Functional breathing isn't just a technique; it's a transformation in the way you think about and utilize your breathing every day. Imagine using your breathing to optimize your life—from running faster and sleeping better to feeling calmer and more focused. From managing blood pressure and heart rate to improving balance and posture.
At Academy West Breathing Performance in Bend, OR, we specialize in functional breathing, helping you harness this simple yet profound skill that can revolutionize your health and performance. Frankly, we are obsessed with your breathing.
Breathing First: A New Perspective
At Academy West, we have developed a unique "Breathing First" approach because how you breathe influences every system in your body and everything you do.
It's easy to overlook breathing since it happens automatically, but it's crucial to recognize its impact. Breathing is the single most impactful action you perform—about 20,000 times each day - with the potential to be helpful or harmful.
And yet, it's often the last thing we think about. By placing breathing first, we focus on mastering this fundamental skill which can lead to dramatic improvements in your overall health and capabilities. Often the way someone is breathing is holding them back and perpetuating cycles of dysfunction.
Using a blend of physical therapy principles, proven methodologies, and the latest medical research, we clear up the common confusions and misconceptions about breathing.
Unlike conventional methods often taught by practitioners with backgrounds in yoga or meditation, our functional breathing techniques are rooted in rigorous medical practice, developed through years of success in intensive care settings and adapted for every functional situation in your life.
At Academy West, breathing isn't just another wellness trend—it's a medically-backed and research-driven approach to improving every aspect of your life.
The Science and Strategy Behind Functional Breathing
Our physical therapists are experts in body movement and education.
They are trained to identify and enhance muscle groups and movement patterns that are crucial for efficient and effective breathing.
At Academy West, we don't just tell you to breathe; we show you how and why, using a combination of hands-on manual techniques and targeted strength training that bring incorporates breathing first into your strength, balance, and endurance training. Also Read: Academy West Breathing Courses
By focusing on functional breathing first, we initiate changes that ripple throughout your body, improving everything from your physical endurance to your mental clarity.
Moreover, built on these physical therapy concepts, our Performance Training sessions are designed to elevate human potential. We incorporate simple, yet powerful, breathing strategies during dynamic activities to retrain your brain for optimal breathing efficiency.
This approach ensures that the breathing techniques you learn are not only applicable in everyday situations but also enhance your pursuit of athletic greatness.
Why Functional Breathing Matters
Embracing functional breathing at Academy West means more than just learning how to inhale and exhale effectively.
It means engaging in a practice that is supported by objective data, current research, and a deep understanding of human physiology.
Our unique interventions are tailored to meet your specific needs, whether you're looking to alleviate health issues, boost your athletic performance, or simply enhance your daily well-being.
Tailored Programs Just for You
At Academy West, we understand that everyone’s breathing needs are unique, which is why we offer specialized programs tailored to specific groups and individual goals.
Whether you’re a runner, a young athlete, a professional in peak condition, or someone recovering from surgery or a unique chronic condition, we design our programming around you.
Runners Functional Breathing
Running is more than just a form of exercise; it's a celebration of the fact that you can move freely.
At Academy West, we equip runners with the techniques needed to enhance their performance through optimized breathing.
Key aspects we focus on include nose breathing for better efficiency, improving hydration strategies, and addressing common issues such as runners' gut which is perpetuated by dysfunctional breathing.
We also delve into the mental experiences associated with running, providing strategies to conquer psychological barriers, especially important in high-altitude running or training for longer distances.
Whether you’re sprinting on a track, challenging yourself in a marathon, or tackling mountain trails, our programming helps you breathe your way to a new personal best.
Youth Functional Breathing for Kids
Breathing effectively is crucial for airway development in children, particularly those experiencing respiratory-related challenges.
Our Pediatric Functional Breathing program focuses on overcoming nighttime mouth breathing, reducing bed wetting, managing ADHD symptoms and other issues through functional breathing strategies.
These improvements in breathing also help address malocclusion, asthma, posture, and emotional regulation, setting the foundation for healthier growth and development.
Elite Athletes Functional Breathing
Elite athletes—including field sports, team sports, distance runners, swimmers, cyclists, and those engaged in altitude sports—find a competitive edge at Academy West.
Our functional breathing techniques are specifically designed to enhance endurance, improve performance under stress, and optimize recovery – imagine literally never getting “out of breath” again.
By training the body to move efficiently, we help athletes push beyond their limits, ensuring that every breath they take maximizes their athletic potential and wastes nothing in pursuit of their goals.
Medical & Surgical Success
The origins of Academy West are deeply rooted in the intensive care unit (ICU), where our founder, PT Andy Sabatier, worked with patients facing life-altering breathing complications.
Drawing on years of success in the ICU, Academy West was established to broaden the application of these vital breathing strategies to a wider audience. Our program for medical & surgical success uses focused breathing evaluation, education, and interventions to make your medical or surgical journey as smooth as possible.
By combining these breathing strategies with elements of strength and endurance training, we help patients at all levels of activity improve their performance, whether it's day-to-day activities or recovering from a major life event.
Why We're Not Just “Breathwork”
At Academy West, we often find ourselves explaining that what we teach isn't just breathwork—it’s much more. Breathwork is usually done laying down and often with the mouth open. The goal is to release psychological trauma and have an experience, but often people are left wondering what happened and how to translate this to their life.
Even the term “breath” perpetuates confusion. A noun, it represents a single inhale and exhale. We often “catching” or “losing” my breath, but neither of these is actually possible.
A person is either breathing or not breathing.
Nobody in the ICU ever said, “quick, get that person some breath!”. We get people to understand that “breathing” is an action, a movement that is accomplished by more than 100 muscles and structures. Once they can understand this movement, it is no longer mysterious.
Functional breathing is designed to fit into your life, not interrupt it. You are breathing literally for your entire life, so we tend to not think of it as “work”.
If breathing were your job, you’d never be off work! Instead, we look at breathing as a practice, a performance, a playful thing you can willingly control.
While typical breathwork might focus on moments of relaxation, functional breathing is about enhancing every minute of your day. It’s not just a temporary fix or an exciting ride; it's a fundamental change in how you breathe that transforms how you live your entire life.
When someone shifts from thinking and saying “breath” & “work” to “breathing performance”, they can begin to own and operate the most impactful action in life with less confusion and more confidence.
Functional Breathing: A Game Changer for Daily Life and Athletic Performance
Functional breathing at Academy West is designed to be integrated seamlessly into every part of your life.
By teaching you to master your breathing performance, we empower you to overcome physical problems and mental barriers that might have held you back. This means improved performance during training and competitions as well as new found enjoyment of something they never considered.
It means breathing better can lead to less stress, greater mental clarity, and more energy throughout the day. It’s about making lasting changes that boost your endurance, efficiency, and overall health.
More Than Just Relaxation
Our approach goes beyond just helping you relax—it’s about creating a sustainable shift in your subconscious breathing and movement habits.
This shift can significantly impact various aspects of health, from reducing chronic pain and anxiety to enhancing sleep quality, managing physical limitations, and even improving sexual experience.
At Academy West, functional breathing is a cornerstone of well-being, providing tools that help our clients achieve balance and excel in every area of their lives.
Pros and Cons of a Cash-Based Clinic
Navigating therapy options can be daunting, particularly when deciding between cash-based and insurance-based clinics.
Cash-based clinics, like Academy West, might initially seem less appealing due to the lack of direct insurance billing and the perception of higher out-of-pocket costs. However, this model offers a straightforward approach free from the typical constraints and complexities of insurance-based billing.
Choosing a cash-based clinic means prioritizing personalized care over convenience. At Academy West, this approach allows for longer, tailored sessions that focus deeply on your specific needs, challenges, and goals.
This model of care ensures that each session is directly aligned with your personal health objectives, providing clear, upfront pricing that eliminates financial surprises and allows for more informed health care decisions.
The value of choosing a cash-based clinic comes from the quality of care, the speed of recovery, and the lasting benefits of effective therapy.
By investing in a model that centers on patient outcomes, you receive a level of attention and customization that can significantly enhance your overall well-being and performance, making it a wise investment in your long-term health and activity.
At Academy West, we believe that functional breathing is foundational to both overcoming health challenges and achieving peak performance.
Whether you're recovering from major surgery, dealing with everyday aches and pains, or striving to enhance your athletic abilities, our functional breathing programs are designed to offer significant improvements.
Our approach goes beyond traditional expectations of “breathwork”, addressing issues you might not have thought resolvable through breathing techniques—from chronic pain relief to anxiety reduction.
Our community include everyone from elite athletes looking to optimize performance and minimize training irritations, to outdoor adventure seekers aiming to thrive in challenging environments as well as folks striving to overcome complex medical and surgical situations that may have held them back for years.
At Academy West in Bend Oregon, Functional Breathing is the tool that allows you to train harder, recover faster, and enjoy a healthier life with fewer limitations. It's not just about managing symptoms; it's about enabling a lifestyle where each inhale and exhale take you closer to your goals.
Still not sure if functional breathing is right for you? Why not discover it for yourself?
Schedule your free 15-minute discovery call with us today
and start your journey towards transforming your breathing into a subtle superpower.
At Academy West, we're here to guide you every step of the way, helping you to breathe better and live better.
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