Samozdrav: Review of the TFI Samozdrav Breathing Device
The
TFI Samozdrav (also known as Cosmic Breath or Cosmic Health) is another Russian breathing device that
has been popular in Russia for about a decade for treatment of hypertension
(high blood pressure). It was patented in Russia in 2000
(see the reference below). The authors of the invention are Academician Nikolai Alexandrovich
Agadzhanjan, Professor, Former Head of the Department of Normal Physiology
(Peoples' Friendship University, Moscow, Russia), Yury Nikolaevich Mishustin,
and Sergey Fedorovich Levkin.
Academician Nikolai Agadzhanjan worked for Soviet Cosmos (Outer Space Research) and wrote a book titled, "Function of the human organism in conditions of hypoxia and hypercapnia" (in Russian). He was aware of Dr. Buteyko's discoveries. Hence, as was the case with the Frolov breathing device, the Samozdrav was inspired by the legendary Buteyko breathing method.
Due to purely historical reasons, heart disease and hypertension became the main applications for this respiratory device. The Samozdrav breathing device has a similar physiological effect as the Buteyko breathing technique and the Frolov breathing device: intermittent hypercapnic hypoxic training.
Whatever breathing methods, techniques, and exercises we use, their effects depend on permanent changes in our automatic or unconscious breathing patterns and improved body-oxygen test results (see test instructions below).
Hence, if one uses the Samozrdav for health improvement or sports performance, it is smart to consider one's lifestyle factors based on Dr. Buteyko's discoveries. Otherwise, lack of nutrients, or insufficient amount of physical exercise (with nose breathing only), or supine sleep, or mouth breathing can undermine or halt any progress in breathing retraining. More info about the right lifestyle for higher body oxygen levels can be found here: Learn the Buteyko Method.
How does the Samozdrav work?
The creators and promoters of the Samozdrav breathing device
provide advanced ideas related to effects of CO2 on blood vessels (vasodilation) and, hence,
improved oxygen transport to all vital organs. Additional effects of CO2 are
listed below.
Diaphragmatic breathing during breathing sessions is an additional factor that improves blood oxygenation since most people are chest breathers. A large amplitude of respiratory movements is an excellent massage of the abdominal organs and the lymphatic nodes located beneath the diaphragm.
In comparison with the Frolov breathing device training, the creators of
the Samozdrav suggest 4 stages of learning for people with high blood
pressure or hypertension and other health problems. For Level 1, first breathing
sessions are short (e.g.,
5-10 min depending on the health state of the student). Later, during
more advanced levels of learning, more resistance is created by limiting air flow
and by the application of an additional container (e.g., a large 1 Liter
glass jar or a third large plastic container). This makes breathwork even
more challenging, and higher CO2/body-oxygen levels are achieved. However, it is also
possible to use an additional or larger outer container for the Frolov
breathing device or the Amazing DIY
breathing device with the similar effects.
Another difference (in comparison with the Frolov device) is that the Samozdrav comes with a special bag to measure minute ventilation at rest (in Liters/min) and calculate approximate alveolar CO2 content. This is an additional advanced tool to evaluate your breathing.
The Samozdrav can dramatically improve one's health (see Buteyko Table of Health Zones and Effects of Breathing Retraining). The effects of the program can be greatly amplified with right lifestyle changes.
References (Russian patent of the TFI Samozdrav Breathing Device)
The Device for Creation of Bioactive Respiratory Mixture from Exhaled and
Normal Air,
Russian Patent No. 2177334, Application No. 2000125042/14 from October 3,
2000.
Warning.
Breathing exercises can cause powerful cleansing reactions and can be dangerous for
pregnant women, people with organ transplants, GI problems, and panic attacks, as well as those who take medication
for diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and other conditions.
Consult your health care provider and follow special guidelines, which can be found
in the Module
Restrictions, limits, and temporary contraindications.
Reference pages: Breathing norms and medical facts:
-
Breathing
norms: Parameters, graph, and description of the normal
breathing pattern
- 6 breathing myths: Myths and superstitions about breathing
and body oxygenation (prevalence: over 90%)
- Hyperventilation: Definitions of
hyperventilation: their advantages and weak points
- Hyperventilation syndrome:
Western scientific evidence about prevalence of chronic hyperventilation in patients with chronic conditions
(37 medical studies)
- Normal minute ventilation: Small and
slow
breathing at rest is enjoyed by healthy subjects (14 studies)
- Hyperventilation prevalence: Present in
over 90% of
normal people (24 medical studies)
- HV and hypoxia:
How and why deep breathing reduces oxygenation of cells and tissues of
all vital organs
- Body-oxygen test (CP test)
: How to measure your own breathing and body oxygenation (two in one) using a simple DIY test
- Body oxygen in healthy:
Results for the body-oxygen test for healthy people (27 medical
studies)
- Body oxygen in sick
: Results for the body-oxygen test for sick people (14 medical studies)
- Buteyko
Table of Health Zones: Clinical description and ranges for breathing zones:
from the critically ill (severely sick) up to super healthy people
with maximum possible body oxygenation
- Morning hyperventilation: Why people feel
worse and critically ill people are most
likely to die during early morning hours
References: pages about CO2 effect:
- Vasodilation: CO2 expands arteries and arterioles facilitating perfusion
(or blood supply) to all vital organs
- The Bohr effect:
How and why oxygen is released by red blood cells in tissues
- Cell oxygen levels: How alveolar CO2 influences
oxygen transport
- Oxygen transport: O2 transport is controlled by
vasoconstriction-vasodilation and the Bohr effects, both of which rely on CO2
- Free radical generation:
Reactive oxygen species are produced within cells due to anaerobic cell respiration caused by cell hypoxia
- Inflammatory response: Chronic inflammation
in fueled by the hypoxia-inducible factor 1, while normal breathing reduces
and eliminates inflammation
- Nerve stabilization: People remain calm due to calmative or
sedative effects of carbon dioxide in neurons or nerve cells
- Muscle relaxation: Relaxation of muscle cells
is normal at high CO2, while hypocapnia causes muscular tension, poor posture
and, sometimes, aggression and violence
- Bronchodilation: Dilation of
airways (bronchi and bronchioles) is caused by carbon dioxide, and their constriction
by hypocapnia (low CO2)
- Blood
pH: Regulation of blood pH due to breathing and regulation of other bodily fluids
- CO2: lung damage: Elevated carbon
dioxide prevents lung injury and promotes healing of lung tissues
- CO2: Topical carbon dioxide can heal skin and tissues
- Synthesis of glutamine
in the brain, CO2 fixation, and other chemical reactions
- Deep breathing myth:
Ignorant and naive people promote the idea that deep breathing and breathing
more air at rest is beneficial for health
- Breathing control: How is our
breathing regulated? Why hypocapnia makes breathing uneven, irregular and erratic.
Go back to Breathing techniques
If you click the above Facebook like button and "like" this page, I will be nearly "forced" to asnwer your question. You can also tweet this page. Mention this in your comment, and you can ask even more. Thanks.
| Disclaimer | Copyright 2013 Artour Rakhimov | Contact details | About Artour Rakhimov (Google profile) |