Christopher Drake

“I can’t make a single independent claim of accomplishment around the Buteyko Method, except perhaps of having the good fortune to have had a great teacher.  I trusted him and was enabled.”

Before I got involved with the Buteyko Method I had a successful but unremarkable career in marketing pharmaceuticals, medical technology and running clinics.
In the early 1990s I experienced a dramatic shift to my health and career when I was introduced to my teacher, Alexander Sergeevich Stalmatski. He was Professor K.P. Buteyko’s official protege to the West.

Training under Alexander Stalmatski

Initially my training consisted of helping Alexander treat asthma, allergies and respiratory problems at the first Western Buteyko teaching clinic. This clinic was founded in 1991 in Sydney, Australia. Later I progressed to advanced training to treat more complex health problems, such as diabetes. I practised under Alexander’s auspices for some 10 years. After training some 5,000 students I received my diploma from the Professor Buteyko’s Institute in Moscow.

I participated in the first published Western medical trails and negotiated the protocols for the second published medical trials in Australia for asthma.

We brought Buteyko to the UK, Ireland and the USA

In 1996 I introduced the Buteyko Method to the UK, teaching at the South Kensington Medical Centre, Harley Street and the Hale Clinic in Regents Park. In 1997 I introduced the method to Ireland and the United States in 1998.

Over the past 15 years I have managed to teach the Buteyko Method to over 10,000 people, with results that have often attracted a good deal of positive publicity and have featured in numerous newspapers articles and television documentaries etc. (see media).

Practitioners and advocates that I have taught include Dr. Paul Ameisan, Aaron Lumsdane, Tess Graham, Jac Vidgen, Paul O’Connel, Claire Benton, Dr. Linda Merkin, Dr. Gerald Spence, Dr. Anthony Soyer and Victor Lunn-Rockliffe.

Whilst I still have a very keen interest in the treatment of asthma, allergies and related breathing problems – my practice is moving to other aspects of the method such as chronic fatigue, depression, diabetes, obesity and advanced training.

Helping new Buteyko practitioners develop their skills

I am also very interested in helping new practitioners who would like to expand their capabilities. For many this will initially mean doing advanced personal training to give them the opportunity to experience deeper aspects of the practice, such as cleansing reactions. What has become blatantly apparent is that many practitioners are teaching a method they have not personally mastered or deeply experienced themselves. And this is the greatest impediment to authentic capability.

I was very fortunate that my teacher took the time and effort to guide me through numerous advanced techniques which profoundly elevated my level of practice and led to extraordinary physical and mental shifts with enormously enabling results.

The misapprehension that the Buteyko Method is only a treatment for asthma will be overcome when it becomes as widely known for its efficacy in other areas. This is vital.

Skype now makes long distance training and consulting a realistic option – it has dissolved a great practical barrier! Please feel free to be in touch if you feel I may be of service.

Warm regards,
Christopher P. Drake
Senior Buteyko Practitioners Dip. B.M. (Moscow), I.A.O.B.P (London)