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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Interesting idea that we don’t breathe properly. Went into nonsense territory as the author didn’t really have a purpose in writing the book.
informative
fast-paced
Maybe not really a 4 star book, however the mere fact that I was not bombarded with unrelated quotes, name dropping, or excessive repetition, left me feeling pretty good. It was a quick read with interesting facts and though it fits the typical mold of such books it did not feel forced or pandering. Enjoyed it and even trying to work on some breathing exercises. Thanks James!
informative
relaxing
slow-paced
informative
fast-paced
Finally found a book written by a non-yogi person who explains the benefits of yogic practices like pranayama and similar breathing techniques and its health benefits with the backing of scientific and medical studies.
The author, James Nestor, analyses that we entirely forgot to breathe after generations. We are not breathing normally like our ancestors. That is the reason why we are prone to many diseases which the world unheard before. The author reminds us that we need to start breathing normally like our great great grandparents.
Really happy to know that finally the western world accepts the yogic practices which we Indians discovered ages before.
The author, James Nestor, analyses that we entirely forgot to breathe after generations. We are not breathing normally like our ancestors. That is the reason why we are prone to many diseases which the world unheard before. The author reminds us that we need to start breathing normally like our great great grandparents.
Really happy to know that finally the western world accepts the yogic practices which we Indians discovered ages before.
Too much new age, too little substance
I'm giving an extra star for having some actual instructions of various different forms of breathwork, but really, this book does a a couple of things that piss me off.
1) Anecdote over data. The author really doesn't get into the nitty gritty much at all.
2) Lauding iconoclast figures and assuming that the "scientific establishment" has just ignored them (harmful to actual researchers, dangerously naive, and a really, really tired trope).
3) Complete lack of objectivity; the author wants all this stuff to work and only rarely has even a remotely critical eye towards any claim made. There's really a pretty profound absence of reasoned skepticism.
4) The "our ancestors were so much healthier than us, and I've discovered WHY" trope. Seriously, I was pretty sure I was about to be sold a diet at a couple points; only a little off from using the word "primal."
It's frustrating because breathwork and the apparent effects it seems to/may have on our physiology really IS an interesting subject worthy of investigation and thought; but this is a book about "science" by someone who isn't a scientist and seems more about looking for ways to show what he already believes, or at least gives that impression by being generally uncritical in examination. Give me a book on the subject by someone who at least gets WHY (real) research is so hard and painstaking and full of pitfalls.
1) Anecdote over data. The author really doesn't get into the nitty gritty much at all.
2) Lauding iconoclast figures and assuming that the "scientific establishment" has just ignored them (harmful to actual researchers, dangerously naive, and a really, really tired trope).
3) Complete lack of objectivity; the author wants all this stuff to work and only rarely has even a remotely critical eye towards any claim made. There's really a pretty profound absence of reasoned skepticism.
4) The "our ancestors were so much healthier than us, and I've discovered WHY" trope. Seriously, I was pretty sure I was about to be sold a diet at a couple points; only a little off from using the word "primal."
It's frustrating because breathwork and the apparent effects it seems to/may have on our physiology really IS an interesting subject worthy of investigation and thought; but this is a book about "science" by someone who isn't a scientist and seems more about looking for ways to show what he already believes, or at least gives that impression by being generally uncritical in examination. Give me a book on the subject by someone who at least gets WHY (real) research is so hard and painstaking and full of pitfalls.
As someone that went to the doctor weekly for many (many) years, I'm both surprised / not surprised that breathwork never came up.
I started reading this book because my massage therapist does some breathwork with me and I was curious how it all tied together. So for a neophyte, I think this is a great entry point but I wouldn't take it as gospel (I see other reviewers talking about this book being dangerous but I think that's geared towards folks that don't consult their doctors/don't do additional research).
BTW- if you get the audiobook, the breathing exercises in the book are also read/practiced aloud, which I found super helpful.
I started reading this book because my massage therapist does some breathwork with me and I was curious how it all tied together. So for a neophyte, I think this is a great entry point but I wouldn't take it as gospel (I see other reviewers talking about this book being dangerous but I think that's geared towards folks that don't consult their doctors/don't do additional research).
BTW- if you get the audiobook, the breathing exercises in the book are also read/practiced aloud, which I found super helpful.