Summary
This is a re-release of the Find Your Daily Calm episode featuring a guided Buteyko reduced breathing exercise with Dr. Charles Edward Florendo, Southeast Asia's first physician certified in the Buteyko breathing method. The episode presents the Buteyko technique as a therapeutic approach that uses breath retention exercises to help manage asthma, anxiety, panic, and allergies. Dr. Florendo leads a full guided session that begins with progressive body relaxation from head to toes, then transitions into reduced breathing. Listeners are instructed to sit upright, keep their mouth closed, and focus on relaxing each body part while allowing their breathing to become progressively softer. The key instruction is to embrace the feeling of air hunger without catching your breath, reducing inhalation by about 20%. The practice emphasizes diaphragmatic breathing over chest breathing, with the chest remaining still while the abdomen expands and contracts. The episode explains that the air hunger sensation indicates rising carbon dioxide, which opens blood vessels and delivers more oxygen to cells. The session is designed to improve blood circulation and oxygenation through relaxed, reduced breathing.
Key Points
- Buteyko breathing is a therapeutic method using breath retention to control breathing speed and volume
- Progressive body relaxation from head to toes naturally reduces breathing volume
- Keep mouth closed and breathe exclusively through the nose throughout the entire session
- Chest should remain still during breathing — only the abdomen should move
- Embrace the feeling of air hunger as a sign of improved blood vessel dilation and oxygen delivery
- Reduce inhalation by 20% to create a mild, tolerable air deficit
- The natural breathing pattern should follow inhale, exhale, pause — without forcing the pause
- Consistent daily practice improves blood circulation and overall oxygenation
Key Moments
Buteyko manages asthma, anxiety, allergies and promotes weight loss
Host Sel Gaston introduces the Buteyko breathing technique as a therapeutic method using breath retention to control breathing speed and volume, helping manage asthma, anxiety, panic, allergies, and even promoting weight loss without strenuous exercise.
"The Buteyko breathing technique is a therapeutic breathing method that uses breath retention exercises to control the speed and volume of your breath. This helps you to learn to breathe more slowly, calmly, and effectively."
Air hunger opens blood vessels and improves oxygen delivery
Dr. Florendo explains that the air hunger sensation during reduced breathing signals that blood vessels are opening and oxygen is being delivered more thoroughly to body cells, while instructing listeners to keep their chest still and breathe only with the abdomen.
"You may start to feel a sense of air hunger. Resist the temptation to take in a deep breath. Do not catch your breath. Instead, focus on relaxing. The sense of air hunger is a sign that your blood vessels are opening up and your oxygen is being delivered to your body cells more thoroughly."
Reduced breathing improves CO2 levels and blood flow
After completing the guided exercise, Dr. Florendo explains that the activity improves carbon dioxide levels in the blood leading to improved blood flow and oxygenation, and warns that dizziness or palpitations may indicate incorrect technique.
"You have just successfully reduced your breathing through relaxation. You should feel more relaxed and your airways more open. This activity improves the carbon dioxide levels in your blood leading to improved blood flow and oxygenation."
