Buteyko Manual For Asthma Continued. Page 78 Steps Instructions: Take a normal breath in through your nose, then let a little tiny breath out through your nose, pinch your nose from above, and march across the room. When you cannot go any further, stop! When you stop, you must breathe only through your ..........NOSE, just like a little .......MOUSE. It will feel a bit funny but that is OK, just stay really still with your finger under your nose and you will soon feel better. Make sure that you keep your mouth zipped shut, or some air will try to sneak in! If any air does sneak in, you have to stop, and just breathe like a ..... mouse through your .......nose. It is a good idea to arrange the setting so that you can see if their are any sneaked mouth breaths especially with smaller children who will do it to try and please you, or to compete with a sibling. If there is breath — blame the air that “sneaked in”, rather than the child to causing it to happen. Count each step that is marched. Allow them to go at whatever pace they want most prefer brisk as it is less boring and higher numbers are reached. No running is to allowed, but fast walking is OK. Record the number of steps — there is a sample form at the end of this chapter; there is a sample workout sheet at the end of this chapter. Reinforce with them and yourself that the most important part is the breathing like a mouse when they stop, and for several minures afterward. When the child stops, stand next to him, making sure the finger is under the nose. Say that they will feel a bit strange, but that is OK. It is normal for children to raise their shoulders upward and to tense their body when they stop. Ask them to lower their shoulders [downwards] and to relax. Then remind them to mouse breathe. On the first attempt, some children can only go for a few steps, while others may do up to 30 or more. It does not matter too much on the first day, and there is no need to push them for more steps — this can be increased gently over the next few days. There is no rush. Go to page 79     Go to beginning of Chapter | HOME | PRODUCTS | ORDER FROM | CONTACT US |