IAOBP | May 2013 - IAOBP

Bronchitis – Anthony Leonard

I took the Beginner’s Workshop in November 2011. Since then I have been steadily practising the Method and have attended Advanced Classes. During this time there have been profound changes in my state of health, some of which I mention below. Most of my life I have suffered from bouts of bronchitis. This has completely cleared up. My breathing is quiet and easy – what a joy! My heart rhythm has become more regular and I notice after practice how silky smooth my pulse feels. As was expected, I have been through various healing reactions. Having been forewarned, I was able to move through these without undue concern or resistance knowing that I was on the path to better health. In common with others, I have found my eating and drinking preferences changing quite naturally and for the better. I seem to be more in touch with my body and its needs. Perhaps the biggest gain for me is just feeling more centred and so able to handle whatever comes up in day-to-day living with greater ease – taking life in my stride and finding smarter solutions. Doing the practice takes persistence but for me the motivation was there as I received the benefits. As a result of my experience, I would encourage anybody who is over-breathing (which means most people) to look into the Method....

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia – Joe Morrell

Joe Morrell grew up on a farm. Exposed to agri-chemicals he developed symptoms that included seizures, constipation, jaundice, anxiety, depression and ADHD. He appeared to grow out of most of these issues However, at the age of 39, he had his home treated for woodworm. Already sensitised to pesticides, this triggered symptoms of acute chemical poisoning, including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle trembling, hallucinations, vertigo and the sense that he was suffocating, despite gasping for air. These symptoms soon morphed into chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, as well as mental dysfunction (anxiety, depression, mood swings and ‘brain fog’) and hyper-sensitisation to all petro-chemical products and pulsed electrical signals (EMFs). Joe was shocked to discover that there was almost no medical provision for ‘environmental illness’, and made it his mission to find a cure for himself and others. For the following nine years he experimented with every healing modality available, including formal training in nutritional therapy and Shiatsu. However, it wasn’t until just over two years ago when he enrolled on a five evening workshop, run by the Learn Buteyko organisation, that he experienced significant improvement. Under the guidance of the organisations’ highly experienced practitioners, he was able to retrain his respiratory centre and reduce his breath ever-closer to a level that correlates with healthy function. Both amazed and grateful that he has finally found a set of self-managed techniques that enable him to live a normal and productive life, he has since enrolled on the Learn Buteyko practitioner training course to help provide others with the same opportunity. He is presenting two hour free talks at the Nutrivital Health Centre in Petersfield from 7.00-9.00pm on Wednesday 22nd May and at the the Winchester Discovery Centre on Thursday13th June at the same time. He will be explaining the concepts and historical context of Professor Buteykos’ work by showing a documentary and a Q & A session via live Skype link to Asia with senior practitioner Chris Drake.    ...

Chronic Asthma and Bronchiectasis – Louise Anderson

My name is Louise Anderson, and I have been practising Buteyko for over 4 years. My symptoms before doing the practise were chronic asthma and bronchiectasis or lung damage. I needed a dose of oral steroids every 4-6 weeks as well as regular doses of antibiotics and stays in hospital including intensive care. I was not able to walk very far and was living a very restricted life. Since practising Buteyko I am able to rebuild my life, becoming increasingly active, I recently walked 9 miles with ease. I have not had antibiotics for years and have not needed to go to hospital. I have learnt to titrate other medication to suit my condition. My husband and two of my children have also learnt the method having seen the benefits first hand. I would like to spread the benefits of Buteyko especially for those with asthma as I personally know how much the method can help support this condition.    ...

M.S, Severe Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia and Frequent Infections – Sarah Dennis

I have M.S, had severe depression, anxiety, insomnia and frequent infections. I tried many alternative therapies but nothing worked and I eventually, out of desperation gave in to medical drugs. Buteyko has enabled me to take control of my health by stabilising and reducing the symptoms of M.S; I am no longer anxious and depressed and have stopped all medication. My immune system is much stronger so that I can fight of infections and I generally feel I have more energy and vitality. My children and partner have used Buteyko to stop allergies, hay fever, migraine rheumatic joint pain and sinusitus....

Asthma – Pam Gonsalves

The Buteyko method of breathing has completely transformed my life. I have used inhalers for many many years, to relieve my asthma symptoms. With Buteyko I am on the way to giving up all medication for GOOD!...

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ME – Bernadette

Bernadette developed M.E in 1998 after a bout of shingles I was working as a Headteacher in a primary school. Instead of taking time off to recover from shingles, as instructed by my G.P, I went straight back to work to prepare for an imminent Ofsted inspection. Although the inspection went well, I became increasingly unwell and, despite various alternative treatments such as acupuncture I never recovered my health. My symptoms included exhaustion, IBS, poor sleep, snoring and sleep apnoea, inflamed joints, irregular pulse, depression, memory loss, lots of colds and just feeling totally fed up. I put on loads of weight so my clothes didn’t fit either! All in all, these symptoms were not a recipe for a great life. I still kept working as a head, supported by great colleagues and a lovely husband. Eventually, in April 2010 I took early retirement so that I could live a better life. How I started I first met Buteyko Breathing in March 2011, when I had just turned 58, when I popped into see my friend Liz whom I hadn’t seen for a couple of years. She had been ‘doing’ Buteyko for two years and she gave me a leaflet about the method and the dates for the free introductory lectures. Seeing her looking slender, full of energy and bursting with health was astonishing and inspired me to attend one of Christopher Drake’s lectures in London. To be honest, the whole thing seemed bonkers but, because of Liz’s example and because of Christopher’s sincerity, I booked myself onto a week’s course; this started in April 2011. Full of doubt, but really a bit desperate to improve my health, I diligently started doing the breathing exercises. Despite my total scepticism, after the first evening of the course I went to bed and had the best night’s sleep since 1998 – no sleep apnoea, no snoring, no waking up and not getting back to sleep for hours. My appetite also became normal and I started the path to losing weight. I completed the week’s course and then launched myself into the world of Buteyko, still feeling that the whole thing was a bit weird. However, supported by Martha Roe and my friend Liz, I kept going and going and going. I had the cleansing reactions promised by Christopher and Martha for ages but gradually I began to feel better that I’ve felt for years. The cleansing included the worst cold I’ve ever had in my life, flu, shingles, cold sores, sore joints (really painful) but because of Martha (who was my particular support for the programme) and Liz I persisted. I also went back to the regular courses run for top up sessions. Now, just over a year later The M.E. is well on the road to leaving my body. I still have a week or so when I feel limp but these weeks are always brought on by things such as anaesthetics (for dental treatment) and air travel or by talking too much! I no longer feel that I am defined by being a M.E sufferer and I am sure that I will continue on the way to full health. Over the last year, I have discovered that if I am filled with an intense desire to eat, a bout of M.E is attempting to assert itself so I have learnt just to rest and not to be too harsh on myself – a lesson that I could have done with learning years ago. As I write this, I am getting ready to go on a week’s advanced class where I expect to meet the concepts of fasting and saunas, neither of which fill me with joy! I have no idea whether or not I will take these on board but Christopher and Martha are really persuasive. I just know that my life has been transformed. I have lost 49 pounds in weight, have had to throw out all of my old clothes and am in the process of assembling a new set of outfits. I am so much happier with my life because I have the energy to live it. Friends who haven’t seen me for a while are astonished by my look of glowing health I think that it helped me to see in my friend Liz a living example of how Buteyko can change a life as it helped me keep going even when the cleansing left me feeling awful. I am still diligently doing the breathing exercises every day; as Liz told me at the beginning, it would only work if I put in the work. I cannot thank Christopher enough for leading the course I attended because I was able to change my life, Martha for always being available to talk me through my low moments and my friend Liz for answering those stupid questions that I didn’t want to bother Christopher and Martha. I still think the whole method is a bit strange but, oh boy, it certainly works!...

Arthritis and bad back – Louise B.

Louise is a yoga teacher in her 60s who has been practicing Buteyko for the past nine months. She knew about the Breathing Method since the 1990s when she had watched the Sally Magnussen Buteyko documentary about it on QED. When Louise was a child she had suffered from asthma so she understood the benefit the Buteyko Method could be for those with asthma but has been astonished how it has affected so many other aspects of her life since she has been practicing the exercises. What drove Louise to try the exercises herself was a niggling feeling of not being the best she could be. She had always slept lightly and was constantly tired, however within weeks of starting the programme Louise felt herself having deep restful nights and even needing less time asleep. Correspondingly her mood shifted from moody to becoming more upbeat and generally feeling happier. Her body’s reaction to the new method of breathing brought out a multitude of cleansing reactions in Louise, from aching joints to a wildly fluctuating temperature. After three rather painful weeks of these deep cleansing reactions, Louise emerged the other side with renewed vigor. She was surprised to find she no longer fancied an occasional glass of wine to relax and her appetite decreased resulting in losing ten pounds. A few years ago Louise’s arthritis and severe back problems had become so painful that she resorted to having her hip replaced. Now after starting the Buteyko Method she is now pleased to say she is almost pain free. Another benefit for Louise is the deeper spiritual aspect of the Buteyko Method that has also affected her yoga. She believes the meditation has helped her become more connected to her self. Louise concludes with deep satisfaction “I am living in the now.”...

Asthma, sinusitis and fatigue – Kath

Kath reverses 20 years of sinus pain, irritability and fatigue Kath was 3 weeks into an ear infection brought on by a swine flu jab when she bumped into Martha Roe at a natural health centre. At 38 Kath was tired of feeling constantly sick. She had been in sinus pain since getting brittle asthma when she was 17. And from her early 30s she could feel her condition deteriorating.  Acupuncture, light exercise, meditation and a vegetable-based diet all helped a bit. But nothing really cleared the underlying inflammation. More intensive version of Buteyko gets results Kath was impressed by Martha’s calmness and her results reversing her own ME. But she was reluctant to fork out on Buteyko because she’d tried it before in London and was left feeling cynical. “The teacher gave a good presentation. He was a good salesman,” says Kath ”But I felt awkward ringing him up after the workshop. And when I got a cold, the pauses did nothing to help so I gave up on it.” Martha explained how LearnButeyko teaches the Classical Buteyko Method, and students must do their maximum pauses in sets 4 times a day – to give the body high doses of carbon dioxide. Intensive support is crucial, she said, for most people to recover from chronic hyperventilation. Lesson 1: breathing relaxed and clearer head In her first lesson in December 2009, Kath’s control pause was 10-12 seconds. Doing the pauses, she felt her breathing relax into her belly as her ribcage dropped. “I felt clear headed and light in my sinuses. My back muscles started to relax. I smiled as I thought – God this thing works!,” says Kath. Martha says relaxing Kath’s breathing has enabled her mind to and body to relax too. “Kath’s breathing was up in her chest. This caused her a lot of mental agitation resulted in sore ribs and back muscles, ” says Martha. “Now she’s much more at ease.” Within a few weeks of starting the exercises the constant sinus spasm above her left eye that had been bothering her for at least 4-5 years had cleared. Kath also reported that the maddening itching she had had in her ears mostly had gone too. Daily support kept Kath going Kath was worried when she started that she wouldn’t have the discipline to keep practising. But it was easy with Martha phoning her every day in the first month. “Knowing Martha would be checking up on me inspired me to keep going do my best in my practice sessions,” says Kath Within her first 4 months of practice, Kath got her control pause up to 20-35. Work is easier The biggest change has been mental agility – Kath used to spend 4-5 hours resting and drinking tea before she got the energy to get dressed and go into work, often about 2pm. Since doing Buteyko she wakes after 6-7 hours sleep and can start work in the morning. When she was first doing the method, working on her laptop  brought on symptoms including mental agitation, and she had to do practice every hour  to bring her control pause back up. Now laptop work is easy and comfortable. “The biggest difference is in my mind. I’m clearer-headed. I don’t worry about what other people think,” says Kath. “I know what matters to me, and the rest of it will work itself out. I’m more accepting of myself and other people. My brother has said how I’ve calmed down a lot. My friends tell me how clear my eyes and skin look.” Big cleanses clearing out deep infection From August 2010 onwards Martha supported Kath through the first of 3 big cleanses, clearing out deep infection in her lungs, ears and sinuses. Kath managed these through pauses, and advanced techniques including sauna and mind exercises. And Kath took several courses of oral prednisolone afterwards to support her adrenal glands. Since January 2011 her control pause is now back in the 20-30 second range, and it’s back on the rise. The next step is to get her control  pause up, and finish the repair work and hopefully reverse out her psoriasis, which she’s had since age 9. “I plan to be feeling great in time for my 40th birthday. Good health is the best present you can have so I’ll be dancing on those tables,” she says....

Asthma – Louise

Louise has suffered from severe asthma and breathing problems since she was a baby. She was frequently hospitalised throughout her teens. And her asthma got worse after her two daughters were born – putting her in intensive care. Louise’s first stab at Buteyko gave her instant results but she couldn’t keep up the momentum on her own. Second time around with LearnButeyko, she is still well two years later, and keeping up the practice. Retraining her breathing has helped when all else has failed – including macrobiotic diet, alternative medicines and Harley St consultations. First stab at Buteyko – hard to keep it up Louise had her first stab at Buteyko 15 years ago – inspired by seeing LearnButeyko’s Christopher Drake on TV. Louise went to a workshop led by another practitioner in London. The initial results were great. But they tailed off after a few years. Before the wrokshop Louise had been too wheezy to walk at times. Within three days of doing the workshop she could breathe through her nose for the first time in years and within three months was striding up one of the steepest known streets in Sussex near her home. She tried to continue with her breathing exercises once a day as instructed, but the results tailed off and she stoppped practising. 2nd time lucky with LearnButeyko In 2008, a good friend suggested Louise go to a introductory lecture led by Martha Roe and Christopher Drake. Martha’s approach was far more hands-on than the previous practitioner’s had been. Instead of running on two weekends, LearnButeyko’s workshop runs for 5 consecutive days. Louise was expected to practise four times a day. And she received twice daily phone calls and encouragement from Martha. When Louise was too ill to walk, Martha even came to work with her at home. “Martha was stern but encouraging, She helped me see how serious my condition was,” says Louise. “I knew what the benefits could be. There wasn’t a question about giving up again. I did not have a choice if I was to continue living.” Over two years, Louise has gradually been able to cut back from practising four times a day to twice a day and is still maintaining the benefits. “It is hard work, but if you are in a situation of life or death, it is worth making that effort. I have got my life back,” says Louise. Louise’s two teenage daughters have learnt the Buteyko Method with Martha. The elder has improved her asthma, and the younger daughter staves off migraines through daily Buteyko practice....

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