Rating: 
Summary: Recommended by a leading CFS MD (Cheney)
Review: Based on a recommendation by Dr. Cheney, I read the book and found it a bit self-promotional but it contained clear scientific explanation for what was happening. It has significiantly improved my CFS and my husband's CFS. In fact, we both suffered "herx" (die-off) effects from doing it. It is NOT the easiest technique to learn, but it is effective and cleared up a persistant sinus infection that I have had for years, and corrected my husband's chronic snoring....You will not be "cured" in a 5 days, it is 5 days to learn the techniques that may eventually lead to a cure... PS>> The diet is VERY important...
Rating:
Summary: Don't pass this one up
Review: Contrary to another reviewer's opinion, the information in this book is immediate, accessible and a godsend to those suffering from breathing problems. I have mild asthma that had been getting progressively worse -- night attacks, daily wheezing, constant tiredness. In an effort to avoid doctors, I had become dependent on over-the-counter bronchodilators to make it through the night and often the day. Last week I stumbled upon this book in the library. Intrigued, I took it home, read the most important parts and slept through the night with no drugs for the first time in 4 months. Since then, I haven't taken one pill or one puff on an inhaler. I would urge anyone with a breathing problem to investigate the information in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Maybe a Miracle
Review: I doubt there is anything out there which will work for everyone. This universe does not accept such sweeping absolutes. However, the results I have gleaned from this book are far and away above anything I have ever experienced. Having had asthma since I was 2, over 45 years, I have been through the gamut of alternatives, medical and otherwise. I've had allergy shots, was on prednisone for over 40 years, have been on various bronchial dialator medications, have had lung surgery, chest tubes, been on respirators at least 6 times over the past 15 years and tried a host of homeopathic, chiropractic, nutritonal and general supplement programs, as well as my chosen spritual path. Everything helped some. I began this program on November 5th. It is not a 5 day program, and the exercises for a severe asthmatic take a good 45 min a pop, not 20-30. I saw results almost instantly and have been off my inhaler since that time, with a couple puffs around Thanksgiving when I over-ate (note here that the longest I have gone without an inhaler is about 12 hours). I have been able to fully go off Theophylline and Brethine as well. As for exercise, I was exercising for over an hour a day and am now even less winded afterwards. A visit to the snow, about 6000 feet altitude, caused no discomfort, though over the summer, prior to the program, a trip to Sequoia was accompanied by a constant shortness of breath. Currently, the only medication I am using is Pulmicort (newer inhaled steroid). I am off all my oral meds. This has never happened. What does the future hold? This is all so unprecedented, I do not know. The program takes diligence and a willingness to do it. If you are really in communication with your body and/or have a good health practioner, you could do quite well. I showed the book to my pulminary specialist as well as my chiropractor/homeopath. Both were impressed, but the MD a bit more conservative in his interest. This book is not perfect, dietary guidelines I took with a grain of salt. For more info you may want to check out the Buteyko method. This text is written for the layman and does a good job. Read it more than once, as there is a lot of data.
Rating: 
Summary: Oh, please!
Review: I got tired of reading the chitty-chat and self promotion and put it down. I guess there is some useful information provided, but I got tired of looking for it.
Rating:
Summary: Finally something that helps!
Review: I have learned from this book to control and stave off asthma attacks and to help control panic attacks! It's a great book. I don't know who that person is who wrote that terrible review below, but obviously his respitory condition is so minimal he can't stand to sit thru an intelligent text that could help him. Buy the book and watch it work in only a few days. It's almost to amazing to be true, but it works!
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Summary: cautions about this book
Review: I have severe emphysema and was quite anxious to read this book. I found it to be a little "out there" for me, but would not want to discourage the help it might give to others. I debated the wisdom of writing this review, but feel it is important to caution readers of this book, not to tape their children's mouths closed at night to prevent them from breathing through their mouths. If a child vomited or had their nose close up they could suffocate. Even if this didn't happen, it seems abusive to me.
Rating: 
Summary: Haven't read the book yet
Review: I haven't read the book yet, but have been reading people's reviews and their citing of a webpage on why NOT to believe that Buteyko breathing is effective.
[...]
They state: "At three months, there was a trend towards greater improvement in the BBT group: median improvement of 1.2 units (range, 5.2 to - 1.6) in the BBT group compared with 0.4 units (range, 3.4 to - 2.9) in the control group (P = 0.09)." BBT boasts a quality of life improvement of 3x the control group! I'd say that's pretty substantial, even without increased airway capacity.
They go onto state: "In conclusion, we found that those practising BBT reduced hyperventilation and their use of beta2-agonists. A trend toward reduced inhaled steroid use and better quality of life was observed in these patients without changes in objective measures of airway calibre."
That's sounds like a pretty good endorsement to me. I just wanted to post these statements so that everyone would see that there is something to Buteyko breathing if you give it a try.
Rating: 
Summary: Negative reviews of this book are not based in fact
Review: I really can't fathom the negative reviews of this book or the Buteyko Method itself. This is a well written, well researched popular introduction to an important therapeutic methodology. The methodology was developed by a distinguished Russian physician, an MD, and is fully supported both by basic physiology and numerous clinical trials. It is a widely accepted therapy in many countries including Russia, the UK and Australia and at least one US hospital has fully integrated it into its respiratory the r apy department. To say that the therapy is "out there" is a reflection of the ignorance of the reviewer, not reality. As for the supposed "dangers" of mouth taping shut to train nose breathing, this is not an uncommon practice and in fact a special a dh esive is marketed by 3M for this purpose (3M micropore mouth tape.) It does not stick firmly, can be removed painlessly and is available from pharmacists and at hardware stores. Informed criticism is one thing, but before slamming a book, it would be g ood for reviewers to get their basic facts straight.
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Rating:
Summary: There is something not right here
Review: I recently bought this book as I am an emphysema sufferer. On completing the book there were a few questions that I had and went to the HALE CLINIC website only to discover that they no longer seem to offer Buteyko breathing as one of their 'products'. The US web site also no longer exists!
I sent an email to the HALE clinic to which they have never bothered to reply.
All this gave me a very negative feeling about the whole subject.
Maybe somebody else can shed some light on this.
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable
Review: I took the Hale Clinic course with Alexander Stalmatsky, and after 30+ years of asthma I am at the very least symptom free. You wouldnt believe the other health benefits from learning to breath less unless you experience them first hand. The one thing I will say is that it takes effort and time to unlearn your current breathing patterns. So don't expect it to be easy or fast. You need to give it months. The key to the approach is practicing shallow breathing interspersed with different types of pauses. While I think everyone would benefit from taking a course or consulting with a professional, some may be able to learn it just by reading this book. Though I would recommend connecting with others doing it, for support and help with the nuances. There are online support groups on yahoo.
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