But* practitioners claim that it is dangerous to do it unless under
the supervision of a qualified instructor.

I know what you are saying. I do believe that breathing techniques are
useful for many purposes (including respiratory ailments) so it is not
a complete disregard for the concept on my part. However, the
practitioners of this particular technique make claims about the basic
science behind the theory that are easily demonstrated to be false (as
has been done numerous times on this group) and misrepresent studies
both directly involving but* and about the general theory.

All the incredible statements are further cast into a negative light
when you consider how much money they are making at it (and how they
lie about it). Kolb was claiming to mot make money while selling
videos on his website until people pointed it out and cried foul. Then
the advertisements for the vidoes came down off the public websites
but he has private mailing lists and websites that he makes available
to some people so I am not hopeful that he is no longer selling them.
He, of course, now denies that any of it ever happened.

During an attack they will be altered- first lower then right before
collapse go high. I am referring to an asthmatic that is breathing
comfortably and not having nay symptoms at the time (which is the vast
majority of the time for nearly all asthmatics).

This has been discussed at lenght here. I suggest searching google for
the studies he cites. If you need help let me know.

.....

There is "no physiological basis" to the so significant part played by
breathing in Japanese/Chinese martial arts. Instead of  "hard data"
you get a hard fist.  It all depends on a sensitive approach to
breathing techniques and a power of belief. Think of the sporting
folks' mental training as well. Breathing in the West is restricted to
gas exchange as a concept apparently orbidding an understanding of
asthma.  Any different thinking is immediately censored as
"alternative" and quacky for not complying with school textbooks..

Indulging in bhastrika (breath of fire, your wife's chuffing?) gives a
definite kick, like a sniff of coke is said to do, but it is figured
to be healthy as the recommended yoga (pranayama) approach to asthma
and too much mucus in the airways. You have to pretend you are getting
a fire going with bellows and paying attention to your effort, the
sound of the air rushing, smoke from the fire being kindled etc. etc.
Bhastrika is a bit like pelvic floor gymnastics (Kegel exercises) with
(a) a vitalizing effect and (b) a  reduction of airway constriction.

I guess bhastrika is like self-stimulation of some other sort
(scratching).  There is a sort of climax but it is healthy. The whole
thing seems civilized, but enough to give a doc the fits.

I too spent a long time  relying on a very  occasional puff of
reliever (less than one canister a year).  When the asthma got worse a
puff of reliever seemed to unlock my diaphragm and give me a deep
breath. My asthma attacks were characterized by vain efforts to take a
deep breath, as everybody knows.  (I gave up the medication altogether
by doing a sort of pursed lips breathing - heroic and possibly
dangerous at first but it sort of paid off with time).  Recent
research shows that if healthy persons are prevented from taking a
deep breath they respond to a diagnostic challenge with
bronchoconstrictor like an asthmatic.  However research remains stuck
on its old course trying to get better medication, not better
breathing exercises, as would seem logical.

Bhastrika leads to hyperventilation as well as strengthening the
diaphragm, as you point out.  It is also unsuitable for people with
hypertension, although slow (diaphragmatic) breathing is definitely
good to get blood pressure down by natural means, see recent research
of Dr. Benjamin Gavish).

The so successful Oriental breathing techniques make better sense with
their fanciful terms (chi, ki or prana) as a vital force supposed to
be collected in the lower abdomen.  It is mental training as well. It
seems that asthmatics somehow just miss getting a real deep vitalizing
breath by a hair's breadth.  Medication, once the great hope, leads up
the wrong path.  Respectfully, Richard Friedel

P.S. see also http://www.i-breathe.com/thb12/Incentiv.htm

My most profound experience with breathing or lack of it comes from
choking on food.  Intense.

The cure is to stop.  Stop everything.  To command myself not to try to
breathe, cough, sputter.  But to relax.  Just for a few seconds.  In
which time the body's automatic glandular response dilates the entire
breathing apparatus.

This works.  If you can do it.

Yes, but the study was not blinded (although the authors
initially tried to say it was) and the objective measures
showed no improvement. IOW - the instructor told people to
not use their inhalers and so they stopped.

true), but as

side-effects - who

He had it right. There is no proof of the CO2 theory.