Discover how functional breathing and breathing mechanics shape your stress response, physiology, and overall performance.
In today’s video, Martin McPhilimey — respiratory & sleep scientist and founder of the School of Breath Science — breaks down the real physical mechanics of breathing and shares a powerful story from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that reveals how unconscious breathing patterns can trigger panic, overwhelm, or shutdown.
You’ll learn:
???? Why breathing mechanics are more than “just diaphragm breathing”
???? How posture, rib-cage mobility, and pressure–volume changes influence your breath
???? Why stress, trauma, or old conditioning can rewire your breathing behaviour
???? The Stress Breathing Paradox and how shallow breathing keeps you stuck in survival
???? What functional vs. dysfunctional breathing looks like in real time
???? How conscious awareness and respiratory motor control reshape your nervous system
Whether you’re a breathwork facilitator, health coach, therapist, or someone wanting to understand your body better, this video gives you a clear, science-based explanation of how breathing truly works — far beyond what most breathwork trainings teach.
???? Want to study breathing at a deeper, evidence-based level?
The Breath Science Certification (7–9 months) is the only university-level, evidence-based training for practitioners who want to master functional breathing, nervous system regulation, and behavioural change.
???? Learn more and join the School of Breath Science here:
https://www.schoolofbreathscience.com/courses
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:20 What Are Breathing Mechanics?
02:00 Pressure, Volume & Boyle’s Law
04:15 How Stress Rewires Breathing
06:30 BJJ Story: When Stress Breathing Takes Over
09:30 The Stress Breathing Paradox
12:00 Behavioural vs Anatomical Mechanics
14:20 Functional vs Dysfunctional Patterns
16:10 Why Mechanics Are the Foundation of Breathwork
17:30 The Breath Science Certification
???? If this helped you, hit LIKE and SUBSCRIBE.
Comment below with your breathing questions .
