5 Ways To Improve Your Breathing with James Nestor

James Nestor believes we're all breathing wrong. Here he breaks down 5 ways to transform your breathing, from increasing your lung capacity to stopping breathing through your mouth.

There is nothing more essential to our health and wellbeing than breathing: take air in, let it out, repeat 25,000 times a day. Yet, as a species, humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly, with grave consequences. In Breath, journalist James Nestor travels the world to discover the hidden science behind ancient breathing practices to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it.

Modern research is showing us that making even slight adjustments to the way we inhale and exhale can:

- jump-start athletic performance
- rejuvenate internal organs
- halt snoring, allergies, asthma and autoimmune disease, and even straighten scoliotic spines

None of this should be possible, and yet it is. Drawing on thousands of years of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge studies in pulmonology, psychology, biochemistry and human physiology, Breath turns the conventional wisdom of what we thought we knew about our most basic biological function on its head.

You will never breathe the same again.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to the Penguin channel:

Follow us here:

[KeeganMcgee-sski]

Suffered from crippling anxiety and depression and used alcohol n pot to numb it, heard this message from a family member, tried it and 20 minutes later my life changed and I’ve never focused on anything but breath for 2 years. Happy, calm, sober and finally holding a job. Your brain can handle 2 thoughts, make one breath, feel amazing, and live in the moment with your other thought.

[hip-hopman]

1.Avoid mouth breathing
2.use your nose
3.improve your lungs capacity
4.slow down
5.hold your breath

[Voiceovermasterclass]

I bought the book when it came out and couldn't put it down, it's so well written. You're carefully led on a journey where you learn so much on the way. I'm a professional voiceover artist and since following all the advice and also sleeping with my mouth taped up I don't get sore throats or a dry mouth even narrating all day in the voice booth, I feel much healthier, and my anxiety levels have dropped dramatically. Thank you, James Nestor, you really have dramatically improved my life.

[galodominguez]

I bought his book and did the Buteyko techniques during the pandemic and I’m now asthma free 😊

[helenblanchard]

I can’t tell you what a difference controlling my breathing has made to my anxiety/nervousness. It’s been life changing. I’ve been listening to James’ audiobook and absolutely loving it.

[denisehadfield]

To help me get to sleep, I breath in (through the nose) to count of 4, hold to count of 7, exhale to count of 8.. I do this 12 to 15 times or more if necessary. It Helps.

[matteusmaximus]

I watched this about a month ago and since then I've watched it many more times and shared it with everyone in my family and most of my friends. This changed my life the minute I watched it and I've been on a positive upswing in my mood, anxiety, and depression ever since. James, I don't know if you read the comments, but thank you so much. I cannot thank you enough; you've helped me get my life back on track. This may only have been a small piece of my puzzle of my depression but it was enough to get the ball rolling. I no longer live in fear of panic attacks, hyperventilation. Going on walks and focusing on slow nose breathing has become my form of meditation. I wish I could thank you in person. Thank you thank you THANK YOU.

[nancyanderson]

I am 85 and for most of my life I sing WHENEVER. Wonderful way to breathe. When I was in rehab for a broken hip, because of noisy patients, I could sing 24/7! Love it! I sang while doing exercise therapy until the instructor told me to “act normal”. Sigh.

[charlesc.parker]

Thank you I am feeling relaxed. Never too old to learn. I'm 69.

[kratosofspartareal]

Out of all the many videos I've watched on the science and neuroscience of breathing, correct breathing, breath meditations and parasympathetic nervous system activation through breathing, this has been the most direct, simple and practical! Excellent!!!

[shitzhu]

From a psychotherapy course (Mindfields -Human Givens) I learned about 7/11 breathing to relax the parasympathetric nervous system.Count to 7 while inhaling and to 11 while exhaling. During the night it sends me off to sleep again nearly every time. Many people try it too briefly and give up after half a dozen breaths but the more you practise it the better it works.I also use it when playing tennis and weight training in the gym when I start panting through over exertion. Nestor's book confirms what I have learnt..It works if you persist.

[BrawnyNerd]

I started learning how to breathe properly (through the nose) back in 2021, and I can honestly say my life has improved overall. Workouts are drastically better, and I feel like I'm a better athlete, overall.

[lennarto]

Another proof that health should be approached in a holistic manner and that our body can heal itself more than we think!

[geoffchatfield]

Thank you James. I am in my 70's and came across your book several years ago. Around the same time I also read 'The Wim Hof Method'. Together these two books have become a key part of my health 'bible' and there is no doubt that I am a far healthier and fitter person because of them. Good on you!

[paulachristie]

I finished listening to the audiobook earlier this week, I’ve started it over from the beginning. I see myself in these descriptions at every turn. I have a very small mouth from all the factors named. I’ve suffered with allergies all my life - I’m 71. Over the past few years my allergies seem to have worsened. At the point when I discovered your book, I was breathing through my mouth most of the time. My husband tells me I now snore most nights. I’ve started using your 5 seconds in, 5 seconds out breath pattern as a place to start. I’ve found some breathing exercises on YouTube. I’ve only been doing this for three days and already I am nose breathing more throughout the day. I plan to continue working on improving my breathing. Thank you.

[MsAscension]

I bought your book James and was gobsmacked with the contents. I have been doing many of the breathing methods naturally for many years to assist me into light body but had not considered the physical organ strengthening aspects so much with these breathing methods. It is whole lot of book, i guarantee, anyone who gets this book with learn many things they were not aware of before, regardless of how advanced you are on breathing. For anyone yet to buy the book, do not hesitate, it is mega x

[shafiqjasar]

I really appreciate the clarity and simplification of your video. I have just sent it to someone in the hospital, suffering from extremely high level of blood pressure caused by stress. Thank you for making the video.

[martinaverhoeven]

I'm a mindfulness trainer and the book is fantastic. So inspiring. Thank you, James Nestor.

[robynbonni]

the truth that you teach I have been following you for a while now, your understanding and the ease in which explain to others is incredible. I was an asthmatic I haven't had an asthma attack in 2 years I have changed the way I breathe . Thank you James you're a wonderful human being and I appreciate you being on this planet with me.

[elenaackovska-edwards]

This book was absolutely amazing. I couldn’t put it down. He knows what he’s talking about!!