I have received many requests to describe stopping an ongoing
asthma attack, and while I have done it myself with 3 different kids
with relatively mild cases and have seen it working,
I thought I will give you word out of the horses mouth by the
practitioner with much more experience, who is also an M.D., Michael
Shetining.

This is my translation from an excerpt of Michael Shetining's book
about Strelnikova exercise, original (Russian) is here:
http://moldovacc.md/vasangela/Breathing.htm

How to stop an Asthma attack (Shetinin method):

Sit straight, press the palms against the knees and do similar to the
exercise "push down (also called "pump")" (exercise 3), but do it
while sitting instead of standing. Do 2 or 4 loud short sniffs. Do not
get completely straight and by no means lean backwards.

Bend slightly forward (head lowered, hands are bend in elbows) – loud
short sniff (like a clap with hands). Then slightly straighten up, but
do not get completely straight (hands are still on the knees, elbows
are also slightly straightening) – breath out through either nose and
mouth, it should not be audible or conscious. Again immediately
slightly bend forward with lowered head – do sharp loud sniff. Again
slightly straighten out – breath out went away through the nose or
mouth completely passive. After doing 2 sniffs-moves,
have a rest of a few seconds (3-5-7, but not more), and than do 2
sniff-moves or 4-sniff-moves (bends) in a row. And again have rest
after each 2 or 4 sniff-moves.

You do not need to count how many sniffs you made. Count mentally only
each 2 or 4 sniffs. Have a rest after every 2 or 4 sniffs up to 10
seconds. Sniff like this during 10 – 15 minutes – until the attach
stops and you will feel relief.

If you feels so bad that even the sniff while bending forward does not
help, sit straight, slightly bending forward, head is freely bend down
(looking towards the floor), elbows
are freely laying on the knees, back is round. Without any movements
just do loud and short sniffs 2 times and rest few seconds after each
2 sniffs (without movements). Remember that breath out should go away
after each sniff unnoticed, without your help. Send your sniff
mentally towards your back, your waist – up to the maximal volume of
the lungs. Strictly assure that your shoulders do not raise and do not
jerk during each sniff.

Good attack stopping effect gives the exercise "push downs" (exercise
3). I recommend before staring doing this exercise, wear a wide belt
on the waist. It should be strictly on the waist, but not on the hips.
You can alternatively wear long scarf or a towel around your waist.
Wear it tight (so that it does not dangle) but not too tight so it
does not press. And when you do the loud sniff (while sitting with the
head lowered down), press with the waist against the belt, feel it,
sending the sniff towards the back until the maximal dept of the lungs.

The breathing will certainly become easier.

You can also stop the asthma attack by doing exercise "hug the
shoulders" (5) and "head turns" (6). Both exercises should be done
while sitting. All exercises should be done 2 or 4 sniff-moves in a
row, without stopping. Than rest of up to 10 minutes and again 2 or 4
shiff-moves. And do so until you will feel relief.

Try first to do "the pump" (3). If you feel there is no improvement,
than do "hug the shoulders" and after that "head turns". If nothing
helps, than of cause, use inhalator or take some other medicine. This
means that your sickness is too advanced.

It does not mean however that it can not be helped with our breathing
exercise! If you could not stop the attack now – certainly try it
again next time. Try, fight the sickness! "You need to attack the
sickness and not defend yourself!" as A.N.Strelnikova was saying. The
day will come when you will be able to stop the attack with the exercise.

One of my lady patients told my this story. She was in a hurry to me
for an exercise practice, and so that she would not miss the bus, she
had to run a little. And after running, when she got into the bus, he
got an asthma attack. Without much thinking, she started doing one of
the exercises right there in the bus, in front of all the public.
After a few minutes the wheezing stopped.

"And what exercise did you do?" – I asked her. "Hug the shoulders",
Michael Nikolaevich! said the women, excited by her success.