Both Buteyko and Yoga breathing techniques have benefited the health of many individuals and especially those with respiratory problems (ie. bronchitis & asthma). To the novice, the two systems may seem to contradict each other but I would argue there are many similarities between them.
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While Pranayama is a component of the yoga tradition, which also consists of meditation and physical postures, Buteyko is a system solely focusing on breath training.
| Buteyko Method | Pranayama | |
|---|---|---|
| Founder | Konstantin Buteyko | Various Teachers |
| Purpose | Breathing Rehabilitation | Lifestyle practice |
| Founded | 20th century | 3,000 bc * |
| Breathing Practice | Based on 1 fundamental principle | A conglomeration of exercises |
| Focus | Breathing Biochemistry | Pranayama is geared towards affecting the ANS, Asana towards improving breathing biomechanics |
| Scientific Research | Limited yet conclusive & in-line with the laws of respiratory physiology | Plenty but not systematic |
| Safety | High | Depends on the exercise |
*ref
Pranayama vs Buteyko Breathing
So far there has been only one study from the University of Nottingham that compared the 2 systems (ref). The study was conducted among 90 individuals (69 of which completed the study) that suffered from asthma and were on corticosteroid medication. At the end of the study, which run for 6 months, the Buteyko group showed improvement in both symptoms and a reduction in bronchodilator use.
How do pranayama techniques compare with Buteyko breathing?
Pranayama techniques, primarily due to the lack of one reliable source, are practiced in different ways. Many practitioners use “Light on Pranayama” BKS Iyengar as a reference. Exercises can be performed in various degrees of difficulty by modifying the duration of the breath. It is beyond the scope of this article to explain how this can be achieved but to help you grasp the concept think of box breathing:
Version A: Inhale for 2 sec, Hold for 2sec, Exhale for 2sec, Hold for 2sec. Perform x5 rounds.
Version B: Inhale for 20 sec, Hold for 20sec, Exhale for 20sec, Hold for 20sec. Perform x10 rounds.
While most pranayama techniques are (unfortunately) instructed without much reference to the volume of air, by the time the duration of each cycle increases minute ventilation will unavoidably reduce. Reduction in minute ventilation is at the heart of the Buteyko Method which aims to prevent individuals from chronic and acute hyperventilation.
In the table below you can see a list of pranayama exercises. Those with a sign 〰️ can lead to hypercapnia, while the ones with an ❌ are likely to cause hypocapnia.
| Slow | Rhythmic | Nasal | Hypercapnic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sama Vritti | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | 〰️ |
| Visama Vritti | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | 〰️ |
| Viloma | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | 〰️ |
| Bhramari | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
| Digital | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Bhastrika | ✔️ | ❌ | ||
| Kapalbhati | ✔️ | ❌ | ||
| Sitali | ❌ | |||
| Anuloma | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | 〰️ |
| Pratiloma | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | 〰️ |
| Nadi Shodhana | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | 〰️ |
Hypercapnia is a key element of Buteyko training.
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Is ujjayi breathing compatible with the Buteyko method?
One of the hallmarks of yoga is Ujjayi breathing which often (and correctly in my option) it’s suggested to be performed at all times during asana. Given the different ways that ujjayi breath is practiced, it may appear to be diametrically opposite to Buteyko breathing.
Ujjayi breath is characterized by a sound produced during the exhalatio by the constriction of the throat. The sound, for some unknown to me reason, is sometimes exaggerated making the breath loud. In my opinion, ujjayi should be performed as follows:
Both the inhalation and the exhalation take place through the nose with the tongue at the top of the pallet. The inhalation is soft. During the exhalation, the back of the throat gently constricts allowing the elongation of the exhalation further than normal. The exhalation to inhalation ratio is 2:1 or much higher. The breath is quiet.
When practiced like this, the ujjayi breath will lead to hypercapnia and thus cause an increase in body temperature, similar to all hypercapnic breathing exercises.
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How to incorporate Buteyko in yoga?
To the extent that you want to support the oxygenation of your brain 🧠 and peripheral organs during your physical practice, you would benefit by breathing light from start to finish. Breathing this way is likely to cause a sense of air hunger, especially in classes where the pace is fast.
You can also incorporate hypoxic breathing in your practice depending on your level of experience and breathing capacity. It is always important to account for the challenges asanas cause to the breath during yoga.
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The role of Control Pause in Yoga
Buteyko practitioners, like myself, like to use the Control Pause (CP) test as an approximation of clients’ respiratory capacity. CP can also be performed at the start of a yoga practice. Below is a list of factors that need to be considered:
• CP will tend to be lower later in the day
• CP will be affected by fluctuations in hormone levels. That is likely to be more pronounced in women.
• If the practitioner is seating on the floor (as opposed to a chair), limitations in his posture is likely to affect the CP negatively.
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My take on Breathwork
The Buteyko method is a cornerstone of Breathwork. Not because I am a Buteyko instructor but simply because because its principles are in line the laws of respiratory physiology. Any breathing practice that ignores these principles are unlikely to have long term results as they are ignoring the laws of nature. At the same time the Buteyko Method is NOT complete (video) and yoga, both asana & pranayama can compliment everyones breath training.
Adopting only 1 of the 2 or considering them contradicting is in my opinion myopic. Merge the 2 practices and chances are you will see a significant benefit in your respiratory capacity. You can learn how to two can be combined in the Breathe Right 5d course.
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