Breath

Résumé du livre

James Nestor is a journalist based in San Francisco. He has written for publications including Scientific American, Outside Magazine, and the New York Times, and wrote the book Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves.

Deep breathing techniques have the power to profoundly influence the body and mind, evoking effects comparable to psychedelics, as seen in practices like Holotropic Breathwork, which manipulates carbon dioxide levels to induce altered states of consciousness. This interplay between breathing and carbon dioxide extends to therapies like Justin Feinstein’s “carbon dioxide therapy,” which initially triggers panic but can lead to profound calm. Across cultures and history, deliberate breathing practices—from ancient chants to modern orthodontic innovations—have demonstrated remarkable health benefits, including improved airway function, enhanced energy, and even bone growth. Figures like Carl Stough and John Mew pioneered unconventional approaches to breathing and oral posture, while yogis and practitioners of Tummo have showcased extraordinary physiological control through disciplined breathwork. Despite its transformative potential, the study of breathing remains underexplored in the West, even as ancient traditions like prana and ch’i emphasize its vital role. Whether through simple techniques like rhythmic breathing or more extreme methods, the power of breath offers a gateway to improved health and untapped human potential, setting the stage for deeper exploration in the next chapter.

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