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Testimonials from the medical profession

I work in General Practice and the knowledge that I gained from Glenn’s course has been invaluable to my understanding of some the health problems presenting in the people I see. I cannot imagine practising medicine without the understanding I now have of the impact of faulty breathing on health.

I highly recommend the Buteyko Course. It is very useful for asthma but also chronic hay fever and snoring and has a role to play in the management of anxiety.

Mimi Irwin MBCHB, Dip Obs, D MF Homeopathy London,
Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, GP Mt Eden, Auckland


Glenn has helped many of my patients and empowered them to move beyond their asthma. With his Buteyko techniques they have been able to reduce inhaler use significantly. He has been particularly successful with children - they love Glenn's enthusiastic style. I have no hesitation in recommending Glenn and his techniques to patients.

Graeme Kidd MBChB, FRNZC, GP Howick, Auckland


As a General Practitioner for twenty five years I have often been dissatisfied with the disease control and quality of life achieved by my asthmatic patients. The common thread despite their use of medication correctly has been poor perception and attitude towards their illness, often with fear of loss of control.

All of my patients who have been referred to Buteyko have returned with a much stronger attitude towards monitoring symptoms and controlling their condition. This has for every patient resulted in much greater self-confidence and improved enjoyment of life, often with reduced need for medication, especially during exacerbations.

I have found Glenn extremely consultative about my patients, completely professional in his approach, and especially co-operative about my recommendations for medication. At no time has he suggested alteration to inhaler programmes without full consultation and I have been impressed to find that his suggestions have invariably been wise treatment changes. I therefore have complete confidence in referring my patients to him for Buteyko teaching and enjoy their renewed enthusiasm for life and control of their asthma.

Graeme F Washer Mb, ChB, FRACS


All published studies on the Buteyko breathing technique, including one which we performed in Gisborne, have shown positive results. Reductions of reliever medications averaged 85 to 95 per cent and reductions in preventer medication 40 to 50 per cent.

Bruce Duncan MBChb, MSc, MRCGP, MFPHM, FAFPHM, DCH, Gisborne Hospital

Patrick McHugh BMedSc, MB, ChB, DipGUMed, Dip MSM, Gisborne Hospital


My book, Every Breath You Take, was the result of six years of research into the Buteyko Method and the results it has achieved for asthma sufferers. The results are astonishing and suggest a direct link between our breathing patterns and our level of health.

Dr Paul Ameisen from ‘Every Breath You Take’


Testimonials from Buteyko course attendees

For 12 years I never went anywhere without my blue, orange, brown inhalers in my bag. I was pathologically focused on removing the triggers and would always blame the cat hair on the couch, heavily perfumed guests, the air-conditioning in the office, for aggravating my asthma.

It all changed one day when I saw an advertisement for the Buteyko Method. Buteyko taught me how to breathe slowly but shallowly and to adopt routines and exercises to manage asthma without drugs and completely changed my attitude.

One day I woke up and realised that without even knowing I hadn't had asthma for three months. I have only ever had to take medication when I have had a cold - but in the main I am asthma free, and it feels great.

I decided to go public with my story in the New Zealand Herald to remind people they can have "rangatiratanga" over their health.

Tariana Turia Co-Leader NZ Maori Party



I undertook a Buteyko course run by Glenn White in November of 2004. I have not had an asthma attack since. Nor have I used an asthma puffer. I have incorporated the principles I learned from Buteyko into my training. I credit buteyko with totally overcoming my asthma and I am truly grateful for all it has taught me.

Darnelle Timbs NZ Rowing Four 2004-05


The Buteyko programme is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself

I was suffering with Hyperventilation Syndrome, panic attacks, and sleep apnoea. This caused my blood pressure to swing up and down. I was taking Betaloc to control the blood pressure which added to my symptoms. I was also on medication for high Cholesterol, from which I had side effects.

I was unable to work and doctors could not diagnose what the problem was, except for the sleep apnoea. For that, I eventually spent a night in the Sleep Apnoea clinic at Waikato Hospital. From then on I used a machine at night so that I could breathe.

Prior to that I had several visits to Accident & Emergency at three different hospitals, plus overnight stays in the heart ward.

Buteyko has changed my life. I am now fit and healthy. I walk an hour daily and can now swim 30 lengths of a swimming pool. I take no drugs, no high blood pressure and no high cholesterol. Sure I sometimes forget to breathe – but I just do a simple breathing exercise which nobody would even know I was doing.

So many thanks Glenn – my life has changed.

Essie, age 65


Luke is off all his asthma medication now and I know longer worry about him because I know he can control his symptoms.

Raphael (Mother of Luke 8)



We cannot recommend Buteyko highly enough to other parents who live with the fear and heartache of seeing their child struggle with asthma and breathing.

Kristen ( Mother of Ben 10)


When Tomás was at Starship Hospital for the second time in a month in August 2005 we were really concerned that we were running out of options to treat his asthma. We were lucky to get the advice from a hospital emergency doctor that we should enroll him in a Buteyko breathing course.

Tomás is only four and yet the progress he has made is remarkable. Just after a week of doing the course the change was highly noticeable. Ventolin dose was dropped dramatically making him a more happy boy as he was not so overexcited all the time.

Nowadays we can even enjoy all kinds of activities like boogie boarding with no sign of wheezing or coughing.

We think the Buteyko System has worked really well for him and in a sense for everybody in our family as we can enjoy outdoors without the constant concern about his asthma.

Silvana and Eduardo Sanchez (parents of Tomás)


I am just so delighted to have Kent drug free and would strongly encourage others with asthma to consider giving Buteyko a go. Thank you Glenn!

Gillian (Mother of Kent 9)


Years of loud snoring finally drove my husband and I apart (we both snore). I would always wake up tired and often get drowsy in the afternoon. It got to the point where I could even fall asleep in meetings I was chairing. Realising I needed to do something I consulted a sleep specialist and was diagnosed with sleep apnoea in 2004. A CPAP machine was recommended. The prospect of being hooked up to a machine that breathed for me at night was freaky but I was running out of options.

A friend suggested I phone Glenn at Buteyko Breath Correction and ask if he thought it could help. I was sceptical but decided to give it a go. I'm so glad I did. In one week I was sleeping better than I had for years. A year later I can get right through the night without a trip to the bathroom. I awake refreshed and maintain my energy levels right through the day. I recommend this course for anyone who snores or has sleep apnoea.

Joan 56


I use the Buteyko method for training purposes and find it extremely good for accelerating recovery.

Mark 49


My asthma is very much under control. I have played several games of rugby and feel great. My heart rate is now down to between 60 to 72, much better than the 92 I recorded when we first met.

I have been able to discontinue the Serevent and have only needed two puffs of Ventolin since doing the course. Oral steroid gradually reduced and finished 16th March 04. Flixotide gradually reduced 4th April 04 to one puff twice a day, 27th April 04 to date one puff once a day. I am keen to finish completely.

So there you have it, a miracle.

James 44


I did not really expect Buteyko to work but tried it because I was running out of conventional options. To my amazement Buteyko has worked very effectively and for the first time in nearly 20 years I am no longer dependant on any drugs.

Keith 56


I found your instruction extremely enjoyable and cannot believe the improvements I have made in one week. Being impatient I was concerned I wouldn't stick it out, but not so.
Another small success, my pulse has dropped to 72 from an old low of 76. I would be happy to act as a reference for you at any time. Thanks so much for sticking with me.

Steve 54


The Buteyko breathing course has dramatically changed my life so much that I, my family and my friends are astonished at the results. It is just a year ago that I did the course. At that stage I was being treated for C.O.R.D disease and chronic bronchitis, which was becoming worse, despite increasingly larger doses of antibiotics, prednisone and bronchodilators.

Since starting the Buteyko course I have had no bronchitis, no medication at all and my general health has improved so much that I am still amazed with the results. I am so grateful to Buteyko.

Val 80

Further testimonials including telephone contacts of those who have completed a Buteyko Breath Correction course and are willing to talk about their experience are available on request.