TESTIMONIALS
Since I attended the program three months ago, I am still doing my breathing exercises every day and feel so much better. The anxiety is not as bad - I haven't had any anti-depressants for over two months now. I'm getting to sleep easier and wake up with no anxiety and I'm not tired or teary during the day. Thankyou for your goodheart, your knowledge and support
Monique D, Central Coast
Since I attended a Breathing Retraining program at Warners Bay, my anxiety levels have improved dramatically. The most noticeable thing is that my tics have gone. I learnt to control them by using breathing. I feel great. I'm not tired, have loads of energy and have stopped snoring. YAY! The program was great. Information was informative and interesting. Techniques taught were easy. Hardest part was becoming aware of my habits and how they were the cause of how I was feeling every day.
JJ, Newcastle
I hated being on a CPAP machine. Had been on one for 10 years. I decided to give Breathing Retraining a try and am so glad I did. I was off the machine within a few days and haven't looked back. I was surprised how great I slept in the first week, and how good I felt during the day. I did have some days where I got a bit sleepy in the afternoons, but I just did some exercises and it soon passed. Now I don't ever get tired during the day and sleep great. Started snoring a bit through the nose after the first week, which went after another 2 weeks of exercises. Now the wife is happy and I'm ecstatic. Don't have to put up with the 'Darth Vader' mask every night!
PB, Newcastle
My 12 year old had suffered from Asthma since he was little. When I found out the side effects of taking some of the puffer medications, we decided to look at alternative solutions. We found the Sydney Breathing Centre and went to a program being run in Orange. My husband and I were amazed in all honesty at how quick we saw improvements. He stopped coughing at night, and didn't need to use his puffer at all - all within the first week. His sleep is much better ... he doesn't get a blocked nose like he used to. His energy levels have improved and he is much happier. His confidence levels have improved at school, as he can now participate in games that he couldn't before. He may still get a bit tight and wheezy when he has a laughing attack, but he controls it with breathing exercises and is back to normal within a few minutes. The program was so simple, it's almost unbelievable. Was worth every cent!
DS, Orange
My anxiety was affecting my job. I dreaded meetings as I often got teary and felt intimidated. It got to the point where my manager would decide what meetings I could go to. I got knocked back from a few team leading roles, because of this. Team needed to have a strong leader, which I wasn't seen as having the attributes for. I booked in for a Breathing Retraining program. WOW! Everyone has noticed a difference in me..they don't know what it is..but they are saying 'you have changed..what is it ... '. I speak slower, focus on my breathing as I'm talking, I'm confident and don't get nervous going into a meeting. I'm in control now and life is great. Thankyou..thankyou..thankyou. I'm applying for a Team Leading role..will let you know how I go.
Vicky S, South Strathfield
My snoring was the joke of the house. My daughter told everyone I rattled the doors and windows. My wife had moved into another room. I was depressed ... hated my job ... was always tired, woke up a few times every night, never slept well and felt like I looked at the world through a fog most of the time. I had a sleep study, they said I had around 70 apneas a night. They advised CPAP. My wife, who is a nurse, booked me into a Breathing Retraining program. Within one week, I was sleeping soundly, no noise. The whole family was amazed. My days feel better ... I don't feel so negative or flat every day. I got the energy to apply for other jobs and change. I don't get sleepy during the day now, don't wake up at all at night and have so much energy. My blood pressure also dropped and has stayed within a healthy range. My GP is also amazed.
Keith F, Turramurra
I was on a CPAP machine for a number of years...had very high blood pressure and an irregular heart beat (Arrhythmia). Within 3 weeks of completing the program, my blood pressure had dropped significantly and my Cardiologist noted that my Arrhythmia was almost non existent! Can't believe it myself. All I did was learn to breathe! With the Respiratory Therapist and my GP working together, under strict instructions and constantly being monitored, I weaned off the machine. I feel great every day. Wake up feeling like I've had a great night's sleep. My wife commented that I've changed so much, in that I have more patience, don't get cranky ... don't sleep noisily and don't fall asleep as soon as I sit down to watch TV. Would recommend this program to anyone on a CPAP or with Cardio problems.
George B, Castle Hill
To my horror and utter embarrassment, I started to snore, once I hit 60. I was given a CPAP machine to try...but I just couldn't get used to it. It spent more time under my bed than on my face. I wouldn't go away to sleep in people's homes as I was too embarrassed, in case I snored loudly. I found that I would often just hold my breath without realising it. sometimes felt anxious and found it hard to go to sleep. I usually woke up 2 or 3 times a night. I often felt tired during the day and my attention span - particularly in the afternoons - was not great. I booked myself onto a Breathing Retraining program, and within a few days, the change in my breathing was significant. I felt so calm and relaxed ... and had loads more energy. I don't get anxious ... sleep great ... and most importantly of all ... don't snore.
Lyn M, Gordon
I have suffered from Sarcodosis for over 30 years. When I was finally told to go onto a CPAP machine, I decided to try Breathing Retraining, as a last ditch resort, before succumbing to a mask on my face every night. By the way, my GP was totally supportive of me trying Breathing Retraining. Whilst I will always have this disease, I would have to say that my overall feeling of wellbeing is greatly improved. I don't get as tired, sleep much better than I did before, and the symptoms seem to be less. I have an irregular heart beat and my blood pressure was always high. My heart beat is relatively normal and my blood pressure has really dropped - to within healthy limits. My GP is both amazed and delighted. I am using less energy, feel like I'm getting more air and feel so much better. I always look forward to the next breathing review as I am keen to see how much I have improved.
Brian H, Woy Woy
I am in my 60's and have Pulmonary Fibrosis. At my last review with my Respiratory Specialist, he told me I most likely wouldn't live to 80. I am determined to prove him wrong. I started Breathing Retraining and within a few days, can't believe the difference. I feel so relaxed and energised. It's a lovely feeling, when you have been tired for so long. Breathing Retraining teaches you to use less energy, breathe more efficiently and get more oxygen. It certainly works. Overall the program was easy and informative. No-one else had explained my condition to me. The hardest thing for me was to learn to breathe whilst I talk. It took time, but I'm getting there.
Val, Lindfield
18 years ago, I was a chronic asthmatic who was diagnosed as being pre-emphysemic. For most of my life, I suffered with regular bouts of bronchitis, chronic lung infections, loads of allergies, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (used to be called Spastic Colon in those days) and Eczema. I woke up every day with itchy eyes, blocked noses, itchy throat and continually wheezed.
I could never run like the other kids as I wheezed and coughed too much and almost always got a shocking stitch. Needless to say, I was often not included in games. Naturally, no one wanted me on their team - as I always came last or had to pull out. A major liability for any team wanting to win! I could at least swim and was very good at it, being Captain of the swim teams, but no matter how much I trained, my breathing and allergies were a constant factor in my life.
As I grew into the late teens, my social life became further restricted. I couldn't go out to too many places, as smoking was allowed in restaurants and clubs in those days. If you had a pet in your house, I would know as I walked through the front door. Could not have a cat, dog or bird anywhere near me. Unless you were a fanatical house cleaner, I'd also know if you hadn't dusted within seconds of walking in your door - I would start to sneeze and wheeze. Dust Mite and I did not get along.
Many a night, I sat up in bed trying to breathe or would get up and sit over the steam of a hot cup of tea, trying to calm my irritated nose tissue down. I was on all sorts of pills, potions, creams, sprays and inhalling devices out on the market. I tried everything from Accupuncture, Naturopathic and Homeopathic herbal remedies, Aromatherapy etc. All were guaranteed to help but nothing did.
I honestly had a cabinet chock a block full of remedies, sprays, inhaler devices and pills yet often frequented the Emergency Department of the local Hospital - mostly at ungodly hours of the night/morning - being put on Nebulisers and always under the threat of intubation. I used to have to measure my breathing 3 times a day and chart it on graph paper, to gauge any deterioration - in which instance the asthma armoury was opened and the doses of steroids and other medications were increased - in order to head off a major attack.
Somehow, I instinctively felt that the more medicine and potions I was given, the worse I was getting. I also knew that somehow I just didn't process oxygen well. Don't know how. But I think you do just know when you are in that situation. I also realised that I was addicted to Ventolin. The more I used, the more I needed.
I had a puffer in every car glove box, every bag, every room. I woke up at least 4 times a night, gasping, needing a puff or two (hell ... sometimes even three ... just to make sure).
15 years ago, a family member had watched a program on TV, on one of those Current Affair style TV shows, where they were talking about this new Russian breathing method, that had just come to Australia. She suggested I look it up and go and try it. So I did and cautiously enrolled. Yes, I was totally sceptical. Surely I was too different from the others there ... was much sicker than them ... so doubted it would work for me.
What kept me returning each day to the program was meeting a mother, whose 13 year old daughter was back for a refresher course, and her daughter's story sounded so similar to mine. This mother told me that for the first time in her life, her child was able to join Netball, had lost weight, and was waking up every day without an itchy nose, eyes and throat or wheezing. She had done the Buteyko Breathing Program only a few months previously. I would have to say, that in all honesty, at the time, I couldn't really explain how it worked..but it did. It seemed too simple. In three days, I had cut my Ventolin use by 80%. Within a month I was off most medications. I have not been intubated or hospitalised since. Within thee months my Irritable Bowel vanished along with the Eczema and many of my allergies. I no longer get Asthma attacks, although I recognise that I am still asthmatic (think it's just part of my genetic make-up). I rarely get tight these days, but when I do, I just practice my breathing exercises and within a few minutes, my lungs are open. .I would hate to think where I would be today, if I hadn't undertaken Breathing Retraining.
J Sundin, Wyong