Q. I find it hard to breathe through my nose because I feel like it’s always blocked. Is breath training any good for me?

A. Yes. Noses are often blocked due to side effects of chronic over-breathing such as irritated passageways, dehydration, and inflammation. Learning to breathe correctly reduces irritation and increases level of nitric oxide, which acts as a vasodilator, meaning it relaxes the inner muscles of your blood vessels, allowing the vessels to widen. I can teach you simple nose unblocking exercises, and if you can unblock your nose for one minute, you can learn to unblock your nose and breathe nasally for life.

Q. How long does it take to feel a difference with breath retraining?

After the first session most people report feeling more calm and relaxed, with easier and quieter breathing.

Q. I’ve tried yoga breathing and Wim Hof breathing – how is this any different?

Many of the styles you have learned may involve taking big, deep in-breaths with full, forced exhales – often through the mouth, or even short bouts of purposeful hyperventilation. In some instances these breathing exercises can have health benefits. During my Functional breathwork/Buteyko sessions or Pranayama sessions I may employ some of these styles as well for brief periods of time. But how you breathe the rest of the day and night and during regular exercise and sleep is what breath retraining focuses on. It returns your breathing to a functional baseline which encourages keeping your blood chemistry of oxygen and carbon dioxide in balance. To read more about the differences between Buteyko breathing and Wim Hof breathing, click here.

Q. How many sessions will I need?

With breath retraining the number of sessions depends on the level of breathing dysfunction, dedication and practice from the client, and what the goals are. Many clients see improvement after the first session, and require anywhere from 3-7 sessions before they feel comfortable with self management. The full Buteyko programme for asthma management comprises a minimum of five sessions.

Q. Do I need to do my sessions in person? What if I live in another country?

I can work with clients both in person and/or via zoom. I am happy to work with clients all over the world. My sessions are conducted in English, and my calendar times are in BST (British Standard Time).

My clinic is located in Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire (CV36). Exact location details will be provided upon booking. The nearest train stations are Moreton-in-Marsh (approximately 12 minutes taxi ride), Stratford-upon-Avon (20 minutes drive), or Banbury (30 minutes drive).