Editing Buteyko method (section)

=== Reduced breathing exercises ===

The core Buteyko exercises involve breath control: consciously reducing either breathing rate or breathing volume.<ref name="Breathe">{{cite journal|last1=Thomas|first1=Mike|last2=Bruton|first2=Anne|title=Breathing exercises for asthma|journal=Breathe|date=December 2014|volume=10|issue=4|pages=313–322|doi=10.1183/20734735.008414|doi-access=free}}</ref> Many teachers refer to Buteyko as 'breathing retraining' and compare the method to learning to ride a bicycle. They say that after adequate practice time, the techniques become instinctive and the exercises are gradually phased out as the condition improves.

Buteyko uses a measurement called the ''control pause'' (CP), the amount of time between breaths that an individual can comfortably hold breath.<ref name="Courtney" /> According to Buteyko teachers, people with asthma who regularly practice Buteyko breathing will notice an increase in CP and decrease in pulse rate that corresponds to decreased asthma symptoms.