The knowledge and expertise in the theory and practice of the Buteyko Breathing Technique possessed by Buteyko Educators, imposes on them a responsibility to facilitate the improvement and maintenance of the health of those they teach. Buteyko Educators also have a duty to appropriately promote the Buteyko Breathing Technique for the benefit of the whole community.
The standards imposed by the Buteyko Breathing Educators Association on our member educators include:
- Buteyko Educator trainees must have completed/received the following before commencing their formal Buteyko Educator training: a) a Buteyko Breathing Technique workshop for their own health, b) an accredited post-secondary course in Human physiology, and c) a CPR and/or First Aid certification or equivalent.
- Buteyko Educator Trainees must complete a BBEA approved training course taught by a BBEA registered trainer. This includes all required theory, practical and course delivery classes.
- Buteyko Educator trainees must successfully pass a rigorous evaluation period including a skills and theory examination and teach 10 classes while being observed by their trainer.
- Buteyko Educator trainees must review all non-standard and difficult cases with and get the permission of their trainer before engaging the client.
- Buteyko Educators must document and review their first 50 client cases with their trainer.
- Buteyko Educators must continue their education process throughout their career including the accumulation of 14 BBEA approved continuing education credits every two years.
- Buteyko Educators must demonstrate on-going proficiency in the following areas:
- Basic human physiology and breathing anatomy.
- Assessment of a client's health, condition and breathing.
- Application of the Buteyko Breathing Technique appropriately for different health conditions and contraindications.
- Asthma medications including how they work, side effects, proper usage and how to recommend safe usage reduction with the full knowledge and supervision of the client's doctor.
- Application of Buteyko Breathing Technique exercises in relationship to exercise, sleep, diet and stress.
- Communicating with clients properly, adjusting for different learning styles, ages and conditions.
- Dealing with client concerns, compliance issues, and exercise effectiveness.
Responsibilities To Our Clients
- Buteyko Educators shall adhere to the principles of the Buteyko Breathing Technique, as developed by Professor Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko since 1952.
- Buteyko Educators shall provide the best possible care and advice, based on thorough evaluation of each client’s state of health, supported by an ongoing monitoring of progress and subsequent attention to any impediments to improvement.
- Follow-up care and advice shall be provided, for at least three months after a Buteyko workshop as needed.
- If a client’s condition is not improving, it is the responsibility of the attending Buteyko Educator to seek further advice from other Buteyko Educators, or to refer the client to the Buteyko Educator most able to help the particular case. A Buteyko Educator so called upon may not withhold his/her advice.
- Children under the age of eighteen years shall be taught the Buteyko Breathing Technique only if a parent or guardian consents and they are present during classes. However, children sixteen years and over can be taught the Buteyko Breathing Technique without a parent or guardian present where specific written permission is provided to the Buteyko Educator.
- Buteyko Educators shall respect the humanity and dignity of each individual client. This respect encompasses:
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- Respect for the client’s right to make informed choices.
- Provision of clear, detailed explanations of the theoretical basis of the Method, so that the client is able to participate fully and make appropriate judgments.
- Commitment not to discriminate on the basis of the client’s culture, ethnicity, religion, political beliefs, sex, or sexual orientation, age or socioeconomic position.
- Avoidance of any behavior which could be regarded as exploiting the client for sexual, emotional or financial reasons.
- All information provided by the client shall be kept in confidence. Consent in writing must always be obtained before any details of an individual case are used for promotion, research or referral purposes.
Responsibilities To Our Community
- Buteyko Educators have an obligation to promote Professor Buteyko’s theory and Technique as widely as possible within the community and to work with other educators in conveying this information.
- All advertising of the Buteyko Breathing Technique shall be truthful and meet legal and ethical requirements regarding therapeutic claims, especially excluding any claims to “cure“ any ailment.
Responsibilities To Our Profession
- Buteyko Educators shall refrain from any illegal, immoral, unethical or improper behavior which may reflect on the Buteyko Breathing Technique and its Educators.Buteyko Educators shall not publicly denigrate the work of other Buteyko Educators. However, they have a responsibility to challenge other Buteyko Educators regarding any activities or practices which they consider as inappropriate or inconsistent with the purposes of the Buteyko Breathing Technique and this code.
- Buteyko Educators shall co-operate as much as possible, to share information and assist each other in their clinical techniques and business practices.
- Buteyko Educators have a responsibility for maintaining their personal health, as this reflects directly on the Buteyko Breathing Technique and the professionalism of the Buteyko Educators.
- Buteyko Educators have a responsibility for their own professional development, and shall keep themselves informed of any theoretical, research or implementation developments relating to the Buteyko Breathing Technique. In their duty of care to all clients, Buteyko Educators have an obligation to share their insights and learning with other Buteyko Educators.