Learning the Buteyko method by modules
Introduction
Q: What is it: learning the Buteyko breathing method by modules, and why to have them?
A: A Buteyko student does not need to know all details and peculiarities of the method to restore their own health. The student can select, with my help, their main relevant modules in relation to lifestyle factors and breathing exercises. This will lead to more focused approach and faster learning. Hence, it makes sense to create such selective form of learning.
Normalization of breathing and consequent disappearance of asthma, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and many other conditions are serious and fundamental personal projects. Follow all required paragraphs, sentences and links. Each idea here is important for your ultimate success. Some links are optional. They have the sign " * ". Follow these links, if relevant or if you want to learn more or are uncertain about the topic.
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Free download: Breathing retraining manual "Amazing DIY Breathing Device" (Simplified theory and practice of breathing, body oxygenation, chronic diseases and breathing retraining; PDF file; 61 pages). |
Level 1 "Survival": Modules 1 - 7
Level 1 goals: The student is able to eliminate the main symptoms of own health problems (e.g., asthma, heart disease, epilepsy, sinusitis, eczema, insomnia, constipation, etc.) using the Emergency Procedure so that the Emergency Procedure can substitute the use of medication or significantly reduce the dosage (e.g., twice). Such students have low morning CPs (usually about 5-15 s ), while elimination or reduction in medication and survival are their main practical results. Only about 10% learners or less are satisfied with this level. (Most people proceed to the next level.) It takes from about 1 hour to about 1-2 days to learn it.
Module 1. Crucial preliminary conditions
Imagine about 200 medical professionals who have taught some health therapy
to over 200,000 patients during several decades. Obviously, Russian doctors
accumulated huge clinical experience in relation to teaching the Buteyko method,
chances of success of their patients, final outcomes, etc. They also found that
there are preliminary conditions, of social and psychological nature, which are
linked to the final results of a typical Buteyko student. Your chances of later
success depend on:
1-A. Voluntary hyperventilation or deep
breathing test
1-B. Theoretical studies (at least 2 hours)
1-C. Your interactions with surrounding people
"Such patients who have undergone deep breathing tests and assimilated the theory with an excellent mark are allowed to proceed with the second stage of training. Those who have not understood the theory will continue the studies..." Buteyko KP, The method of volitional elimination of deep breathing [Translation of the Small Buteyko Manual], Voskresensk, 1994.
Module 2. Your initial health state and plans or intentions
2-A.
Select your goals and own pace for learning
2-B.
Your rate of progress (uncontrollable and controllable factors)
Module 3. Learn how to measure the CP (Control Pause), your index of oxygenation
You can easily measure your tissue oxygenation using the stress-free BHT (breath holding time) test (this webpage is from Homepage section; with GoogleVideo clip). Measure your CP many times per day and observe the effects of stress, meals, exercise, posture, thermoregulation, and many other life-style factors on your CP, breathing, and health.
Warning. Most people do not have any problems with measuring the CP. However,
some people with heart disease, panic attacks, migraine headaches, and few
other, exceptionally rare conditions, may experience unpleasant symptoms, which
can appear soon after measuring the CP (in 1-5 minutes). If this happens, do not
measure your CP for a while. Later, when your breathing will be about 2-3 times
lighter and the CP 2-3 times longer, these unpleasant symptoms after the CP test
will not appear.
Module 4. Learn the Emergency Procedure
"Practically, a human can change own breathing using will power and experience how the disease relates to breathing. Reduced breathing can alleviate, in 1-5 minutes, all the symptoms we were talking about: bronchial spasms (attacks of asthma or bronchitis), blocked nose (to unblock the nose), eliminate spasms of brain vessels - migraine or headache, spasms of heart vessels, spasms of blood vessels of arms and feet (endarteritis), ulcer pains (spasms of vessels in the stomach), spasms of bile ducts (holecistitis), to prevent an epilepsy attack… during frost to warm up the arms or the nose is simple – decrease breathing. Blood vessels dilate and you are warmed up! You are frightened, excited, you have a nervous shiver – slow down the breathing and in 1-2 minutes you will get peace. Using these mechanisms you can control your own body!” Buteyko KP, Carbon dioxide theory and a new method of treatment and prevention of diseases of the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, nervous system, and some other diseases, Public lecture in the Moscow State University on 9 December 1969.
Follow these links, if relevant:
4-A. How to stop or prevent heart
attack, stroke, asthma attack, epilepsy attack, and other
life-threatening situations using Buteyko breathing exercises
4-B. How to unblock the nose,
eliminate constipation, and prevent high blood glucose (diabetes
problems) using Buteyko breathing exercises
4-C. How to stop or prevent bouts
of coughing, sneezing, sighing, yawning, hiccups, deep inhalations,
sniffing, and other deep breathing activities using Buteyko breathing
exercises
4-D. How to warm up cold
hands and feet, prevent insomnia, skin itching and panic attacks
using Buteyko breathing exercises
The same Procedure (4-D) with reduced breathing and no breath holds can
be safely also applied for phobias, spasms of the stomach, spasms of the
bile duct, oedema, eyes' puffiness and other situations.
Module 5. Measure and record your MCP (morning CP) every day
Each morning, as soon as the student wakes up and is still in bed, he or she
should measure the morning CP, if there are no contraindications. This should be
done immediately after you open your eyes. Why? Just 5-10 minutes later your
breathing parameters can be different and the crucial information about your
breathing during last hours of sleep can be lost. If you have contraindications,
measure your heart rate during 1 minute and record it in your daily log.
Your changes in morning CP numbers will be used later for finding the causes
of the problem with morning hyperventilation.
How and why your morning CP is crucial
for your health restoration
Optional link:
Part 12. Morning hyperventilation* (with GoogleVideo clip) from the
Homepage. Follow this link, especially if your CP drops during the night.
Module 6. Prevent sleeping on your back
Q: Do I need this module?
A: If you find yourself sleeping on your back at least during 2 nights in a week
time, yes, you need this module.
When your morning CP is 25 s or more, you do not need any steps in this
direction since this problem will disappear naturally.
Manual (Instructional Guide)
"How to prevent sleeping on one's back"
Module 7. Maintain nasal breathing 24/7
Q: Do I need this module?
A: If you know that you sometimes breathe through your mouth, yes, you need this
module.
If you ask any of your friends, relatives or co-workers, and they tell you that
you sometimes breathe through your mouth or have your mouth open, yes, you need
this module.
If you wake up in the morning with dry mouth at least 2 times per week, yes, you
need this module.
When your CP is 25 s or more 24/7, you do not need any steps in this direction
since this problem will disappear naturally.
Manual (Instructional Guide)
"How to maintain nasal breathing 24/7".
Level 2 "Existence"
Level 2 goals: The student partly normalised own breathing until about 25-35 s daily CP and over 20 s MCP, so that they have no need for medication and do not experience the symptoms of their main health problem, e.g., asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, epilepsy, sinusitis, eczema, etc. However, such learner can still suffer from airways inflammation, allergies, GI problems, diabetes, arthritis, and other hormonal problems and musculo-skeletal problems. Various medical drugs can be required to control symptoms of these “higher-CP” diseases. This is the level (Level 2) which is usually achieved by most people learning the Buteyko method on the west. Depending on amount of practice and other factors, it takes about 0.5 - 2 months to learn.
This level includes breathing exercises and correction of lifestyle
factors:
- keeping the mouth closed (nasal breathing only 24/7, physical exercise
included);
- prevention of sleeping on one's back;
- eating only when hungry;
- daily physical activity;
- good posture (or straight spine) 24/7;
- correction of nutritional deficiencies;
- and other methods and techniques.
Requirements for Level 2:
- at least 1 hour per day for breathing exercises;
- at least 1 hour per day for physical activity;
- following healthy life style factors (only those that make your
breathing lighter).
Module 8. Restrictions, limits, and temporary contraindications
Normal breathing is the fundamental property of the healthy organism. Hence, breathing normalization is the natural way to deal with pathologies of the human body. However, not all people can use the same method in their breathing normalization. While most people can apply the same general ideas, exercises and techniques (including reduced breathing exercise and DIY breathing device), there are groups of people who require modifications (individual tailoring) in their breathing retraining programs due to certain restrictions, limits, and temporary contraindications.
You should adjust your program and follow
specific links, if you have:
Heart disease (aortic aneurysms; angina pectoris; arrhythmia; atherosclerosis (plaque buildup); cardiomyopathy; ciliary arhythmia (cardiac fibrillation); chest pain (angina pectoris); high cholesterol; chronic ischemia; congenital heart disease; congestive heart failure; coronary artery disease; endocarditis; extrasystole; heart murmurs; hypertension; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; tachnycardia; pericarditis; postmyocardial infarction; stroke)
Migraine headaches and panic attacks
Respiratory disorders involving lungs (asthma, bronchitis, COPD, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, tuberculosis; pulmonary edema; etc.)
Presence of transplanted organs
Brain traumas and acute bleeding injuries
Acute stages (exacerbations) of life-threatening conditions (infarct, stroke, cardiac ischemia, severe asthma attack, metastasizing cancer, septic shock, multiple organ failure, near-death experience, etc.)
Insulin-dependent diabetes (type 2 diabetes)
Warning. Consult your family physician or GP about use of this breathing exercise for your specific health problems.
All previous modules are defensive in their nature. They allow you to prevent episodes or causes of hyperventilation, but do not promote significant CP growth. The next step is to learn breathing exercises.
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