Before I took the breathing course with Janet I had POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) with constant fatigue and bewilderment about how best to help my body. I had no idea about how important breathing was.
After the course I noticed reduced anxiety, increased relaxation, less dizziness and panic, stronger muscles when exercising and an increase in energy.
At first it takes some getting used to, but now (5 months on) I have been able to incorporate my new knowledge about healthy breathing into my life – it is almost like second nature. I am very conscious of avoiding mouth breathing. I can easily utilise diaphragmatic breathing when I am tired, or notice I am anxious, or when doing exercise, whereas before I was an upper chest breather.
The posture tips and exercises were useful to direct breath to the diaphragm. They really highlighted the importance of freeing up the diaphragm, and I started to notice how posture affects mood and energy levels.
“Thank you for your compassion and understanding Janet; it’s very rare that I speak to someone who has a very good idea of what I am going through.”
(Keely Bicknell, Crawley, 2021)
I have been suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for eight+ years. This means I was exhausted all the time yet ‘wired’ too – always tired and yet not able to sleep at night, prone to deep anxiety.
I have undertaken several programmes of therapy as well as Somatic Experiencing. My mineral/chemical balance has been checked several times and I have taken supplements for various deficiencies. Personal therapy definitely helps me and the supplements must have some effect although it’s hard to quantify.
Buteyko had been recommended several times by the specialist Consultant and I had resisted. I didn’t relish the idea of ‘messing about’ with my breathing and, as it was the last potential remedy on my list, I was scared that it might not work. What would happen then?
My symptom “score” started at 76 and has reduced to 20 over a four month period. The most dramatic outcome has been that I now sleep well nearly every night which has made a huge difference to me. This started two nights into the course. I really hadn’t known how much I breathe through my mouth when it isn’t necessary. Nose breathing has subtly changed my attitude to myself and my needs.The other improvements have been slower to appear but have included a marked reduction in anxiety levels, lethargy during the day, chronic exhaustion and headaches.
I would recommend Butyeko breathing to anyone who would like to improve their health and wellbeing – a must do for Chronic Fatigue.
However, if you want a quick fix then don’t bother as the discipline of the daily sets routine is a demand. Holding your breath can feel uncomfortable and you need to have the determination to persevere.
A good teacher is very important and I have really appreciated the support and encouragement that Janet has given me. It’s been excellent value for money and the benefits I’ve seen have been real and significant. I don’t think I’m completely cured of CFS but Buteyko has taken me further down the road than any other treatment I’ve tried. Buteyko with personal therapy has really helped me turn the corner and I do think that I will make a complete recovery at some point.
(Lynne Milman, Woking, Surrey 2015)
I have been struggling with poor sleep, low energy and palpitations for the past five years. Although I have experienced some improvement with various alternative therapies nothing had really resolved my insomnia and consequent exhaustion.
However, since practicing the simple Buteyko breathing exercises I have slept well for the past five weeks and have more energy than I can remember for many years – so much so I am planning a long-distance charity bike ride. I feel generally calmer,
my hands and feet are no longer blocks of ice and my chill blains have disappeared! What a wonderful, simple therapy.
NB Lisa completed her 200 mile bike ride in the highlands of Scotland (with her mouth closed except for the very steepest bits!), raising money for a dyslexia charity.
(Lisa Rutter, Holistic therapist High Peak 2012 )
I started visiting Janet 8 weeks ago so I am still working on improving my breathing. The reason for my starting the course was the frequent chest infections I have always been bothered with- and which seem to be lasting longer.
Before I took the Buteyko breathing course I was struggling to get over a type of viral bronchitis. My main problems were exhausting cough, blocked sinuses and poor sleep, with inevitable energy loss and low morale. The GP had advised me to give it time and rest.
I did hesitate before starting the course because of the financial commitment but the symptoms began to improve within the first few days of the breathing course, which was so encouraging. I was amazed how the nose breathing eased the mucus/sinus congestion and rapidly the coughing. Nose breathing at night also brought much improved sleeps.
It is a challenge to do the exercises regularly (and my breath control during speech is my biggest challenge) but I have been amazed at how much my whole quality of life has improved and the welcome sense of calm that comes with practicing the Buteyko breathing exercises.
Janet gave good clear guidance and kind support which made for an enjoyable and positive experience.
(Collette, High Peak 2013)
For years I have suffered with sinusitis and a number of other problems. In July 2010 I was finally diagnosed with M.E. and, like many other people suffering with M.E., I have tried several remedial therapies.
After hearing a talk at the Stockport ME Association, given by Dr Janet Winter on the Buteyko method of breathing, in May this year I booked on a one-to-one course at her Breathing Remedies Clinic, hoping that it would help ease my sinus problems and possibly help with the fatigue from M.E.
After practising the Buteyko method (which I continue to do each day) I soon found it helped to reduce the congestion in my nose and I have had no recurrence of sinusitis. In addition I have found that carrying out the breathing method helps to relax and calm my mind and this has definitely helped with my chronic fatigue. Dr Winter has been very supportive throughout and I know I am able to contact her at any time.
(Eric, Marple, Stockport, 2013)
I am a 49 year old female, a qualified general nurse no longer practicing as I am now a professional artist/designer. In December 2008 I suffered a severe viral infection from which I never fully recovered. By January 2009 I was unable to work or lead what had been a normal life. My symptoms were numerous; dizziness and feeling ‘spaced out’ to the point of feeling near to collapse (this was continuous and confined me to bed for long periods), pins and needles in my feet and sometimes around the mouth, nausea, muscle twitching and spasm (an ambulance was called at one point because it appeared I was having a fit of some sort), sweating, inability to tolerate glucose (I lost 2 stone in weight), pain and soreness of hips and long bones, and a strange buzzing and trembling feeling in my brain. These were the main symptoms and the most troubling. There were many more minor symptoms; fatigue, irritable bowel, tinnitus etc. During the next year I saw numerous consultants, had various tests including ones for suspected adrenal and pancreatic tumours,diabetes, M.S., coeliac disease, paid many hundreds of pounds for a private consultation where I was told I had an underactive thyroid and adrenal exhaustion and candida of the gut. In the end I was given the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome(C.F.S.)/M.E. and referred for cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise therapy. By this time I was feeling desperately emotional as well as very ill but felt unable to accept this so called diagnosis, I looked for another explanation. My G.P. had casually mentioned the word ‘hyperventilation’ as an explanation for the ‘fit’ I had suffered a few months earlier. As a nurse my only experience of hyperventilation was the acute sort which is very easy to spot and this had not been what was happening when the ambulance was called. But after very little research I discovered that there is also chronic hyperventilation carrying with it every symptom I was suffering. Researching chronic hyperventilation it is impossible not to discover the Buteyko method and its cure for the condition. I immediately spoke to Dr. Janet Winter my local qualified Buteyko practitioner and she was more or less confident that hyperventilation was the problem. First instructions before even meeting her was to ‘ keep my mouth shut’. The effect of this simple action unbelievably proved to have almost instantaneous improvement and relief of my disabling symptoms. My one to one course with Janet was arranged quickly the benefits continuing to be astonishingly obvious very early on. The whole scenario was explained by her as to what was happening in the body and how the breathing exercises reverse the situation. Diet plays a role too and this was also fully explained.
I first saw Janet in November 2009 and in December I was able to return to work part time. Since February 2010 I am back working full time. I have no doubt that the Buteyko method was directly responsible for my cure from the so called C.F.S as the effects were so dramatic. The method does take commitment and practice (and I’m still practicing!) but this is a very small price to pay for having your health, and life restored.
(Qualified nurse Rosemary, High Peak 2010)
