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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: insufficient
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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Summary: Not yet sold
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: This book can change your life
Review: I've written a book about asthma; thought I knew everything. And then I bought this book. Started the five day program with great cynicism. Let me say I've not had a day free from symptoms from a case diagnosed as "moderately severe" asthma for five years. After doing the program, stringently, and following the guidelines (except for the diet -- I only cut out milk products) -- I have no post-nasal drip; don't feel as if I'm drowning; sleep magnificently; have no shortness of breath, or tightness in my chest, and have more energy. I started to experience positive results the first day. Frankly, I don't feel I "have" asthma anymore, though I do take inhaled corticosteroids, at a very reduced rate. If you are disciplined, and if you're willing to invest time, read this book. It's the better of the two books available on this method. I listened to music or read in the intervals between doing the controlled pause -- a technique that's taught. The best investment in a self-help book I've ever made.
Rating:
Summary: *The* premier introduction to the Buteyko method!
Review: If you have or ever have had any kind of respiratory problem in your life, or you know of someone who's had any kind of respiratory problem in their lives, BUY THIS BOOK! The Buteyko method of breath retraining promises to be the medical breakthrough of the next century, and this book is as good an introduction to the method as it gets. I began the book with a Control Pause of 8 and finished the book a week later with a CP of 30 and am looking forward to getting to 50 or 60. You'll have to read the book to understand about the Control Pause, but I'm willing to make the prediction that, in the years to come, the CP will be regarded as almost more valuable than the pulse in determining a person's overall state of health. The book's thesis--that carbon dioxide is not the waste gas we've all been taught it is, and that low-grade hyperventilation is at the root of an amazing number of health disorders--is one of those counterintuitive ideas that suddenly makes a lot of sense once its implications are thoroughly spelled out. That the book does. My only constructive criticism of the book is that it tends to be a little wordy in some parts, and occasionally repititious, but not so much that it becomes disagreeable. For us Yanks on the western side of the puddle, a bit more brevity would have been welcome. Nonetheless, this book is too important to let a few literary bumps stand in the way. Buy the book, read it, and begin practicing the exercises. Give yourself a week to try it on for size. You won't be disappointed. I most certainly was not. I'm feeling much better already.
Rating:
Summary: Not yet sold
Review: Only scientific test of this system I could find is at www.mja.com.au/public/issues/contents.html. Click 7/21 Dec 1998, go to Alternative Medicene,click Buteyko Breathing Techniques in Asthma. Their tests showed it did not increase breathing capacity. Suggest you read the report for yourself.
I have found helpful Paul Sorvino's book "How to be a former asthmatic." Totally different approach. Perhaps one of the keys is for asthmatics to learn they can control their breathing, whatever method they use.
Rating:
Summary: Harmful Advice
Review: This book encourages people to sleep as little as possible, use an inhaler only when they can not breathe, tape a child's mouth at night to force him/her to breathe through the nose, throw away peak flow meters, and put babies to sleep on their tummies-all harmful advice that could have serious, even fatal, consequences.
For a healthy, sensible approach to asthma control, read "Asthma-Relax, You're Not Going To Die".
Rating:
Summary: F.Y.I. (I had to rate the book to post - I have not read it.
Review: With regard to the comment made by one reviewer that they basically found it ominous that the Hale Clinic is not even teaching the Buteyko method any more, ( or words to that effect) - in the interests of accurracy .....
I have just visited the Hale site where this book is referred to and was therefore reading the reviews with a view to buying it. I had found the following on the Hale site before coming here to Amazon.....
The Hale clinic offers the following:
"Asthma Treatment: Using Breath Connection, a revolutionary breathing re-conditioning programme."
Basically/essentially/effectively, her clinic now calls the Buteyko method the Breath Connection Method.
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