By James Nestor
I have substantially increased my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energy as a direct result of the huge insights and simple breathing exercises explained in this absolutely brilliant book!
Breathing is the gateway to greater health physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Whilst this book focuses on the vast array of proven physical health benefits, which quite frankly are mind blowing, it also explains how effective mindful breathing can massively reduce mental and emotional stress, increase creativity levels and be the foundation for many spiritual practices and experiences.
This book immediately captured my attention, and as I read it, I knew that I would have a completely different relationship with breathing, and how I breathe for the rest of my life. Quite simply, Breath by James Nestor is the most important health book I have ever read, and it ranks in my top ten books of all time across all categories. As my *Book of the Month* subscribers since 2012 will know, I have reviewed over 150 books and read many more.
When we are born, we take our first breath. When we die, we take our last. We can live a few weeks without food and a few days without water, but we can only live a few minutes without breathing!
The author has dedicated much of his life to understanding the science and art of breathing, taking him around the world to study with pearl divers, yogic breath masters, and some of the top lung and respiratory scientists. James Nestor even subjected his own body to breathing experiments, including having his nose plugged for several weeks, to demonstrate the terrible health consequences of constant mouth breathing instead of nasal breathing.
Nestor also explores the evolution of nasal and oral health in the context of how we breathe, revealing that indigenous tribes living traditional lifestyles have straighter, whiter and healthier teeth, larger nasal passages, and better overall health, with far fewer diseases and disorders.
The book is made even more compelling by its autobiographical elements interwoven with evidence, facts, data, and insights, many of which absolutely blew me away.
Here’s just one random insight example, among many ….. about CO₂ (carbon dioxide):
Did you know that without CO₂ in our bodies, we would die? This is because without CO₂, our haemoglobin cannot perform its job of delivering oxygen to our cells. Our blood contains billions of haemoglobin molecules that absorb oxygen in our lungs and transport it throughout the body. However, without the presence of CO₂, haemoglobin will not release the oxygen for cellular use. It’s ironic that mainstream discourse continually vilifies CO₂, without acknowledging that without it, all animal and plant life on Earth would perish.
Numerous brilliant scientists, rarely featured in mainstream media, such as Nobel Prize winning WIlliam Happer and ecologist Patrick Moore (co-founder of Greenpeace), have pointed out that for life to thrive on earth “We need more CO₂ to sustain life on Earth, not less.”
A doctor friend of mine who used to work in Accident and Emergency said that after reading this book and doing further research, he realised they should be measuring patients’ CO₂ levels as well as their oxygen levels before placing them on oxygen-rich ventilators. He said that if both oxygen and CO₂ levels are too low, simply giving more oxygen will not help and that measuring oxygen levels without also measuring CO₂ levels is meaningless.
Both he and another doctor friend told me that Breath is one of the most important books they have ever read because it addresses the most fundamental health activity our bodies perform: breathing! Astonishingly, they were never taught this subject in medical school. This book shows how thousands of people have transformed a vast array of health conditions simply by learning to breathe more effectively.
Understanding how to breathe should be taught not only in medical colleges and universities but to schoolchildren of every age.
The book is packed with overwhelming real-world examples of people reversing serious medical conditions—often after traditional medicine had failed—simply by changing how they breathe.
The insights and information in this book have fundamentally changed the way I breathe, and the health benefits have already been noticeable. While I was already in good health, I’ve found my immune system stronger—I either avoid colds altogether or recover from them very quickly. When out cycling, I can pedal harder and faster up steep hills near my home. I feel more emotionally and mentally balanced, and my sleep quality has improved significantly.
If you get the audiobook, one of the author’s friends and breathing experts, Anders Olsson, demonstrates several really excellent breathing exercises, including:
- Alternate Nostril Method – Improves lung function and lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and stress.
- Breathing Coordination – Increases respiratory efficiency.
- The Taco Breathing Technique – Focuses on breathing less.
If you really want to be impressed, below is a list of the evidence-based conditions healed or greatly improved by the breathing practices described in this book. I’ve divided them into two categories:
A. Conditions Reported as Completely Healed or Fully Resolved (as described through case studies or long-term remission, not as universal guarantees):
- Chronic Nasal Congestion / Blocked Sinuses
- Sleep Apnoea & Snoring (mild to moderate cases)
- Chronic Mouth Breathing-Related Symptoms (Dry Mouth, Cavities, Fatigue)
- Childhood Malocclusion / Jaw Underdevelopment (Preventive-Healing)
A. Conditions with Significant Improvement
(Not full cures, but major benefits):
- Asthma
- Anxiety, Panic Disorder, and Stress Disorders
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- COPD / Emphysema (early stages)
- Sleep Disorders & Insomnia
- Chronic Fatigue / Low Energy
- ADHD-like Symptoms / Poor Focus
- Chronic Pain / Fibromyalgia
- Endurance & Athletic Performance
- Overall Immune Function
To say that I highly recommend this book is a monumental understatement!