Buteyko Breathing Method.
A practice of breathing re-education exercises designed to gently engender optimal breathing both consciously and subconsciously. Optimum breathing is light, slow, silent, calm, regular, through the nose and diaphragmatic.
Those suffering from chronic health conditions such as asthma, COPD, rhinitis, snoring, insomnia, sleep apnoea, stress and anxiety develop a tendency towards chronic hyperventilation or over breathing – disrupting the O2 : CO2 balance. Over breathing is commonly heavy, audible, irregular, often through the mouth and chest orientated. Over breathing can present itself in regular sighing, inconsistent deeper inhalations/ gasping, yawning or being of high volume and rate.
The heavier one breathes the less CO2 is retained in the body. Contrary to popular belief, carbon dioxide is not only a waste gas, it has multiple other roles in the breathing process. Importantly it is required for smooth muscle elasticity, the dilating and constricting components of both the airways and blood vessels. CO2 is also required to loosen the bonds between haemoglobin proteins, (the O2 carrying components of the blood) and oxygen in order for subsequent release of oxygen to the cells of the tissues, organs and brain. Slowing down the breath builds up the CO2 in the blood.
The Buteyko breathing method is a gentle process requiring commitment to practice in the first weeks and months. With application and increased breath awareness the retraining exercises are easily incorporated into ones daily life. Slowly but surely this will adjust the chemo receptors of the brain to breath lightly, slowly, diaphragmatically and through the nose both day and night, calming the mind, adequately oxygenating the tissues and organs, thus returning all systems to better health.