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Breath

James Nestor

306 Pages
2020

Breath

Penguin

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Breath - Summary

"Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art" by James Nestor is a captivating exploration of the fundamental act of breathing and its profound impact on our health and well-being. Nestor embarks on a global journey to uncover the hidden science and ancient practices of breathing, revealing how modern humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly. Through engaging storytelling and rigorous research, he demonstrates how simple adjustments to our breathing patterns can enhance athletic performance, rejuvenate internal organs, and combat various ailments. This book is a call to action, urging readers to reclaim the lost art of proper breathing for a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Key Ideas

1

The Importance of Proper Breathing

Nestor emphasizes that the way we breathe has a significant impact on our overall health. He explains that many modern ailments, such as asthma, snoring, and even spinal issues, can be alleviated by adopting proper breathing techniques. By understanding and practicing these techniques, we can improve our physical and mental well-being.

2

Ancient Breathing Techniques

The book delves into various ancient breathing practices like Pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya, and Tummo. These techniques, which have been used for centuries, offer powerful benefits for healing, mental clarity, and spiritual growth. Nestor collaborates with modern practitioners to demonstrate the effectiveness of these age-old methods.

3

Scientific Validation

Nestor combines historical knowledge with cutting-edge scientific research to validate the benefits of proper breathing. He draws on studies from pulmonology, psychology, biochemistry, and human physiology to present a compelling case for a respiratory revolution. This blend of ancient wisdom and modern science makes "Breath" a unique and enlightening read.

FAQ's

The main focus of "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art" is to explore the science and ancient practices of breathing, demonstrating how proper breathing techniques can significantly improve health and well-being.

James Nestor validates the benefits of proper breathing by combining historical knowledge with modern scientific research from fields such as pulmonology, psychology, biochemistry, and human physiology.

Some of the ancient breathing techniques discussed in "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art" include Pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya, and Tummo, which have been used for centuries for healing, mental clarity, and spiritual growth.

๐Ÿ’ก Full 15min Summary

Breathing techniques, supportive of both ancient wisdom and modern science, hold the unexplored power to control our health and transform our lives.
0:00 / 1:40

Breathing, an easy-to-dismiss part of existence, holds great significance to our wellbeing. It's not as simple as it appears, our breathing patterns profoundly impact our bodies. This concept is supported by modern science as well as the ancient wisdom of various civilizations like those from India, Greece, and China. Take for instance, certain proposed breathing techniques that can decrease high blood pressure, enhance athletes' performance, and achieve balance in the nervous system.

Deliberate breathing techniques unlock unexplored power within our bodies and lungs, showing us the path to better health. There is evidence to suggest that human breathing capacity has evolved and unfortunately deteriorated since the period of the Industrial Revolution. Interestingly, there have been innovative souls who used specific breathing practices to heal and perform extraordinary feats. Despite periods of neglect and being forgotten, these techniques have always found a way back into practice.

Fundamentally, guided breathing allows individuals to regain control over their health. It's surprising how our simple breath influences every single cell in our body, from neural to vascular. Having a deep comprehension of its power paves the way towards a healthier, longer life, transcending genetic make-up or lifestyle constraints. The secret lies in unlocking the full potential of our breath---a feat most fail to achieve. However, with dedicated focus and practice, our breath holds the potential to evolve into a limitless elixir.

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