Buteyko Breathing

I saw this method of breathing in relation to curing asthma via some videos in particular one made in the late 90's by one of the UK main TV channels which tried to debunk it. A Scottish Asthma Specialist was asked to supply a number of chronic sufferers to try the method which he was reluctant to do, but agreed and as a result all the subjects reported that it had changed their lives dramatically for the better.
What appealed to me was that the inventor of the method Butyeko said that it would also cure over 200 of the "modern world" diseases including obesity, heart problems, hayfever, allergies, bronchitis and migraine. Suffering with sleep apnoea I was particularly interested, but almost zoned out when hearing that the main cause of everything was breathing too much and breathing through the mouth. Buteyko apparently studied sick and dying people and found that they breathed through their mouths more than healthy people and that the level of carbon dioxide in their bodies was too low causing health problems. Yet I was always taught that deep breathing was important for health and here was a method that promotes shallow breathing through your nose. Sceptical as I was I tried the 30 second exercise to unblock my nose and it worked. As a result I've used the exercises and low and behold it’s improved my health and almost cured my sleep apnoea as well as kick started my weight loss again. I also don't get out of breath so easily and am generally more active.

that is fantastic news

The Butyenko breathing method really worked for me. I was so bad with athsma that I had to take an extremely strong bronco-dilator, which I knew to be dangerous. It made me feel awful. A Butyenko trainer taught me the correct method and encouraged me and monitored and corrected my use of it for five weekly sessions. No broncho-dilator needed at all after that. I was also given dietary advice which keeps me well. I have spoken about it to medical professionals, none knew about it.

Tvarred wrote:I saw this method of breathing in relation to curing asthma via some videos in particular one made in the late 90's by one of the UK main TV channels which tried to debunk it. A Scottish Asthma Specialist was asked to supply a number of chronic sufferers to try the method which he was reluctant to do, but agreed and as a result all the subjects reported that it had changed their lives dramatically for the better.
What appealed to me was that the inventor of the method Butyeko said that it would also cure over 200 of the "modern world" diseases including obesity, heart problems, hayfever, allergies, bronchitis and migraine. Suffering with sleep apnoea I was particularly interested, but almost zoned out when hearing that the main cause of everything was breathing too much and breathing through the mouth. Buteyko apparently studied sick and dying people and found that they breathed through their mouths more than healthy people and that the level of carbon dioxide in their bodies was too low causing health problems. Yet I was always taught that deep breathing was important for health and here was a method that promotes shallow breathing through your nose. Sceptical as I was I tried the 30 second exercise to unblock my nose and it worked. As a result I've used the exercises and low and behold it’s improved my health and almost cured my sleep apnoea as well as kick started my weight loss again. I also don't get out of breath so easily and am generally more active.

I remember watching a similar documentary. It featured a Russian doctor who had a clinic which taught this method of breathing to cure asthma.

He took four asthma patients from the UK who suffered to varying degrees, one being mild and one chronic who needed to be transported around in a wheelchair with oxygen. Within two weeks all four patients walked out of his clinic free from asthma. He simply taught them that when they first sense an attack coming on they needed to slowly breathe through their nose, this would then negate the bodies involuntary action of overbreathing, which in effect is what an asthma attack is.

He briefly touched on the reason why he was not allowed to open any more clinics.

The drug company which manufactured the Ventolin puffer, which around 15% of Russians needed on a daily basis had some very high powered share holder's (Government officials etc) who really didn't want a cure finding as this would have ruined their investments)

Hence the "search" for a cure goes on...and on...and on.

It's the same story with cancer, as we all know. The people in charge value money more than life itself.

This is the documentary I watched.

Excellent post. This has helped me tremendously.

Seems the forum is inspired.

The videos put up are very informative. Does anyone know of the steps to the breathing. The videos show a lot but some nitty gritty woukd be useful.

Also, please note that the NHS are happy to spend millions on drugs for asthma but not willing to spend a few pennies on research of buteyko breathing. Big pharma conspiracies are once again exonerated. Look at the australian study with one group doing buteyko showing 90% improvement and zero in the other group. This keeping people on drugs is criminal when there is obvious evidence showing an alternative tgat works.

Hello Handle,
Here is what I did.
I had to be gentle as my lungs had some damage, so I released my "held-out breath" as soon as I felt pressure to do so, and built up my "holding-breath-out" time gradually. This is the safest way I know.(First, do no harm.)
Ok, so begin by preparing a chart for 7 days. It should have a column for days of week, and three wide columns for times.
1. before breakfast 2. before lunch 3.before dinner.That is the ideal, but if not possible, 3 times when you have 10 -15 mins to practice without speaking, on an empty stomach.
Speaking will mess up the results and make it harder to help your lungs.
So, this is what I do.
I sit down with my feet on the floor in a comfy chair (sounds ok so far, right?) with my wristwatch in clear view.
I find the spot on my wrist where my pulse can be taken, look at my watch and count the pulse beats for 1 minute. I write the number of beats per minute in the appropriate time column.
I adjust my breathing to the lightest and shallowest comfortable breathing I can manage, a 'barely there' breath.
After 2 or 3 minutes of this, when I feel ready, I allow one of those light breaths to leave my body, note the position of the second hand of my watch, then do not take an in breath until I feel my lungs 'try' to breathe about three times and the need to inhale feels moderately strong. I then inhale, slowly, under control. While 'holding' I am looking at my watch to see how many seconds I can hold my breath out. I consciously relax my body and mind, no worries, no tension, while holding breath out.
I then breathe lightly for 5 mins, breathe out, check watch and again do not inhale, repeating as above.
Another 5 mins, and repeat the whole process.
For me, each repetition results in a longer time, more seconds of 'holding
out'. I write the longest time next to the pulse rate record. breathe lightly for about a minute, then take my pulse again, and write it down.
IF THE SECOND PULSE RATE IS HIGHER THAN THE FIRST I know that I am holding out for too long and must reduce the time next session.
This whole process is pleasant and relaxing when done properly.
Holding out too long can be damaging. I needed to record these practice sessions for about a month before the routine became habitual.
My holding-out time went up to 35 seconds after 5 weeks. 40 seconds or more is best.
In my daily life now I do not need to write things down, and just begin the routine of practice sessions when I become poorly. I was advised to continue taking the 'preventer' medication throughout, as this was to reduce my need for the powerful broncho-dilator drugs, which I no longer take.
it was emphasised that it should be done on an empty stomach to prevent a false reading.
Having a teacher was brilliant for me, as it kept my practise sessions regular..I had to show her my chart every week.
Best wishes, hope you free your breath.

Lovely and helpful video on the 'holding out' or Control Pause . This is all validated by my experience.

Many thanks..very useful.

I have started ......let’s see in a week

See how hard you had to dig to find a natural remedy? Most asthmatics unfortunately will go through their entire lives without this knowledge.

That's the world we are living in now I suppose.

Hope it changes your life Handle.

I was a little hesitant to mention the exact steps I take as to be honest a teacher is by far the best way to get excellent results. I've also found that people often don't appreciate advice or things freely given. This was strongly brought home to me when a therapist friend of mine started charging 3 x his normal rate for his services and he couldn't cope with the extra business he generated.