A simple breathing test you can do right now.
Do you struggle with asthma, hay fever, snoring, sleep apnoea, anxiety, panic attacks, poor sleep, chronic cough or chronic fatigue? You're not alone — and few people consider how their breathing might be part of the picture.
The Control Pause Test
A quick measure of your breathing health — used by Buteyko practitioners worldwide. Takes under a minute.
Try this test
Follow these four steps in order.
- 1
Take a normal breath in
Through your nose, and allow a normal breath out through your nose. Don't empty or fill your lungs beforehand.
- 2
Gently pinch your nostrils shut
Hold your breath. Stay relaxed — no straining, no chest tightening.
- 3
Count the seconds
Until you feel the first definite desire to breathe — a push in the diaphragm or throat. Don't push to your absolute limit; hold just until the first urge.
- 4
Release and resume
Resume normal breathing through your nose. It should feel the same as before. If you have to take a large breath, you held it too long.
How many seconds did you get?
Healthy & energised
A vital, energetic person should be able to comfortably hold their breath with no respiratory sensations for at least 40 seconds.
Room to improve
Your breathing pattern is likely affecting your energy, sleep or recovery in subtle ways. Worth a closer look.
Likely dysfunctional
You're likely to have dysfunctional breathing, sub-optimal cellular oxygenation and poor health. Breathing retraining can make a significant difference.
Good breathing supports good health
Our breathing habits are a major key to health, immunity and good energy levels. Dysfunctional breathing is the underlying cause of many common health problems — it doesn't matter what you eat, how much you exercise, or how many supplements you take.
If your breathing health is poor, you will struggle. The good news: breathing patterns can be retrained — at any age, with any condition.
Look further into the link between your breathing and your health.
Book a 60-minute Breathing Assessment with Nicky — in clinic in Nelson, or online from anywhere in the world.