I feel like every month I write a book review and every book I say “this is a must read”. But this one really is! Okay, they all are…
James Nestor so beautifully explains the science of breathing including the power of breathing through the nose (and the side effects of breathing through the mouth), the way that our respiratory system has evolved and changed over time and how changing the way that we breathe can help with ailments such as asthma and sleep apnea.
As a yoga and meditation teacher I have seen first hand the way that nasal breathing and having more awareness of the breath can help manage asthma, insomnia, sleep apnea, anxiety and more. Our breath is a natural, consistent, easy tool that we can use for free, so why not try it?
Notable quotes:
“Left-nostril breathing shifts blood flow to the opposite side of the prefrontal cortex, the right area that plays a role in creative thought, emotions, formation of mental abstractions, and negative emotions.”
“The fix is easy: breathe less. But that’s harder than it sounds. We’ve become conditioned to breathe too much, just as we’ve been conditioned to eat too much. With some effort and training, however, breathing less can become an unconscious habit.”
“…breathing is so much more than just getting air into our bodies. It’s the most intimate connection to our surroundings.”