The end of 2011 already, confirming my privately held belief that time goes faster following the running of the Melbourne Cup. (I don’t profess to know how this works…it just does.) Flew back from LA last week into a frenzied few days in clinic. This crazy weather is the cause of lots of nasty colds (California winter was sunny and warm!).

So what was I doing in LA?

I was in LA learning how to become a Buteyko Breathing practitioner. The course was led by a charismatic Irishman, Patrick McKeown… “I want ye to close ta mouth…” Patrick is a lovely man, very gentle and magnificently generous with his knowledge.

Konstantin Buteyko was a Russian doctor (mid-twentieth century) who believed that the cause of many maladies lay in what he termed ‘overbreathing’ – hyperventilation. Conditions as diverse as asthma, anxiety, high blood pressure, insomnia and hayfever respond to a REDUCTION in breathing. Totally against today’s standard thinking of taking big deep breaths. During the course in the Buteyko Breathing Method we were taught how to reduce breathing…and spent hours taping up our mouths and holding our noses. Sometimes at the same time. This shot is from one of the ‘untaped’ times.

Buteyko breathing focusses on reduced air volume. Mim checks out Chet’s form in the LA course

The reduced breathing results in increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the body, which in turn relaxes blood vessels and breathing passages, actually improving oxygen delivery to the tissues. Kind of counterintuitive, but it makes a whole lot of sense. It was a great bunch of students, including some really welcoming LA locals, who showed me around their ‘hood’, including the ubiquitous celebrity spotting.

I’d love to know what breath-based techniques you use, or whether you’ve already experienced Buteyko. Let me know your thoughts in the comments or over on Facebook.

This is my last post for 2011. I’ll be back in the new year with Buteyko and more. In the meantime, here’s a toast to you – may you have an enjoyable festive season, and good health in 2012!

Best,
MIM

PS – BWH Shop elves are still working… So if you’re in need of some last-minute Christmas shopping, check out the gifts and stocking stuffers here.

If you’d like to make an appointment for next year Make an appointment enquiry here. Find Bowral clinic address and hours here.

Update: Jan 2012

Buteyko course starting February in Sydney and Bowral.

In this members’ article, Mim Beim shares some tips to enjoy alcohol and mince pies while looking after your liver.

At the risk of being branded a party pooper, here are some ways to survive the party season with a clear head and a fetching waistline.

Party, party, party is an article from the Beaming with Health Community available only to members. Browse the Articles.