Nexus - 0605 - New Times Magazine-pages

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The way to reverse this process is to breathe more shallowly, to trap more carbon dioxide in the lungs and return its level to nor- mal. If the carbon dioxide rises again to normal levels, oxygen is more readily released from the haemoglobin molecules and can then nourish the tissues and cells. It is interesting to note that few medical experts in the Western world have taken very much account of the idea of shallow breathing. Eastern ideologies, on the other hand, have proposed for centuries that there is value in stopping over-breathing, and have made breath control part of a wide range of exercises for the body and mind, examples being the practice of meditation, yoga (pranayama breathing), Tai Chi, Chi Gong, and Judd-Shi from Tibet. 2. Tape the mouth up while sleeping, unless there is some severe nasal condition. Adults can easily adapt to this, but it often frightens parents initially. However, I have seen no child come to any harm over seven years of recommending the practice. Partial taping can be practised until children and parents become more confident. A very light, easily removable micropore tape is used. 3. Sleep on the left side and avoid sleeping on the back. Sleeping on the back causes the most hyperventilation. Professor Buteyko's research has shown that sleeping on the left side causes least hyperventilation. 4. Increase the control pause and the maximum pause (which are defined next). The Control Pause THE AIM OF THE BUTEYKO The control pause is described as the time METHOD it takes someone to breathe out normally, Over-breathing, then, is an increase in the then hold his or her breath in the out posi- function of the lungs above what is normal. tion until the very first signs of discomfort It is also called hyperventilation. The signifi- . occur. That measurement is recorded, then cance of Buteyko's discoveries hinges on the The way to reverse this the person continues to breathe through the diagnosis of what . termed hidden inper - process is to breathe nose in aera pattern. Most people can ventilation. This is long-term over-breathing achieve 10 to 20 seconds, at rest. Some can- that we are basically not aware of. more shallowly, to trap not achieve even one second, while others Professor Buteyko became interested in more carbon dioxide in can do 40 seconds plus, quite naturally. The breathing levels in general. What happens, q idea is to succeed in holding the breath in he asked, at all the levels between the the lungs and return its the out position for up to 50 to 60 seconds, extreme hyperventilation we have described, until first difficulty is reached, to achieve and the normal human breathing rate? level to normal. the desired improvement. This is the mea- Professor Buteyko could clearly see, as can sure of success. anyone else, the effects of over-breath- ing to a level of 30 litres of air per minute. Anyone who breathes like this (don't try it!) will suffer the equivalent effect of an acute and serious anxiety attack, i1.e., shaking hands, anxiety, chest pain, air hunger, finger tingles and spasm (tetany), cramps and a racing pulse. An adult who suffers from asthma usually breathes 5 to 10 litres of air a minute when he or she is "well". During an attack, the rate increases to 10 to 20 litres per minute. The sim- ple—and achievable—aim of the tion and, through specially taught exer- Buteyko method is to get the volume of cises and distractions, prolong this air breathed down to normal, i.e., 3 to 4 litres per minute. pause to the maximum time. With exercise, repetition and perse- A series of regulated breathing exercises is used to teach the verance, some people surprise themselves with times of up to two person who over-breathes to breathe a normal volume of air for minutes and even longer. If a person has a control pause of 15 seconds, he or she is breathing a vol- ume of air per minute that is enough for four people. A control pause of 30 seconds indicates the person is breath- ing for two people. A control pause of 60 seconds means breathing is under control and he or she is breathing for one person. If the carbon dioxide rises again to normal levels, oxygen is more readily released ... and can then nourish the tissues and cells. The Maximum Pause The maximum pause is the time it takes a person to breathe out normally, hold his or her breath in the out posi- the rest of his or her life. It can be done—thousands of relieved Patients are asked to come to classes for education and encour- patients have proved it—and the technique is so simple that a agement in these breathing exercises and to discuss problems and child can follow the method and even have fun while learning. incidentals such as coincidental viruses, personal problems and so on. Often, family members are invited to attend, free of charge, to THE BUTEYKO BREATHING EXERCISES encourage the patients further. The Buteyko course consists of five to ten sessions of tuition, Between the classes, patients are urged to follow the four rules varying from one to two hours each. Usually five to seven ses- set out above (only nasal breathing, sleeping on left side, etc.), sions of one hour are enough for the patient to witness improve- and to follow a rigid regime of breathing exercises. Twice daily ment and have confidence in the technique. However, the most exercises for 20 minutes are required. severe cases, such as those who need regular hospital admittance, Some people with mild illness stop their exercises after some may require up to nine months of practice to achieve the desired two months and find their breathing has changed to a more shal- level of health. In the Buteyko technique, patients are taught to low pattern, where they take in less air or take smaller breaths. normalise their breathing. They are asked to: They can then stop their exercises altogether, as they no longer 1. Breathe in and out, both through the nose only, to reduce hyperventilate. So, in order to prolong the maximum pause, first- over-breathing. ly the patient, under supervision, breathes out to the maximum, The way to reverse this process is to breathe een ed | nnn Rn nn oe more shallowly, to trap more carbon dioxide in the lungs and return its level to normal. levels, oxygen is more readily released ... and can then nourish the THE BUTEYKO BREATHING EXERCISES The Buteyko course consists of five to ten sessions of tuition, varying from one to two hours each. Usually five to seven ses- sions of one hour are enough for the patient to witness improve- ment and have confidence in the technique. However, the most severe cases, such as those who need regular hospital admittance, may require up to nine months of practice to achieve the desired level of health. In the Buteyko technique, patients are taught to normalise their breathing. They are asked to: 1. Breathe in and out, both through the nose only, to reduce over-breathing. NEXUS 39 If the carbon dioxide rises again to normal tissues and cells. AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 1999