3 Easy Ways to Use Buteyko Breathing to Reduce Asthma Symptoms for Singers

As a vocal coach, one of my primary goals is to help my clients achieve the best sound possible, while maintaining vocal health and providing an engaging performance. For singers who suffer from asthma, managing breathing effectively is crucial not only for vocal control but also for preventing discomfort or exacerbation of asthma symptoms. Buteyko Breathing, a method developed by Ukrainian doctor Konstantin Buteyko, is a simple but effective breathing technique that has been shown to help individuals with asthma and respiratory issues.

In this post, we'll explore three easy ways singers can incorporate Buteyko Breathing into their routine to reduce asthma symptoms and enhance vocal performance.

Nose Breathing for Asthma

“Breathing difficulties can be a real nuisance for singers. Nasal Nitric Oxide is a brilliant bronchodilator which opens the airways reducing asthma symptoms. But you have to consciously breathe through your nose to benefit!”

1. Nasal Breathing for Better Oxygenation

One of the core principles of Buteyko Breathing is the focus on nasal breathing rather than mouth breathing. For singers, breathing through the nose has several important benefits:

• Improved oxygen uptake: Nasal breathing ensures a steady, controlled flow of air, which helps optimize oxygen absorption.

• Reduced hyperventilation: Mouth breathing often leads to shallow, rapid breaths that can cause hyperventilation, increasing the likelihood of asthma symptoms. Nasal breathing helps keep your breath steady and calm.

How to implement this: Focus on breathing through your nose during your warm-ups and then bringing awareness to your breath throughout the day. If you tend to breathe through your mouth, remind yourself to gently close the lips and allow the air to pass through your nostrils. To practice this, start with simple exercises like inhaling slowly through the nose for a count of 4, and then exhaling through the nose for a count of 6. This will help reinforce the habit of nasal breathing and reduce the likelihood of an asthma flare-up.

2. Controlled Breath Holds to Increase CO2 Tolerance

Buteyko Breathing Technique emphasizes the practice of breath holds, which involves holding the breath after exhalation for a short period. This technique helps increase tolerance to carbon dioxide (CO2) in the body, which is important for controlling asthma symptoms. This exercise is not suitable for singers who are pregnant, with heart problems or anxiety and panic disorder.

However, for singers, breath holds can help improve breath control and enhance lung capacity, which ultimately leads to better vocal stamina and a more controlled sound. It is also helpful for increasing capacity for those long sung phrases too.

How to implement this: After exhaling gently through the nose, hold your breath for a few seconds (start with 2–3 seconds). As you progress, you can gradually increase the length of the breath hold, but the key is to remain relaxed and not force the breath hold. Start with breath holds during warm-up exercises and at 3 different points throughout the day.

For example, a simple exercise would be to breathe light inhaling for 4 seconds, exhale through the nose for 6 seconds, and then hold the breath for 2–3 seconds before repeating. This will help develop a deeper connection with the breath and improve overall control.

3. Breath Control During Vocal Warm-ups

Asthma symptoms can sometimes be triggered by stress or rapid breathing during vocal performance which then may cause coughing or wheezing. By integrating Buteyko Breathing techniques into vocal warm-ups, singers can establish greater control over their breath and reduce the risk of asthma-related issues.

How to implement this: During your vocal warm-up exercises such as lip trills or humming, simply focus on slow, controlled inhalations through the nose, followed by smooth exhalations. During the exhalation phase, ensure that you’re not pushing or forcing the air out, but rather letting it flow out gently and steadily. This ensures the vocal folds remain relaxed and the breathing stays calm, even under performance pressure.

The focus should be on maintaining calm, steady breathing that supports vocal technique and reduces the chances of an asthma attack.

Conclusion: A Calmer, More Controlled Voice

Buteyko Breathing offers singers an excellent opportunity to reduce asthma symptoms, enhance breath control, and improve overall vocal health. By focusing on nasal breathing, incorporating breath holds, and practicing controlled breathing during vocal warm-ups, singers can develop stronger, more efficient breathing patterns that support their vocal performance.

As a vocal coach, I encourage you to adopt these techniques in your daily routines to help manage asthma symptoms and improve your vocal technique, leading to a more confident and powerful voice. If you’re looking for personalized guidance on integrating Buteyko Breathing into vocal training, feel free to reach out to Tala Performance—we’re here to help your singers perform their best, both on and off the stage.

If you would like to measure your progress, check out How To Find Out Your BOLT Score: A Simple Guide.

Happy singing!