Learning the Buteyko Breathing Method

Published by/Order from Buteyko On Line, New Zealand
PO Box 1458
Hastings
New Zealand 4125
Phone: 646-878-0101
Fax: 646-878-0103

Reviewed by Peter Kolb

I’m delighted that another DIY kit has come onto the market. Russell and Jennifer have clearly done a lot of research and produced an easy-to-follow, professional package. A professional producer and narrator have been employed.

The video runs for 45 minutes, covering the History of Buteyko, asthma, Buteyko’s theory on asthma and how to do the breathing exercises, both for adults and children.

The historical perspective may seem a little laboured but is essential in understanding why Buteyko therapy does not come to you via main stream medicine. The theory is provided using extensive illustrations and should be easy to follow. Buteyko exercises are not just a trick. It really helps when you understand what you are doing and why you are doing it, especially when helping children.

A Buteyko instructress takes you through your exercises, which are demonstrated by two young people. You may notice, however, that the young lad who demonstrates the exercises for children, is not doing abdominal breathing correctly. The very obvious raising of the shoulders gives it away.

The accompanying booklet is 87 pages long in A5 format, stapled down the middle. It is perhaps a little too thick to be stapled and would have looked better glued. I understand that this is being looked at.

It covers everything you need know about Buteyko therapy, is well illustrated with diagrams and very easy to read. The chapters are arranged as follows:

1. About Buteyko
2. This is asthma
3. Hyperventilation
4. Medication
5. Breath Retraining
6. Buteyko Exercises
7. Putting it together
8. Buteyko Exercises
9. Colds & Flu’s
10. Diet and Asthma
11. Clearing Reactions
12. Buteyko and Children
13. Your Questions
14. Talking and Asthma

Interspersed among the chapters are third person accounts of some of their patients’ experiences with Buteyko.

To their credit, the Starks have also taken the trouble to put together a useful Index.

Some may find the booklet a little repetitive in places. On the other hand, others may find this technique helps assimilate the concepts. It has come from the Starks' extensive experiences in teaching the Buteyko method.

The workbook is an excellent idea. Buteyko therapy is most successful when progress is monitored. The Starks have provided you with a neatly bound set of work sheets so that you don’t have to go out and make your own workbook.

Buteyko on-line also provides a support facility through the internet.

I am very happy to recommend this kit and congratulate the Starks on their effort.