Course curriculum

 

To achieve the desired goal of confident, competent Buteyko practitioners, the New Zealand practitioner training course has three separate parts that often overlap:

1. Reading books supplied by the trainers and completing assignments. 
2. The ‘hands on’ or practical component of the Buteyko New Zealand Practitioner training course that enables the trainee to participate in a number of Buteyko workshops, observing, co-teaching and teaching while under direct supervision.   At the same time, the theory of Buteyko is taught in classes that are separate to those with clients.
3. After the successful completion of the ‘hands on’ training, the trainee commences teaching classes without direct supervision.  Case histories of the first 50 people taught are written up and forwarded to the trainer.  This provides information to both the trainee and trainer to identify areas of expertise that require extra assistance to ensure the trainee it providing an excellent service.

Assessment

The tests of competency are made in a variety of ways:

• Essay-type assignments
• Oral tests during the practical training component
• Interaction with, and teaching of clients during the practical training
• Presentation of case histories in part three of the training course

Practical course content

The practical course comprises four weeks of face-to-face work. However, people who are currently working, or who have previously worked, as a health professional, may be eligible for a shortened version of the Buteyko New Zealand practitioner training course that acknowledges their prior learning.  If you believe that you meet these criteria, then please contact Russell or Jennifer Stark to discuss your options.

Week One

The trainee takes part in a Buteyko class for his or her own health and also observes other class participants.  Each day teaching of the following topics is delivered within a 2 – 3 hour period:

• History of KP Buteyko and the method
• Hyperventilation: the definition, causes, effects and symptoms.
• Basic anatomy and physiology of the human body.
• Buteyko course teaching plans for both adults and children who have asthma, allergies, snoring etc.
• Buteyko exercises: how to correctly perform each one, the effect that it has on the body, when to safely use it and when not to.
• The Buteyko approach to diet, sleep, exercise and other day-to-day activities.

Week Two

• Asthma symptoms, types, triggers, and treatments (both conventional and alternative).
• Sleep disorders: types, triggers, and treatments (both conventional and alternative)
• Allergies, rhinitis and hay fever: types, triggers, and treatments (both conventional and alternative)
• Panic disorders: types, triggers, and treatments (both conventional and alternative)
• Using the Buteyko method with people who have asthma, allergies, snoring, sleep apnoea, panic attacks, emphysema, bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis, eczema etc.
• Using the Buteyko method with people who have diabetes, heart disease, epilepsy, hypertension, claustrophobia, psychosis, or kidney disease, and during pregnancy.
• Developing an exercise programme for people of differing levels of fitness

Week Three

• Day to day running of courses and common situations likely to be encountered, such as how to recognise a potentially dangerous situation or health problem with your clients,
  Adult education principles
  Teaching children
  Frequently asked questions: by potential clients, during courses, after the course and by health professionals
   
• Running the Buteyko office: client confidentiality, record keeping, book keeping.
• Information seminars, consultations, and other ways of getting the Buteyko message into your community. This includes: promotion, marketing and networking.
• Contacting clients by telephone and in writing.
   
• Co-ordinating customer service.
• Managing a budget, costing courses and promotion, cash flow strategies, reducing risks

Week Four

The trainee will be teaching an entire course while observed by their trainer. 

It is expected that instead of having 2 – 3 hours of formal theory, the trainees will finalise their class preparation in this time. However the trainer will be available for discussion on any points to help the person with their course.