Summary of Breath by James Nestor: The New Science of a Lost Art

by Genius Reads

Note to This is an unofficial summary of James Nestor's designed to enrich your reading/ listening experience of the original book.

Summary of Breath by James

Breath by James Nestor is first an exploratory guidebook that describes and teaches us the lost art and science of breathing. It is also a history book that educates us on our ancestors' breathing practices and lifestyle that ensured they remained mostly healthy and more resilient than the current generation.

The book tells us how our ability to breathe has deteriorated over the ages and why our cavemen ancestors didn't snore. James Nestor wants us to understand that breathing goes beyond the simple act of inhaling and exhaling. This book explores the transformation that occurs inside our bodies when we breathe.

For most people, breathing is an automated process required to keep them alive. For James Nestor, breathing, if well understood, is a way to develop the body, build the mind, and grow stronger. Beyond just breathing, how we also breathe matters. Having suffered some respiratory problems, James Nestor admits that joining a breathing class and learning some breathing techniques gave him remarkable relief and, in some cases, cure even over drugs, inhalers, and diets.

Kindle Edition

Published July 24, 2020

Reviews

[Angel · Rating 1 out of 5]

DONT! ( especially relating to the audiobook)
- Better to spend the time and money on reading the original. Or borrow it from library.

I had heard great things about the book Breath, and thought I’d try a shortcut by listening to the summary version, hoping to get all the basics without the long heavier content. However, I found it a waste of my time for several reasons.
1. It sounded like it was read by a robot. Inflection in all the wrong places and mispronunciation of many words.
2. It is largely incomprehensible due to reason 1. The information does not flow either.
3. It seemed to leave out perhaps the best take-home point ( I will not mention it here as it may spoil it for those wanting to read the original.)

My personal learning point= don’t try to cut corners by reading summary books!

[Craig Stucko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be very informative and helpful in many respects. James Nestor has made me much more aware of my breathing and I am now consciously noticing things relating to my breathing and finding where improvements can be made. I am also noticing that my state of relaxation is connected to my breathing patterns. Lastly, I am trying some of the breathing exercises to find what helps me the most. The bulk of the exercises are easy to do and require very little effort for a positive return. Good stuff!

[Fowad Ijaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis: Goes into why we breathe incorrectlyReview: Didn't really say anything i didn't already know from yoga. Exhale is more important than inhale, breathe retention is also important, how to remain grounded. Lukewarm recommendation, nothing I would read again

[Sandeep Bedi · Rating 4 out of 5]

an interesting read on 1 of the most important daily activities that we largely ignore. A must read to start living our true potential. Simple yet interesting

[Celeste Mergens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who would have guessed that breathing could be a fascinating topic for a great book. This book is proof. It is fascinating. I highly recommend it.

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The new science of breathing is important to read to make your life improve.