Oxygen Advantage Certification Alternative: An Honest Comparison

Choosing an Oxygen Advantage certification alternative comes down to one question. Do you want a deep dive into functional breathing, or the whole spectrum of Breathwork?

Oxygen Advantage® is a trademark of its owner. Liquid Breathwork is not affiliated with or endorsed by Oxygen Advantage or Patrick McKeown, and we don't teach or certify their method.

Next training
Online: next cohort March 9, 2027
In person: Scottsdale, Feb 5-7

See Our Training Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Training Fits What You Want

Choose Oxygen Advantage

If you only want an exclusive deep dive into functional breathing, they are your best bet. Go with them.

  • Reduced breathing and hypoventilation training
  • CO2 tolerance and breath-hold protocols
  • Nasal breathing at rest, in exercise and in sleep
  • Sports performance, including simulated high-altitude training

Choose Liquid Breathwork

If you want those principles AND the entire spectrum of Breathwork, we're the better fit.

  • When to breathe more, when to breathe less, and how to guide either safely
  • The history and lineages of Breathwork
  • A full conscious connected session you learn to lead
  • The therapeutic and spiritual benefits of surrender, our specialty

Liquid Breathwork vs Oxygen Advantage

ComparedLiquid BreathworkOxygen Advantage
Who runs itRyan McBurney and Shelby Von Oepen, RN, teach every cohort togetherOxygen Advantage, founded by Patrick McKeownHe lists training with Dr. Buteyko.
FormatLive training, in person or on online group calls, built around hands-on practice and real experience so you leave confident guiding.Self-paced onlineThe Advanced level adds 7 live online classes.
Trauma-informedYes. Woven throughout the training and built into our whole approach to Breathwork.Not stated on their site
SessionsA taught session structure, script, AND guiding phrasesThen we encourage fluidity and following your intuition.Not stated on their site
In person in the USYes. Phoenix area, plus seven more US cities in 2027.With McKeown: Ireland and Spain onlyUS events are listed with OA instructors, from $1,095.
Duration3 days in person, or 12 weeks onlineLevel 1: 55 hoursAdvanced: 100 hours plus live sessions.
Price$1,497Online. Early bird through January 1, 2027, then $1,797.$1,997In person, 2027 early bird, then $2,497.Level 1: €449Advanced: €995. In person with McKeown: €1,250.
FocusConscious connected Breathwork / Rebirthing and surrender, with our signature Liquid Breathwork sessionPlus a wide technique range and business training.Functional breathing for health, performance and sport

Oxygen Advantage figures from oxygenadvantage.com, checked October 14, 2026, trauma-informed claim checked October 26, 2026. Prices change, so confirm on their site.

Ryan McBurney guiding a live Liquid Breathwork class in Phoenix

Feel our style first

Get a free recording of one of our live Breathwork classes.

Get My Free Recording

Where Our Training Overlaps, and Where It Stops

You'll learn both ends of the breath: when to breathe more than the body needs (hyperventilation), when to breathe less (hypoventilation), and how to guide people safely through either.

That includes nasal breathing, CO2 tolerance and breath holds. It's one part of our Breathwork certification, not the whole of it. Liquid Breathwork is a surrender-based inward journey: still powerful, but not as intense as some styles like Holotropic Breathwork, so you can actually go deeper through surrender.

These lessons cover the functional side of the curriculum.

  • Nose vs Mouth: When to Use Each
  • Breath Rate & Lifespan: Breathe Light, Low & Slow
  • The Biochemistry of Breath: Oxygen, CO2 & the Bohr Effect
  • Breath Mastery Techniques: Part 3
  • History of Breathwork: The Source and the Streams

See the full curriculum

What we don't teach: BOLT scoring or Buteyko protocols. We cover CO2 tolerance and hypoxia as theory, not as a simulated altitude-training protocol. We don't certify anyone in Oxygen Advantage either. If you need those, train with them.

Breathwork Training
Dates and Tuition

Three days in person or twelve weeks online. The same surrender-based method and mentorship from Ryan and Shelby either way.

See all dates and locations (6 more)

Every Training Includes

  • Complete course materials and manual
  • Ongoing mentorship from Ryan and Shelby
  • Private graduate community
  • Monthly graduate call on the first Wednesday of every month

Not sure yet? Share your info and we will reach out or Book a Clarity Call.

Oxygen Advantage Certification Alternative FAQ

Does Liquid Breathwork offer Oxygen Advantage certification?

No. We certify you in the Liquid Breathwork method only. For an Oxygen Advantage certificate, train with Oxygen Advantage directly.

How much does Oxygen Advantage certification cost?

In October 2026 their site listed Level 1 Functional Breathing Instructor at €449 and Advanced Instructor (Levels 1 and 2) at €995. In-person training with Patrick McKeown in Ireland and Spain was €1,250. Check their site for current prices.

What are Patrick McKeown's qualifications?

His Buteyko Clinic bio says he studied at Trinity College Dublin, completed clinical training in Russia with Dr. Konstantin Buteyko. He lists more than 20 years of experience and is the founder and lead instructor of Oxygen Advantage.

Can I do both trainings?

Yes. They don't conflict. Oxygen Advantage certifies you in its functional breathing method, and we certify you in ours.

Still comparing? Read our roundup of the best Breathwork certifications, or the Buteyko certification alternative comparison.

See Full Training Details Talk to Ryan