The Buteyko Institute Method is:
- Effective - over 90% of course participants significantly reduce asthma reliever medications within one week
- Safe - the Buteyko Institute follows international best practice asthma medication guidelines
- Scientifically based - based on the standard medical principles of respiration, the normalisation of breathing and the Bohr Effect.
How do you learn BIM?
The BIM is an educational program which is offered in a series of 5 ninety minute sessions within ten days and scheduled review sessions. Most courses involve small groups, but some BIM Practitioners offer individual classes where required.
As well as practising the breathing exercises taught by their Practitioner, course participants also learn how to monitor their breathing while engaging in daily living activities. These breathing retraining exercises enable course participants to normalise their breathing, to unblock the nose and to achieve comfortable nasal breathing. Once breathing has improved towards a normal level the Buteyko exercises can be reduced and eliminated.
The Buteyko Institute Method is a non-contact program and involves breathing exercises only. It does not involve the use of herbal remedies, supplements or other medication (apart from those prescribed by your doctor).
Course participants continue to use their medication as prescribed. People who are on medication for asthma find that as their breathing improves they will need less reliever medication. However, they are advised not to change any medication without consulting their doctor.
Benefits/outcomes
There are many improvements in health to be gained by completing a Buteyko Institute Method course, depending on current health status and problems. Included among these improvements are:
- Significant reduction in asthma symptoms
- Significant reduction in asthma medication
- Improved tolerance of asthma triggers
- Reduction in allergic reactions
- Improvement in quality of life
- Increased stamina and energy
- Improved quality of sleep
- Reduction/elimination in snoring
- Improved ability to cope with stress
- The immune system is improved, therefore people tend to have less colds and flu
- Improved ability to exercise
- For people with sleep apnoea on CPAP machine, the need for CPAP is decreased or eliminated (as approved by their doctor)
- Improvement in skin conditions such as dry skin or eczema
- Normalisation of weight. People who are overweight tend to lose some weight, while those who are under weight may gain some weight
- Headaches and migraines are significantly reduced or eliminated
- Reduction in anxiety or panic attacks
- Thinking and concentration levels are improved
- Irritability and depression are reduced
- Enhanced sports performance
