What is the Buteyko Breathing Technique?
Developed by Dr Konstantin Buteyko in the 1950s, the Buteyko Breathing Technique is a complementary therapy that has been in practice in Australia for 30 years now. The modality involves a sequence of breathing exercises to normalise the breathing levels of a person and prevent overbreathing.
Overbreathing resulting from rapid inhalation and exhalation decreases the supply of oxygen to vital organs in the body, leading to a host of health disorders, according to the extensive research of Dr Buteyko.
What are the Benefits of the Buteyko Breathing Technique?
How you breathe says a lot about the state of your health. The Buteyko Breathing Technique is based on the concept that the depth of one's breathing affects how their body's organs and tissues are oxygenated. Inhaling deeply and exhaling rapidly causes the muscles to contract and release abnormally, leading to hyperventilation and a slew of other conditions.
Buteyko Breathing exercises regulate a person's breathing pattern and resolve a variety of conditions that stem from overbreathing, including:
- Hyperventilation
- Anxiety
- Chest pain
- Stress
- Asthma
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Vertigo
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Poor concentration
- Sleep issues like snoring and sleep apnea
- Respiratory problems
- Skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema
If you're experiencing any of these conditions or want to keep them at bay, engaging in the Buteyko Breathing method will do wonders for your health. You can work with a qualified Buteyko Breathing practitioner right now even from the comfort of your home through the Zoom videoconferencing platform.
Yes, you read that right. There's no need to leave your house and commute to a clinic, thanks to telehealth you can easily book for a Buteyko Breathing session online at your convenience.
How Does the Online Buteyko Breathing Technique Work?
The Buteyko Breathing Technique corrects unhealthy breathing patterns to shift the body from a state of stress — the culprit of all illnesses — to relaxation. It requires full attention to your breathing, the amount of air that you take in, and your professional guide as they take you through the process.
Before your online appointment, find yourself a quiet room that's devoid of any distractions. This is important because the practitioner will ask you to pay attention not only to your breathing but also to your pulse and body temperature, which will tell you how much nitric oxide you're bringing to your lungs. This nitric oxide is responsible for protecting your body tissues by delivering an ample supply of blood to them.
Once you've found the perfect spot in your house, check your computer and webcam to make sure that they're working fine. You also want to download, install and test the Zoom application on your device to ensure everything goes smoothly.
What Can You Expect From the Online Buteyko Breathing Technique?
On the day of your appointment, find yourself a comfortable chair before starting the breathing exercises. It pays to listen intently to the instructions of your guide to obtain optimal results. Here below are the basic steps of the practice:
- Close your eyes as well as your mouth and then breathe slowly through your nose.
- Be mindful of how the air enters and leaves your nostrils, and feel your diaphragm expands.
- Inhale lightly through your nose and hold the air for 5 seconds then slowly release it.
- Inhale slowly and exhale little by little until you feel that you're running out of air.
The practitioner will let you go through this breathing cycle several times until you can hold your breath for about 40 seconds. They may also introduce other breathing techniques to clear your airways, improve your circulation and increase blood supply to your organs.
An online Buteyko Breathing session can take 20 to 35 minutes in duration, depending on how fast or slow you adopt the light breathing pattern. This practice takes time to master, so work closely with your therapist and take note of their feedback.
