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“Capno” means carbon dioxide. CapnoLearning™ is about learning and teaching CO₂ regulation, adaptive respiratory chemistry, within a wide range of breathing mechanics. It means precision coordinating of breathing rate and depth through reflex control of the diaphragm, restoring control to the brainstem mechanisms that regulate breathing based on pH, carbon dioxide (PCO₂), and oxygen (O₂). This reflex mechanism can be easily deregulated, consciously or unconsciously as a consequence of learning. CapnoLearning™ is about setting the stage for reinstating this reflex mechanism.

CapnoLearning™ requires integrating knowledge of internal breathing with external breathing, chemistry with mechanics. Emphasis is on the relationship dynamics of breathing mechanics for achieving good chemistry, rather than on specific “mechanics” prescriptions. There is no inherently correct breathing rate, no correct depth, and no correct rhythm. Different breathing patterns, such as during the breathing acrobatics of talking or singing, serve different objectives.

The varied melodies of breathing mechanics must ultimately play the music of balanced chemistry.

CapnoLearning™ requires the use of a CapnoTrainer® a computer-operated capnograph designed for educational rather than medical applications, which provides real-time PCO₂ feedback for observing, evaluating, teaching, and learning breathing behaviour. The practical guidelines of doing CapnoLearningä can be organised into seven categories, all of which include evaluation, education, and training. Some steps are accomplished in parallel, some sequentially, and depending on training objectives, some not at all. CapnoLearningä includes the following:

(1) Exploration: originating and sustaining factors and circumstances;

(2) Identification: dysfunctional breathing mechanics, when and where;

(3) Phenomenology: the experience of breathing and its effects;

(4) Knowledge-learning: understanding basic breathing concepts;

(5) Mechanics-learning: play dynamics for awareness of breathing as behaviour;

(6) Somatic-learning: play dynamics for awareness of the effects of breathing; and

(7) State-learning: breathing through consciousness.

CapnoLearning™ is about education, not about diagnosis and treatment. Professionals of all kinds can learn to be breathing practitioners, including healthcare practitioners, mental health practitioners, human service professionals, corporate consultants, and educators. In fact, most anyone can get involved. We all breathe. It is always important, however, to keep your eyes open. A referral may be in the making. Breathlessness, for example, is not just a sign of overbreathing, but may be a sign of cardiovascular compromise that requires immediate medical attention. Partnership with other professionals is always the wisest approach to helping people to learn new breathing behaviours.

Copyrighted by Behavioral Physiology Institute, Boulder, Colorado USA