The Foundations of Breathing Online Course

Course Instructor: Ashley Kumar, DPT

Course Length: ~2 hours

Course Description:

Discover the power of breathing properly and deepen your understanding of its impact on your health and well-being in this foundational online course. In today’s fast-paced world, the simple act of breathing is often overlooked despite its vital role in promoting physical and mental health.

This course dives into the "why" and "how" of proper breathing, breaking down the scientific and anatomical aspects to highlight the profound impact it has on your body and mind. You’ll explore the essential role of breathing in reducing stress, improving pelvic floor health, assisting with digestion, and alleviating pain. To unlock these benefits, you will learn specific breathing techniques and exercises to use on a daily basis.

Course Modules:

Module 1: The Anatomy and Science Behind Breathing
This module explores the fundamental anatomy and science of the respiratory system and its relationship to other aspects of health. Key topics include:

• The structure and function of the lungs, diaphragm, and respiratory muscles

• The role of posture in optimal breathing

• The connection between the autonomic nervous system and breathing, focusing on how breathing influences the body’s stress response

• The use of breathing as a tool for managing acute and chronic pain

Module 2: Respiratory Mechanics
Building on the anatomy, this module breaks down the mechanics of breathing, the stages of breathing, and how to optimize your breathing. Key topics include: 

• How to breathe with your diaphragm and pelvic floor

• The role of nasal breathing and its importance for health

• Techniques for proper inhalation and exhalation, and how to balance them for efficient respiration

Module 3: Breathing Techniques and Tips
In the final module, you'll learn practical techniques to assess and improve your breathing habits for optimal health and well-being. Key topics include:

• How to test the strength and capacity of your breathing to identify areas for improvement

• Tools and lifestyle adjustments to enhance breathing efficiency

• How breathing directly influences the autonomic nervous system, regulating stress and relaxation responses

• How CO2 and O2 exchange impacts health and energy levels

• Heart rate variability: what it is and how we can change it

• Breathing techniques to reduce stress and promote relaxation

This course is ideal for anyone seeking practical solutions to lower stress levels, regulate the nervous system, manage pain, or improve pelvic floor function (both men and women!). Whether you’re a beginner or a health and wellness professional, this course can help you learn to use breathing as a go-to health optimization tool.