Buteyko breathes more life into an active lifestyle
MANILA, Philippines - Writer Claire Madarang was gearing for a seven-week solo backpacking trip a few months back when she was hit by a bad cough and recurring fever. She suffered for three weeks despite taking herbal remedies and later on antibiotics.
In her search for options beyond drugs, Claire stumbled upon Buteyko online and took her chance on the “breathing technique proven to relieve asthma, allergies, sleep apnea, and other respiratory problems.”
“In less than two weeks of attending Buteyko workshops, all the symptoms were gone and just in time for my backpacking trip,” Claire said. “And after trekking, swimming, snorkeling, and exploring for weeks, I didn’t have my old symptoms.”
Triathlete Redg Plopinio, who competed in the XTERRA World Championship, “owes a lot to Buteyko for learning how to breathe” with his mouth closed two years ago. He is no longer wheezing because of asthma.
“Continuous Buteyko practice has enabled me to enjoy and excel in the sport of triathlon competitively,” Redg said.
Dysfunctional breathing pattern, specifically over-breathing or hyperventilation, is the root cause of asthma and other respiratory problems, according to Jac Vidgen, an Australian senior Buteyko practitioner with 18 years of experience in teaching the method here and abroad.
“Buteyko Method is a clinically acknowledged program that brings a person’s breathing pattern to normal levels by reducing chronic hyperventilation syndrome or CHVS,” Vidgen said.
Developed over 50 years ago by Russian respiratory specialist Dr. Konstantin Buteyko, the method has shown it can treat asthma and other breathing-related conditions while strengthening one’s immune function, reducing stress, and improving overall well-being.
Vidgen will conduct Buteyko workshops in Metro Manila, each comprised of five two-hour sessions for both adults and children (over four years old).
His workshop at Living Life Well, 5th Level, Mega Atrium, SM Megamall is on Nov. 13, 14, 15, 19, and 23 starting at 6 p.m.
In Quezon City, at PhilDHRRA Partnership Center, 59 C. Salvador St., Varsity Hills (left off B. Gonzales, Katipunan Avenue), Loyola Heights, it starts Friday, Nov. 16 (6 p.m), then 17, 18, 24 and Dec. 1 (all at 4 p.m.-6 p.m).
Participants in Makati City can choose 2 p.m.-4 p.m. or 6 p.m.-8 p.m. sessions on Nov. 20, 21, 22, 26; and 29 at In Touch Community Services, 48-A McKinley Road, Forbes Park .
