The Buteyko method, named after Buteyko, a Russian physician who devised it, is a three-step method of learning to deal more effectively with asthmatic symptoms and other breathing-related problems. It consists of a number of breathing exercises which can be easily learnt to completion over a period of only seven days.

The three steps of the Buteyko method are:

Step 1: The "Control Pause" Breathing Test
Breathe in an out twice. Exhale. Stop breathing in or out for at least one minute.

Step 2: Shallow Breathing
Breathe normally for five minutes, with your mouth shut tight. At this point, repeat the first step of the Buteyko method, and try to stop breathing for longer than a minute. If your nostrils are blocked up, hold your nose with your forefinger and thumb for two or three minutes to unblock them.

Step 3: Putting It Together
Repeat the first and second steps of the program at least four times in a row, over a period of approximately half an hour.

These steps should be done three times every day over the length of a week. After that, you will discover that your control over your breathing has radically improved, and you will be less susceptible to being caught helpless by asthma attacks as well.