In 'Breath', James Nestor takes readers on a captivating journey into the science and history of breathing, revealing how this vital act impacts our physical and mental health. Through personal experimentation and research, he uncovers the transformative power of proper breathing techniques, which have been forgotten over time. Nestor dives into ancient practices, modern science, and even unique cultures, merging them into an intriguing narrative. Along the way, he challenges common misconceptions and provides practical advice to optimize our breath. Prepare to be amazed by how something so simple can profoundly alter your life.
By James Nestor
Published: 2020
"Breath is not just a physiological process; it is the key to unlocking our full potential, connecting our minds and bodies, and experiencing the world more deeply."
A New York Times Bestseller A Washington Post Notable Nonfiction Book of 2020 Named a Best Book of 2020 by NPR “A fascinating scientific, cultural, spiritual and evolutionary history of the way humans breathe—and how we’ve all been doing it wrong for a long, long time.” —Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Big Magic and Eat Pray Love 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, 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 is showing us that making even slight adjustments to the way 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.
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“Breath is not just a physiological process; it is the key to unlocking our full potential, connecting our minds and bodies, and experiencing the world more deeply.”
Breath
By James Nestor
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James Nestor is an acclaimed author and journalist best known for his captivating explorations of the human experience through the lens of science and nature. His notable works include the bestselling books 'Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art,' which investigates the importance of proper breathing techniques for health and wellness, and 'Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves,' which delves into the realm of freediving and the mysteries of the ocean. Nestor's writing style is characterized by detailed research, engaging storytelling, and a profound curiosity about the natural world, making complex subjects accessible and compelling to a broad audience.
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