Terms and Conditions

Payments: Unless otherwise indicated, tuition is not refundable.

Monthly services are automatically billed either the same day of the month you first started on a recurring basis OR at the beginning of the month (pro-rated when needed).

For coaching clients, we require 48-hour notice to reschedule an appointment and not forfeit the session.

RELEASE AND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

Thank you for participating in the online Healthy Breathing Habits Academy, online breathing-practice sessions and any other activity (the “Class”) sponsored by Breathing Retraining Center LLC and presented by Lisa Bowen (the “Presenter”). You understand the information presented during the Class, including ideas, suggestions, techniques, training, exercises, instructions, and other materials, is educational in nature and is provided only as general information and is not medical or psychological advice.

By participating in the Class, you understand you will be learning about and using an innovative nonmedical/psychological breathing retraining method identified as the Buteyko Breathing Technique (“Buteyko”).  Buteyko is designed to develop conscious breathing and to help people with disordered breathing patterns such as panic breathing, mouth breathing, or dry coughing to retrain themselves to use a normal breathing pattern.  The premise of Buteyko is that it addresses the underlying condition of over-breathing which is believed to be a cause of  physical health issues such as asthma, colds, and allergies; snoring and sleep issues; psychological disorders such as anxiety; stress related problems and others not directly related to the respiratory system.  Buteyko focuses on relaxed, nasal, diaphragmatic breathing, with breath-holding and progressive breathlessness resilience exercises.  The aim of Buteyko is to give people a self-help option for managing their condition so that they can feel healthier, experience fewer symptoms, and feel more centered and relaxed.   Buteyko has several applications, including use as self-help tool, as an educational coaching method, and as a therapeutic approach by health-care professionals.  You understand Buteyko is being offered in the Class solely as a self-help tool for relaxation, stress management, well-being, and healing.

Although Buteyko appears to have promising emotional, spiritual and physical health benefits, it has yet to be fully researched by the Western academic, medical, and psychological communities and therefore, may be considered experimental.  Buteyko is self-regulated and the State of California does not license any practitioners or teachers of Buteyko and considers it to be alternative or complementary to the healing arts that are licensed by the State of California.  While the Presenter is a qualified Buteyko Breathing instructor, you understand the Presenter is not a psychologist, psychotherapist, physician, or other licensed health-care provider nor are her services licensed by the State of California.  Since Buteyko is a relatively new stress management/healing approach and the extent of Buteyko’s effectiveness, as well as its risks and benefits, are not fully known, you agree to assume and accept full responsibility for any and all risks associated with using Buteyko and for applying what you may learn from participating in the Class.   

You understand that the Class is an experiential program and is not to be considered treatment for any physical/medical problem, or emotional or mental disorder, nor is the Class a substitute for medical or psychological treatment.  Further, you understand that the information presented in this Class is not intended to represent that Buteyko is used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition or psychological disorder.  You agree to consult with your health care provider(s) for any specific medical or psychological problems and to continue any medical or psychological treatment that you’re currently receiving.  In addition, you understand that any information shared during the Class is not to be considered a recommendation that you stop seeing any of your health care professionals or using prescribed medication, if any, without consulting with your health-care professional, even if after using Buteyko it appears and indicates that such medication or therapy is unnecessary.  

Please be advised by participating in the Class it’s possible to experience some emotional distress or physical discomfort.  You agree to stop any exercises or any other Class activities should your participation in the Class inadvertently activate distressing reactions in you and to seek appropriate help, if needed.   While Buteyko has been shown to help with a number of health conditions, there are certain health conditions that require caution and others where Buteyko can be contraindicated and require you contact your physician prior to using Buteyko.  For more detailed information please read our Student Information Sheet attached hereto and made part of this Release & Participation Agreement.   If you have any concerns about your experiences in the Class, or if you have questions or concerns about Buteyko, please feel free to ask the Presenter for further resources.  

Any stories or testimonials presented during the Class do not constitute a warranty, guarantee, or prediction regarding the outcome of an individual using Buteyko for any particular issue.  Further, you understand that Breathing Retraining Center LLC makes no warranty, guarantee, or prediction regarding any outcome for you using Buteyko during or after the Class for any particular issue.  You agree to take full responsibility for your self-care in the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual dimensions of your life.  Due to the fact that the Class includes online group discussions or processes in which you may voluntarily reveal personal health information, you understand that you waive your rights of privacy and confidentiality.  You acknowledge and agree that anything and everything discussed with the Presenter either during or separate from the Class is merely a perspective for you to consider in conducting your affairs and your participation in the Class is not intended to create nor does it establish a client-practitioner relationship or any other type of professional relationship between you and the Presenter. 

You understand your participation in the Class is strictly voluntary, at your own risk, and that you freely choose to participate.  You represent you’re competent and able to understand the nature and consequences of participating in the Class.  You agree that this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflicts of law doctrines.  You also agree and that this Agreement is intended to be a complete unconditional release of liability and assumption of risk to the greatest extent permitted by law and that if any portion hereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance of this Agreement shall continue in full force and affect..  This Agreement shall be binding upon you and your heirs, legal representative, and assigns.  You represent that you are an adult under the laws of the State of your residence and you have the right to enter into this Agreement.  

By registering and participating in the Class you acknowledge that you have carefully and completely read and fully understand all aspects of this Agreement and you agree to all of the terms and conditions stated herein.  For good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, you and your heirs agree to fully release, indemnify, hold harmless, and defend Breathing Retraining Center LLC, its owners, managing partner, members, employees, representatives, independent contractors,  consultants, volunteers, and others associated with Breathing Retraining Center LLC, from any and all claims or liability, of whatsoever kind or nature, and for any damage or injury, including but not limited to, financial, personal, emotional, psychological, medical, or otherwise, which you may incur arising at any time as a result of your voluntary decision to participate in the Class.

Thank You for Participating! Please Enjoy the Class!

© 2013 Midge Murphy, all rights reserved.  Any unauthorized use of this Release & Participation Agreement by any parties other than Breathing Retraining Center, LLC and its clients in the course of regular business practices is prohibited by federal law.  

Breathing Retraining Center LLC

Lisa Bowen, Buteyko Educator, Certified Massage Practitioner #32577

773 Center Blvd., #903, Fairfax, CA 94978

www.BreathingRetrainingCenter.com //  info@BreathingRetrainingCenter.com  // 415-454-3400

STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET

Attachment to RELEASE & PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

STUDENT MEDICATIONS AND SLEEP DEVICES 

If you are taking prescription or over-the-counter medication for any condition, talk to your doctor before you start breathing retraining and determine how often you should be re-examined and dosages reassessed.   Breathing retraining can change your blood chemistry, increase your circulation and increase your metabolism among other effects, potentially changing the recommended dosage and usage your doctor would prescribe.

If you have been prescribed any device for sleep-disordered breathing, such as but not limited to a C-PAP machine or a dental appliance, please continue to use it during breathing retraining and follow all your doctor’s or dentist’s directions during the process, only changing or discontinuing usage on their advice. 

The best practice for students with sleep-disordered breathing is to get a sleep-study done before starting breathing retraining, then do another sleep study when your Buteyko Breathing Morning Control Pause is 35 or 40 or higher to ascertain if you still have the same disagnosis.

If you have asthma that is uncontrolled or unstable, please get it under control through medication or other means before studying breathing-retraining.  

Please make sure you are under the regular care of a doctor who knows everything you’ve been prescribed, while you are studying and practicing breathing retraining, especially if you are taking or have been prescribed multiple medications for multiple conditions, 
you are NOT taking medication or are using medical devices that have been prescribed for you.
 

STUDENT CAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS

If you have one of these conditions, it is inadvisable to start breathing retraining at this time. 

severe renal failure (includes dialysis)
uncontrolled hyperthyroidism
sickle cell disease
acute schizophrenia
COPD, some kinds only, such as with cor pulmonare. Please check.
arterial aneurysm
hemorrhagic stroke
thrombosis
current cancer treatment
recent heart attack within last six months
brain tumor and trauma
uncontrolled hypertension
history of serious cardiac rhythm disorder
pregnancy 
presence of transplanted organs
 

CAUTIONS

Make sure to advise us if you have one of these conditions so we can design a very gentle program for you.  Breathing retraining and breathing exercises produce a mild stress on the body so that it can adapt to new conditions and function better in the future. It's similar to weight or aerobic training at the gym. If the demands due to the exercises are too high, there is no adaptive response and, as a result, the exercises can even produce a negative effect.

diabetes, particularly Type 2
hypertension
thyroid disease
angina/previous heart attack
past history of serious mental illness
reduced kidney function
history of blood clots
loss of C02 sensitivity