To saturate the blood with carbon dioxide, of which there is very little in the surrounding air, you need regulate your breathing, making it superficial, and pauses between breaths - longer.

The principle of proper breathing is simple-have to do shallow shallow breath, V within 2-3 seconds, then exhale for 3-4 seconds and try to increase the pause between breaths. At this time, the human body rests, also for stimulation of the trigeminal nerve, During pauses, you need to look up and not be afraid of the feeling of lack of air that arises.

When you start practicing using such a system, you need to be prepared for the unpleasant sensations that arise in the first stages of the exercises. There may be fear, aversion to exercise, exacerbation of illnesses and a feeling of pain, and symptoms such as loss of appetite, increased breathing and attacks of shortness of breath are also possible. The main thing is not to stop exercising and then, after a while, recovery will begin and the unpleasant sensations will go away.

Method and exercises according to the Buteyko method

1. The upper parts of the lungs work:
5 seconds inhale, 5 seconds exhale, relaxing the chest muscles; 5 seconds pause, do not breathe, be in maximum relaxation. 10 times. (2.5 minutes)

2. Full breathing. Diaphragmatic and chest breathing together.
7.5 seconds - inhale, starting with diaphragmatic breathing and ending with chest breathing; 7.5 seconds - exhale, starting from the upper parts of the lungs and ending with the lower parts of the lungs, i.e. diaphragm; 5 seconds - pause. 10 times. (3.5 minutes)

3. Acupressure of the points of the nose at a maximum pause. 1 time .

4. Full breath through the right, then the left half of the nose. 10 times.

5. Abdominal retraction.
For 7.5 seconds - full inhalation, 7.5 seconds - maximum exhalation, 5 seconds - pause, keeping the abdominal muscles retracted. 10 times. (3.5 minutes)

6. Maximum ventilation (MVV).
We perform 12 quick maximum inhalations and exhalations, i.e. 2.5 seconds - inhale, 2.5 seconds - exhale, for 1 minute. After MVL we immediately perform a maximum pause (MP) on exhalation, to the limit. MVL is performed 1 time.

7. Rare breathing. (By levels)
First level:
1-5 seconds - inhale, 5 seconds - exhale, 5 seconds - pause. That works out to 4 breaths per minute. Perform for 1 minute, then, without stopping breathing, perform the following levels.
Second level:
2-5 seconds - inhale, 5 seconds - hold your breath after inhalation, 5 seconds - exhale, 5 seconds - pause. That works out to 3 breaths per minute. Runs for 2 minutes
Third level:
3-7.5 seconds - inhale, 7.5 seconds - hold your breath after inhalation, 7.5 seconds - exhale, 5 seconds - pause. This works out to be 2 breaths per minute. Runs for 3 minutes.
Fourth level:
4-10 seconds - inhale, 10 seconds - hold your breath after inhalation, 10 seconds - exhale, 10 seconds - pause. That works out to 1.5 breaths per minute. Runs for 4 minutes. And so on, who can stand it for how long. Bring the norm to 1 breath per minute.

8. Double breath holding.
First, the MP is performed on exhalation, then the maximum delay on inhalation. 1 time.

9. MP while sitting 3-10 times, MP while walking in place 3-10 times, MP while running in place 3-10 times, MP while squatting. 3-10 times.

10. Shallow breathing.
Sitting in a comfortable position for maximum relaxation, perform chest breathing. Gradually reduce the volume of inhalation and exhalation - to invisible breathing or breathing at the level of the nasopharynx. During such breathing, a slight shortness of air will appear first, then a medium shortness or even a strong one, indicating that the exercise is being performed correctly. Stay on shallow breathing for 3 to 10 minutes.

Be sure to perform all exercises with breathing through the nose and without noise. Before performing the complex and after it, control measurements of MP and pulse,

It is advisable to perform a set of exercises on an empty stomach.

At the final stage of classes breathing according to the method of K.P. Buteyko is happening whole body cleansing reaction. It is impossible to predict when the reaction will begin. It happens after a few tens of minutes, and after several months of classes. There may be several of them, or there may be none at all.

Several exercises using the Buteyko method

Recommended therapeutic course of exercises for treatment. The exercise is performed by inhaling and exhaling 64 times, every day for 64 days, then a break for 64 days. Afterwards, apply these exercises as usual.

The reason for the development of these pathological conditions, according to Buteyko, is hyperventilation, causing lack of CO2 in the blood. This occurs due to increased tone smooth muscles, airway spasm and tissue respiration disorders.

About the author of breathing exercises

It just turned out that in 1989, Konstantin Pavlovich swam with pleasure in the waves of the Yenisei. How is this possible?

Correct breathing - what is it?

© Buteyko K. P.

© AST Publishing House LLC

Buteyko method

Introduction
Spirit-soul-breath

The sages have always said: in order to know God, a person must first of all... learn to breathe! Or rather, improve your breathing. Only in this case will a person be able to confidently control not only his words and emotions, but also his health and even his destiny.

Therefore, in the history of mankind, the process of breathing and conscious work with it has been given attention by all religious traditions and systems of spiritual practices without exception.

Thus, the Torah tells how God breathed life into Adam, thereby reviving him. It also says that the breath returns to God after the death of a person.

In many cultures around the world, the concepts of breathing are also key. Indeed, in many languages ​​the words “spirit”, “soul” and “breath” have a common origin. People have long identified breathing as the main property of all living and animate things.

In Chinese philosophy, one of the main categories of “qi” is defined as “air”, “breath”, “energy”. The ancient Chinese believed that “qi” permeates everything in this world and connects everything with each other.

In Indian medicine, the concept of “prana” literally means “life”, “breath” in Sanskrit. And yogis are sure that “prana” permeates the entire Universe.

And from ancient Greek mythology, the word “psyche”, which translates as “soul”, “breath”, migrated to the arsenal of world philosophy, psychology and medicine.

The breathing practices themselves originated many thousands of years ago in the East: in India - Pranayama, in China - Qi Gong, in Central Asia - the Sufi system of exercises, in Tibet - the breathing practices of Vajrayana Buddhism. All these eastern teachings penetrated to the West only in the twentieth century. And in the 21st century they became a vital necessity.

The fact is that modern civilization has changed people a lot. And first of all, we changed because we forgot how to breathe correctly. You have to pay a very high price for comfort. After all, our health depends on how we breathe.

Diseases of civilization

Even 300 years ago, when medicine was not developed, sick people were “culled” by natural selection. And most people barely lived to adulthood without leaving sick offspring.

In these conditions, only a small part of the diseases was determined by genetic defects, but most of the diseases were a consequence of conditions and lifestyle. It was only after antibiotics were introduced that serious infections were eradicated. There are fewer people dying. And live longer. But life has changed.

The first fruits of civilization are the appearance of a huge number of harmful products, due to which the human body began to become clogged with toxic concentrates, chemical carcinogens, new refined food products and alcohol. Human genes were not adapted to such changes. And natural selection stopped working because medicine worked well. And then new chronic diseases appeared, shortening life. Scientists called them “diseases of civilization.” They develop initially unnoticed by humans, as the harmful effects of the external and internal environment accumulate. The person is not yet sick, but he is no longer healthy. But he could have been healthy if he had started taking the necessary measures in a timely manner. Prevention is of particular importance in the fight against “diseases of civilization.”

And one of the most important preventive measures is the ability to breathe correctly. Experts assure: breathing is a reliable barometer of the state of the human body. Even by how often and deeply we breathe, we can make an accurate diagnosis of any ailment and prescribe treatment. And in the end, cure not only the body, but also the head. According to scientists, breathing is closely related not only to the state of health, but also to the state of consciousness.

Maybe breathing not only holds the soul in the body, but also decides its fate?

Basic instinct

What does it mean to breathe correctly? A strange question at first glance. After all, each of us takes almost 20,000 inhalations and exhalations every day. And we don’t think at all about how we do it. Otherwise, the same tragedy would have happened to us as to the hedgehog from the joke. Remember? A hedgehog ran through the forest, forgot how to breathe, and died. Breathe! This basic instinct was laid in us by nature. A person is considered born when he takes his first breath. And the dead - when he takes his last breath. And between the beginning and the end there is only a series of breaths. It’s the same with our smaller brothers.

But everyone breathes differently. For example, jellyfish have the simplest form of breathing. Oxygen dissolved in water is absorbed through their skin, and dissolved carbon dioxide is expelled through the same route. And on the abdomen of insects there are many small holes. Each of these pores is the entrance to a tube called the trachea. It functions just like a human breathing tube, or windpipe! Thus, insects breathe the same way as we do, with the only difference being that they may have hundreds of respiratory tubes located on their abdomen.

And the breathing rate, that is, how often we inhale air, largely depends on the size of the creature itself. The larger the animal, the slower it breathes. For example, an elephant inhales about 10 times per minute, and a mouse about 200. And it turns out that life expectancy is directly related to the frequency of breathing: an elephant lives longer than a mouse. And turtles breathe very slowly and live a very long time.

The average person inhales 16 times per minute. But maybe less often – 6–8 breaths per minute. Or maybe more often - up to 20 times per minute. Depending on the circumstances. Moreover: young children breathe 20-30 times per minute, and infants - 40-60 times!

Doctors have been thinking about the mystery of uneven human breathing for a long time. The first information and tips on proper breathing were found already on Chinese jade inscriptions that date back to the 6th century BC. Ancient sayings teach: “When breathing, you need to do the following: hold your breath, it accumulates, if it accumulates, it spreads further, if it spreads further, it goes down, becomes calm, if it becomes calm, it strengthens. If you release it, it grows; when it has grown, you need to squeeze it again. If you squeeze it, it will reach the top of your head. There it presses on the head, presses down. The one who follows this method lives, and the one who does the opposite will die.”

Buteyko's revolutionary discovery

Konstantin Buteyko (1923–2003), scientist, physiologist, clinician, made a revolutionary discovery in the field of medicine in 1952. He argued that people breathe incorrectly - very deeply. And it is precisely because of this that people often get seriously ill.

The scientist found that, contrary to popular belief, deep, frequent breathing (and we were always taught: “Breathe deeper!”) does not contribute to oxygen saturation. Sick people inhale more air, which leads - as paradoxically as it sounds - to a decrease in the level of oxygen in the body's cells. The fact is that the cause of the development of diseases is hyperventilation (this is intense breathing that exceeds the body’s need for oxygen. – Author.). That is, when taking deep breaths, the amount of oxygen a person receives does not increase, but carbon dioxide becomes less. And its deficiency leads to the appearance of serious diseases. For example, the lung volume of a healthy person is 5 liters, and that of a patient with bronchial asthma is about 10–15 liters.

According to Buteyko, excessive removal of carbon dioxide from the body leads to spasms of the bronchi and blood vessels of the brain, limbs, intestines, and bile ducts. The vessels narrow, which means less oxygen reaches the cells. Biochemical reactions in cells change, metabolism is disrupted. Thus, chronic “overeating” of oxygen leads to oxygen deficiency.

Konstantin Buteyko argued: the deeper the breathing, the more seriously ill a person is. The more shallow his breathing, the healthier and more resilient he is. Therefore, Buteyko breathing exercises are a system for healing the body. It is aimed at limiting deep breathing and is called the “volitional elimination of deep breathing (VLD) method,” which allows you to get rid of hyperventilation.

“Chest breathing leads to the fact that we inhale too much air, and our blood vessels narrow,” wrote Buteyko. “Healthy breathing is slow, no more than 16 breaths per minute, through the nose, and also quiet and easy.” An important rule is to breathe only through your nose. Because only the nose is equipped with a complex air filtration and heating system. The nose is only for breathing, and the mouth is for eating.

When breathing through the mouth, the air that enters the lungs is not moistened, is not purified from microscopic dust and everything else, which leads to various diseases and negative phenomena in the respiratory tract:

Respiratory function of the nasal sinuses decreases;

Memory disorder;

The composition of the blood changes (the amount of hemoglobin, calcium, sugar drops; the acid-base balance is disturbed);

Changes in physical development;

Disturbed development of the facial skeleton;

The functions of the nervous system are impaired (headache, nervous tics, irritability, urinary incontinence, night fears);

Frequent development of tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia;

There is a hearing disorder;

Vision is impaired;

Digestion worsens;

Reducing the protective properties of the respiratory tract when infected.

This is an approximate list of diseases and disorders that may occur due to oral breathing disorders.

Reference

WHAT DOES THE NOSE DO

The beginning of the respiratory tract is the nasal cavity. It performs a number of important functions during the breathing process. Firstly, the nose is the first barrier to the penetration of substances harmful to the body from the environment into the lungs. The hairs of the nostrils trap dust particles, microorganisms and other substances that enter the nose when inhaling.

Secondly, cold air passing through the nasal passages is warmed by the warmth of the blood vessels. Thanks to this, already warmed air enters the lungs. In addition, in the nasal cavity, the inhaled air is moistened, and nasal mucus, thanks to local immunity, fights harmful microorganisms and viruses.

In children, in comparison with adults, the nasal cavity has a number of distinctive features. The nasal passages are narrow, and the nasal mucosa is abundantly supplied with small blood vessels, which is why children often experience rhinitis. To prevent this from happening, children from an early age must be taught proper breathing through the nose.

It is with diseases of the nasal cavity (chronic runny nose, adenoids, deviated nasal septum, etc.) that many lung diseases and respiratory dysfunction begin.

The nose is the first and most important boundary line between the “inner world” of our body and the aggressive external environment. As cold air passes through the nasal passages, it is moistened by nasal mucus and warmed by the warmth of the blood vessels. Hairs growing on the mucous membrane of the nostrils and nasal mucus trap dust particles, protecting the bronchi and lungs from contamination. With every breath, the nose bravely fights against dangerous air components, disinfecting the air flow. Faced with a viral attack (and today science knows 200 respiratory viruses), the nose tries to resist it with its own means - it produces a huge amount of mucus, which washes away harmful agents. In the absence of infection, about 500 ml of mucus and fluid are formed in the nose per day, and during illness - much more. That is why a person with a runny nose should increase their daily fluid intake by at least 1.5–2 liters.

In general, a runny nose is a signal that you are being “attacked.” At this moment, you need to act very energetically to stop the further spread of the infection. Otherwise, “harmless” sniffling can become a precursor to more serious health problems.

SO KONSTANTIN BUTEYKO SAID:

“The paradox is that when a choking asthmatic greedily swallows air, he only aggravates his condition. I want to breathe even more, my lungs work like a blacksmith’s bellows, my heart beats like a motor at full speed, and there is increasingly not enough oxygen. You just have to hold your breath and relief comes instantly. A protective reaction is triggered: without waiting for the next breath, the body reacts to the delay by dilating blood vessels in order to deliver as much blood as possible to the organs and provide them with maximum oxygen. Normal breathing is not only an inhalation for the next portion of oxygen, but also a reasonable pause on exhalation, necessary to save carbon dioxide, which we rush to get rid of, considering it harmful.”

There were constant suffocations. The severe attack lasted for two days.

She was cured using the Buteyko method.

www.buteyko.ru

The essence of the method

The scientist experimentally proved that the blood of healthy people contains much more carbon dioxide than that of patients with, say, bronchial asthma, colitis, stomach ulcers, or those who have had a heart attack or stroke. Therefore, in order to save a person from an illness, it is only necessary to teach him to save carbon dioxide in his body. What allows you to do this is NOT DEEP, but SUPERFICIAL breathing.

To saturate the blood with carbon dioxide, which is very little in the surrounding air, you need to regulate your breathing, making it shallow, and the pauses between breaths longer.

The advantages of breathing exercises according to Buteyko are the ability to perform exercises anywhere and anytime: at home, while walking, at work and even in transport. In addition, it is quite simple and suitable for all age groups, from children from 4 years old to the most elderly people.

The essence of treatment is to gradually reduce the depth of breathing. As the breath-hold lengthens, the blood and tissues are better saturated with oxygen and carbon dioxide, the acid-base balance is restored, metabolic processes are normalized, and immune defense is strengthened. And the disease recedes.

Diagnosis: chronic obstructive bronchitis with an asthmatic component, chronic adnexitis, thyrotoxicosis. Complaints of daily paroxysmal cough in the morning, ending with an attack of suffocation, difficulty breathing when walking quickly. The initial depth of breathing exceeded the norm by 20 times.

From the first day of practicing the Buteyko method, the need for medications disappeared. By the end of the month of training, the depth of breathing exceeded the norm by 6 times, there were no attacks of suffocation or coughing.

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Why is carbon dioxide important for humans?

Quotes from lectures, articles, books by Konstantin Buteyko:

“...The toxic effect of deep breathing or hyperventilation was discovered back in 1871 by the Dutch scientist De Costa. The disease is called “hyperventilation syndrome” or the initial stage of deep breathing, which accelerates the death of patients. In 1909, the famous physiologist D. Henderson conducted numerous experiments on animals and experimentally proved that deep breathing is fatal to a living organism. The cause of death of experimental animals in all cases was carbon dioxide deficiency, in which excess oxygen becomes toxic.” But people have forgotten about these discoveries, and we often hear calls to breathe deeply.

* * *

“...A few words about the origins: life on Earth arose about 3-4 billion years ago. At that time, the earth’s atmosphere consisted mainly of carbon dioxide, and there was almost no oxygen in the air, and that’s when life arose on Earth. All living beings, living cells were built from carbon dioxide in the air, just as they are built now.

The only source of life on earth is carbon dioxide; plants feed on it using the energy of the sun. Metabolism took place for billions of years in an atmosphere where the carbon dioxide content was very high. Then, when plants appeared, they and algae ate almost all the carbon dioxide and formed coal reserves. Now in our atmosphere there is more than 20% oxygen, and carbon dioxide is already 0.03%. And if this 0.03% disappears, the plants will have nothing to eat. They will die. And all life on Earth will die. This is absolutely certain: a plant placed under a glass bell without carbon dioxide dies immediately.”

* * *

“We were quite lucky: in one blow we eliminated more than a hundred of the most common diseases of the nervous system, lungs, blood vessels, metabolism, gastrointestinal tract, etc. It turned out that these hundred-plus diseases are directly or indirectly related to deep breathing. The death of 30% of the population of modern society occurs from deep breathing.”

* * *

“...We prove that we are right instantly. If they can’t relieve a hypertensive crisis for weeks, then we can relieve it in a few minutes.”

“Chronic pneumonia in children, which lasts 10–15 years, can be eliminated by reducing breathing after a year and a half. Cholesterol stains, deposits on the eyelids of patients with sclerosis, which were previously removed with a knife, but they grew again, resolve according to our method of reducing breathing in 2-3 weeks.”

“We have proven beyond doubt the reversal of atherosclerosis.”

* * *

“We have established a general law: the deeper the breathing, the more seriously ill a person is and the faster the death, the less (shallow breathing) - the more healthy, hardy and durable he is. Carbon dioxide is important in all this. She does everything. The more it is in the body, the healthier it is.”

* * *

“The fact that carbon dioxide is important for our body is confirmed by embryology. The latest data suggests that for 9 months all of us were in seemingly terrible conditions: we had 3-4 times less oxygen in our blood than now, and 2 times more carbon dioxide. And it turns out that these terrible conditions are what are needed to create man.”

“Now accurate research shows that the cells of our brain, heart, kidneys need an average of 7% carbon dioxide and 2% oxygen, and the air contains 230 times less carbon dioxide and 10 times more oxygen, which means it has become TOXIC for us!”

* * *

“And it is especially poisonous for a newborn who has not yet adapted to it. One must be amazed at the folk wisdom that forces parents to immediately swaddle their newborns tightly, and in the east to fasten their arms and chest with ropes to a board. And our grandmothers swaddled us tightly, then covered us with a rather thick canopy. The child slept and survived normally. Gradually the baby was accustomed to this toxic air environment.”

* * *

“...We now understand what carbon dioxide is - it is the most valuable product on earth, the only source of life, health, wisdom, vigor, beauty, etc. When a person learns to retain carbon dioxide in himself, his mental performance sharply increases, and the excitation of the nervous system decreases . Our Deep Breathing Elimination Method (DEB) treats only one disease – deep breathing. But this disease creates 90% of all diseases.”

* * *

“...Now, as a result of enormous research and experimental work, the actual effect of oxygen is well known. It turns out that if mice begin to breathe pure oxygen, they die within 10–12 days. There are many experiments with people breathing oxygen - the lungs are damaged and pneumonia begins from oxygen. And we treat pneumonia with oxygen. If mice are placed under pressure in oxygen, where the concentration of molecules is even greater, at 60 atmospheres of pressure they die in 40 minutes. Obviously, for our body the optimal oxygen level is about 10-14%, but not 21%, and this is approximately at an altitude of 3-4 thousand meters above sea level.

Now it’s clear why the percentage of centenarians is higher in the mountains; the fact is undeniable - there is less oxygen there. If you take sick people to the mountains, it turns out that they feel better there. Moreover, they also have the least incidence of angina pectoris, schizophrenia, asthma, heart attack, and hypertension. If you take such patients there, an environment with a lower percentage of oxygen is more optimal for them.”

* * *

“...Our blood comes into contact with the air of the lungs, and the air of the lungs contains 6.5% carbon dioxide and about 12% oxygen, that is, exactly the optimum that is needed. By increasing or decreasing our breathing, we can disrupt this optimum. Deep and frequent breathing leads to loss of carbon dioxide in the lungs, and this is the cause of serious disorders in the body.”

* * *

“A deficiency of CO 2 (carbon dioxide) causes a shift in the internal environment of the body to the alkaline side and this disrupts metabolism, which, in particular, is expressed in the appearance of allergic reactions, a tendency to colds, the growth of bone tissue (colloquially referred to as salt deposition), etc. ., up to the development of tumors.”

* * *

“We consider it proven that deep breathing causes epilepsy, neurasthenia, severe insomnia, headaches, migraines, tinnitus, irritability, a sharp decrease in mental and physical performance, memory impairment, decreased concentration, disorders of the peripheral nervous system, cholecystitis, chronic runny nose , chronic pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pneumosclerosis, tuberculosis more often occurs in deep breathers because their body is weakened. Further: dilation of the veins of the nose, veins in the legs, hemorrhoids, which now have their own theory, obesity, metabolic disorders, a whole range of disorders of the genital organs in men and women, then toxicosis of pregnancy, miscarriages, complications during childbirth.”

“Deep breathing contributes to the flu, gives rise to rheumatism, chronic inflammatory foci, inflammation of the tonsils, as a rule, occurs in deep breathers. Chronic tonsillitis is a very dangerous infection, no less dangerous than tuberculosis. These infections deepen breathing and damage the body even more. Salt deposition (gout) also occurs from deep breathing, wen on the body, any infiltrates, even brittle nails, dry skin, hair loss - all these are, as a rule, the results of deep breathing. These processes are still not treated, not prevented and have no theory.”

* * *

“Hypertension, Minière's disease, intestinal ulcers, spastic colitis, constipation, also from deep breathing. And this is clearly proven; there are thousands of experiments that have repeatedly proven that carbon dioxide is a powerful regulator of the lumen of the bronchi, blood vessels, etc. These reactions occur even if the animal’s head is cut off. If you simply take out the bronchi and blood vessels, it turns out that carbon dioxide acts on the smooth intestinal cell. So now the true causes of renal colic due to kidney stones are being clarified. It is the smooth muscles that spasm, compress the tissues and cause pain. Breathing decreases - the kidney unclenches and the pain goes away. This is not science fiction, this is science, the highest science, which turns everything the other way around.

Spasms of blood vessels in the legs, arms, spasms of the labyrinth, fainting, dizziness, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, gastritis, colitis, hemorrhoids, varicose veins of the legs, thrombophlebitis, general metabolic disorder, heartburn, urticaria, eczema - all these are symptoms of one disease of deep breathing. The pain of liver patients can be relieved with our method of reducing breathing in 2–4 minutes, and peptic ulcers too. Heartburn also occurs from deep breathing, and it can be relieved. The next protective reaction is the sclerosis of the lungs, blood vessels, etc. This protection is the compaction of tissues from the loss of carbon dioxide. That’s why we still live, that sclerosis develops, it protects us from the loss of carbon dioxide.”

* * *

“If hypertension occurs in a young person, it usually takes a malignant course because carbon dioxide is increasingly lost. There is a defense reaction - hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. She begins to work hard to increase metabolism and produce more carbon dioxide.

If this happens in a deep-breathing asthmatic, it reduces breathing and there is no asthma, and the thyroid gland returns to normal. Ordinary adjustment."

* * *

“Cholesterol is a biological insulator, covering the membranes of cells, blood vessels, and nerves. It isolates them from the external environment. When breathing deeply, the body increases its production in order to protect itself from the loss of carbon dioxide.”

* * *

“We did an experiment. They took 25 sclerotic patients (that’s what they’re called offensively), that is, patients with hypertension, angina pectoris with high levels of cholesterol in the blood and carbon dioxide 1.5% less than normal, stopped the diet (they had been on rabbit food for many years), stopped all medications (they they drank barrels of iodine) and allowed me, even forced me to eat meat, lard, etc., but they forced me to reduce my breathing, and carbon dioxide accumulated, cholesterol decreased. We even established the law of its regulation: with a decrease in carbon dioxide in the body by 0.1%, cholesterol increases by 10 milligram percent on average. Sputum - what is it? With a lack of carbon dioxide, secretion from all mucous membranes, throat, respiratory tract, stomach, intestines, etc. increases. Therefore, deep breathing causes a runny nose and phlegm is produced in the lungs. It turns out that this sputum is useful, it is also an insulator.”

* * *

“Symptoms of deep breathing: dizziness, weakness, tinnitus, headache, nervous tremors, fainting. This shows that DEEP BREATHING IS A TERRIBLE POISON. Even a strong athlete who breathes deeply for more than 5 minutes cannot stand it, faints, convulses, and stops breathing. And who among us has not been to a doctor and heard this “breathe deeply.” Sometimes just visiting a doctor causes an attack of illness.”

The Buteyko method is a combination of special exercises based on shallow and shallow breathing.

Numerous studies by Konstantin Buteyko confirm the therapeutic importance of such breathing, which does not oversaturate the lungs with oxygen and does not remove large amounts of carbon dioxide from the bloodstream.

It has been proven that carbon dioxide deficiency is the main cause of more than 90 human diseases and pathological conditions.

Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko - author of breathing techniques

Konstantin Buteyko is the author of a unique clinically proven breathing technique. Born in 1923 in the Chernigov region. Returning from the army, he entered the Sechenov Medical Institute in Moscow. For his excellent success, he was offered to engage in research on the treatment of malignant hypertension.

In 1952, Buteyko discovered that all people suffering from serious and incurable diseases breathe very deeply. In the course of research, he found that with a deep breath, the attacks intensified, and with limited breathing through the nose, the condition improved and stabilized. This conclusion became a serious discovery, which was called differently: “Buteyko method”, “Buteyko breathing exercises”.

The development did not gain popularity among medical colleagues, so there were no financial investments for development. Buteyko was helped by doctors from Novosibirsk, where he was provided with a laboratory. In Europe, Konstantin Pavlovich acquired unique instruments that made it possible to measure many body functions in a short breath. Buteyko developed some of the devices himself.

The authorities did not allow the doctor to develop - an order was received to destroy the laboratory and leave the specialist without a job. The patent for the method was issued with a delay of 20 years. Since 1998, doctors in Europe and other countries have been fascinated by the Buteyko method, they actively invite him to exchange experiences in other countries, and make documentaries with his participation.

Description of the Buteyko method

Treatment using the Buteyko method is a specific healing system aimed at limiting deep breathing. The author called it “a method of volitional elimination of deep breathing”, “self-suffocation”. As Buteyko believed, many diseases develop due to increased ventilation of the lungs and a decrease in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood. These factors lead to disorders of tissue respiration and metabolism.

Health improvement according to the system is the implementation of effective exercises, which are based on shallow breathing according to Buteyko in order to increase the concentration of CO2 in the blood and reduce the need for oxygen.

The classic Buteyko breathing technique through the nose is performed in the following sequence:

1. Shallow breath - 2 seconds.
2. Exhale - 4 seconds.
3. Pause with breath holding for about 4 seconds, followed by an increase, gaze directed upward.

Important! Don't be afraid of feeling short of air during pauses. This is a normal and temporary reaction.

During inhalations and exhalations there should be no changes in the position of the chest and. Breathing is barely noticeable to others, very shallow, quiet. During training, it is important to periodically perform a maximum breath-hold test.

Advantages and disadvantages of the method

At the initial stages of training using the Buteyko method, undesirable reactions may appear, which disappear with further training:

• refusal to exercise;
• exacerbation of the disease;
• pain;
• decreased appetite;
• rapid breathing;
• dizziness;
• prostration;
• attacks of acute lack of air.

Breathing exercises cannot be stopped, despite the initial discomfort. With training, such changes will completely disappear.

Advantages of the technique:

1. Versatility. Exercises can be performed anywhere.
2. Simplicity.
3. Availability. All exercises do not require excessive effort or special training.
4. Possibility of classes at any age.
5. High efficiency, which allows you to successfully and safely treat many diseases.

Clinical studies of the method

Carbon dioxide is an important catalyst for chemical reactions and a means for normalizing pH. With deficiency, spasm of smooth muscles, including blood vessels, develops. Serious diseases develop, blood supply to all organs deteriorates.

The respiratory center reacts only to a decrease in oxygen levels in the blood, forcing a person to breathe deeper and more often. As a result, the person’s condition worsens:

• oxygen starvation increases;
• the amount of CO2 in the blood decreases sharply;
• the need for breathing increases: the more often and deeply a person breathes, the more he wants to do it.

Konstantin Buteyko deduced the main indicators of healthy and proper breathing:

• Control pause The time that passes from holding your breath after a habitual inhalation to the appearance of the first desire to inhale is calculated in seconds. The norm is 60 sec.
• Maximum pause is defined as the same breath holding, but with added effort to prolong it. As a rule, it is twice as long as the control. The norm is 90 seconds.

K. Buteyko deduced the relationship between these indicators and CO2 concentration: the higher they are, the more resilient the person and the higher the level of carbon dioxide in his blood. Super endurance is characteristic of yogis.

Important! Blood carbon dioxide levels below 3.5% are fatal. In a healthy person, this figure is usually about 6.5%

The predominance of advantages over disadvantages of this technique allows it to be widely used for the treatment of the most common diseases.

What diseases are treated using the method, main contraindications

Breathing exercises using the Buteyko method are effective for more than 90 pathologies:

• chronic bronchitis, pneumonia;
• adenoiditis;
• arterial hypertension;
• circulatory disorders in the brain;
• recovery after heart attack and stroke;
• allergies: varying degrees of bronchial asthma, urticaria, etc.;
• pathologies of the hepatobiliary system;
• upper respiratory tract diseases;
• chronic pathologies in the lungs - emphysema, pneumosclerosis, obstruction, etc.;
• skin pathologies;
• Raynaud's disease;
• vascular diseases - thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, hemorrhoids;
• obesity;
• rheumatism;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• heart pathologies;
• kidney disease;
• diseases of the female and male genitourinary system, including infertility;
• diabetes;
• endocrine pathologies -, -, etc.;
• urinary incontinence;
• eye pathologies - cataracts, glaucoma.

Contraindications to the use of the method:

• neuropsychiatric disorders;
• acute infectious diseases;
• bleeding.

Before using the Buteyko method, it is important to consult with your doctor.

Basic exercises of the method

Buteyko exercises are performed only on an empty stomach. Before starting and at the end of the workout, you should check the maximum breath hold, the norm of which is from 30 to 90 seconds. Body position may be different. For beginners, it is better to perform breathing exercises while sitting.

Basic set of exercises:

• Hold your breath as long as possible. If there is a strong desire to inhale, then you should start the exercise again. Perform 5 repetitions, increasing their number.
• Holding your breath during the process. The technique is the same as in the first exercise. The difference is continuous walking.
• Shallow breathing using the Buteyko technique for 3 minutes. Gradually you should extend the exercise to 10-12 minutes.
• The complex should be performed 4 times a day.

A set of exercises in steps:

• First stage: alternate inhalation, exhalation and pause for 5 seconds. Perform for 1 minute.
• Second stage: alternate inhalation, pause, exhalation and pause for 5 seconds. Perform for 2 minutes.
• Third stage: alternate inhalation, pause, exhalation and pause for 7.5 seconds. Perform for 3 minutes.
• Fourth stage: alternate inhalation, pause, exhalation and pause for 10 seconds. Perform for 4 minutes.

Important! The transition to a new level must be carried out without interruptions through a pause - holding the breath of the specified duration. You should make your inhalation and exhalation as unnoticeable as possible.

Between the steps, it is recommended to perform a nasal massage while holding your breath, which activates the reflexogenic zones. At the end of the exercise cycle, it is necessary to carry out shallow breathing using the Buteyko technique in a sitting, relaxed position for 10 minutes.

Buteyko Clinics

Controlled breathing exercises can be done at home. The Buteyko Clinic will help you get the maximum result and ensure correct execution. This medical institution employs doctors trained in all the intricacies of the technique. They use special instruments to assess body functions and monitor performance.

In such a clinic, they must take into account the patient’s main and concomitant diseases and develop an individual training regimen, which will ensure the correct approach to the respiratory method of treatment.

Breathing exercises according to Buteyko are intended for patients with certain diseases, for which they are most effective and safe. For healthy people, it is possible to use basic techniques 1-2 times a day in order to prevent pathological conditions that arise against the background of carbon dioxide deficiency in the body.

Video - Buteyko Breathing Method

Dear blog readers, if you have had experience doing breathing exercises using the Buteyko method, please leave comments or reviews. This will be very useful for someone!

Breathing practices have been known to us since ancient times. Yogis, Tibetan monks, freedivers, divers, and martial arts enthusiasts actively practice exercises that allow them to control their breathing. Such practices strengthen the immune system and help get rid of various diseases. The effectiveness of breathing exercises has long been proven and is not disputed by anyone in the modern world.

Such practices include yogic breathing, bodyflex, meditative breathing techniques, etc. Today, numerous online publications, print media, and television are actively popularizing breathing exercises using the Buteyko method. The authors of the articles, as if from a carbon copy, talk about the incredible miracles that this technique works. Only contraindications and the number of diseases that the system treats change. Some claim that these are more than 300 diseases, while others settle on more modest numbers. Let's figure out together where the truth is and where the lies are.

The essence of the technique. Myths and reality.

Konstantin Buteyko argued that people breathe incorrectly: too often and deeply. This leads to hyperventilation of the lungs. The body is oversaturated with oxygen and becomes very seriously poisoned. To prove his theory, the scientist cites the fact that the amount of air that an asthmatic inhales is several times higher than the average. At the same time, the level of carbon dioxide in the body remains low. Thus, oxygen poisons the human body.

Oxygen poisoning does exist. This applies to technical (deep sea) divers. The fact is that at a depth of more than 60 meters, the air that a scuba diver breathes begins to have a toxic effect. It is for this reason that a certain percentage of oxygen in the breathing mixture for such dives is replaced by helium. The main signs of oxygen toxicity are ringing in the ears, tunnel vision, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. Such poisoning is treated simply: the victim is lifted several meters into the air, and all symptoms go away. This condition is dangerous only if the scuba diver drops the breathing apparatus from his mouth. It is impossible to achieve such poisoning while on earth. Moreover, there are diseases that can be treated exclusively with a pressure chamber. Where a person breathes oxygen under high pressure. This therapy is prescribed to people with vascular problems of the brain, some autoimmune diseases, etc. That is, we will exclude the version with oxygen poisoning of the body due to deep breathing.

Now let's move on to carbon dioxide. What is it anyway, what role does this element play in our body. Carbon dioxide appears in the human body during respiration. At the first stage, a fresh portion of oxygen enters the lungs. It descends into the alveoli, and through a network of blood vessels enters the blood, which carries oxygen throughout the body. Organs and tissues take the element necessary for life and send it for processing (slow burning). The product of such processing is carbon dioxide. It is taken up by the blood on the return circuit, delivered to the lungs, and this element leaves the body on exhalation. That is, carbon dioxide is nothing more than a processed product. However, this element cannot be called useless. It serves as a sensor that signals our brain that it is time to take our next breath. A normal level of carbon dioxide also maintains the correct acid-base balance of the body. Therefore, as long as a person’s breathing is slow and measured, he does not experience any problems.

What happens in the process of so-called hyperventilation? Logically speaking, the more oxygen enters the alveoli, the more carbon dioxide should be produced. But, consider the example of a panic attack. During an attack, a person takes frequent breaths, trying to take in as much air as possible. As a rule, such breathing is very shallow. And some of the oxygen remains in the upper part of the lungs, not reaching the alveoli. Thus, some of the air does not enter the blood, but remains at the top. The amount of oxygen in the patient increases, and the level of carbon dioxide, on the contrary, decreases. This imbalance leads to health problems.

Do not forget that carbon dioxide is a decomposition product. Its excess amount in the body leads to severe headaches, fatigue, and poor health.

Modern medicine's view of Buteyko's respiratory system

To date, clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of Buteyko breathing exercises only in the treatment of asthma and allergies in adults (manifestations associated with breathing problems). However, many note the effectiveness of this method in treating panic and treating depression. How does this work? It's simple, this way the patient learns to control his breathing. Buteyko breathing is quite difficult to perform and requires strength and concentration. This allows you to voluntarily take control of an incipient asthma attack, or distract yourself from depressive thoughts.

In many cases, breathing practices help in the prevention of various respiratory diseases. The Buteyko breathing method can also be classified as such practice.

Contraindications and precautions

Breathing exercises using the Buteyko method are not recommended for everyone. It is not recommended for people with the following contraindications:

1. Various mental disorders.
2. Impaired nutrition of the brain (in such diseases, high levels of carbon dioxide and lack of oxygen can lead to irreversible damage to the cerebral cortex)
3. Tendency to bleed
4. Aneurysm
5. Diabetes
6. Diseases of the cardiovascular system
7. Infectious diseases in the acute stage
8. Pregnancy period (remember that mother and baby are connected by the same circulatory system. Lack of oxygen can lead to serious problems in the development of the fetus)

Numerous sites describing breathing exercises according to Buteyko recommend completely abandoning drug therapy and additional procedures. This is absolutely impossible to do. Remember that the therapeutic effect of this method has been clinically proven only in the treatment of bronchial asthma. If we are talking about the treatment of a chronic disease, oncology, etc., then this technique can only be used with the permission of the attending physician

Preparatory exercises

And now, let's move directly to the Buteyko gymnastics itself. In order to start performing basic exercises, you need to prepare your body:

1. Switch to shallow breathing
2. Learn to inhale only when you feel short of breath
3. Inhale longer than inhale

In order to master these skills, K. Buteyko developed several preparatory exercises.

Exercise 1. It is called “kayak rower”. All movements are performed in parallel with breathing.

1. As you inhale, you need to raise your shoulders, as you exhale, lower them.
2. As you inhale, we move your shoulders back, connecting the shoulder blades; as you exhale, we move your arms forward.
3. As you inhale, tilt to one side; as you exhale, return to the starting position. Repeat the movement in the opposite direction.
4. As you inhale, tilt your head back, as you exhale, tilt your head forward.
5. As you inhale, turn your body to the right, as you exhale, return to the starting position. We repeat the movement in the other direction.
6. The final movement is a circular movement of the shoulders that imitates rowing.

The last movement is performed without breathing control. The total time to complete the exercise takes 6 – 10 minutes.

Exercise 2. Soldier

Starting position: you need to stand up straight, raising your head and straightening your chest. The stomach is pulled in, the shoulders are turned. While inhaling, we slowly rise on our toes, hold our breath for a few seconds and slowly lower ourselves. We take a leisurely breath.

After each exercise, you need to relax and rest.

Correct breathing according to the Buteyko breathing system

Proper breathing is the basis of breathing exercises using the Buteyko method. A set of three exercises will help you master the correct breathing technique. With their help, you can quickly and easily learn shallow breathing.

Exercise 1.

You need to sit comfortably and breathe briefly for 10–15 minutes. At the same time, the author of the exercise recommends doing your best to suppress the desire to take a deep breath.

Exercise 2.

The second exercise is performed lying on your stomach. The chin is pressed to the floor. In this position, you need to hold your breath and increase the pressure on the floor with your chin. To avoid injury, you can place a cushion or palm under your chin.

Exercise 3.

We take a deep breath, hold our breath as long as possible. Exhalation is done through the mouth.

Shallow breathing training

These workouts can be done anywhere. They involve holding your breath for as long as possible. The first time holding your breath is done while standing in one place, the second time it needs to be done while moving (walking around the room).

The final stage of the training will be shallow, rapid breathing. The time to complete this exercise is from 1 to 15 minutes. It is recommended to carry out such training from daily to 4 times a day. This will help achieve maximum results.

Exercises to strengthen the body

In addition to medicinal purposes, Buteyko breathing exercises are recommended for strengthening the body and preventing various respiratory diseases. To do this, just learn a few simple exercises, which we will discuss below, and repeat twice a day. Followers of this technique claim that the results can be felt after just a week of daily training.

Breathing in a rhythm with a long exhalation

The essence of this exercise is very simple: the exhalation should be longer than the inhalation. It's best to do this counting. For example, inhale on a count of 1 – 2. The exhalation will be longer and calmer on counts 1 – 4. This breathing relieves psychological stress well.

Even breathing with active exhalation

Another popular exercise in the Buteyko breathing system. You need to take a deep breath in through your nose and exhale through your mouth. The action is very similar to blowing out a candle on a birthday cake. You need to repeat it 4 times in a row. After which it is recommended to take a break and move on to other exercises.

Stages of recovery

How does recovery happen? Or how to understand that the disease is receding? In most methods of treating certain diseases, a sign of recovery is an improvement in well-being. Vivid symptoms of the disease recede, pain, fatigue, etc. disappear. But with the Buteyko technique, things are somewhat different. The author himself claims that all the unpleasant sensations that a person experiences after training in the Buteyko system indicate that the healing process has begun. What you will have to face:

1. Exacerbation of chronic diseases
2. Nervous disorders
3. Sleep disturbance
4. Increased body temperature
5. Frequent headaches and migraines
6. Pain in the lungs

K. Buteyko argued that these symptoms are clear signs of recovery. Their duration depends on the individual characteristics of a particular person. Most sources say that when a person can hold his breath for 60 seconds, the acute manifestations of such ailments go away. But modern doctors explain this action somewhat differently.

All of these side effects are not an indicator of recovery, but classic symptoms of excess carbon dioxide in the body. Indeed, with long-term training, symptoms may decrease. This is due to the body's natural adaptive mechanisms. Which of these versions to trust is up to you to decide.

Stuffy nose

If you are sick and your nose is completely blocked, then you cannot perform exercises using the Buteyko breathing system. But, if one nostril is blocked, this can be easily corrected. To do this, you need to do the following: close the breathing nostril and stop breathing for a few seconds. After several repetitions, the problem of stuffy nose will be solved.

Headache

Headaches are familiar to everyone. There is little pleasure in this. Especially for people who suffer from migraines. In such cases, Buteyko advised switching to short, shallow breathing. But remember that high levels of carbon dioxide in the body cause headaches, migraines and poor health. It will be much safer and more effective to do some classic yoga breathing exercises.

Treatment of bronchial asthma

As mentioned above, some effectiveness of treating asthma using the Buteyko system has been proven experimentally. However, doctors claim that success can be achieved only in the early stages of the disease. By including this technique in the course of treatment, you should not abandon classical treatment. Moreover, the entire process must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. Remember that every person is different. What works for one does not always work for another.

Fears and worries

In matters of combating anxiety, fears, and increased levels of restlessness, the Buteyko breathing system has proven to be truly effective. Through breath control, people who suffer from such ailments actually get some relief or get rid of such problems altogether. Thanks to the need to focus on the task at hand.

Breathing should be measured. In order to quickly relieve tension, it is enough to do three deep breathing cycles: inhale - hold your breath - exhale completely. This will be enough to lower the level of adrenaline and cortisol in the blood.

Fatigue

Getting rid of fatigue with the help of Buteyko breathing exercises also involves carrying out several deep breathing cycles. During the procedure, you need to relax, throw all negative thoughts out of your head and focus on your own feelings. After the first breathing cycle, feelings of relaxation and peace will come.

How to get rid of pain during gymnastics

Painful sensations during Buteyko breathing cause a lot of discomfort. Many authors of articles on this topic argue that in order to get rid of painful sensations, you need to learn how to breathe correctly. However, it is unlikely to be possible to do this right away. Volitional suppression of deep breathing is essentially a technique that makes changes to the natural biological process of breathing. Such changes cannot take place painlessly. However, after the body gets used to the load, the pain in the lungs will decrease significantly and after some time will cease to bother you.

Breathing exercises according to the Buteyko system are quite controversial. There are a lot of enthusiastic reviews on the Internet about miraculous healing from cancer, varicose veins, bronchial asthma and other misfortunes. It is almost impossible to check which of these reviews are true and which are not. We cannot claim that this technique is completely useless or dangerous. Any artificial impact on the biological processes of the body leads to serious changes. It is very difficult to predict what these changes will be.

Buteyko believed that incorrect, too deep breathing becomes the cause of such common pathologies as bronchial asthma, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and others.

The fact is that taking a deep breath and, accordingly, exhaling leads to a decrease in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood. This, in turn, causes a shift in the acid-base balance and metabolic disorders in cells, as well as spasm of the bronchi and blood vessels - the body strives to “retain” carbon dioxide by any means.

Spasmed vessels do not deliver enough oxygen to the tissues, which leads to oxygen starvation and the feeling that patients need to breathe deeper - this is how a vicious circle closes.

According to Buteyko, you need to breathe, on the contrary, superficially and easily, while relaxing, only this will lead to the restoration of metabolic processes, cleansing the body and improving the condition. Here his theory intersects with the practice of yoga, whose adherents also believe that excess oxygen is harmful, but at the same time they suggest breathing deeply and rarely.

The Buteyko method of volitional elimination of deep breathing (VLDB) helps with bronchopulmonary diseases, pneumonia, bronchial asthma, COPD, allergies, angina pectoris and other heart diseases, migraines, gastrointestinal colic, hypertension. It is less effective for atherosclerosis and other organic lesions, when the changes are irreversible.

Buteyko method: exercises

The VLGD method is aimed at teaching the patient shallow breathing, which increases the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood. Before starting exercise, the patient must undergo a medical examination, including an assessment of pulmonary function.

Mastering the method takes place under the supervision of a VLHD instructor, since the patient cannot always correctly assess his breathing on his own. Assessment of breathing and monitoring of the effectiveness of exercises is carried out using such an indicator as a control pause. The control pause is measured after a calm exhalation until the desire to inhale, but so that you do not have to breathe through your mouth to restore breathing. The norm is 60 seconds or more. Less than 60 seconds means carbon dioxide deficiency and too deep breathing. The heart rate is also measured, which normally should be less than 60 at rest.

When performing exercises, the patient fills out a diary, where he notes the date and time of exercise, control pauses (before, after training and every 5 minutes), heart rate, and well-being. The exercises are performed on an empty stomach, breathing is done only through the nose and silently.

Exercises:

1. Breathing at the tops of the lungs: 5 seconds - inhale, 5 seconds - exhale, 5 seconds pause - maximum relaxation. Repeat 10 times
2. Breathing with the stomach and chest: 7.5 seconds - inhale, 7.5 seconds - exhale, 5 seconds - pause. Repeat 10 times
3. Acupressure of the nose at the moment of maximum breath holding. 1 time
4. Breathe with the right, then the left half of the nose. 10 times
5. Abdominal retraction - 7.5 seconds, with a full inhalation. Then maximum exhalation - 7.5 seconds, pause - 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times
6. Maximum ventilation of the lungs - 12 maximum deep breaths and exhalations for 1 minute (5 seconds per inhalation and exhalation). Immediately after this, you need to perform a maximum breath hold while exhaling to the limit (1 time)
7. Rare breathing (breathing by levels)

First level

For 1 minute: 5 seconds - inhale, 5 seconds - exhale, 5 seconds - pause (4 breathing cycles).

Second level

For 2 minutes: 5 seconds - inhale, 5 seconds - pause, 5 seconds - exhale, 5 seconds - pause (3 breathing cycles per minute).

Third level

For 3 minutes: 7.5 seconds - inhale, 7.5 seconds - pause, 7.5 seconds - exhale, after a pause of 5 seconds (2 breathing cycles per minute).

Fourth level

For 4 minutes: 10 seconds - inhale, 10 seconds - pause, 10 seconds - exhale, 10 seconds - pause (it is advisable to eventually increase to 1 breath per minute).

8. Double breath holding.

Maximum breath holding on exhalation, then on inhalation. Execute 1 time.

9. Maximum breath holding while sitting (3-10 times).

Maximum breath holding while walking in place (3-10 times).

Maximum breath holding during squats (3-10 times).

10. Shallow breathing (3-10 minutes)

Sitting in a comfortable position and relaxing as much as possible, perform chest breathing, gradually reducing the volume of inhalation and exhalation until breathing becomes “invisible” and very light, at the level of the nasopharynx.

Buteyko method: cleansing reaction

During training (after 2-8 weeks), a so-called cleansing reaction occurs - a deterioration in the condition with an increase in sputum production, increased or onset of pain, diarrhea, the temperature may rise, and the underlying disease may worsen. This is a predictable reaction, which Buteyko urged not to be afraid of and considered a good sign of a restructuring of metabolic processes on the path to recovery.

At first, exercises are performed twice a day, morning and evening, then, as the control pause increases, the frequency of training decreases, but the duration, on the contrary, can increase.

After a significant increase in the control pause and improvement in well-being, it is recommended to undergo a full examination again to assess objective health indicators.

Disadvantages of the Buteyko method

It remains to add that the opinions of doctors about the Buteyko method are quite contradictory. While supporters of the method cite many examples of cures for bronchial asthma, its opponents believe that any voluntary control of breathing is harmful to the body, since the respiratory center may lose its automatic mode of operation, which can lead to complete cessation of breathing.

Reducing breathing should be done through physical activity and increasing endurance by training the body, and not through working directly with breathing.

Objective data also indicate that after long-term training using the Buteyko method, a decrease in pulmonary parameters (vital capacity, etc.) may occur.