FAQs Archive - Page 2 of 2 - The Breathe Clinic

Q: Do you learn it once and you know it for life, or are you expected to sign up for some sort of ongoing scheme?

The exercises are then tapered off after these 6 weeks. The frequency of follow-up after this period will depend on your improvement and the goal you have set for yourself. As a minimum, I recommend a follow up of every 3 months on your first year to help embed this new habit. After your first year, a breathing check every 6 – 12 months ensures that the good breathing habits you have developed are maintained even through life’s challenges such as illnesses, work or family stressors, etc. Catching it early on its way to regressing helps you to support your breathing earlier and prevents a recurrence.

Q: How long does Buteyko take to learn?

Initially, it takes 6 sessions over 6 weeks after the breathing assessment to acquire the skill. Daily practice is also needed, the amount of time spent on this practice depends on your age and ability. It can take a maximum of 40 minutes a day spread throughout the day for 6 weeks.

Q: What is buteyko? How does it work?

The Buteyko Method was developed in the 1950s by Dr. Konstantin Buteyko, a Russian doctor. The main premise is that we have developed unhealthy breathing habits over the years that affect CO2 levels in the blood thus causing changes in blood chemistry and our metabolism which, over time, cause symptoms and diseases. Through a programme of breathing exercises and lifestyle changes, CO2 tolerance is increased and healthy functional breathing is restored. Restoring healthy functional breathing and tolerance to healthy blood CO2 levels helps create a healing environment that may address symptoms and restore health.