Andrew Marr is a certified instructor at Buteyko Clinic International

I qualified with Patrick in 2020, both as a Buteyko Teacher and an Oxygen Advantage instructor.

I am a psychotherapist and clinical hypnotherapist (previously an engineer and manager). Breathing is my passion. I bring it into my therapy work. It helps with almost everything, but especially anxiety, stress and better sleep. In the past, I have delivered online courses on breathing (for workplace stress) to groups of hospital staff in the NHS. Post-pandemic, I worked extensively with NHS staff suffering from long-Covid, helping them return to work.

Hypnotherapy has been shown to be an effective tool in treating asthma and I am perhaps one of the few therapists in the UK combining it with the Buteyko Method. Addressing the anxiety that invariably accompanies any respiratory condition is an important part of my approach. So, for those interested in trying it, I include relaxation and ‘breath-freeing’ recordings in the treatment plan. They have proved popular with the people I work with. I also combine relaxation-focused recordings with breathing and music to help calm the mind prior to sleep.

I believe in giving people value for money (my Scottish side?), so I try to make every Buteyko session count and for people to have things to take away and use in their own time. I also try to make sessions enjoyable. Experience tells me that some humour in a session is always good - to laugh is to relax!

For me, the Buteyko Method has something of critical importance for anyone with respiratory problems, who will know how 'threatening' it feels to be short of breath: it is totally safe. Even if exercises can feel challenging sometimes- they are all safe. In fact, I often find that people take to the challenging exercises the most. Added to that, unlike medication, the 'side effects' from Buteyko are always good. Improved sleep or mood or capacity to exercise, for someone who comes simply to reduce their asthma symptoms, is welcomed with surprise and joy.

Like all of us no doubt, I am constantly surprised and delighted with the successful outcomes that come from teaching Buteyko. Yes, it requires a willingness to try something new and put some time and effort into changing habits, but for almost every client I have had the pleasure of working with- it has been nothing short of life-changing. I would urge anyone to give it a try.