Buteyko Breathing Center
Breathe Better at High Altitude (Buteyko Breathing for Beginners)
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Buteyko Breathing for Beginners
Practical Breathing Skills for Living Well in Mountain Environments
Live Course in Crestone, Colorado & Online
4-Week Guided Program | Starts April 26
No prior experience with breathing techniques is required.
A Course for the Crestone Community
This program is designed for people living in Crestone and other high-altitude communities who want practical tools to improve breathing, sleep, and overall health.
We will learn and practice together in a small group, with plenty of time for questions and personal guidance.
What If Breathing More Is Not the Answer?
Most of us have been told that deep breathing is always healthy, that taking bigger breaths gives us more oxygen.
But what if the opposite is often true?
The Buteyko Method is based on a surprising discovery: many people breathe too much, and this can actually reduce oxygen delivery to the body's tissues.
Learning to breathe less but more efficiently can improve oxygen delivery, calm the nervous system, and help the body function better, especially at high altitude.
This course will show you how.
Struggling with Breathing, Sleep, or Energy at High Altitude?
Living in mountain environments like Crestone, Colorado (8,000 ft) has many benefits, but altitude also places extra demands on the body.
Common problems include:
• breathlessness, chest tigtness or shallow breathing
• poor sleep (insomnia, snoring, sleep apnea)
• fatigue or low energy
• difficulty exercising or hiking
• nasal congestion, cough, wheezing
• anxiety or stress-related breathing patterns
These issues are often blamed on altitude itself, but in most cases, they are connected to how we breathe.
Most people have never been taught how to breathe in a way that truly supports their health, especially at higher elevations.
This Course Is Especially Helpful If You
• live in Crestone or another mountain town
• feel breathless during daily activity or hiking
• struggle with sleep at altitude
• have asthma, nasal congestion, or sleep apnea
• want more energy and calmer breathing
• practice yoga, hiking, or endurance sports
A Different Way to Understand Breathing
The Buteyko Method approaches breathing very differently from what most people have been taught.
Instead of encouraging deeper breathing, it focuses on restoring natural, quiet breathing patterns and improving tolerance to carbon dioxide (CO₂) - a key factor in oxygen delivery to tissues.
This method has helped thousands of people worldwide improve breathing, sleep, and overall health.
In many ways, the most important thing about breathing may be the opposite of what you’ve been told.
Why Breathing Matters at Altitude
At elevations like Crestone and the Rocky Mountains, oxygen pressure is lower, which makes breathing efficiency even more important.
When breathing is too fast, too heavy and through the mouth, oxygen delivery to tissues becomes less efficient.
The Buteyko Method helps restore healthy breathing by:
• reducing overbreathing
• establishing nasal breathing day and night
• improving tolerance to carbon dioxide (CO₂)
Many people use these techniques to reduce symptoms associated with:
• asthma
• COPD
• sleep apnea
• chronic cough
• nasal congestion
• anxiety and stress-related breathing issues
The method is also used by athletes, hikers, and yoga practitioners seeking better endurance and recovery.
What You Will Learn
During the program, you will learn:
• the science of healthy breathing
• how altitude affects breathing and oxygen balance
• how to measure your breathing efficiency
• practical Buteyko breathing exercises
• breathing techniques for sleep, exercise, speaking, and daily life
• how to develop healthy, sustainable breathing habits
Each session includes:
✔ guided breathing practice
✔ clear explanations
✔ time for questions and discussion
The exercises are simple, gentle, and suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Meet Your Instructor
Sasha Yakovleva
Advanced Buteyko Specialist
Founder of the Buteyko Breathing Center
Sasha Yakovleva has been teaching breathing education professionally for nearly 20 years.
She has worked with thousands of adults and children worldwide, helping people improve breathing, sleep, and overall health through the Buteyko Method.
Now based in Crestone, Colorado, she brings this knowledge to the local community and to students joining online.
Course Details
4 Live Sessions
Sundays at 4:00 PM Mountain Time
April 26
May 3
May 10
May 17
Session length: 1.5 hours
Attend In Person or Online
In Person
Buteyko Breathing Center
1596 Willow Creek Way
Crestone, Colorado
Online
Join live via Zoom from anywhere.
Who This Course Is For
This course is ideal for:
• people living at high altitude
• residents of Crestone and mountain communities
• beginners interested in healthy breathing
• individuals with asthma, sleep apnea, or respiratory challenges
• yoga, hiking, and fitness practitioners
• people seeking better sleep and stress resilience
• anyone interested in improving energy and overall well-being
No prior experience is required.
Course Investment
Full 4-Week Program — $149
Includes:
• four live sessions
• guided breathing training
• practical techniques for daily life
• Q&A with the instructor
• digital copy of Sasha’s book Breathe to Heal
• additional learning resources
Reserve Your Spot
Healthy breathing is one of the most powerful (and most overlooked!) foundations of health.
By the end of this program, you will understand:
• how breathing affects your body and mind
• how altitude influences breathing
• how to develop healthier breathing habits for life
We keep the group small so everyone can practice comfortably and ask questions.
You are warmly invited to join us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience with breathing techniques?
No. The course is designed for beginners.
Can I attend online if I don’t live in Crestone?
Yes. The course is available live on Zoom.
Will I need special equipment?
No equipment is required.
Can these techniques help with asthma or breathlessness?
Many participants experience significant improvement.
Can this course help with snoring or sleep apnea?
Absolutely. The Buteyko method was originally developed to address breathing disorders.
A Message from Sasha
I’ve been teaching adults and children how to breathe better for many years.
After moving to Colorado about 15 years ago, I became especially interested in how breathing habits affect people living at altitude. Here in Crestone, I often meet people who struggle with breathing, sleep, or fatigue without realizing that the way they breathe may be a major factor.
When people learn to change their breathing habits, their health and sense of well-being often improve in ways they didn’t expect. This is why I created this course - to share these techniques with people in Crestone and other high-altitude communities.
The work we’ll be doing is based on the discoveries of Dr. Konstantin Buteyko, a Russian-Ukrainian physiologist who uncovered the powerful relationship between breathing patterns and health.
