Daily balance
A framework for thinking about breathing, movement, nutrition, rest and the wider “chest–gut loop”.
A modern patient’s guide
Living more actively with bronchiectasis and COPD.
A thoughtful handbook shaped by lived experience—created to help patients, families and carers build clearer daily routines and have better-informed conversations with their care team.
Current edition: Draft v3 · 11 September 2026 · 54-page PDF
Start where you are
A practical companion for the days between appointments.
Chronic respiratory conditions are managed one ordinary day at a time. The Circuit of Breath brings Ray Tollis’s personal observations, planning tools and questions into one approachable reference.
It is designed to help you notice patterns, organise information and take a more active role in conversations with qualified health professionals.
Inside the handbook
Practical tools you can return to.
The standalone appendices are organised as workshop manuals: use the part that is relevant today and discuss personal treatment decisions with your care team.
Airway-clearance conversations
An overview of approaches to discuss with a respiratory physiotherapist who can tailor a safe routine to you.
Recognising change
Traffic-light planning, a sputum tracker and prompts for identifying when your usual baseline has shifted.
Recovery and reflection
Ideas for pacing recovery, recording what happened and preparing useful information for clinical reviews.
Free to read and share
Keep the whole reference close at hand.
Download the complete handbook for yourself, or share it with family members and caregivers so the people around you can better understand the routines, questions and decisions involved in day-to-day respiratory care.
- Written from the perspective of a person living with chronic lung disease
- Includes checklists, trackers and clinical-report prompts
- Links out to established Australian and international resources
- Designed as a conversation aid—not a treatment prescription
“The circuit of breath is the foundation stone in the fortress of wellbeing.”
— Ray TollisStart with trusted support
You do not have to navigate this alone.
Use the handbook alongside recognised clinical resources and your own healthcare team.
Australian supportLung Foundation AustraliaPatient information, resources and the Lung Health Helpline.Health informationhealthdirect AustraliaSymptoms, treatment information and guidance on seeking help.Clinical resourceBronchiectasis ToolboxGuideline-based material for health professionals and airway-clearance videos.
Medical emergency? If you are severely short of breath, have chest pain, are confused, or cough up a large amount of blood, call Triple Zero (000) in Australia.