Buteyko Manual For Asthma Continued. Page 82 Steps sessions should now be done three times per day, with 4 to 5 sets of steps each session. ie. this means that each session should consist of 4 - 5 sets of steps, the number of which is recorded on a form or eventually in a notebook. It is valuable to also record the level of asthma and medication next to the steps records on a daily basis. This clearly shows the decrease in symptoms and relief medication needed as the number of steps increases. On this day it is useful to introduce the idea to the child that there is significant benefit in breathing like a mouse after ANY physical activity. This will stop any exercise induced asthma that may exist, as well and decreasing the recovery time for sports or activity. ie. if you breathe like a mouse after running around, you will be ready to run around again sooner than if you breathe like an elephant. A good illustration of children using exertion to start asthma is to observe small children running around madly, having an excellent time, getting very “puffed” [which of course is “elephant” breathing,] then shortly after starting to cough a little, then more and more until a full blown asthma attack is in progress. This is short-circuited by mouse breathing and not coughing. Another example is the child with the ability to throw a tantrum until they begin to cough, then starts the asthma cycle. Parents learn to recognize this cycle and may become conditioned to simply “give in” as it better than a couple of weeks of having a very sick child — possibly in hospital with asthma. The answer is to explain how the breathing during the tantrum causes the asthma, and to forbid it. Alternative attention [positive] hopefully may result in the replacement of the tantrum behaviour with a less damaging one. Extra Breathing Drills These may be introduced on the second day if your child is free of symptoms. If your child is quite unwell or low in energy — wait until they feel better. As with steps, start very gently, there is no rush, and it is for fun [with a little breathing lesson]. Go to page 83     Go to beginning of Chapter | HOME | PRODUCTS | ORDER FROM | CONTACT US |