What is the Buteyko Breathing Technique?
Developed by Ukrainian doctor Konstantin Buteyko in the 1950s, the Buteyko breathing technique is a holistic approach to dealing with unhealthy breathing. It consists of a series of nasal breathing exercises, breath retention and relaxation techniques that improve breathing patterns while preventing hyperventilation. The modality is commonly used to manage and treat asthma as it prevents overbreathing. It can also help address bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stress, anxiety, allergies, panic attacks, sleep apnea and many other health conditions.
Why Study the Buteyko Breathing Technique?
Understanding the theory of the Buteyko breathing technique and its practical application will allow you to enhance your career in the field of complementary medicine. A person's breathing pattern has a direct impact on their health and can even lead to a number of diseases, so being able to teach them how to develop proper breathing techniques will enable them to stay healthy. The modality is so easy to integrate with or use alongside other practices, which makes it worth adding to your healing arsenal and using on a daily basis.
What Does It Take to Study the Buteyko Breathing Technique or Become a Practitioner of It?
To succeed in a course in Buteyko breathing technique, you must be open-minded and curious enough to dissect the anatomy of breathing. Although you have been breathing since the moment you were born, there is a correct way of doing it that many of us are not aware of. Having the enthusiasm to learn about the benefits of nasal breathing vs oral breathing, diaphragm breathing vs chest breathing and slow breathing vs fast breathing, is key to becoming a qualified practitioner and an eligible member of Australia's peak bodies for certified Buteyko practitioners such as the Buteyko Institute of Breathing & Health (BIBH).
What Are the Differences Between Studying the Buteyko Breathing Technique Offline and Online?
To learn everything there is to know about the Buteyko breathing technique, you should enrol in a certification program. This can be delivered online or in a traditional classroom environment. Face-to-face learning requires you to stick to a fixed schedule over the course of your studies, while distance learning allows you greater flexibility.
An online course can be taken at your own pace and fitted into your daily schedule so that you do not have to sacrifice other priorities. Additionally, you will not have to worry about getting stuck in traffic and arriving late to class. Distance education is undeniably more cost-effective than face-to-face classes since it eliminates the need for fuel, bus fares and housing costs, especially for students who live far from campus.
How to Choose a School or Course in Buteyko Breathing Technique
With many course providers offering the Buteyko breathing technique in Australia, you have several options. Your school of choice must, however, provide programs that align with your study goals, budget and availability. A short workshop may be a good option if you wish to learn the basics of breathing to reset your breathing patterns. A certification program is the best option, though, if you wish to become a qualified instructor of the Buteyko breathing technique once you have completed your studies. You can also provide online sessions to clients, if you wish.
You can see a list of course providers for the Buteyko breathing technique in Australia at the top of the page. We encourage you to contact your school of choice to find out about their syllabus, prerequisites, course fees, as well as their delivery methods.