What our clients say about us
Buteyko is about self-care.
It enables you to take an active role in managing your condition. Buteyko has no negative side effects and it does not require ever-increasing doses of medication to stay in control. It removes almost entirely the symptoms of asthma and allows you to take charge of your life. The control you experience means you -
- can lose allergic rhinitis/skin problems
"I am currently 41 years of age and have suffered from allergic rhinitis from the age of 20. Once my allergies started I began to use a range of anti histamines to relieve the symptoms of a permanently running nose. I was sneezing at the smallest changes in temperature, different smells and, seemed to be particularly affected by central heating and the summer pollen season.
I have suffered on all levels with my allergies as the onset of rhinitis kicked off a scalp problem. Small itchy areas appeared on my head and soon spread to my whole scalp, causing thickening of the skin, hair loss and a great deal of discomfort. It is fair to say that the combination of allergies and scalp problems was adversely affecting my emotional and physical health. The large amount of anti histamines I was taking blocked and dried out my salivary glands, causing pain and inflammation leading to an operation and the potions and steroids which were being applied to my scalp just didn’t seem to be helping any more.
In July 2009 I started on a Buteyko Breathing Centre course in Stratford-upon-Avon taught by Linda Meads, after a friend had recommended it as a way to control my allergies. Four months later my scalp problems had completely cleared!! A condition that I had had for 20 years and now, a year down the line I am free of all the allergy symptoms I used to get. I am amazed at the Buteyko breathing method which has changed my life. The time spent doing a simple set of exercises 2/3 times a day is a small price to pay to be drug free after 20 years. The initial problem was traced back to the left side of my nose growing over and forcing me to mouth breathe from approx 20 years of age. Getting the right levels of CO2 and oxygen seems to have put my body back to how it used to be.
I can highly recommend the course to anyone who has seasonal rhinitis or suffers allergy problems throughout the year."
Stewart B. Stratford-upon-Avon . August 2010
- can reduce, or even completely come off, asthma medication
"I am a 45 year old woman and was diagnosed with asthma age 2, suffering from allergic rhinitis from my teenage years onwards. From age 17 onwards until June 2009 I have been dependant on daily doses of inhaled steroids and nasal sprays for the rhinitis, along with anywhere between 2 - 20 puffs of Ventolin a day to control my asthma symptoms. I had many hospitalisations for asthma in my teens and twenties, sometimes in an oxygen tent.
Working in a High School with children for the last 5 years led me to have repeated cold/chest infections. At the beginning of 2009 at the age of 44, I suffered a huge lung infection which turned into pneumonia and my asthma went out of control. I was given oral steroids and antibiotics to clear the infection and stabilise the asthma. Afterwards I was still breathless performing simple tasks. A colleague at school found out about Buteyko on the internet. I contacted Linda Meads and took the Buteyko Breathing Centre course in Stratford-upon-Avon in May 2009.
I felt the benefits immediately and was able to reduce need for Ventolin during the course. I continued to work hard at the exercises and soon felt a lot better in myself. By the end of May I had ceased to need more than the odd puff of Ventolin and with the agreement of my GP had weaned off my nasal and inhaled steroids by the end of June. The Warwick Hospital respiratory clinic signed me off shortly afterwards – they couldn’t believe the improvement in my health and increase in my lung function.
Carrying out the breathing exercises can become tedious – it does involve some willpower and self-discipline to continue working at it, however it pays off and the results are life-changing. My practitioner, Linda Meads was extremely supportive and helpful in the follow-up period.
My appetite has improved, although I feel I want to eat healthily, smaller portions and only when I’m hungry. My hair has thickened and my skin has lost its pallor and looks much clearer. The dark rings around my eyes had gone within three months of taking the course. I am able to exercise at the gymn without my Ventolin. In July 2010 I will have used no steroid puffers or tablets for 12 months and have had no asthma attacks. I have much more energy and zest for life.
I have now been practising Buteyko for a year and feel fitter than ever before in my life. Friends now comment on how healthy I look! Naturally, I have recommended the Buteyko Breathing Centre in Stratford on Avon to several friends and colleagues, who have now taken the course. They have all received tremendous health benefits. This course has changed my life – I can’t recommend the Buteyko breathing method and Linda Meads highly enough!. "
Sarah C., Stratford-upon-Avon June 2010
- Can eliminate Hyperventilation Syndrome.
"I think this breathing course has been a real investment, something I can use for the rest of my life- thank you!"
Mel D. Cadiz, Spain September 2004
Reduce asthma medication
"Since doing the Buteyko training I have reduced and then stopped using any asthma medication. I sleep soundly every night, no longer suffer from headaches and my appetite has stabilised. I am 29, this is the only way my asthma has been controlled."
Sarah Daniel, Redditch (27.7.02)
Eliminate symptoms of asthma
"This course has proved what I've always known instinctively - that we are capable of curing our asthma."
Alexandra Turner, Shurdington (9.8.02)
Normalise the body's functions
"I am able to reduce medication and am no longer dependant on oral steroids. I have lost a stone in weight and am now sleeping through the night, in my bed, instead of sitting in a chair. I can taste my food and my appetite is normalising. The condition of my hair and skin are beginning to restore. Buteyko has shown me there is life after asthma."
June Cook, Hengoed, South Wales (12.7.02)
Can get the benefit at any age
"Approaching 65 I was truly amazed at the positive results in a matter of 6 weeks. I could do without my reliever and medication and coughed a lot less, in fact I have just looked through my stock of medication to see what I can throw away."
Peter Wood, Kidderminster (8.5.02)
Gives value for money!
"As a child and young adult, I was keen on sports and used to carry my Ventolin inhaler tucked down my sock or tied to my wrist - it became part of my body! The Ventolin was often required several times during a match. As an adult, I taught PE at secondary school level and still took both Becotide (a corticosteroid "preventer") and Ventolin ("opens the tiny airways in the lungs"). A couple of times it was necessary to pay a visit to hospital to use a nebuliser, a special machine which gives you both oxygen and Ventolin together. There are side-effects to using traditional asthma medication and I had experimented with Chinese alternative medication but with no success. When Buteyko was introduced to me, I felt the course was quite expensive but, having chatted to Linda Meads, recognised that it could become helpful. Immediately I felt comfortable with Linda's teaching style. Even from day one of the course, I was helped to relax, focus on a different style of breathing and after two weeks I was able to get by without the Ventolin inhaler for most of the time. I can't tell you how big a change it was. I now use the Buteyko Method daily, especially when I feel a wheeze coming on as it actually prevents it developing. Although I use a steroid inhaler once a day or every 2 days, there has been a remarkable change since adopting Buteyko breathing techniques. I now reckon that the Buteyko Course was "worth every penny" "
Sheelagh Maloney, self-employed, Director The Inclusion Consultancy
Help with sports performance
Con Barrell Age 3I New Zealand 'All Black', with Chronic Asthma and severe 'Exercise Induced Asthma' (EIA)
Rugby player Con Barrell suffered from chronic asthma and Exercise Induced Asthma. During a game Con carried an inhaler in the top of his sock, and would often use it in breaks of play. Even when having a match relatively free of asthma he would use the inhaler at least once every four minutes.
Con found the constant use of an inhaler annoying, however, the real problem was the effect of other minor illnesses on his condition. Whilst on high doses of preventer medication, a cold would be very hard for Con to get over, dramatically effecting his ability to train. Periodically, he would also suffer from very poor control over his asthma, making his training even harder.
Asthma has been Con's long-time, unwelcome companion. His rugby successes are a tribute to his outstanding dedication and determination. Con discovered Buteyko days before he was due to play in South Africa in May 1997. Con's family saw Buteyko on the television, and suggested to Con that he talk to the local practitioner. As a result Con spent four days learning the technique prior to his trip to South Africa.
Con was able to master the method well enough to make an enormous difference to his game in South Africa. Even whilst playing at altitude opposite the formidable South African prop Os du Randt, he used ventolin once only, and felt incredibly well. He was able to play the full game, something that he had struggled to do previously on the high veldt. With control over his asthma, Con was able to achieve the consistency in his play that had often eluded him. This earned Con a place on the subsequent 'All Blacks' 1997 tour of South Africa, fulfilling a dream that looked likely to only remain a dream before he learned the Buteyko method.
Con's comment six months after learning the Buteyko Technique:
"I still take a preventer regularly but simply do not need so much reliever. I have not had prednisone since learning Buteyko. I sleep better, my pulse rate has dropped 10-12 beats on a regular basis, and I feel well. Buteyko has made a huge difference to my rugby. I can prepare and play without worrying that asthma will prevent me from playing to my full potential".
Can help your children learn to be healthy
"John has suffered almost from birth from occasional bouts of coughing. These always start with a cold or chest infection. He then becomes 'wheezy'. For the last 5 years he has had several stretches of steroid inhalers and Salbutamol. Each time I wean him off. John has only ever had the reliever inhaler prescribed in a given dose. For example, the last bout of coughing resulted in being prescribed 4 puffs, 4 times per day. He was not improving. I was overwrought with anxiety. Enter Buteyko and Linda. At last I was given the tools to help my son help himself. That is essentially how I see Buteyko".
Self help
"At 11 years old John was able to understand and follow through with the allotted exercise regime. He also learnt how to monitor and assess his level of health. From the day he began his Buteyko course he has not needed a single puff of his reliever. John has had 3 colds since he began Buteyko in July 2003. We have come through without a visit to the Doctor".
Buteyko has given me the way to help my son regain his health.
"I am also now able to be confident about his condition and our ability to understand and deal with it. Needless to say, my stress levels are no longer going off the scale." "
John Finnerty, aged 11, by mother Anita Finnerty
Can stop you hiding behind your inhalers
"Hi Linda.... I remember you got in touch with me MONTHS ago now, to ask if i'd been back to the jungle (it was always my fear of travelling and having a huge asthma attack that has prevented me from travelling the world!) Well, just to let you know that I have just returned from travelling across Rajasthan in India for two weeks. We were backpacking around, stopping in different places every night, pretty stressful as it was a complete culture change. I was really worried about going beforehand (can I get to a hospital in the desert?! Everyone says don't go to Delhi as it's so polluted and asthmatics must wear a mask at all times...etc etc etc!) .... I got through the whole adventure without using my inhaler!!!" Can you believe it?! (well, one quick puff just for reassurance!) "The highlights were riding beautiful Malawi horses across the desert in 100 degrees heat, never thought i'd been able to do that!! and 2 days on a hairy camel near the Pakistan border with Mig fighter planes zooming overhead. The breathing exercises really helped on long bus and taxi journeys as well...It was so wonderful and has made me realise I've been hiding behind my inhalers for so long, preventing me from doing so many things. THANK YOU!!!!! Speak soon...."
love, Mel xx Bristol 2005
Medical trial results show that use of bronchodilator medication over the long term or in heavy doses does not help the asthmatic condition and may even make it worse! 
|
