Breath

As I learned in high school, the Latin word for "breath" is "spiritus," which is the root of our words “spirit” and “spiritual.” In this brilliant book, Nestor traces the role of breath in the spiritual practices of prayer, chanting, and mantra. For instance, he points out, the precise length of time we spend inhaling and exhaling while reciting certain mantras—whether from Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, or Indigenous traditions—is virtually identical. He then goes on to link spiritual growth with physical health and vigor. Some 25 years ago, I helped to write a book called The 3-Season Diet, with the American… show more.

This book made me angry, and then it made me want to change everything about the way I breathe. Seriously, who knew we were all doing it wrong!

I read a lot of nonfiction science books and articles, have many years of experience taking yoga classes, and thought I was generally paying attention, but I was truly shocked at how little I knew about the basic experience and “lost art” of breathing.

Not only is this research done painstakingly and thoroughly over many years, but the author personally experiences all that he reports on. You will be forever changed by… show more.

From the moment I finished this book – actually, while I was listening to it – I started telling everyone I knew they had to read it. Like, must do, need to, do nothing until you read it. And then I told everyone on Instagram.

This book was monumentally fascinating. The scientific and cultural history of breath was explored thoroughly and compellingly. And then, the author made it all relatable by discussing the practical aspects of breath that concern, or should concern, us all. 

You might not think you need to learn about breath, as it’s something we do all… show more.

I loved Breath because it was such a good primer on something we do all day and night, but don’t give much thought to: Breathing. And guess what? There is a right way and a wrong way!

Nestor has a wonderful storytelling talent, weaving in his own narrative with one that goes back all the way to our cave-dwelling ancestors—and why they never needed braces. 

Any author who voluntarily has his nose packed and totally obstructed for over a week attracts my awe as one who is committed to walking the walk of his subject.

Nestor’s descriptions of this experience and the immense joy he encounters when his nasal airways were unblocked and his sense of smell restored sets the stage for an engaging tour through the science and art of a vital bodily function that we mostly ignore—respiration.

He posits that humans have been ignoring breath for centuries at our detriment and which accounts for sleep apnea, snoring, asthma, and autoimmune diseases. He poses… show more.

I hate to recommend a New York Times bestseller but I really did love reading this book. It is an easy read through the anthropology, physiology, and very human side of why breathing is important. Breathing well can be confusing and James Nestor unpacks how we can learn to use our breath to benefit our health. Breathing is our superpower and this book will illustrate why.