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Breath

The New Science of a Lost Art

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Breath

Written by: James Nestor
Narrated by: James Nestor
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About this listen

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
Biological Sciences Hygiene & Healthy Living Science Nervous System Inspiring Physical Exercise Health Meditation Medicine Yoga Yoga Anatomy Sports Medicine

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.
All stars
Most relevant
I appreciated everything after the forth Chapter so much! Even the thank you at the end were inspiring to listen to. I was referred to your book through Mark Rashid's books on horsemanship, specifically Nature in Horsemanship.

I loved your informative stories! Your own studies and experiences were so relatable! I also loved hearing the hard work others have put in, and being informed of so many amazing studies.

Such a great book once you get through how and why humans lungs and sinuses are the way they are. That part of the science is a little more faith based in my opinion. Thankfully it didnt cheapen my opinion of the writing to much, and I continued on!

The rest of the book was life changing...so helpful for my healing journey! Thank you!

I needed to be honest about the beginning though ,that's what I'd want🥰

Blessings
Tania

wow! thank you!! life changing information!!!

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I loved the depth and breadth of info in this book, thank you for opening my mind and lungs.

Excellent information

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Was an engaging listen from the second I turned it on. 10/10 will listen again

Great Read with very interesting science behind it

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great book, hard to hear at such low volume. We really need an in-app volume control

not loud enough

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Brilliant and immediately useful information! How did we humans stray so far from our breath? James Nestor delves into understanding how our evolution and habits changed the way we breathe. Based on years of research, consultation, and experimentation...he summarizes with simple, straightforward steps,
to bring us back to our breath and its healing power.

Shut. Your. Mouth.

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Explains everything you need to know about how breathing affects you and how you can change it to upgrade your health

that's it

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Great listen that went by quick. Plenty of research and info peppered with amusing phrases to keep things fresh!

Good listen

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A beautiful overview both personal and experimental - of all that breath can offer in Heath - both mental and physical practices.

A must read!

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this was a great reminder to focus on our breathing and breathing exercises and the historical context behind the proper way to breath.

Just breath

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This book made sense however a few things I was skeptical about. For example the subject getting e. Coli injected and use breathing to ward it off. I did appreciate the author taking about breathing not a cure all And it should be used in conjunction with modern medicine. Loved the breathing exercises at the end.

Intriguing

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