KIM Upton was a lifelong asthma sufferer who was faced with having to take increasing amounts of medication in the battle to keep his condition under control.

But then he stumbled across an alternative that meant he was able to give up all medication within two days. Four years later, he is able to keep his asthma at bay by using simple breathing exercises.

Now Kim is bringing the Buteyko Method to Bournemouth with two free talks next week and a course starting on March 26.

And on March 25, Russian-born ballet teacher Olga Vikhrova, who lives in Poole, will also be starting classes for people wanting to learn the technique.

Buteyko is based around the principle that many people over-breathe, ridding themselves of too much carbon dioxide. While conventional wisdom dictates that carbon dioxide is a waste product, Russian Professor Konstantin Buteyko discovered that we all need a certain level of it in the body.

He found that patients who were ill breathed more than those who were healthy. But in an apparent paradox, breathing too much meant patients were not getting enough oxygen to their vital organs.

The reason is that without the right proportion of carbon dioxide, oxygen remains bound to haemoglobin in the blood. According to the professor, asthmatics over-breathe three or more times the recommended amount, expelling too much carbon dioxide.

Among the effects can be a lowering of the immune system, making the body more susceptible to viruses and allergies; and spasms of muscle tissue in the bronchi, causing asthma.

The Buteyko Method trains people to breathe less. At least five sessions are needed, and patients are recommended to carry out breathing exercises three to five times a day at home.

Olga first learned Buteyko as part of her training at the Kirov Ballet School in Russia. "Every day we would have an hour of breathing gymnastics. In Russia most people know how to do Buteyko," she said.

"It becomes second nature, so when you have any panic or worry, you always know how to control it. I've also had bronchitis and the system helped me.

"You don't have to be ill to start this breathing technique - it will help give you more energy and help you feel more clear-headed and optimistic in life."

In this country, however, Buteyko is best known for helping asthma patients. In Russia, out of 100,000 asthma patients who have completed the course over the last six years, 92 per cent now do not take any medication.

"Asthma is on the increase and Dorset is no exception," said Kim. "My lectures are aimed at helping people understand a very different approach from the one provided by traditional medicine.

"Buteyko does not advocate throwing away an asthmatic's drugs, but I have found most people who correct their over-breathing with this method go on to have vastly reduced dependency on their medicines.

"This is ultimately what Buteyko offers: freedom for asthmatics of all ages to control their symptoms with less reliance on drugs."

One satisfied customer is Sallie Maitland-Gleed, 38, of Milborne St Andrew, who did five two-hour sessions of Buteyko last October. "I thought I was managing my asthma OK, but after learning so much with Kim, I realised I wasn't," she said.

A lifelong asthmatic who was once on life support because of her illness, Sallie has managed to cut right back on her medication. "I was getting through two reliever inhalers every seven to 10 days. The last one lasted a month," she said.

"I've had two colds and neither has gone on to my chest and turned into bronchitis. I'm very pleased with my progress - Buteyko has fitted in with my life and I feel more able to cope."

To check if you are breathing too deeply, take a small breath in, followed by a small breath out. Pinch your nose after exhaling and hold your breath until the first sign it is becoming difficult.

If you can only hold your breath for 10 seconds, you have serious health problems. Less than 25 seconds, your health requires attention; 30-40 seconds is satisfactory; 60 or above is excellent.

Kim's introduction to Buteyko sessions are on Wednesday, March 19, and Friday, March 21, at 7pm in the Friends Meeting House, 16 Wharncliffe Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth. Admission is free. For further details, ring 020 7736 7670, or see the website www.buteykohealth.com.

Olga's classes will be held from 10am to 11am in Francis Avenue, Wallisdown. Details are available by ringing 01202 687202, or see her website www.russianballet.co.uk.