Meet Ash
I began my journey into holistic therapies in 2000, driven by a desire to manage my childhood bronchial asthma and reduce my reliance on medication. This exploration led me to study aromatherapy, yoga, and complementary therapies, and I quickly developed a deep interest in breathing as a powerful tool for wellness.
Over the years, I specialised in pre- and post-natal care, remedial massage, and yoga instruction, but it wasn’t until 2020 that my understanding of breathwork truly evolved. Discovering the Oxygen Advantage program during a time of hormonal changes and sleep struggles transformed my approach. I realised I had been living on my nerves for years, always on the move, never stopping to sit down or give myself a break.
Through consistent practice, I finally learned how to bring balance into my life. Now, as an Advanced Oxygen Advantage® Instructor, I blend scientific breathing techniques such Butyeko and Pranyama with yoga and functional movement to help others find relief from stress and improve their mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Having witnessed the toll of mental health struggles within my own family, I’m passionate about sharing these tools so others can live with greater ease, joy, and control over their health.
What is Oxygen Advantage?
The Oxygen Advantage method is a functional breathing technique designed to improve overall health, fitness, and performance. Created by Patrick McKeown, it combines the science of breathing with specific exercises to optimize oxygen efficiency, enhance athletic performance, and support mental well-being.
Benefits of Oxygen Advantage
This method can benefit individuals in multiple ways:
Respiratory Health: Helps improve lung function and reduce breathlessness, especially for those with asthma or other respiratory conditions.
Fitness and Performance: Enhances stamina and endurance by increasing oxygen delivery to muscles, making it a popular choice among athletes.
Stress and Anxiety Management: Promotes calmness by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Sleep Improvement: Supports better sleep by addressing issues like snoring, sleep apnea, and mouth breathing.
Why Is Oxygen Efficiency Important?
The way we breathe directly impacts our body’s ability to use oxygen effectively. Many people unknowingly over-breathe or rely on mouth breathing, which can reduce oxygen efficiency and negatively affect both physical and mental health. By adopting the Oxygen Advantage method, individuals learn to breathe in a way that maximizes oxygen absorption and improves energy levels.
Incorporating Oxygen Advantage Techniques
Oxygen Advantage focuses on breathing exercises that optimize carbon dioxide levels and improve oxygen delivery. These techniques are particularly effective for athletes aiming to enhance their performance or anyone looking to reduce stress, improve sleep, and achieve better overall health.
What is Buteyko Breathing?
Buteyko Breathing is a technique designed to help individuals improve their breathing patterns, particularly those dealing with asthma and other respiratory conditions. Developed in the 1950s by Ukrainian doctor Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko, this method focuses on retraining the breath to promote nasal breathing and reduce over-breathing.
Benefits of Buteyko Breathing
This technique can be effective in addressing a variety of health issues:
Respiratory Conditions: Helps manage symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, and hay fever.
Neurological Issues: Aids in reducing anxiety, stress, and panic attacks by promoting calmer breathing patterns.
Sleep Disorders: Improves sleep quality by addressing snoring, insomnia, and sleep apnea.
Childhood Development: Supports dental health, proper facial development, and can assist children with ADHD.
Why Is Proper Breathing Important?
Our breathing habits are influenced by lifestyle, environment, and genetics. Factors like stress, sedentary behaviour, and poor diet can lead to inefficient breathing patterns, such as mouth breathing or hyperventilation. Over time, these habits can contribute to various health issues.
Incorporating Buteyko Breathing Techniques
For those who habitually breathe through their mouths—often due to nasal congestion—Buteyko Breathing exercises can help clear nasal passages and encourage nasal breathing. By retraining the body to adopt healthier breathing patterns, individuals may experience improved overall health and well-being.
Testimonial
I have been working with Ash of O2.4.U for months now and have enjoyed numerous benefits of her Science based approach to optimising health using breathwork and other means. All of the methods that we work on are practical, simple and easy to implement. It never feels like 'another thing to do' - rather a more mindful, effective way of doing what we all do all day (and night) long. It is fantastic to learn so much and empowering to know that there are multiple tools at my fingertips - or nostrils!
Most recently, Ash spent time preparing my racing partner and I for an endurance event. Her fantastic range of techniques for regulation, increased focus, greater endurance and improved performance were all greatly appreciated on race day! I have loved tapping into Ash's beautiful energy, great expertise and constant encouragement so far. - Sharon, Teacher, Athlete