Darren Garforth
Professional rugby player (Prop for England and Leicester Tigers).

I think the increased workload in turning professional contributed to my asthma - It's actually quite a common condition among sports people. I was using two puffs of bronchodilator and two puffs of a steriod preventative inhaler morning and night.

When the Leicester fitness coach got in touch with Buteyko Practitioner Margaret Brooks and I was happy to give it a go. Over several weeks Margaret taught us different breathing techniques, which were quite hard work initially. I do the exercises religiously and it is definitely worth it.

To start with I could hold my breath for only six or seven seconds, now I can hold it for 40 seconds. Buteyko has definitely improved my breathing and asthma.