Unlock the Power of Breath: A One-Minute Summary of James Nestor’s Breath

James Nestor stayed at Stanford University for ten years with scientists and then finally he was able to write Breath on the basis of his research and knowledge. Apparently, Nestor took the responsibility of giving the man some extra years to live. “Breath” by James Nestor delves into the fascinating realm of breathing and its profound impact on our health and well-being. Nestor reveals that despite the average person taking around 670 million breaths in a lifetime, most of us have been breathing incorrectly. Drawing from extensive research and personal experiments, Nestor presents a scientific adventure that explores the lost art and science of breathing.

The book highlights the dysevolution of the human face, specifically focusing on malocclusion, misaligned jaws, and other dental issues that have become prevalent in humans. Nestor traces this back to our ancestors’ decision to use tools and tenderize food, leading to changes in our eating habits and the subsequent evolution of our brains. As our brains grew larger, our faces experienced a dysevolutionary process, resulting in weakened jaw bones, shorter faces, and smaller mouths. The impact of this dysevolution becomes evident as Nestor explains the challenges modern humans face in breathing properly.

Chronic nasal obstruction affects over 40% of the population, while around half of us have become habitual mouth breathers. Nestor’s personal experiment, where he exclusively breathed through his mouth for ten days, highlighted the negative consequences of mouth breathing, such as increased snoring, sleep apnea, and reduced mental clarity. Contrasting mouth breathing, the book emphasizes the benefits of nose breathing. Breathing through the nose helps filter, warm, and moisten the air we breathe, providing numerous health benefits. It also activates physiological responses that lower blood pressure and regulate heart rate.

Nestor highlights the importance of maintaining clear nasal passages, as obstructions lead to the collapse of airways and subsequent snoring and sleep apnea. Nestor goes beyond the scientific aspects and delves into ancient wisdom and practices related to breathing. He explores various prayers and mantras from different cultures that promote slow and steady breathing patterns. Research shows that these breathing techniques, consisting of inhales, vocalizations, and pauses, align with the body’s natural rhythms, resulting in increased coherence and a sense of calmness.

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