Breathing is such a regular, involuntary process that usually you do not pay attention to it unless you develop a problem such as asthma, allergies or anxiety attacks. However, breathing properly is as fundamental to your health as proper nutrition and physical exercise. A multitude of factors can cause you to breathe inappropriately. These include diet, drugs, emotions, environmental pollutants, illness, injury, financial concerns and even mannerisms. “Improper breathing is a common cause of ill health,” says alternative health guru Dr. Andrew Weil. Stress expert Dr. Charles Stroebel agrees, saying that “Breathing can be implicated in close to 70% of diseases as a causative or contributing factor.”

   The Buteyko (pronounced bew-TAY-ko) Breathing Method, developed by Dr. Konstatin Buteyko during the last half century, teaches us that proper breathing prevents disease and improves health. Dr. Buteyko was a Russian physician and researcher who devoted his career to studying the connection between disease and breathing. He demonstrated that chronic hyperventilation is actually a cause of allergic reactions, asthma, panic attacks and more than 150 other “diseases of modern civilization.”

   Yogis, gurus and Taoist Monks have used controlled breathing and breath-reduction concepts for centuries. The Buteyko Breathing Method is a retraining program comprised of safe, easy, effective techniques to reverse chronic hyper-ventilation and restore the body's balance and health. In chronic hyperventilation, or over-breathing, you are releasing excessive carbon dioxide and moisture while inundating your body with extra germs, dust and smoke.

   Over-breathing disturbs the oxygen/carbon dioxide ratio in your lungs. Your body needs the right proportions of both oxygen and carbon dioxide to perform optimally. When this formula is not in proper proportion, you experience a cascade of metabolic and chemical imbalances in the entire body because this gas exchange affects every cell. Luckily, we can voluntarily control the respiratory system and healthy breathing habits can be restored.
The art of reduced breathing is achieved through relaxation. Under-breathing, or deliberately limiting the consumption of air, is necessary to counteract over- breathing in the past and return balance to the body. Regulating the rate and volume of breath during all daily activities, such as physical exercise, sleeping and talking, is the key to mastering the Buteyko Breathing Method.

   Just as there are consequences to eating too much, there are consequences to breathing too much. Over-breathing dangerously lowers carbon dioxide levels, dehydrates your body and activates defense mechanisms. Allergic rhinitis, sinusitis and nasal polyps are the body's natural defense reactions as it attempts to prevent the loss of carbon dioxide by blocking the nasal passages. The Buteyko method is founded on the premise that the nose is the first line of protection against hyperventilation and invasion by foreign particles. Nostrils are intended to control the movement of air in and out of the body. In addition, the nose is specifically designed to warm, moisten, clean and circulate air before it reaches the lungs. Breathing exclusively through the nose is crucial for proper respiration.

   Normal bronchial secretions, a quart per day, go unnoticed. However, when you over-breathe (too quickly or forcefully), mucus production increases to maintain moist airways. As this over-breathing continues, mucus dries out, so the body makes more. As the mucus concentrates, the nasal passages become congested. When an irritant is inhaled, mast cells release not only histamines, but also other chemicals and extra mucus, thereby causing inflammation and breathing difficulties.

   The more you breathe, the more breathless you feel. Instinctively, having a clogged nose usually makes you breathe harder or through your mouth. When breathing through your mouth – this comparatively gi-gantic opening – more air, and, therefore greater amounts of pollen, dust, germs and pollution enter your body. All of these irritants are col-lected on the mucus and end up being swallowed and digested. When you are sucking in big deep breaths of contaminated atmospheric gas, your thus compromised body has to handle the contents.

   Unfortunately, breathing through the mouth bypasses all the nasal benefits. This, in turn, increases the loss of carbon dioxide so that the airways narrow with inflammation (chronic bronchitis) and smooth muscle spasm (asthma). The body tries to close off the windpipes in an effort to limit the escape of carbon dioxide and maintain an appropriate ratio of carbon dioxide to oxygen. All this stimulates the rate of respiration and the vicious cycle continues.

An allergy or sensitivity is an adverse reaction of the immune system to a substance that most people find harmless. Dr. Buteyko defined an allergy as an abnormal immune reaction of the metabolic processes of the body. He blamed lowered levels of carbon dioxide. Hyperventilation causes the reactions of your immune system to become abnormal – in other words, your body reacts allergically.

   With that in mind, understand that the opposite is also true: as long as your immune system is strong enough, you will not have allergic reactions to whatever it is you are exposed to, be it from pets to pollen to perfumes.
Normalizing the breathing pattern with Buteyko techniques are effective for allergies because:
• Carbon dioxide levels return to normal so airways can remain normal.
• Proper breathing prevents mucus from drying out and requiring the production of more mucus.
• Histamine production is reduced, resulting in less inflammation and less mucus.
• The immune system works more efficiently when carbon dioxide levels are correct, instead of interfering with vitamins, catalysts, hormones, etc.
• Fewer irritants are inhaled which means fewer invaders for the body to tackle.

   Simply stated, you have the best anti-stress remedy imaginable right in front of your face – your nose. With calm, energy efficient breathing, you can be healthier. A basic rule of Buteyko is, “Breathe through your nose always.” You should breathe through your mouth only as often as you eat with your nose.

   The respiratory center in the brain can be reset when the over-breathing has become habitual and hidden. As you learn to regulate and relax your over stimulated breath, you take responsibility for your own healing. Learning how to do this reduces harmful stress levels, revitalizes your mind and body and allows you to enjoy the gift of the breath of life to its fullest. Anthroposophy author, Rudolf Steiner says, “All healing originally resides in the human breathing system.”

  For more information on the Buteyko Breathing Method, please visit www.buteyko.info.

Carol Baglia is a Registered Respiratory Therapist and one of only nine certified Buteyko Practitioners in the USA. She welcomes the opportunity to speak to organizations about Healthy Breathing Habits. Carol teaches group workshops or individual breathing consultations and lessons both locally and nationally. To learn more about Buteyko, contact Correct Breathing Concepts, LLC at 1 (888) 748-8874 or visit www.correctbreathing.com.