: Nitric Oxide, Nasal Breathing & Ultra Endurance · December 15, 2025 · 53 min
• Patrick McKeown meets James Nestor, Author of Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art · November 21, 2025 · 54 min
• Jiří Procházka’s Breathing Coach Reveals His Training Secrets | Oxygen Advantage® x UFC 320 · October 21, 2025 · 42 min