Buteyko Manual For Asthma Continued. Page 77 The short-term goal is to get them free of symptoms. The next goal is to be free of medication, which of course you will need to discuss with your physician — particularly in respect to preventative medication. Their should be only a gradual increase in intensity of training. Day One The main aim on day one is to allow your child to breathe only through the nose. When you first breathe only through your nose when you have been used to breathing through your mouth — it feels a bit suffocating! This is because you have become used to lower than healthy levels of CO2, and when you close your mouth an increased [healthier] amount of CO2 is trapped in. This makes you feel the desire to take a deep breath, until you get used to it. After that time it feels strange if you breathe through your mouth. You adapt to the higher level very quickly — but only if you stick at it. If you can keep your child’s mouth closed [unless they are talking or eating] for just one day, then the next day it will be much easier for them to keep zipped. So go through the Mouse and Elephant Story — just read it out if you wish — or substitute animals. Do not under-estimate your childs ability to understand what you are saying. Explain about the breathing — even if you think they will not understand!  Do all of the hand actions, of feeling the breaths, and holding the mouse. It is better if you have a dry run by yourself first so you know how you would hold a mouse or put a finger under an elephants nose. Have do some practice at mouse breathing, and explain that it can be done at any time, but especially if any symptoms occur. Explain about why they should breathe through their noses only. Then it is time to introduce steps as an exercise. On the first day the focus should be on getting the form right. Go to page 78     Go to beginning of Chapter | HOME | PRODUCTS | ORDER FROM | CONTACT US |