Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
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- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-03-25 14:25:59
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：James Nestor
- ISBN：0241289076
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Summary
There is nothing more essential to our health and wellbeing than breathing: take air in， let it out， repeat 25，000 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， Brazil。
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 longheld beliefs about how we breathe。
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， Brazil。
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 longheld beliefs about how we breathe。
Reviews
Brian
，
Surprisingly good and interesting。 A bit hard to take something away， though。 As in， which method to try， and what is it supposed to do？ The appendix helps somewhat though
Nancy
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Way too out there for me。 A bunch of hooey。Added 1 to my reading challenge to compensate。
Erin M
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I have been getting into pranayama yoga lately， and I happened to see this book at the local bookstore and I knew I had to read it。 This is a really comprehensive collection of the different histories of breathwork and study。 At times it doesn't feel like there was enough research， but also that there was a significant amount of self-study， if that makes sense。 I loved hearing about Nestor's experiences trying out different techniques， and at the end of the book there is an Appendix so you can t I have been getting into pranayama yoga lately， and I happened to see this book at the local bookstore and I knew I had to read it。 This is a really comprehensive collection of the different histories of breathwork and study。 At times it doesn't feel like there was enough research， but also that there was a significant amount of self-study， if that makes sense。 I loved hearing about Nestor's experiences trying out different techniques， and at the end of the book there is an Appendix so you can try some of them on your own。 。。。more
Shaw
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Wow。 Eloquently written and beautifully researched， I hope to remember half of what I have learned in this book。 Just WOW。
Richelle
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An absolutely amazing book！ I never realized how bad mouth-breathing is， and I've been practicing almost all the breathing exercises given in the book！ Disclaimer: make sure to start out slow， especially with the limited breathing during workouts。 I tried to run a mile the first day I read this book while holding my breath， and I got to around a quarter of a mile before I almost collapsed （totally my fault， the book warned against this HAHA）！ An absolutely amazing book！ I never realized how bad mouth-breathing is， and I've been practicing almost all the breathing exercises given in the book！ Disclaimer: make sure to start out slow， especially with the limited breathing during workouts。 I tried to run a mile the first day I read this book while holding my breath， and I got to around a quarter of a mile before I almost collapsed （totally my fault， the book warned against this HAHA）！ 。。。more
Lina
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This book would be a total disaster without the last， practical part。 There are few contradictions that were not resolved， many anecdotal evidences， many plain dangerous techniques described。 My absolute favorite was an attempt to explain mitochondrial metabolism by the concepts of Chi and Prana。 Overall， a very unique read。
Jenna
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I love a good science-lite book， but this was a bit too light on the science for me。 It was still kinda interesting to read though。
Mohammad Abbas
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Relies a lot on anecdotal evidence， some of the claims are ridiculous but there is some merit to more conscious breathing。
Tricky Nicky
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The more we gnaw， the more stem cells release， the more bone density and growth we'll trigger， the younger we'll look and the better we'll breathe。 The more we gnaw， the more stem cells release， the more bone density and growth we'll trigger， the younger we'll look and the better we'll breathe。 。。。more
Dana
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This book has completely changed how I breathe every single day after 23 years of giving zero thought to the air going in and out of my body。 It’s a comprehensive look at the science and cultural practices of breath work that influence serious illness as well as overall well-being。 I wish I had read this book years ago。 It has helped me consciously change my breathing habits and feel ten times more energetic， focused， and calm throughout each day。 Read this book to understand the profound impact This book has completely changed how I breathe every single day after 23 years of giving zero thought to the air going in and out of my body。 It’s a comprehensive look at the science and cultural practices of breath work that influence serious illness as well as overall well-being。 I wish I had read this book years ago。 It has helped me consciously change my breathing habits and feel ten times more energetic， focused， and calm throughout each day。 Read this book to understand the profound impact breathing has on the human body and see where you fall in the spectrum of breathers。 。。。more
Emily Horvath
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This is probably one of my favorite types of books。 Physiology and science presented in a consumable format。 The power of breath is real and Nestor does an excellent job presenting it。
Krista Jaspers
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Fascinating。 I will definitely go back and read this again。
Matt Harms
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Didn’t go as in depth as I would have liked， but very well written。 I’ll certainly be looking deeper into the topic。
Coral
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Should be mandatory in schoolI heard Joe Rogan mention this book and he made it sound interesting。 He didn't do it justice lol。 This book is absolutely amazing。 It's jammed full of information and the techniques at the end are easy to understand。 Should be mandatory in schoolI heard Joe Rogan mention this book and he made it sound interesting。 He didn't do it justice lol。 This book is absolutely amazing。 It's jammed full of information and the techniques at the end are easy to understand。 。。。more
Shay Freeman
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Pleasantly surprised how much info and not the same stuff I have read repeatedly
Carol Chen
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I listened to this audiobook mainly on my runs - as I was desperately swallowing air with my mouth gaped open - until I heard the author basically make the claim that "if you breathe through your mouth， you are slowly killing yourself"。 And I immediately tried to seal my lips and take slow breathes through my nose - which is， according to the author， a lot of more natural and beneficial to our health。 To save you time， this book basically makes two claims （based on a mix of okay science and susp I listened to this audiobook mainly on my runs - as I was desperately swallowing air with my mouth gaped open - until I heard the author basically make the claim that "if you breathe through your mouth， you are slowly killing yourself"。 And I immediately tried to seal my lips and take slow breathes through my nose - which is， according to the author， a lot of more natural and beneficial to our health。 To save you time， this book basically makes two claims （based on a mix of okay science and suspicious anecdotes like a lady in a park told him one time）:1。 breathing through your nose is better for you than breathing through your mouth。2。 sometimes we do not need more air， we need more CO2。 It is not revolutionary nor entirely convincing scientifically， but it made me a bit more self-concious about breathing。 So， somewhat helpful？ 。。。more
Michael
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Very interesting and well researched book about the power of breathing and how it can affect every aspect of our health （beyond the obvious）。
Arizonagirl
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This was a fascinating book about the importance of breath written by a journalist who has struggled with breathing issues himself。 I took some notes to remind myself of some of his points:-Bigger brains， sticky-out noses， and smaller mouths/nasal passages have caused us to get stuffed up， snore， wheeze， and choke。-Detrimental effect of mouth breathing: Increased blood pressure， increased pulse， decreased body temperature， lack of mental clarity， physical malformations in a matter of months。-Ins This was a fascinating book about the importance of breath written by a journalist who has struggled with breathing issues himself。 I took some notes to remind myself of some of his points:-Bigger brains， sticky-out noses， and smaller mouths/nasal passages have caused us to get stuffed up， snore， wheeze， and choke。-Detrimental effect of mouth breathing: Increased blood pressure， increased pulse， decreased body temperature， lack of mental clarity， physical malformations in a matter of months。-Insomnia = breathing problems-Nostrils cycle-Noses have erectile tissue-Nadi shadhana - alternate nostril breathing-Left nostril - puts on the breaks， parasympathetic-Right nostril - accelerator， sympathetic-The perfect breath is inhale for 5。5 seconds and exhale for 5。5 seconds。 -Prayers & chants match this length-Breath less-More CO2， less O2-Westin A。 Price - Soft food， lack of chewing-Snoring， ADHD， sleep apnea， and asthma are all related to obstructions in the mouth-Tummo breathing-Amygdala gone - no fear except when given CO2。 Feel like can't breathe。-CO2 levels， not O2 is what the body is monitoring and regulating。-CO2 therapy1。 Close your mouth2。 Breathe through your nose3。 Exhale completely4。 Chew5。 Breathe more on occasion6。 Hold your breath 。。。more
Bethany
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A
Kristy
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Fascinating！I'm so intrigued by this book！ As a migraine sufferer， I have learned that I may be able to rid myself of the pain without the use of medication - simply by breathing。 It's a concept that I'm willing to try！ Fascinating！I'm so intrigued by this book！ As a migraine sufferer， I have learned that I may be able to rid myself of the pain without the use of medication - simply by breathing。 It's a concept that I'm willing to try！ 。。。more
Kyle
，
This book can be boiled down to a few simple concepts for improving breathing health （and is in the appendix）， but the fun here is in the journey。 Reading Nestor is a wild experience; his zeal for researching and attempting progressively stranger breathing techniques made a book about respiration way more exciting than it had any right to be。
Karen Scarpelli
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He absolutely convinced me breathing is important。
Arminda Lindsay
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Very anecdotal and not a lot of science/data， but I love storytelling！ And， what James Nestor shares through his own journey of breathing， sleeping， chewing， and exercising is fascinating and it certainly won't hurt us to close our mouths， breathe through our noses， intentionally breathe， and practice mindfulness -- all in the name of health， mental wellness， and longevity。 Very anecdotal and not a lot of science/data， but I love storytelling！ And， what James Nestor shares through his own journey of breathing， sleeping， chewing， and exercising is fascinating and it certainly won't hurt us to close our mouths， breathe through our noses， intentionally breathe， and practice mindfulness -- all in the name of health， mental wellness， and longevity。 。。。more
Abigail （agrayreads）
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2。5 stars I believe in breath work and have personal experience with the way that breath can help lessen symptoms of anxiety， so I was eager and excited to read this one！ Overall， I was disappointed。 While there are snippets of the book that are substantiated and wise， those snippets felt like needles in a haystack。 My main complaint is that the author does not have the data to substantiate the vast majority of his claims。 He sells breath work as a "cure-all" to serious ailments and medical cond 2。5 stars I believe in breath work and have personal experience with the way that breath can help lessen symptoms of anxiety， so I was eager and excited to read this one！ Overall， I was disappointed。 While there are snippets of the book that are substantiated and wise， those snippets felt like needles in a haystack。 My main complaint is that the author does not have the data to substantiate the vast majority of his claims。 He sells breath work as a "cure-all" to serious ailments and medical conditions， as well as a sort of secret to life。 He cherry-picks anecdotal evidence and small sample size "studies" that support his argument， but do not provide sufficient evidence。 Additionally， the book lacks a narrative arc and central argument; it felt as though Nestor included every bullet point on his outline rather than condensing and crystallizing the story he wants to sell the reader。 This did not make for a pleasant reading experience。 Overall， I wish this book discussed the ways that breath work can be a powerful tool to supplement one's health and headspace， rather than making grand sweeping claims without proper support。 。。。more
Andrea M
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Shut your mouth and breath less。 hahahahaha
Colleen Dilenschneider
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This book has certainly changed how I think about breathing （and the importance of my nose in my overall health）！ It was interesting to read about the history and findings of different breathing methods， and what I found most helpful was the research-backed ideal inhale and exhale timing。
Dave Schaafsma
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"I do as instructed， and listen as the rushing wind that was pouring through my lungs suddenly stops and is replaced by pure silence， the kind of jarring quietude a skydiver feels the moment a parachute opens。 But this stillness is coming from inside。"I’m a pretty chill guy， most of the time， but when my bp and resting heart rate indicated signs of trouble， I took the “opportunity” of the pandemic to enact some changes in my life: Running/walking daily， weight loss， meditation， and these things "I do as instructed， and listen as the rushing wind that was pouring through my lungs suddenly stops and is replaced by pure silence， the kind of jarring quietude a skydiver feels the moment a parachute opens。 But this stillness is coming from inside。"I’m a pretty chill guy， most of the time， but when my bp and resting heart rate indicated signs of trouble， I took the “opportunity” of the pandemic to enact some changes in my life: Running/walking daily， weight loss， meditation， and these things have helped。 I also read The Art of Breathing and a few other Buddhist treatments of the subject。 Then this book， a good summary of current and ancient science as Nestor travels the world over to talk to scientists and monks。The guy establishes credibility， actually， by not being a scientist， but by being less than healthy， and doing what some of us do， exploring how to get healthier。 And he hits on breathing as the one central （and free！） thing we can do to improve our health。 He’s had pneumonia a couple years in a row， diminishing his lung capacity， has asthma， has sleep apnea， he’s anxious， a mess。 And decides to change his life but trying various breath-based strategies， and researching。 The executive summary:*Shut your mouth （breathe as much as possible through your nose， which is intriguing to me， possibly crackpot， but I have been consciously working on it as I listen to the book; maybe I will be transformed soon？） （my ex says， perfect， shutting up more will make you and everyone you know happier and healthier！）*Breath slower， and with fewer breaths per minute。 （My Fitbit tells me I average 12 BPM， but Nestor and his team think 5-6 would be better for most of us）。 （Makes sense to me; I’m calmer when this happens， and it happens during meditation， for sure）*Spend more time exhaling than inhaling （yes， CO2 in this process can actually improve your health， something I already knew from researching about running; the news about CO2 and panic attacks is interesting）*Holding your breath periodically can actually help you expand lung capacity （see above， re: CO2， though I am less convinced about this one so far） （and do this breath holding while sitting or lying down）*Pure oxygen tents will not “cleanse” you; better breathing technique is what you need to get healthier。 *Rapid breathing is generally harmful， but done with conscious control it can be beneficial。 （I don’t know about these last two， really）*The key body part to weight loss （and sexual health， posture， bone density， heart health） is the lung （like most health and self help books， this book seems to claim the cure for all ills with this single thing， which undermines his point， in my opinion--He does in the end say correct breathing won’t cure all ills， but this isn’t the general impression throughout; he generally overpromises） （so if he gains credibility through his desire to heal himself， he begins to lose credibility for me in trying every extreme [？] breathing idea he can find）。Nestor is actually a very good writer， balancing the personal with the research。 Most of what he writes about is out there already， though not central to medical practice。 Why not？ Alternative medicine？ = Is what he says ultimately suspect？ Maybe。 We’ll see， but I for one am trying to breathe with the help of exercises he includes。 There were no footnotes， which was disappointing， but the bibliography is on his website。 As a teacher educator I have from time to time invited in a local expert in breathing who advises singers and athletes on how breathing better can help you。 This seems obvious that it can help you。 Deep breathing vs shallow breathing？ Seems like common-sense。 Mammals with the lowest resting heart rates live the longest？ This seems true， useful to consider。Some of it seems far fetched; such as the claim from someone he worked with that breathing through your left nostril enhances creativity--that left brain-right brain theory）。 But also， this "clean up you breathing" sounds like colonic cleanses or crazy diets that promise more than they deliver。 Grof's Holotropic Breathwork？ Holding your breath？ Over-breathing？I don’t know。 I recall the fast-breathing of Lamaze vs the deep breathing of Bradley， when I was first having kids， and this made sense to me that little short breaths were less useful than deep breathing。 Ultimately I recommend the book to check it all out， but if you have already started down this Better Breathing path， you might know what you need to know already。 。。。more
Anton Kaliaev
，
Jump straight to the epilogue for practical advice！
Katie Overton
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As a breathing nerd in a medical field， I found this book fascinating。 I use various breathing techniques with patients to treat several ailments， and I’ve referenced this book multiple times with them。
Bill Thorness
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