May 2009

I have personally been asthmatic most for my adult life. The Buteyko Method works! As a Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician for 32 years, I have treated hundreds of asthmatic patients. The obvious questions with asthmatics are always:

April 2009

It was frightening and stressful to watch my husband suffer through his asthma attacks. I was concerned how long he could continue in this compromised state of ill health. I was praying daily for his recovery from his asthma.

I feel that my prayers were answered the day we learned about the Buteyko Method of breathing. I feel very fortunate to have the Buteyko Center located directly in our own town of Woodstock, NY, as we were prepared to travel some distance to learn this technique. Thomas Drakon Fredricksen, our instructor is understanding and supportive, not only to David, but to me - his caregiver. I am gratified to be undergoing the training of the Buteyko Method of Breathing alongside David. This allows me to help David improve his breathing and to utilize the techniques more effectively because I am also taking the training and striving to breath in the Buteyko Method.

Thomas is an inspiring teacher, whose caring manner makes learning this method a positive, empowering experience. A side benefit to the miraculous easing of David's asthmatic symptoms, are my improved clarity of mental focus and renewed vigor. I am so grateful for the gift of health and hope you have given to us both - thank you!

April 2009 

My asthma was diagnosed as serious and poorly controlled, and my quality of life had deteriorated significantly. A not uncommon health condition, in which my eyesight is jeopardized by the use of inhaled steroids, has forced me to go without the most effective known medical treatment for controlling asthma, thus leaving me at serious risk and vulnerable to repeated asthma attacks. There are no currently known successful medical treatment options open to me.

Through an acquaintance, I stumbled onto information about the Buteyko Method. Further research turned up the presence of the Buteyko Center in Woodstock, New York, the official representative presence in the U.S. of the Buteyko Institute in Moscow. Instructor Thomas Drakon Fredricksen admitted me into their program to get me started on my path to overcoming my asthma and in just 13 days of training, diligent participation and practice, I have already improved well beyond anything I could have imagined.

The Buteyko Method offers a qualitative way of measuring progress which is called the "Control Pause". This is a measure of one's ability to breathe successfully in a healthful way according the practice of the Buteyko Method and is designated by a numerical benchmark. When I arrived, my number was very low and in less than two weeks, my breathing capacity, as measured by the Control Pause, has increased 5 times over my initial number. As I gradually learn these new techniques, I already notice a distinct improvement in my daily and nightly breathing, as well as a reduced need for my inhaler.

Both Thomas and Sasha are deeply knowledgeable about the Buteyko Method. As an instructor, Thomas is thorough and encouraging, as well as available beyond the Center after hours for support, which is reassuring in bridging the gulf between dependence on inhalers and learning this new method. This training with Thomas is both very instructive and enjoyable. Knowing that Thomas was also a previous sufferer of serious asthma gives his insight credibility which is comforting, and his own personal recovery and success with the Buteyko Method offers great hope to me.

For me, the Buteyko Method is a heaven sent gift. I will practice the Buteyko Method for the rest of my life and am deeply grateful for the opportunity this method will afford me to go back to living life with renewed energy, now with hope for a long healthy life.

April 2009 

"I am writing to thank you again for the amazing help that your instructions on Buteyko have given me. In the short time that I have been working with Thomas, I've seen significant improvement in my breathing and my ability to deal with stress. Overall I feel healthier and calmer which changes the quality of each day for me. And I'm getting more accomplished each day. As you know, I've got a lot going on in my world. I look forward to continuing our work on Skype and also appreciate your answers to my questions by e-mail"

With aloha,


Jason Schwartz
Maui, Hawaii

March 2009 

Please accept my great appreciation for the sessions which I completed with you at your center in Woodstock, New York. I also appreciate you continuing to work with me on SKYPE. I continue to incorporate the exercises which you taught me into my work-out programs and I am using these with my students in the Martial Arts to increase their physical abilities and over-all strength.

My breathing difficulties have decreased greatly over this last month. And I am looking forward to the completion of my "Breathe Less" course and moving on to "The Buteyko Lifestyle" series. In the thirty years since my lungs were damaged by hydracloric acid, I have not breathed as well as I am now doing following The Buteyko Method. I have reduced my use of medication by over seventy-five percent and expect to have a full recovery soon. As a professional Marital Artist and a life long ruby player, my health is greatly determined by the condition of my respiratory system. You have given me "the breath of Life" and I will always grateful to your efforts. I hope that someday you will be able to do a workshop in my Karate Studio.