Buteyko Breathing Techniques Encyclopedia

We all have a natural desire and commandment to be perfect. And this book is about breathing, health and perfection.
For centuries, people have understood their interdependency. Why did the ancient yogis call invisible, imperceptible breathing the key to health, perfection and immortality? What secrets of breathing helped ancient Christian ascetics and monks to maintain attention in prayer for a long time, to preserve health and strength of spirit in the waterless desert, alone, among wild animals?

Then, more than half a century ago, Dr Buteyko's scientific discoveries showed that chronic rhinitis, allergies and asthma, high blood pressure and diabetes, stress and oncology, arise as a result of excessive deep breathing, which Dr Buteyko called a "deep breathing disease". Deep breathing also reduces oxygen in the brain by 60% and suppresses cortical activity, which is responsible for the rational activity of the mind: "The sleep of the mind generates monsters" - this is how medical science has deciphered the famous postulate of philosophy.

So now, more than half a century of clinical practice and fundamental scientific research have confirmed Dr Buteyko's theory: that recovery can occur as the depth of breathing decreases and normalizes. Dr Buteyko claims that normal breathing is the basis of normal, rational, sapient human activity and is the basis for the preservation of values that protect civilization from degradation: these values being love, friendship, family, altruism.

In 2002, the Buteyko Method was adopted by the Global Initiative for Asthma. And in this book, Dr Buteyko, together with co-authors Dr Andrey E. Novozhilov and Dr Lyudmila D. Buteyko, explains this Method and its scientifically based breathing techniques.

Little wonder that on the doors of schools in Scotland you can see a sign: "This school is asthma-free. Thank you, Buteyko!"