Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
While the book didn’t present groundbreaking discoveries, it significantly deepened my understanding of the respiratory system. Growing up in India, I was no stranger to sitting cross-legged and practicing pranayama—something I was practically doing from my cradle. The advice I always received was simple: “Just do it; it’s good for you.” This book, however, finally explained to me how and why pranayama is so beneficial.
Another strength of the book is how it helped me rekindle my faith in the power of breathing techniques. As Nestor aptly puts it, “Breathing is a missing pillar of health.” He highlights that the 1.7 pounds of oxygen our cells consume daily is as vital as what we eat or how much we exercise.
Nestor is also refreshingly practical in his claims about the benefits of breathing. He acknowledges, “No breathing can heal stage 4 cancer… Serious problems require urgent medical attention… Like all Eastern medicines, breathing techniques are best suited for preventative maintenance, as a way of maintaining balance in the body so that smaller problems don’t escalate into more serious illnesses. And if we do lose that balance from time to time, breathing can often restore it.”
How to Get the Most Out of This Book:
1. Nibble on Part One: These chapters offer a brief but essential background on the author’s perspective.
2. Savor Part Two: Take your time here; these chapters are where the real value lies.
3. Skip Part Three: It’s a little too adventurous and Nestor presents it with disclaimers.
4. Don’t Miss the Dessert: The appendix, with Olsen’s curated breathing methods, is a must-read and practice (hopefully it is available in both Kindle and paper versions).