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  • Breath

  • The New Science of a Lost Art
  • Written by: James Nestor
  • Narrated by: James Nestor
  • Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,184 ratings)

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Breath

Written by: James Nestor
Narrated by: James Nestor
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Publisher's Summary

A New York Times Best Seller

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 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. 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.

©2020 James Nestor (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Editorial Review

Breathing - it’s something we do all day, every day, without even thinking, from inhaling to exhaling. But what if we told you, you’d been doing it ‘wrong’ your whole life?

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art is James Nestor’s deep dive into how humans breathe and the impact this simple act can have on all aspects of our lives. He goes beyond the simple ins and outs of breath. He looks at everything from pulmonary science and lung capacity tests to ancient breathing techniques to determine where humans have lost our former breathing skills - and attempt to learn how to get them back.

Hailed as one of the best science books of 2020 by NPR, this bestseller is a fascinating listen. Journalist James Nestor brings all his reporting and investigative skills to this intriguing topic for an eye-opening experience that will change how you think about the simple act of breathing. From breathing exercises to lowering blood pressure and what it means to take a deep breath. Nestor uses modern research and honest curiosity to explore the respiratory system. He offers an education on the benefits of oxygen advantage and how learning to become a better breather can improve your life and overall health.

Breath by James Nestor is a natural breath of fresh air. This transformative book teaches us how breathing connects to the brain, the immune system, and the entire way the body functions. Whether you are searching for answers to sleep apnea, general shortness of breath, or health care issues like autoimmune disease, understanding how we breathe - and how to be a better breather - can have life-changing effects. Nestor narrates the book himself, adding his depth of knowledge and genuine curiosity to the experience. His keen interest in popular science and careful style makes for an exciting and informative listen that will change how you think about breathing.

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What listeners say about Breath

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  • Dom
  • 2020-10-15

provides a strong foundation without a rugged roof

Captivating adventures interestingly brought. Must seek further knowledge for an in depth understanding of the healing mechanism of the various breathing techniques. I was especially interested in the autoimmune healing potential. But James sadly glazed by it.

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One of the best audiobook I've listened to

Entertaining, educative and inspirational. I will be recommending it to everyone, no doubt about it.

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A+

life changing. this book will has had s profound effect on my life and health in the most positive way.

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Review for the book Breath

Great info, research and presentation of the info covered well documented. I highly recommend the book.

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good book

there is a lot of interesting information compiled by the author. I appreciate the breadth of research and insight put into this book. it's a good read which helps one to better understand the vital bodily function of breathing. virtually every aspect of breathing is examined and discussed here. would reccomend it.

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great

Great informative book. Good balance of information and story telling with clear examples at the end of breathework techniques to improve certain aspects of your life.

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What a great book.

I learned a lot, things I needed to hear is in this book. After listening to it when it came out to now as I am leaving a short review, I think about what I have learned daily. As a mouth breather, I am practicing some techniques from this book, and I am enjoying doin so.

Read/listen to this book, you won’t regret the important information, even if you’re fine with your breathing, maybe you can notice someone mouth breathing and point them to this book.

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Exceptional

I found instant relief, enlightenment, and overall peace, as I began to do the excercises and became aware of my breathing patterns!
Standing Ovation!!
James Nestor I sing your praises regularly, THANK YOUU!!!

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Fascinating

Loved it! Would recommend. Lots of great info and presentation was stellar. You won’t be disappointed

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Wow. Incredible how much I learned

Everyone should read this book. I mean that not as a cliche but literally. Especially doctors and dentists. It is incredible how much knowledge was completely disregarded for no apparent reason by modern biology/science. It doesn't seem to make sense. Yet everything James Nestor describes in this book is backed up and proven by Study after study that he quotes in the book. No unsubstantiated claims. Everything has eveidence presented. This is the new Science and more scientists are begining to realize this. I learned more than I ever thought possible. So will you.

You even get many guided techniques for you to follow along with and practice, included at the end of the audiobook version for free.

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