Introduction

      This book teaches you how to take control of your asthma safely and effectively without any side effects. The approach encompasses the Buteyko Clinic Method and instruction on diet, sleeping, physical activity and other lifestyle factors. I had chronic asthma for twenty years but since making these changes to my lifestyle, I have been completely asthma free.

      The Buteyko (Bhew-tae-ko) Clinic Method is recognised by the Russian medical authorities. Not alone that, but it has been backed up by two independent scientific trials held in the Western world. The method has received widespread attention including a detailed debate in the UK House of Commons in July 2001. Evidence from thousands of people worldwide – who improved their lives forever by applying Buteyko breathing exercises – is also available.

      This non-medical treatment is based on the life’s work of Russian respiratory physiologist, Professor Konstantin Buteyko, who developed a programme of exercises to foster correct breathing. The Buteyko Clinic Method is based on bodily processes and not on a placebo effect.

      There are three ways of controlling asthma. The first and most important is learning to breathe through the lungs’ natural defence – the nose – combined with correct breathing. The second is living a life balanced by proper nutrition, regular exercise and relaxation. The third avenue is using preventative and relieving asthma medication.

      Think of it as a three-way junction where you, the person with asthma, can choose the direction. The first two avenues are like the scenic routes: they’re entirely natural, proven and improve overall health, but require personal commitment and an investment of time and energy. The third avenue is the one most often travelled by people like you but it never addresses the root cause of your breathing problem. The third avenue also involves taking chemicals which are alien to your body. Sooner or later, your body fights back or submits to the continuous use of powerful drugs.

      I’m often told that people with asthma are fortunate to have such a wide range of medication available to them now, and I agree. We are fortunate. However, as a person with asthma myself, I feel that being dependent on medication for survival generates feelings of weakness and vulnerability. That being said, I always stress to my patients that medication, especially preventer medication, is very important, but that they should take enough to maintain control – no more and no less. Likewise, I advise patients to try to avoid situations that are likely to trigger an attack.

      I was diagnosed with asthma as a child, a condition that worsened as I grew older until I discovered Buteyko Breathing through a newspaper article. I learned as much as I could, self-taught the techniques, and found myself gradually reducing the amount of medication I had to take to control my asthma.

      When I experienced the impressive benefits of the Buteyko Method, I wondered why more people didn’t know about it or how to apply it to their own lives. I decided to explore the possibility of training so that I could teach this beautiful and simple method to asthma sufferers like myself. I found out that I could enrol at the Buteyko Clinic of Moscow and, after many trials and tribulations, I started my training under Dr Andrey Novozhilov and Dr Luidmilla Buteyko. The Buteyko Clinic of Moscow was founded by Professor Konstantin Buteyko as a centre for the treatment and prevention of health problems. The Buteyko Clinic Method is used to describe the programme of breathing exercises as taught by the Buteyko Clinic of Moscow.

      I was accredited by Professor Buteyko in March of 2002, and since this time, the knowledge I gained in Moscow has been complemented by my own research, by consulting with asthma specialists from different parts of the world, and by ongoing client contact throughout Ireland.

      The simple question is: does it work? In a word: yes. Some patients achieve excellent results effortlessly, but with others it takes a little more time and determination. The success of this therapy for every patient depends on the patient’s ability to put the theory into practice. There