In today’s episode, we’re returning to one of my favourite topics. Breathwork is where my personal and professional interests collide. How we breathe affects every body system we have and I’m excited to welcome James Nestor, science journalist and author of new book Breath, which explores the data behind this ancient, but some might say lost, art.

And yes, it is an art. As we discuss, it doesn’t matter whether you follow a new or ancient technique to harness the potential of your breath, the principles are the same. What I love about James’ approach is he has no agenda to push. He hasn’t developed his own breathing technique, theory or product. He’s a journalist with an enquiring, sceptical mind. By his own admission, he came from a place where – like many of you, perhaps – he thought, ‘What’s all the fuss about breathing? It’s automatic, it’s easy, our bodies know what they’re doing’. But do they really?

During this conversation, we cover some of the fascinating – objective – insights James has uncovered in his research. He explains the benefits of nasal breathing, the importance of masticating and how diet affects the skeletal development of our children’s mouths. James reveals how learning to chew more, chewing on one side and using mouth tape at night has changed the structure of his own mouth. His airways – and his wellbeing – have never been better. We discuss the long list of conditions breathing may improve; how athletes can benefit. And James reveals the therapeutic process behind some ‘super breathing’ techniques.

Whether you’re already practising breathwork, you’re curious or yet to be convinced, James has a no-nonsense, rigorous approach we can all take something from. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

Disclaimer: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.*

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Watch the video version of this interview – click below.

Connect with James:

Website     Instagram     Facebook  

James’ books:

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art^†

Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves^†

Get High Now: Without Drugs^†

Further learning:

Breath: Bibliography and Extended Notes

Interesting Articles:

• The Guardian – How one hour of slow breathing changed my life
• ITV – The breathing exercises that will change your life
• MindBodyGreen – Why Nasal Breathing Matters, Now More Than Ever
• Wall Street Journal – The Healing Power of Proper Breathing
• CNN – Mouth Breathing May Be Ruining Your Sleep: Here’s How To Fix It

Dr Chatterjee Breathing videos:

• Are you breathing through your mouth?
• What Does a Deep Breath Really Mean?
• The 3 Pillars of Breathing with Patrick McKewon
• Is the way you breathe making you stressed?
• Why You Should Tape Your Mouth For Optimal Sleep
• How To Measure Your Bolt Score

Related Feel Better Live More podcasts:

• #99 – How Breathing Through Your Nose Will Change Your Life with Patrick McKeown
• #113 How Breathing Can Transform Your Life with Brian MacKenzie

Dr Chatterjee resources:

• Feel Great Lose Weight is available to pre-order now! Click here for the UK version^† and click here for the US & Canadian version^†
• Dr Chatterjee’s book Feel Better in 5 is out now. Click here for the UK version^† and click here for the US & Canadian version^†
• Order Dr Chatterjee’s book The Stress Solution^†
• Find Dr Chatterjee’s 4 Pillars of Health in The 4 Pillar Plan^†
• Available in the US & Canada with the title How to Make Disease Disappear^†
• Click here for Dr Chatterjee’s YouTube channel
• Join the Dr Chatterjee 4 Pillar Community Tribe Facebook page

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*DISCLAIMER: Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

†Disclosure: All books marked with a † are hyperlinked to an affiliate program. We take part in Amazon’s affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon’s website. You are not charged any extra by using these links to purchase books.