Mr. Asthma

Question:

A couple of years ago I viewed a TV show which had the actor Paul Sorvino as a guest. He talked about being a cured asthmatic because of certain disciplines he had discovered. He is also a professional operatic singer and claimed that this process had saved his voice. I am looking for any information about Mr. Sorvino’s methods. I remember his mentioning establishing THE PAUL SORVINO ASTHMA FOUNDATION. I would appreciate any information on this subject. TIA, Leo C. May – Oak Forest IL.

Response:

Try this: For more information, contact the Sorvino Asthma Foundation at (212) 941-8686

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A couple of years ago I viewed a TV show which had the actor Paul > Sorvino as a guest. He talked about being a cured asthmatic because > of certain disciplines he had discovered. He is also a professional > operatic singer and claimed that this process had saved his voice. > I am looking for any information about Mr. Sorvino’s methods. I > remember his mentioning establishing THE PAUL SORVINO ASTHMA FOUNDATION. > I would appreciate any information on this subject. > TIA, Leo C. May – Oak Forest IL.

Response:

> A couple of years ago I viewed a TV show which had the actor Paul > Sorvino as a guest. He talked about being a cured asthmatic because > of certain disciplines he had discovered. He is also a professional > operatic singer and claimed that this process had saved his voice. > I am looking for any information about Mr. Sorvino’s methods. I > remember his mentioning establishing THE PAUL SORVINO ASTHMA FOUNDATION. > I would appreciate any information on this subject. > TIA, Leo C. May – Oak Forest IL.

Here’s another one: The New Sun Newspaper  Paul Sorvino has performed in such classics as Goodfellas, That Championship Season, Law and Order, and Bulworth. At the beginning of his career, Paul was in serious trouble because of his asthma. He doubted he could continue his stage work, due to severe breathing difficulties. Fortunately, two of his fellow actors showed him a special yoga breathing technique that changed his life. Asthma-free since then, Mr. Sorvino now runs The Paul Sorvino Asthma Foundation. This poster announces one of their fundraising efforts, an annual celebrity pool tournament. The New Sun: You have a training program conducted by your Foundation? Paul Sorvino: Yes, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, I just trained six therapists, breathing instructors. NS: They then use it in their practice? PS: Yeah, that’s the idea. They’re going to get it instituted in Allied Health Services in Scranton. It’s just spreading the word further and further. NS: In terms of spreading the word, what are some of the things you do? How do you get the "How To Be A Former Asthmatic" video distributed? PS: Let’s say I do interviews on t.v. or in print, and we give the number. People call the Foundation and order the video, and give a little bit of money. We don’t make much that way. The little bit of money we take in that way goes to continuing the Breath of Life Program in the schools. Charlie Ursitti, the Executive Director, went to Las Vegas to do a zoning fight, trying to get the first free walk-in center established there. We’re trying to branch out as much as we can. NS: The Breath of Life Program, that’s sort of a teaching presentation that you are available to give? PS: It’s a program working with the children in the schools. It was instituted by Dr. Richard Firshein, the medical director of the Foundation, a doctor specializing in preventative medicine, nutrition. He’s written two books, one called Reversing Asthma, in which he uses the exercise, and another called, The Neutraceutical Revolution. NS: What are your goals and plans for the future? PS: Well, the idea is we’re going to try get this word out there. It’s not like we’re selling a product because we’re not selling anything. In a way, we’re trying to give it away. Right now, we have no salaried employees and so it’s all volunteer. I’m a volunteer, Charlie Ursitti is a volunteer, and Dr. Firshein is a volunteer. Here and there we have people helping us. We’re kind of a guerrilla group. NS: I think it’s great. PS: In outfits…like Che Guerva! We just got something good in Las Vegas. The Merck company has endorsed the program after having seen the video, and having heard about it. They haven’t given us any money, but what they’re doing is recommending it to all their employees who have asthma, or who have children who have asthma, to go to us to learn how to do it. NS: That’s really good. PS: My estimation is that about eighty percent of people get rid of their asthma symptoms and prevent attacks. We’ve had sixty-two percent improvement in school attendance with kids who are already on steroids. That’s never happened in the history of the world before. NS: You do such great work with children. It would seem to me that children embrace it faster because it’s so simple, whereas adults say, "How could it work if it’s so simple?" PS: Yeah, people do that. There’s a lot of resistance, for some God-known reason. People would rather spend thousands of dollars, and carry machines and all that. None of that is necessary, except on an emergency basis. When we show people how to do this, if they do the exercises, they don’t get the attacks any more. NS: Yeah, it’s funny, adults can be like that. If it’s too simple and it works… PS: Twenty percent of the people want their asthma. Psychologically speaking, it affords them a certain comfort, which is bizarre, but that’s human nature. NS: I remember in your video you use the expression, "You’re the boss of your breathing" and I think that’s a great thing, especially for children because they feel so unempowered when they can’t breathe. PS: Children have no autonomy anyway, so…we’re doing it the schools, five schools now, I think. We’re just trying to spread it all over the world. That’s all we want to do. It’s just one of those things. It’s not as easy as the Heimlich Maneuver, but in principal it’s as effective. NS: Do you know the history of the method? PS: It’s Yoga. NS: It just happened to be a Yoga breathing exercise and then somebody came upon the idea that it would work for asthma? PS: It was a Yoga Breathing Exercise for the alleviation of asthma, to my knowledge. It was taught to me by two actors who were Yoga practitioners, 35 years ago. I did it and I was cured of my asthma in one day. I had had it 15 years. And I’ve done lots of dramatic things like that with children and adults since then. It’s dramatic, it’s wonderful, but unfortunately, it’s vastly underused. I don’t know what else to do. I mean, I’ve been on national television, and I’ve worked with Dr. Ian Smith, and helped him relieve his asthma. I’ve had that kind of publicity but it just doesn’t accumulate for some reason. I don’t know why. I suppose if I was a doctor it would make things easier, but knowledge is knowledge. It was given to me and I’m trying to give it to everyone else. I’ve worked with thousands of asthmatics over the last 35 years and I’ve been successful about eighty percent of the time. If doctors want to do studies, I’ll go in and I’ll work with them. *** For more information or to order the video, "How To Become a Former Asthmatic," call 212-941-8686. Related story: Executive Director of the Sorvino Asthma Foundation, Charles Ursetti, tells of his life and death-changing experience. Home

Response:

>A couple of years ago I viewed a TV show which had the actor Paul >Sorvino as a guest. He talked about being a cured asthmatic because >of certain disciplines he had discovered. He is also a professional >operatic singer and claimed that this process had saved his voice. >I am looking for any information about Mr. Sorvino’s methods. I >remember his mentioning establishing THE PAUL SORVINO ASTHMA FOUNDATION. >I would appreciate any information on this subject. >TIA, Leo C. May – Oak Forest IL.

If this stuff really worked, then don’t you think that it would be a real treatment? And do you think an actor is the person to go to for medical advice? "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

What is a *real* treatment? I’d say to be open minded is the best treatment of all. Have placebos been known to be effective? If someone said scraping mold off a tree and ingesting it would cure an infection, should it be tried? I think that one should not shrink from looking below surface appearances because you just might like what you find. Do you think you should go to an actor to set up a childrens hospital? Would you go to an actor to lead the most powerful country in the world? Have a nice day LCM – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > If this stuff really worked, then don’t you think that it would be a > real treatment? > And do you think an actor is the person to go to for medical advice? > "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink > from doing so (just) because you might not like what > you find." >    General Colin Powell

Response:

>What is a *real* treatment? I’d say to be open minded is the best >treatment of all. Have placebos been known to be effective? If someone >said scraping mold off a tree and ingesting it would cure an infection, >should it be tried? I think that one should not shrink from looking below >surface appearances because you just might like what you find.

A real treatment would be something that has been demonstrated to work and has been demonstrated to be safe.   The answer to your question about placebos is: it depends on how you define ‘effective.’  There have been studies done on the placebo effect that show that the patient thinks they are improving when the disease is actually worsening. BTW, I do keep an ‘open mind.’  I have a set of criteria which I use to determine the probable validity of any claim.  I find it strange that some people do not understand that ‘keeping an open mind’ still means that you must still perform critical analysis. >Do you think you should go to an actor to set up a childrens hospital? >Would you go to an actor to lead the most powerful country in the world?

I meant exactly what I said.  An actor is a poor source for medical advice. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

I too have sets of criteria which I use to use to determine the probable validity of claims, or where to live, whom to marry, friends to keep etc. exercise (critical analysis?) cannot be initiated without material to either accept or reject. I find it strange that some people reject propositions, cultures, cuisine, or ideas alien to their own, out of hand based simply on their preconceived (read ‘educated’) subsets of the "known universe". Thank God (my mind is still open on that one) for those who seach for results unfettered by conventional "wisdom". "Seek and ye shall find" Over and out! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->What is a *real* treatment? I’d say to be open minded is the best >treatment of all. Have placebos been known to be effective? If someone >said scraping mold off a tree and ingesting it would cure an infection, >should it be tried? I think that one should not shrink from looking below >surface appearances because you just might like what you find. > BTW, I do keep an ‘open mind.’  I have a set of criteria which I use > to determine the probable validity of any claim.  I find it strange > that some people do not understand that ‘keeping an open mind’ still > means that you must still perform critical analysis. >> "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink > from doing so (just) because you might not like what > you find." >    General Colin Powell

Response:

>I too have sets of criteria which I use to use to determine the probable >validity of claims, or where to live, whom to marry, friends to keep etc. >exercise (critical analysis?) cannot be initiated without material to either >accept or reject. I find it strange that some people reject propositions, >cultures, cuisine, or ideas alien to their own, out of hand based simply >on their preconceived (read ‘educated’) subsets of the "known universe". >Thank God (my mind is still open on that one) for those who seach for >results unfettered by conventional "wisdom".

What criteria do you apply to the claims of this ‘Sovoro foundation?’ BTW, from the above, I get the impression that you do not really understand the concept of an ‘open mind.’ "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

"Seek and Ye Shall Find" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I too have sets of criteria which I use to use to determine the probable >validity of claims, or where to live, whom to marry, friends to keep etc. >exercise (critical analysis?) cannot be initiated without material to either >accept or reject. I find it strange that some people reject propositions, >cultures, cuisine, or ideas alien to their own, out of hand based simply >on their preconceived (read ‘educated’) subsets of the "known universe". >Thank God (my mind is still open on that one) for those who seach for >results unfettered by conventional "wisdom". > What criteria do you apply to the claims of this ‘Sovoro foundation?’ > BTW, from the above, I get the impression that you do not really > understand the concept of an ‘open mind.’ > "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink > from doing so (just) because you might not like what > you find." >    General Colin Powell

Response:

I still would like to know what objective criteria you are using when you considered the claims made by this foundation. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

I have been remiss in addressing the courtesy afforded me by Mr. Scharff who offered the very assistance that I had requested in my post. I found this NG quite by accident, and have been impressed with, for the most part the easy flowing give and take of asthma afflicted persons such as myself. I have learned much in a very short time,once the inevitable distractions of an open forum such as this are addressed and dismissed. Thanks also to those who where good enough to send me other relevant information. LCM – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Try this: > For more information, contact the Sorvino Asthma Foundation at (212) > 941-8686 > A couple of years ago I viewed a TV show which had the actor Paul > Sorvino as a guest. He talked about being a cured asthmatic because > of certain disciplines he had discovered. He is also a professional > operatic singer and claimed that this process had saved his voice. > I am looking for any information about Mr. Sorvino’s methods. I > remember his mentioning establishing THE PAUL SORVINO ASTHMA FOUNDATION. > I would appreciate any information on this subject. > TIA, Leo C. May – Oak Forest IL.

Response:

> A couple of years ago I viewed a TV show which had the actor Paul > Sorvino as a guest. He talked about being a cured asthmatic because > of certain disciplines he had discovered. He is also a professional > operatic singer and claimed that this process had saved his voice. > I am looking for any information about Mr. Sorvino’s methods. I > remember his mentioning establishing THE PAUL SORVINO ASTHMA FOUNDATION. > I would appreciate any information on this subject. > TIA, Leo C. May – Oak Forest IL.

I heard Paul Sorvino doing a radio interview and he described a few of the breathing techniques. Gotta say … I have been using one of these and it has helped me from rushing to grab my inhaler. Wish I could remember the other techniques he described. Not a cure all for me, but it did/does help. Rick

Response:

Rick; Read the reply above by Jeffrey Scharff for more info. Paul Sorvino’s book and video are titled ‘HOW TO BECOME A FORMER ASTHMATIC’ To contact THE SORVINO FOUNDATION call 212 – 941-8686. Thanks for the positive input. LCM – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A couple of years ago I viewed a TV show which had the actor Paul > Sorvino as a guest. He talked about being a cured asthmatic because > of certain disciplines he had discovered. He is also a professional > operatic singer and claimed that this process had saved his voice. > I am looking for any information about Mr. Sorvino’s methods. I > remember his mentioning establishing THE PAUL SORVINO ASTHMA FOUNDATION. > I would appreciate any information on this subject. > TIA, Leo C. May – Oak Forest IL. > I heard Paul Sorvino doing a radio interview and he described a few of the > breathing techniques. Gotta say … I have been using one of these and it > has helped me from rushing to grab my inhaler. Wish I could remember the > other techniques he described. Not a cure all for me, but it did/does help. > Rick

Response:

>I heard Paul Sorvino doing a radio interview and he described a few of the >breathing techniques. Gotta say … I have been using one of these and it >has helped me from rushing to grab my inhaler. Wish I could remember the >other techniques he described. Not a cure all for me, but it did/does help.

Typically these exercises compensate for the reduced airflow by causing you to more fully utilize the reduced amount of air.  This will typically result in a reduced perception of breathing difficulty without any real effect on the actual problem. I really suggest that you educate yourself in what is happening and why before you trust your life to the medical ‘expertise’ of an actor. "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

> Typically these exercises compensate for the reduced airflow by causing > you to more fully utilize the reduced amount of air.  This will > typically result in a reduced perception of breathing difficulty without > any real effect on the actual problem.

then again, if a breathing method can allow you to better use what air you can get in, might not this buy you a few extra seconds or minutes to get to that inhaler and use it? any tool that does its job… —    PGP/GnuPG key (ID 1024D/BFE0D6D0) available from keyservers everywhere     Key fingerprint = 3EBC 97FC 68AA 65F1 65E6  3D36 35F6 4213 BFE0 D6D0        "Everything I am today, I owe to people whom it is now too late                                    to punish."

Response:

>> Typically these exercises compensate for the reduced airflow by causing > you to more fully utilize the reduced amount of air.  This will > typically result in a reduced perception of breathing difficulty without > any real effect on the actual problem. >then again, if a breathing method can allow you to better use what air >you can get in, might not this buy you a few extra seconds or minutes to >get to that inhaler and use it? any tool that does its job…

If it is advertised that way.  This actor is claiming that it is an actual treatment. And there are people who are irresponsibly advertising this guy.  Do you think that they will take responsibility if somebody listens to them and is injured because of it?  Or will they simply blame the victim for "not doing it right?" "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Typically these exercises compensate for the reduced airflow by causing >> you to more fully utilize the reduced amount of air.  This will >> typically result in a reduced perception of breathing difficulty without >> any real effect on the actual problem. > then again, if a breathing method can allow you to better use what air > you can get in, might not this buy you a few extra seconds or minutes to > get to that inhaler and use it? any tool that does its job… > If it is advertised that way.  This actor is claiming that it is an > actual treatment. > And there are people who are irresponsibly advertising this guy.  Do > you think that they will take responsibility if somebody listens to > them and is injured because of it?  Or will they simply blame the

victim for "not doing it right?" "I really suggest that you educate yourself in what is happening and why before you trust your life to the medical ‘expertise’ of an actor." I guess it depends on your definition of treatment. My definition is… If this helps me so I can breath better, I would classify that as "treating the illness" and if it helps me breath better, that would be successful treatment. As far as educating myself…. I am a guy with a masters in biochemistry and I do know that sometimes Flovent does not work for me. Sometimes this Sorvino method does not work either. Sometimes a Coke helps, sometimes not. Sometimes people out of their field stumble on things that are helpful to others.  Hell, in college a friend of mine who was a psychology major, helped me come up with a new way of sequencing DNA; she had zero chemistry. The important thing is that it is Sorvino technique is something to consider. Have you tried it? Maybe it didn