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Anxiety Free: Stop Worrying and Quieten Your Mind - Featuring the Buteyko Breathing Method and Mindfulness
This book and CD detail simple breathing exercises as developed by the Late Professor Buteyko to improve blood circulation and increase oxygenation of tissues and organs, most notably the brain. Also included are self-help tools designed to help you understand the nature of the mind and how to step out of thought.
240 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2010
109 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Patrick McKeown
62 books87 followersInternational best-selling author of The Oxygen Advantage and creator and master instructor of the Oxygen Advantage® technique, Patrick McKeown is widely regarded as one of the world's leading breathing re-education experts.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 3, 2016
Interesting and enlightening regarding breathing. The thoughts aspect was very much like mindfulness without using the usual mindfulness language.
I have found the breathing techniques beneficial and I do feel less stressed.
I have found the breathing techniques beneficial and I do feel less stressed.
March 10, 2018
I am a mouth breather. According to this book, and given the rate at which I breathe, I over oxygenate, which leads to mental disruption, increased anxiety and so on. This is a positive feedback loop which will lead towards maximizing the bad behavior and leading to disequilibrium and lower health. Additionally, I sleep at night with my mouth open. I have a hard time breathing through my nose, in part, as McKeown says, because my nostrils are closed because I over oxygenate. In doing so my CO2 levels are lower than needed so that my blood vessels are constricted.
In the first half of this book, McKeown gives tips as to how to self-regulate. He gives practical advice as to how to change your behavior. In the second half of the book, he dives deeply into the mental issues that are part of the bad behavior: the anxiety, traumas, and self-perceptions that drive us into automatic behavior.
The one thing that I can point out that I didn't like about the book was his idea that we are only the self that watches. We are certainly our body too; that is why it is important for us to control our breathing to manage our pain and so on. He is right in that we are not JUST our body... we are not our trauma. But our trauma is a part of us just as the self that watches is part of us as well. Everything that we are aware of is part of us, which means that there is contradiction everywhere. We struggle against ourselves because we have multiple lives, multiple existences on different levels. By prizing one level above others, McKeown is at least mentally denying the reality of our integrated self. Everything we do effects us, as part of us. It is our prerogative to decide if we want to prioritize one aspect of ourselves above all others or not. But it is damaging to run from our traumas just as it is to dwell in their reality for both actions would be a denial of the reality that presents itself before us. We are all that and because we are that, we are also more than that.
In the first half of this book, McKeown gives tips as to how to self-regulate. He gives practical advice as to how to change your behavior. In the second half of the book, he dives deeply into the mental issues that are part of the bad behavior: the anxiety, traumas, and self-perceptions that drive us into automatic behavior.
The one thing that I can point out that I didn't like about the book was his idea that we are only the self that watches. We are certainly our body too; that is why it is important for us to control our breathing to manage our pain and so on. He is right in that we are not JUST our body... we are not our trauma. But our trauma is a part of us just as the self that watches is part of us as well. Everything that we are aware of is part of us, which means that there is contradiction everywhere. We struggle against ourselves because we have multiple lives, multiple existences on different levels. By prizing one level above others, McKeown is at least mentally denying the reality of our integrated self. Everything we do effects us, as part of us. It is our prerogative to decide if we want to prioritize one aspect of ourselves above all others or not. But it is damaging to run from our traumas just as it is to dwell in their reality for both actions would be a denial of the reality that presents itself before us. We are all that and because we are that, we are also more than that.
January 17, 2021
These exercises are very simple and very effective. It was interesting to read how stress and anxiety cause over-breathing and how over-breathing will cause stress and anxiety.
In order to solve problems of the mind, it would also make sense to look at a persons breathing.
It was interesting to note that prolonged stress leads to prolonged over-breathing which will reset the respiratory centre in the brain so even when the stressor is removed, over-breathing will continue. According to McKeown, over-breathing is unlikely to reset and return to normal by itself. It will mostly require intervention.
These exercises are all about increasing our tolerance to Co2 in order to oxygenate the body efficiently.
I would recommend this book, 4 stars because I did find the stuff on mindfulness very boring and nothing that I haven't heard before. Also, ALL of Patrick's books more or less say the same thing so I wouldn't go and buy them all.
In order to solve problems of the mind, it would also make sense to look at a persons breathing.
It was interesting to note that prolonged stress leads to prolonged over-breathing which will reset the respiratory centre in the brain so even when the stressor is removed, over-breathing will continue. According to McKeown, over-breathing is unlikely to reset and return to normal by itself. It will mostly require intervention.
These exercises are all about increasing our tolerance to Co2 in order to oxygenate the body efficiently.
I would recommend this book, 4 stars because I did find the stuff on mindfulness very boring and nothing that I haven't heard before. Also, ALL of Patrick's books more or less say the same thing so I wouldn't go and buy them all.
February 23, 2017
Most of the anxiety information is nothing new. The Buteyko information is as good as I've seen (though I haven't seen much); it certainly rivals what is on the Buteyko DVD.
July 25, 2016
Takeaway: Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.
April 9, 2022
Buteyko methods explained and I would agree with anxiety part of the book.
It is nice to be reminded of essentials, don't expect big revelations but more rather subtle reminders on how to peacefully live your life.
Reason why I wanted to read the book was because of the Buteyko breathing method and I must say that this part is understandable and clearly written. This is a big plus from my side since it gives you the techniques for incorporating it into your life. If you will decide to try out the methods just know that it takes time for them to take effect, at least 2-4 weeks of practicing them every day.
It is nice to be reminded of essentials, don't expect big revelations but more rather subtle reminders on how to peacefully live your life.
Reason why I wanted to read the book was because of the Buteyko breathing method and I must say that this part is understandable and clearly written. This is a big plus from my side since it gives you the techniques for incorporating it into your life. If you will decide to try out the methods just know that it takes time for them to take effect, at least 2-4 weeks of practicing them every day.
June 16, 2021
Ein sehr sehr inspirierendes Buch. Es hat mich sehr zum Nachdenken angeregt und viele der Übungen werde ich in meinen Alltag integrieren. Empfehle es jedem sehr, nicht nur Menschen die aktiv unter angst Störungen leiden sondern jedem. Am Ende gibt es nämlich auch einige inspirierende Gedanken zu einem ruhigeren Geist. Ich denke das mir die Methoden hieraus wirklich helfen werden und freue mich schon sehr auf den Fortschritt und die verbesserten Symptome die der Autor erläutert hat.
March 29, 2021
Ta książka to taki mindfulness na chłopski rozum. Może zbyt to proste żeby miało jakoś nagle odmienić los człowieka? Nie wiem. Na pewno dzięki zwięzłej formie i braku odnośników do mocy nadprzyrodzonych, jest to dużo bardziej zjadliwe niż podobne pozycje, które miałem okazję przeczytać. Czy jednak może takich parę spostrzeżeń pomoc odnaleźć spokojny umysł? Nie jestem przekonany. 3-/5
November 19, 2024
Amazing book
Amazing book. One of the best books that I read! I highly recommend it. I’m sure I’ll read it again soon.
Amazing book. One of the best books that I read! I highly recommend it. I’m sure I’ll read it again soon.
November 27, 2022
Fantastic book and very clear message and instructions on nose breathing and practice techniques. Thank you Patrick and definitely will be incorporating this in my life starting TODAY!
January 3, 2017
Great read!
First of all, I would genuinely like to thank Patrick McKeown for writing this wonderful book. It has only been three days since I started implementing his technique for breathing and I can already feel the benefits! I was always under the impression that I wasn't breathing enough. I never would of guessed that it was actually the opposite! I really like the way this book was written, no fat and to the point. Most importantly I like how simple his plan is. No huge diet changes or unreasonable requests to physically exert yourself. Just simple breathing techniques with knowledge of how our human mind works in the modern world. Thanks again Patrick, I truly believe this method will help a lot of people achieve peace of mind and happiness
First of all, I would genuinely like to thank Patrick McKeown for writing this wonderful book. It has only been three days since I started implementing his technique for breathing and I can already feel the benefits! I was always under the impression that I wasn't breathing enough. I never would of guessed that it was actually the opposite! I really like the way this book was written, no fat and to the point. Most importantly I like how simple his plan is. No huge diet changes or unreasonable requests to physically exert yourself. Just simple breathing techniques with knowledge of how our human mind works in the modern world. Thanks again Patrick, I truly believe this method will help a lot of people achieve peace of mind and happiness
December 10, 2016
A few years ago, I read another book by McKeown ("Buteyko meets Dr. Mew") which I absolutely loved, and decided to read this one to learn more about the Buteyko method. Unfortunately, this one left me unimpressed: I felt there wasn't as much substance and too much focus on topics where the author seemed to lack expertise (e.g., the pharmacological treatment of depression) and too little concrete advice (although there certainly is a fair amount of that, as well).
November 21, 2012
Basic but very clear book highly recommended will help your breathing and mindfullness
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews