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Breath
304 pages, 2020
No matter what you eat, how much you exercise, how skinny or young or wise you are, none of it matters if you’re not breathing properly.
There is nothing more essential to our health and well-being than breathing: take air in, let it out, and repeat twenty-five thousand times a day. Yet, as a species, humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly, with grave consequences.
Journalist James Nestor travels the world to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it. The answers aren’t found in pulmonology labs, as we might expect, but in the muddy digs of ancient burial sites, secret Soviet facilities, New Jersey choir schools, and the smoggy streets of São Paulo.
Nestor tracks down men and women exploring the hidden science behind ancient breathing practices like Pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya, and Tummo and teams up with pulmonary tinkerers to scientifically test long-held beliefs about how we breathe.
Modern research shows us that making even slight adjustments to how we inhale and exhale can jump-start athletic performance; rejuvenate internal organs; halt snoring, asthma, and autoimmune disease; and even straighten scoliotic spines. None of this should be possible, and yet it is.
Drawing on thousands of years of medical texts and recent cutting-edge studies in pulmonology, psychology, biochemistry, and human physiology, Breath turns the conventional wisdom of what we thought we knew about our most basic biological function on its head. You will never breathe the same again.
James Nestor explores the incredible power of proper breathing. He shows that by changing the way we breathe, we can improve our health, increase our lifespan, and even control our emotions. It's a simple change that can have a big impact on our lives.
Nestor digs into the history of breathing and finds that our ancestors knew a lot more about it than we do. They practiced techniques that helped them stay healthy and live longer. He suggests that we've lost this knowledge over time and need to rediscover it.
The book is packed with different breathing techniques that you can try at home. From ancient practices to modern methods, there's something for everyone. You'll find techniques to help you sleep better, reduce stress, and even improve your athletic performance.
Nestor doesn't just tell you to breathe better, he explains why it works. He looks into the science behind breathing and how it affects our bodies. You'll see how changing your breathing can affect your heart rate, blood pressure, and brain function.
Reading this book is like going on a journey with Nestor as he explores the world of breathing. He meets with experts, tries out different techniques, and shares his own experiences. It's a fascinating look into a topic that we often take for granted.
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Breath by James Nestor is a fascinating exploration of the power and importance of proper breathing. It's a must-read!
Joe Rogan - Podcast HostBreath is a transformative book that changes the way you think about your body and mind. It's a game-changer.
Rich Roll - Ultra-endurance AthleteJames Nestor's Breath is a revelation. It will make you rethink the simple act of breathing.
Dr. Rangan Chatterjee - Physician, AuthorBreath is a book that can change lives. It's a deep dive into a subject we take for granted.
Tim Ferriss - Entrepreneur, AuthorBreath by James Nestor is a masterpiece. It's a guide to understanding the power of breath.
Wim Hof - Extreme Athlete
