Learn Buteyko Online

Arthritis and bad back – Louise B.

Louise is a yoga teacher in her 60s who has been practicing Buteyko for the past nine months. She knew about the Breathing Method since the 1990s when she had watched the Sally Magnussen Buteyko documentary about it on QED.

When Louise was a child she had suffered from asthma so she understood the benefit the Buteyko Method could be for those with asthma but has been astonished how it has affected so many other aspects of her life since she has been practicing the exercises.

What drove Louise to try the exercises herself was a niggling feeling of not being the best she could be. She had always slept lightly and was constantly tired, however within weeks of starting the programme Louise felt herself having deep restful nights and even needing less time asleep. Correspondingly her mood shifted from moody to becoming more upbeat and generally feeling happier.

Her body’s reaction to the new method of breathing brought out a multitude of cleansing reactions in Louise, from aching joints to a wildly fluctuating temperature. After three rather painful weeks of these deep cleansing reactions, Louise emerged the other side with renewed vigor. She was surprised to find she no longer fancied an occasional glass of wine to relax and her appetite decreased resulting in losing ten pounds.

A few years ago Louise’s arthritis and severe back problems had become so painful that she resorted to having her hip replaced. Now after starting the Buteyko Method she is now pleased to say she is almost pain free.

Another benefit for Louise is the deeper spiritual aspect of the Buteyko Method that has also affected her yoga. She believes the meditation has helped her become more connected to her self. Louise concludes with deep satisfaction “I am living in the now.”

Asthma, sinusitis and fatigue – Kath

Kath reverses 20 years of sinus pain, irritability and fatigue

Kath was 3 weeks into an ear infection brought on by a swine flu jab when she bumped into Martha Roe at a natural health centre.

At 38 Kath was tired of feeling constantly sick. She had been in sinus pain since getting brittle asthma when she was 17. And from her early 30s she could feel her condition deteriorating.  Acupuncture, light exercise, meditation and a vegetable-based diet all helped a bit. But nothing really cleared the underlying inflammation.

More intensive version of Buteyko gets results.

Kath was impressed by Martha’s calmness and her results reversing her own ME. But she was reluctant to fork out on Buteyko because she’d tried it before in London and was left feeling cynical.

“The teacher gave a good presentation. He was a good salesman,” says Kath ”But I felt awkward ringing him up after the workshop. And when I got a cold, the pauses did nothing to help so I gave up on it.”

Martha explained how LearnButeyko teaches the Classical Buteyko Method, and students must do their maximum pauses in sets 4 times a day – to give the body high doses of carbon dioxide. Intensive support is crucial, she said, for most people to recover from chronic hyperventilation.

Lesson 1: breathing relaxed and clearer head

In her first lesson in December 2009, Kath’s control pause was 10-12 seconds. Doing the pauses, she felt her breathing relax into her belly as her ribcage dropped.

“I felt clear headed and light in my sinuses. My back muscles started to relax. I smiled as I thought – God this thing works!,” says Kath.

Martha says relaxing Kath’s breathing has enabled her mind to and body to relax too.

“Kath’s breathing was up in her chest. This caused her a lot of mental agitation resulted in sore ribs and back muscles, ” says Martha. “Now she’s much more at ease.”

Within a few weeks of starting the exercises the constant sinus spasm above her left eye that had been bothering her for at least 4-5 years had cleared. Kath also reported that the maddening itching she had had in her ears mostly had gone too.

Daily support kept Kath going. Kath was worried when she started that she wouldn’t have the discipline to keep practising. But it was easy with Martha phoning her every day in the first month.

“Knowing Martha would be checking up on me inspired me to keep going do my best in my practice sessions,” says Kath

Within her first 4 months of practice, Kath got her control pause up to 20-35.

Work is easier.The biggest change has been mental agility – Kath used to spend 4-5 hours resting and drinking tea before she got the energy to get dressed and go into work, often about 2pm. Since doing Buteyko she wakes after 6-7 hours sleep and can start work in the morning.

When she was first doing the method, working on her laptop  brought on symptoms including mental agitation, and she had to do practice every hour  to bring her control pause back up. Now laptop work is easy and comfortable.

“The biggest difference is in my mind. I’m clearer-headed. I don’t worry about what other people think,” says Kath. “I know what matters to me, and the rest of it will work itself out. I’m more accepting of myself and other people. My brother has said how I’ve calmed down a lot. My friends tell me how clear my eyes and skin look.”

Big cleanses clearing out deep infection. From August 2010 onwards Martha supported Kath through the first of 3 big cleanses, clearing out deep infection in her lungs, ears and sinuses. Kath managed these through pauses, and advanced techniques including sauna and mind exercises. And Kath took several courses of oral prednisolone afterwards to support her adrenal glands.

Since January 2011 her control pause is now back in the 20-30 second range, and it’s back on the rise. The next step is to get her control  pause up, and finish the repair work and hopefully reverse out her psoriasis, which she’s had since age 9.

“I plan to be feeling great in time for my 40th birthday. Good health is the best present you can have so I’ll be dancing on those tables,” she says.

Asthma – Louise

Louise has suffered from severe asthma and breathing problems since she was a baby. She was frequently hospitalised throughout her teens. And her asthma got worse after her two daughters were born – putting her in intensive care.

Louise’s first stab at Buteyko gave her instant results but she couldn’t keep up the momentum on her own. Second time around with LearnButeyko, she is still well two years later, and keeping up the practice. Retraining her breathing has helped when all else has failed – including macrobiotic diet, alternative medicines and Harley St consultations.

First stab at Buteyko – hard to keep it up.

Louise had her first stab at Buteyko 15 years ago – inspired by seeing LearnButeyko’s Christopher Drake on TV. Louise went to a workshop led by another practitioner in London. The initial results were great. But they tailed off after a few years.

Before the wrokshop Louise had been too wheezy to walk at times. Within three days of doing the workshop she could breathe through her nose for the first time in years and within three months was striding up one of the steepest known streets in Sussex near her home. She tried to continue with her breathing exercises once a day as instructed, but the results tailed off and she stoppped practising.

2nd time lucky with LearnButeyko. In 2008, a good friend suggested Louise go to a introductory lecture led by Martha Roe and Christopher Drake. Martha’s approach was far more hands-on than the previous practitioner’s had been. Instead of running on two weekends, LearnButeyko’s workshop runs for 5 consecutive days. Louise was expected to practise four times a day. And she received twice daily phone calls and encouragement from Martha. When Louise was too ill to walk, Martha even came to work with her at home.

“Martha was stern but encouraging, She helped me see how serious my condition was,” says Louise. “I knew what the benefits could be. There wasn’t a question about giving up again. I did not have a choice if I was to continue living.”

Over two years, Louise has gradually been able to cut back from practising four times a day to twice a day and is still maintaining the benefits.

“It is hard work, but if you are in a situation of life or death, it is worth making that effort. I have got my life back,” says Louise.

Louise’s two teenage daughters have learnt the Buteyko Method with Martha. The elder has improved her asthma, and the younger daughter staves off migraines through daily Buteyko practice.

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Bronchiectasis and asthma – Karen

When Karen Davidson was diagnosed with a serious lung condition in 2004 she was devastated. The self-made businesswoman was only 39. She’d just met new partner Alessandro. And the couple were desperate to have a child together – as company for Karen’s daughter Atlanta.But doctors warned Karen that getting pregnant could be a big strain on her health. A CT scan revealed Karen was suffering with diffused panbronchiolitis an inherited lack of the protective protein Alpha-1 Antitripsin congential bronchiecstasis – a condition where the larger tubes in the lungs become inflamed, weak and prone to collapsing.

Her lung disease was progressive, doctors warned her. And she would probably be too ill to work within 10 years.

“They said I had quite bad damage to the lungs,” says Karen. “I was very miserable after that.”

Check up shows lungs on the mend

Fast forward 6 years. And Karen’s lungs are already on the mend after only 3 months of daily Buteyko practice. An annual chest check up in September 2010 showed her lung function is better than it was in 2007. That’s  despite Karen having daughter Aurora, in 2007.

“I always dread the hospital visit as I am scared they’ll tell me I am deteriorating,” says Karen.

“I had comprehensive lung function tests where you sit in a little box. And my lungs are better than they were 3 years ago, which is fabulous! I can’t tell you how happy this has made me. It is a great feeling to be told you are better.”

Karen’s overall lung function is now about 60% (up from 50 something in 2007). And her small airways have scored 20% – compared with only 12% in 2007 – according to the tests at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London.

“OK my lungs are crap, and they function a lot less than a normal person,” says Karen. “But it is so encouraging and I am feeling so much better.” Karen’s chest specialist has encouraged her to keep practising the method. “The doctor was delighted with my progress and the fact that I am now doing Buteyko practice and he seems all for it,” says Karen.

Sharper memory

In bronchiectasis, the weakened, inflamed tubes trap phlegm. This becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. And infections can spread to the air sacs, reducing lung function. Karen says her Butekyo practice has helped her to: Get more energy and run up the stairs a lot better. Think more clearly and remember things. Resist chest infections (just 2 in winter 2010-11 instead of the usual 3).

Karen found it concentrating hardgoing because of the pain and draining effect of bronchiectasis.

“When your memory is very, very bad it affects everything,” she says. “I was quite worried because I couldn’t remember where I’d left my keys and I kept missing appointments. ”But within two weeks of doing Buteyko Karen felt much calmer. “I noticed how clear my mind was. It’s much sharper now. It’s almost like getting a new brain,” she says.

Easier breathing. Her breathing is more relaxed too. “After practice my lungs feel like balloons that have been blown up. They feel less obstructed,” she says. And she’s having fewer flare ups so she needs fewer antibiotics. Each flare up lasts about 3 weeks and needs at least two courses of pills – she says. And the Azithromycin pills make her feel dizzy and cause ringing in her ears.

“It’s horrible. When I’m ill I feel like my lungs are on fire, all round the rim, every time I breathe,” she says. “I’ve only had 2 flare ups in October, November and December. Fingers crossed I won’t get another one this winter.”

Karen’s message to you – “just do it”. Karen admits she finds it hard to squeeze her Buteyko practice into her working day – especially around Christmas time when family life becomes hectic. “I know I should make Buteyko practice my number 1 priority because it is helping me so much. I’m going to give it another big push again in 2011,” she says. If you’re thinking about starting the Buteyko method Karen says: “Don’t Dither, Just do it. It’s gonna be tough and you may have some cleansing reactions but it’ll make your life better. Martha is a totally dedicated teacher. She’s very tenacious and she’s there for you every step of the way.”

Karen’s health timeline

Age

3 – diagnosed with asthma. Wheezing.

12 – frequent asthma attacks

17 – yearly hospitalisation every October until age 32

20s – eczema and asthma flare ups from certain foods such as potatoes

31 – pregnant with daughter Atlanta – very wheezy

36 – Pneumonia bout. Karen gives up smoking for good. Ongoing chest infections and large amounts of phlegm in lungs.

39 Diagnosed with congenital (from birth) bronchiecstasis

42 Pregnant with daughter Aurora

45 Started learning Buteyko. Rolls back lung function by 3 years.

Want to improve your obstructive lung disease? The LearnButeyko team has helped thousands of people manage and reverse symptoms of COPD, emphysema and bronchiectasis. It’s tough work. But it can make a huge difference to your quality of life.

Collapsed lung – Keith

Keith coped with severe health problems caused by pneumothorax, or deflated lung, since he was a teenager. Over time his lungs develop small holes that reduce their power to bring in and push out air while breathing. Over the years Keith tried a variety of complementary procedures such as acupuncture and herbal remedies looking for help.

He had been well for three or four years when last summer both lungs collapsed suddenly. His consultant suggested surgery as a routine solution for this problem but Keith’s immediate reaction was “It sounded hideous.”

Fortunately while he was considering having the operation, he bumped into a friend with long-term heart problems who suggested Keith try working with his Buteyko Practitioner, Martha Roe.

Keith decided to try the Buteyko Breathing Exercises with Martha, supported by Christopher Drake, Martha’s Senior Practitioner. Christopher would phone Keith and talk him through the exercises when he needed encouragement. Keith’s lungs are now working well again. Christopher has even suggested that the lungs repair their tissue and become more elastic through continuing with the Breathing Method.

Keith definitely feels looser in his chest and has less tension in his back as well. Mentally he is feeling more on the level too. “I actually feel good. My brain is noticing more now I have advanced tools to play with” he says.

Thinking back on it, Keith remembers that going to the talk and hearing all the good things Buteyko could do he was not convinced at the time but now he can actually say it really works for him.

Keith has an appointment booked with his original consultant and will be telling him that after doing the Buteyko Breathing Exercises for a year he feels more expansive in his breathing and considers himself well. “It is an empowering experience.”