Genre: Nonfiction
Date Finished: 12/12/2020
How I found it: Recommended by my friend, Lori
Medium: Audiobook via Libby
Rating: 4/5
In a nutshell, mouth breathing has shrunk our human face structures, making us susceptible to asthma, snoring, and all kinds of other diseases. Indigenous cultures do not have the same issues. Native Americans teach their babies to breathe with their mouths closed. Nursing mothers simply shut the babies lips after feedings, to ensure babies breathe through their noses.
It makes sense thinking about it now, but Nestor cited science claiming pulmonary function is directly linked to how long we will live. I believe he said the more lung capacity we have the longer we live. The more lung mass we have the longer we live.
Nestor story told about a man who treated a bunch of emphysema patients to expand their pulmonary function by breathing out more, and their quality of life improved dramatically. These patients weren't able to push the air in their lungs out. This "pulmonaut" gave them exercises to teach them to exhale better.
I also enjoyed the story of a woman with severe scoliosis who literally "breathed" her spine straight. I have a crooked spine too thanks to a short leg. It has caused me all kinds of hip, back, shoulder, and neck pain. Yoga has helped me more than anything. I always thought it was the twisting, but now I wonder how much of my recovery was due to simply breathing.
Before yoga I completed Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) physical therapy, which was different than any other physical therapy I've done in 30 years. My PRI physical therapist was so focused on my breath. He was teaching the same principles discussed by Nestor's book, such as, breathing into different parts of the body. He told me to imagine my lungs like an accordion.
Some parts of the book got a little long. I was excited to get to the actual breathing exercises at the end of the book. Many of them I knew from yoga, but now I am careful to keep my lips closed.
I recommend this book to all yogis and athletes. I recommend this book to anyone with asthma or breathing issues. I honestly think this book has a little something for everyone. Read and enjoy.
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