What is Buteyko

Buteyko is a series of breathing exercises used to control asthma, allergies, sinus, hay fever, eczema, emphysema, Bronchiectasis, C.O.P.D., sleep apnoea, snoring, insomnia, panic attacks, hyperventilation, and stress related problems. It can be taught to people from age 4 upwards.

Konstantin Buteyko realised that people with the above conditions breathed more than was necessary. This does not mean that they were panting or breathing heavily, just that they were breathing more than the normal amount of air. Normal breathing, for an adult at rest, is to breathe between 4 and 6 litres of air per minute. Many people with the above problems are breathing three times that amount. Most people believe that the more they breathe, the more Oxygen they will get. This is not the case. Discovered by Christian Bohr over 100 years ago, The Bohr Effect states that the more someone breathes, the LESS Oxygen they get to the tissues. The Buteyko method teaches people how to get their breathing back to normal. The subsequent improvement in their health can sometimes be remarkable. After all, breathing affects every single cell in the body.

BUT I DON'T HYPERVENTILATE DO I?

The symptoms associated with hyperventilation are:

1.	RESPIRATORY SYSTEM Shortness of breath, tightness in chest, over sensitivity of airways, excessive sneezing, production of mucus, long term blocked or running sinus, excessive yawning and sighing.
2.	NERVOUS SYSTEM Light- headedness, dizziness, unsteadiness, poor concentration, numbness, tingling and coldness especially in the hands and fingers and often in the face. In severe cases, loss of memory or loss of consciousness.
3.	HEART Racing, pounding or skipped heart beats.
4.	PSYCHOLOGICAL Degrees of anxiety, tension and apprehension.
5.	GENERAL Mouth dryness, abdominal bloating, belching and flatulence, easily tired, poor sleep patterns, general weakness and chronic exhaustion.