Email:
“Hey Jesse, just to let you know, today has been the best day yet.  Tuesday I used my albuterol much too much and had a terrible night Monday into Tuesday morn.  But after calling Buteyko Hotline and speaking with you, I tried what you suggested.  Yesterday was great.  Today's the best day yet.  Thank you!"

Another email in a few days:
“I'm so grateful for an alternative to inhaled steroids.  I feel so, so much better not taking Advair!  I can't tell you how great it is!  After 10 years chained to that medicine and wondering about the adverse side effects and not feeling well for so long, I am so happy to be free of it!”

Another email:
“Jesse, your suggestions were excellent!  No problems since that day - I keep reminding myself not to automatically reach for that rescue inhaler (old habits die hard), but it's been working.  Yesterday I didn't even need to use it upon waking, or today either.  Cold air earlier this evening did make me use it without thinking.  Not the next time this happens though!  I did it without thinking and wasn't breathing through my nose then.  So next time...”


Barbara Capalbo
Westchester County, NY

My name is Dante DeSario and I’m 13 years old. I’ve had bad asthma all of my life. I went to all types of doctors for years on end, while taking various medications that didn’t seem to be doing anything. About a month ago, my parents discovered an article in the New York Times about Buteyko Center USA, so we decided to try it out.

I had a demanding job and a growing family; after I was admitted into the hospital at age 41 I decided I couldn’t maintain my lifestyle and my health so I resigned from my job. The stress in my life dropped 100 fold. I had only one significant health issue after that, but ultimately was able to live free of all drugs and feel well for over 2 years. Then, while living out of the country, I came down with a significant respiratory infection. The drugs were launched in force – regular nebulizing, a myriad of progressively stronger antibiotics, prednisone, inhalers; the list felt endless. My body became accustomed to the prednisone and stopped producing cortisol. I became adrenal insufficient; my adrenal glands dried up – no energy, constant weight loss, headaches and consistent mood swings. I contracted pneumonia twice this past winter. And the mucus production in my chest was unending. My life was controlled by what felt like my never ending illness. In summary, I was a mess!

The medical community’s answer was always more drugs. I took them while always feeling they never really made a difference. The only drugs I knew for sure were effective were prednisone and the antibiotics, and they both terrified me. The inhalers and the nebulizer could best be described as murky in their effectiveness. I felt like my body could heal itself if given the chance and that my state of health was worsened by the barrage of potent drugs. I was on a constant journey to find good health. The medical community made me paranoid telling me it was allergies making me sick – I was afraid of everything, believing I was under siege from my environment. I sought out a variety of alternative medicines. I also knew my breathing wasn’t right – it seemed jumpy and irregular.

I finally found the Buteyko Method. So much of what the material said resonated with my experience. And I welcomed the opportunity to talk with people who knew what I had gone through because they had traveled the same road. I have been practicing the Buteyko Method for three months and intend to continue until I am cured. I have been very disciplined in adhering to the routine and moving along to new exercises with Sasha’s guidance. My starting Control Pause was 12. It is now a fairly reliable 30 or better. After doing the chant Om Mani Peme Hum it can be 60! The first time it happened I thought I must have done something wrong or I was delusional. It was neither. My mucus production and coughing have diminished significantly. I lead a nearly normal lifestyle and it is wonderful! I still have challenging days, but year-over-year, my health condition is like night and day. And best of all, the breathing exercises and Skype sessions with Sasha have given me the confidence that I can “be me” again – a priceless gift for which I will always be grateful.
                         

John Procaccino
Cincinnati, OH