Former Squash Champion Alexia Clonda Champions Buteyko Breathing

Following her successful advocacy during Asthma Awareness Month, Alexia Clonda, a leading Breathing, Mindset, and Spiritual Coach and former World No. 5 squash player, is once again using her platform to empower individuals with asthma. This time, her focus is on World Asthma Day, emphasising the transformative potential of the Buteyko Breathing Technique (BBT).

Clonda’s own story exemplifies the power of breathwork. A lifelong asthmatic, she battled debilitating symptoms and heavy reliance on steroids until discovering the Buteyko Method in 1994. “The asthma was totally out of control,” recalls Alexia, who is the Breathing, Mindset, and Spiritual Coach at Mind Breathing Edge. “Buteyko Breathing changed my life!”

Published in the European Journal of Medical Research, a randomized and controlled study entitled “Effect of Buteyko breathing technique on clinical and functional parameters in adult patients with asthma” concluded that Buteyko was deserving of additional attention as a tool for dealing with asthma. The Journal notes, “The data of this randomized, controlled trial demonstrated positive clinical effects in terms of improved asthma control and lower medication use after Buteyko breathing therapy at home over a period of three months.

“These improvements were associated with improvements of indices used for the quantification of breathhold prolongation with Buteyko therapy. They were also reflected in a small increase in bronchial volume detected by capnovolumetry during normal breathing, which again occurred despite the reduction in respiratory pharmacotherapy. As the self-controlled breathing therapy was well-accepted by the participants, it seems to be a supporting tool in asthma therapy that is worth of wider attention in clinical practice.”

Many people, Clonda explains, breathe incorrectly without realizing it. This dysfunctional breathing, often characterised by mouth breathing and shallow chest breaths, can exacerbate asthma symptoms, and negatively impact overall health. Scientific studies have also looked at the critical role of proper breathing. A recent study from Aarhus University [1] highlights the far-reaching effects of breath on the brain, emotions, attention, and information processing. This connection explains why breathing techniques are employed by professional athletes for peak performance.

Developed by Ukrainian doctor Konstantin Buteyko in the 1950s, the Buteyko Breathing Technique (BBT) focuses on breath control to improve respiratory function. Through targeted exercises, BBT helps individuals regulate breath speed and volume, promoting slower, calmer, and more efficient breathing patterns. By optimising breathing patterns and reducing overbreathing, BBT offers a range of benefits for those with asthma, including:

Enhanced breath control to reduce wheezing, coughing and breathlessness.
Improved asthma management by preventing overbreathing which can trigger asthma attacks.
Balance carbon dioxide levels, leading to a reduction in anxiety.
Promotes deep sleep to improve sleep quality and potentially alleviate sleep apnea.

Alexia Clonda’s mission at Mind Breathing Edge is to empower individuals to take control of their health through optimal breathing techniques. “I don’t want anyone to suffer as I did,” she says.

World Asthma Day serves as a powerful reminder of the millions living with asthma worldwide. By incorporating Buteyko Breathing into their daily routine, individuals can take a proactive approach to managing their asthma, reduce stress, and experience a newfound sense of well-being.

For more information, visit: www.themindbreathingedge.com.

References

[1] https://health.au.dk/en/display/artikel/nyt-studie-hjernens-rytme-foelger-din-vejrtraekning