James Nestor's book 'Breath' turned out to be a huge bestseller, selling over 3 million copies worldwide since its publication in May 2020. At that time, the Covid-19 pandemic had just hit, and the author was worried about being able to promote his book, which couldn't be sold in stores or toured due to lockdown restrictions.
However, it turned out that a book that reminded people of the power of breathing during a respiratory illness pandemic was what the world wanted. Despite initial doubts from Nestor himself, 'Breath' has become an international sensation and a huge commercial success.
The book's author has spent years researching the subject of breathing and its impact on our health and wellbeing. In his own life, Nestor had struggled with recurrent respiratory problems and was eventually introduced to breathwork by a friend who suggested he attend a class in San Francisco. The experience was "absolutely revelatory" for him, and he has since become an advocate for the practice.
Nestor's research took him down many interesting paths, including exploring ancient skulls in Paris' catacombs, which revealed that people used to have straighter teeth, unlike today's average. He also delves into the world of myofunctional therapy and orthodontics, where he learned how our facial structures can affect our breathing.
The book is full of fascinating characters, including Carl Stough, a choirmaster who treated emphysema patients in the 1950s, and Anders Olsson, a Swedish researcher who uses carbon dioxide inhalation to study breath. These individuals have all contributed to Nestor's understanding of the subject, which has led him to make some surprising conclusions.
One of the most intriguing aspects of 'Breath' is how it challenges our conventional wisdom about breathing. Most people breathe into their chests rather than their bellies, which can lead to stress and other health problems. In contrast, slow, deep breathing appears to have numerous benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing.
Nestor has also spoken out against the "fringe" elements of breathwork, where individuals claim that certain breathing practices can cure everything from cancer to a higher state of consciousness. While these claims may not be supported by scientific evidence, Nestor argues that a more nuanced approach to breath is necessary, one that recognizes our natural bodies' ability to heal and adapt.
In the end, 'Breath' is a fascinating journey into the world of breathing and its impact on our lives. Whether you're looking for a new perspective on your own health or simply want to learn more about this often-overlooked aspect of human wellbeing, Nestor's book is an engaging and thought-provoking read that will leave you breathless.
However, it turned out that a book that reminded people of the power of breathing during a respiratory illness pandemic was what the world wanted. Despite initial doubts from Nestor himself, 'Breath' has become an international sensation and a huge commercial success.
The book's author has spent years researching the subject of breathing and its impact on our health and wellbeing. In his own life, Nestor had struggled with recurrent respiratory problems and was eventually introduced to breathwork by a friend who suggested he attend a class in San Francisco. The experience was "absolutely revelatory" for him, and he has since become an advocate for the practice.
Nestor's research took him down many interesting paths, including exploring ancient skulls in Paris' catacombs, which revealed that people used to have straighter teeth, unlike today's average. He also delves into the world of myofunctional therapy and orthodontics, where he learned how our facial structures can affect our breathing.
The book is full of fascinating characters, including Carl Stough, a choirmaster who treated emphysema patients in the 1950s, and Anders Olsson, a Swedish researcher who uses carbon dioxide inhalation to study breath. These individuals have all contributed to Nestor's understanding of the subject, which has led him to make some surprising conclusions.
One of the most intriguing aspects of 'Breath' is how it challenges our conventional wisdom about breathing. Most people breathe into their chests rather than their bellies, which can lead to stress and other health problems. In contrast, slow, deep breathing appears to have numerous benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing.
Nestor has also spoken out against the "fringe" elements of breathwork, where individuals claim that certain breathing practices can cure everything from cancer to a higher state of consciousness. While these claims may not be supported by scientific evidence, Nestor argues that a more nuanced approach to breath is necessary, one that recognizes our natural bodies' ability to heal and adapt.
In the end, 'Breath' is a fascinating journey into the world of breathing and its impact on our lives. Whether you're looking for a new perspective on your own health or simply want to learn more about this often-overlooked aspect of human wellbeing, Nestor's book is an engaging and thought-provoking read that will leave you breathless.
since its publication in 2020 it sold over 3 million copies worldwide lol what was expected was like the opposite idk how did people react to this book at first tho maybe they didnt know that breathing is actually super important 
i mean who doesnt want to live longer and breathe better anyway? the author spent years researching and got into all sorts of weird but cool stuff like ancient skulls and myofunctional therapy 
its def worth reading if u want to learn more about how our bodies work
i was skeptical at first cuz of the "fringe" breathwork stuff but nestor breaks it down so u can just chill & focus on ur own healing process 
i love how he talks about all these old ppl who were like breathing experts back in the day & how they helped him get to where he is today 
i swear, this book is gonna be a fave 4 years 
. It's wild that his own struggles with respiratory problems led him to this topic of expertise - it's like the universe had a plan for him to share this knowledge with us 
. The way he weaves together science, history, and real-life stories is so captivating - I felt like I was learning alongside him! One thing I love about his approach is that he doesn't oversell the benefits of breathwork (no fringe elements there 
). It's all about embracing our bodies' natural ability to heal. For me, 'Breath' has been a fascinating read, and I'm so grateful we get to benefit from Nestor's research and passion 
. I think it just goes to show that sometimes our preconceived notions can be way off 
... like everyone thinks they breathe into their chest, but really they're probably using their belly the whole time 
. I'm definitely gonna check this book out 
... seems like it could be a game changer for people struggling with respiratory issues 
I also love how he points out that we're supposed to breathe into our chests not bellies, who knew? 
my parents always told me to breathe into my belly not chest but now i'm like why?! did you guys know that scientists used to have straighter teeth? 
! Who knew being cooped up during a pandemic would be just what the doctor ordered? The book is like a fresh lung full of air – it brings new ideas and perspective to an often-overlooked subject. Love how it separates fact from fiction, calling out those "fringe" breathwork claims 
. All in all, 'Breath' is a real page-turner (pun intended) if you're curious about the science behind our breathing habits or just want to expand your lungs... I mean, knowledge 
!
It just goes to show how desperate we were all for any solution during the pandemic. I think it's really interesting that he delved into the world of myofunctional therapy and orthodontics, didn't realize how much our facial structures affect our breathing 
The idea that we're taught to breathe into our chests instead of bellies is wild, I never thought about it like that before 
. Nestor's approach to breathwork is so refreshing, not all those crazy claims about curing everything 
.
and saw these crazy little monkeys playing with sticks! I mean, what's their point? Are they trying to develop some sort of advanced tool use or something? And have you ever noticed how many monkeys there are in zoos? Like, is it a conspiracy or something? Anyway, back to breathing... I was just thinking that our bodies are like cars 
and we need to fill up with the right gas (oxygen) for optimal performance. But what's this "myofunctional therapy" business all about? Sounds like some sort of weird dental procedure to me 
It's not just about curing cancer or achieving enlightenment, but about listening to our bodies and allowing them to heal naturally 
The way he delves into the world of breathwork and its history is just mind-blowing! Did you know that people used to have straighter teeth? 
, and I was thinking about how much I love trying new foods while traveling. Have you guys ever tried those Hawaiian pineapple upside-down cakes? OMG, they're like whoa! 
.
. Happy reading!!!