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I'm Over All That and Other Confessions - Shirley MacLaine

As a Sometime Asthmatic, I Am Over Deep Breathing

I have found a cure for asthma. It's called the ButeyKo Technique, which is a set of breathing techniques. This is how it works:

Step I: The "Control Pause" Breathing Test

Take two normal breaths, then breathe out, and then see how long you can hold your breath. The goal is to be able to hold it for at least 60 seconds.

Step II: Shallow Breathing

Take shallow breaths using only your nose for five minutes. Keep your mouth shut. Then take the "control pause" test again to see if your count has improved. Hint: If your nose is blocked up, pinch your nostrils together for a few minutes. This helps clear the nasal passages.

Step III: Putting It Together

Repeat the "test-breathe-test" routine four or five times in a row. It will take about 25 minutes in total. Repeat this training session three or four times a day for a week. Don’t worry if you miss a session or two, just carry on. The goal is increasing your "control pause" test result. There it is. It's that simple. After a week you should be able to breathe out and hold your breath for a count of over 6o seconds. Your asthma will be much better. It also helps prevent heart attacks because you are controlling the amount of carbon dioxide in your system.