Recommended Reading: "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art," by James Nestor

“Respiration, I’m hoping, can also lead to restoration.”*

This book is a fascinating, surprising, and enjoyable read with an impressive range -- and some astonishing revelations. James Nestor’s narrative references anatomy and physiology, anthropology, yoga and Tibetan traditions, medical science (historic and recent), along with the author’s personal experiences with breathing experiments.

Peppered with humor, "Breath" goes deep into the science and practice of breathing in a way I never knew was possible. The author focuses on the health implications of improper breathing (mouth breathing, snoring) – and the benefits of learning to breathe for improved health (nasal breathing and fewer breaths per minute). Interestingly, these are practices yogis have implemented in pranayama breath work for millennia.

Here are extracts that resonated with me, to give you a sample of the mind-blowing nature of breath and James Nestor’s compelling writing.

“Everything you or I or any other breathing thing has ever put in its mouth, or in its nose, or soaked in through its skin, is hand-me-down space dust that's been around for 13.8 billion years. This wayward matter has been split apart by sunlight, spread throughout the universe, and come back together again. To breathe is to absorb ourselves in what surrounds us, to take in little bits of life, understand them, and give pieces of ourselves back out. Respiration is, at its core, reciprocation.” (page 39)

“Breathing . . . is more than just a biochemical or physical act . . The tens of billions of molecules we bring into our bodies with every breath also serve a more subtle, but equally important role. They influence nearly every internal organ . . . affect heart rate, digestion, moods, attitudes . . . Breathing is a power switch to a vast network called the autonomic nervous system.” (page 143)

"Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art," by James Nestor, 2020, published by Riverhead Books

*page 39