Buteyko in Cameroon
Feeling the speed and flow of breath
Clean water supply to Fontem organised and maintained by the Mariapolis Center
Viktor Anton and Dr. Charles Florendo presenting Winnie Nwafor, Matron of the hospital with a Buteyko Breathing Association trainee certificate.
Vanessa Jane Ruiz , a nurse from New York helps a patient to master relaxation techniques
Nancy Njeba, a nurse from Cameroon, teaches lower chest breathing.
Email extracts and photos from Viktor Anton (BBA Teacher Trainer in Austria)
Viktor Anton recently travelled to Cameroon to train new Buteyko teachers.
Day 7
Buteyko greetings from Fontem! I have already been here for 7 days and everything is going well. It’s very rewarding to work here, and although communication can be difficult the breathing work seems to bring people together.
Day 8
It seems to me that the main problem here in the countryside is that there is so much heavy physical work to do. As soon as children can walk they help on the farm, by the age of 8 they are carrying heavy baskets (platanas). At school there is a lot of pressure on the children to do well so that they can go into higher education and there seems to be little time for play and relaxation.
Day 9
There are 18 people attending the teacher training course, I am impressed by their high level of social intelligence, empathy and compassion. In our society we do not seem to have such a natural and empathic approach to clients.
Day 10
I am seeing many older people with severe breathing problems, in fact they seem older than their years. But as have taught them diaphragmatic breathing I have observed them becoming more and more calm, they say they feel less afraid, often I can see it in their eyes, something is changing….that’s really touching! I feel really thankful to experience this … I don’t know… its like being given a gift….
Day 14
Finally we have 14 new trainees in Cameroon, most of them nurses, one doctor and one medical technical assistant.
The trainees and patients were very impressed by Buteyko. For me it was a beautiful experience, even the language barrier was not an issue. Body language is enough to master a lot of the technique. Most of the patients were farmers, and I believe the number one cause of dysfunctional breathing here is hard work and no recreation. Many people have no idea about relaxation, so I have kept the focus on body relaxation techniques and teaching relaxed breathing. Within two days most people were feeling less breathless while working and walking (they walk all the time).
Warmest regards and greetings to everybody and thanks a lot for all your help and encouragement.
Viktor
Viktor Anton, Mildred Focho,Nancy Njeba, Virginia Kila, Joseph Tazi Tangunji, Ernest Ekokobe Dr. Vanessa Jane Ruiz, Magloire Chouogouo, Jacinta Kubri, Anne-Marie Hucteau,Vera Leke, Mathias Asongwe, Charles Florendo.
Not on the group picture: Elizabeth Achankeng Mbotazia, Ive Che, Charles Tokale , Marie Alemnji Aroke, Winnie Nwafor(Matron)