Buteyko

The Buteyko Breathing Method at Shine

Buteyko helps you to regain control of your breathing and gives you the skills to take back control of your own health. It is a safe, effective and drug-free way to manage breathing-related conditions such as asthma, persistent cough, anxiety and panic attacks. Solid research evidence has led to Buteyko being recommended in national asthma guidelines.

Many people with breathing problems tend to respond to everyday situations, such as exercising, by automatically breathing more than is necessary. Buteyko teaches you to control over-breathing and breathe correctly. This prevents the development of a cycle of over-breathing which can result in breathlessness, wheezing or coughing.

Your breathing style and pattern develops over many years and can be negatively affected by illness, stress and significant life events. Buteyko exercises can help to reset your breathing pattern when needed. Children usually respond more quickly to the exercises as their breathing style is less well-established.

What will I need to do?

During the sessions at Shine, you will have a breathing assessment and be taught relaxing exercises to help you to breath normally and efficiently. You will practice the exercises between appointments and fill in exercise sheets to bring to your next appointment. You won’t need to do the exercises indefinitely, as the methods should gradually become second nature - most people only need around four to six appointments.

Is it safe?

Buteyko exercises are not physically demanding, the programme will be adapted to fit to your health needs. All the research evidence indicates that Buteyko is safe and no problems have been reported in any of the clinical trials. Buteyko is recommended in the British Guideline on the Management of Asthma.

Email Kathryn to find out more here. For more information on Buteyko, you can see Kathryn's profile.