We're excited to present another Flowly Book Review! Join our team member, Christine, as we dive into the insightful journey of exploring "Breath" by James Nestor this week.
What’s it about?
Optimal breathing is crucial for health regardless of your diet, exercise, age, or wisdom. In "Breath," journalist James Nestor explores global practices, from ancient techniques to modern innovations, revealing how minor adjustments in breathing can boost athletic performance, rejuvenate organs, and alleviate various health issues. Combining millennia of medical knowledge with recent research, the book challenges conventional wisdom about our basic biological function, promising to change the way you perceive and practice breathing.
Why did you choose to read Breath?
I can't recall the precise reason I decided to delve into "Breath" in 2020, but it's likely that the circumstances of the pandemic influenced my choice. The vibrant yellow book cover caught my eye on display, and I figured it might offer an intriguing read. Little did I know, upon revisiting it recently, the depth of its relevance to our work at Flowly became apparent.
What are the main takeaways?
1. Nasal Breathing > Mouth Breathing. I know we stress the importance of nasal breathing during Flowly, but I appreciated how much more in-depth the book goes behind the physical and physiological changes our body goes through depending on how we breathe. For example, mouthbreathing harms the immune system by altering airways, causing breathing difficulties, contributing to nasal congestion and bacterial growth, inducing physiological stress, increasing dehydration, and is associated with chronic insomnia, sleep apnea, and potential cognitive disturbances. Learn more about mouth breathing here.
2. Your breathing activates your nervous system. Breathing through the right nostril activates the sympathetic nervous system (also known as the "fight or flight" response) while breathing through the left nostril is connected to the parasympathetic nervous system (also known as "rest and relax”). By nasal breathing, the nasal cavities of both sides work on balancing your body and nervous system.
3. Religious practices across cultures share breathing patterns. Throughout history and probably even today, many people believe that prayer and religious rituals can heal. What I found interesting in the book is that different cultures and religions, like Ancient Hindus and Hawaiians, developed similar prayer techniques with the same breathing patterns. In a 2001 study, researchers found that reciting a Buddhist mantra and the original Latin version of the rosary had almost exactly the same average number of breaths per cycle: 5.5 breaths a minute.
How did Breath affect you?
This book heightened my understanding of nasal breathing by delving into the extensive history of breath, spanning from ancient tribes to contemporary breathing-related issues. I've found myself prioritizing nasal breathing more throughout the day whenever I catch myself mouthbreathing.
Who should read Breath?
Breath is a must-read for the 90% of individuals who may be breathing incorrectly and even for the 10% already practicing proper breathing who wish to delve into the history of breathing. For those in our community struggling with nasal breathing, this book provides reassuring guidance. It emphasizes the positive cycle of nasal breathing, asserting that intentional nasal breathing, especially during Flowly sessions, helps strengthen throat tissues and muscles, ultimately making nasal breathing more accessible.
Remember: “Mouthbreathing begets more mouthbreathing. (...) Nasal breathing begets more nasal breathing."
Have a book you would like to review and share with the Flowly community? Send us an email at contact@flowly.world.