Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art – James Nestor

An exploration of how something we do in every moment can quietly shape our physical and emotional wellbeing. 

James Nestor’s Breath invites the reader to reconsider one of the most fundamental human functions: breathing. Drawing together science, history, anthropology and personal experimentation, the book explores how modern breathing habits may be contributing to a wide range of physical and psychological difficulties. From a therapeutic counselling perspective, the book is less about quick fixes and more about cultivating awareness, curiosity, and a renewed relationship with the body. 

Central to Nestor’s argument is the idea that many of us have forgotten how to breathe well. He suggests that changes in diet, posture, stress levels, and even facial structure have altered breathing patterns over time, often in ways that place strain on the nervous system. 

While the book is not written as a clinical manual, its themes resonate strongly with somatic and trauma-informed approaches, which recognise the breath as a bridge between mind and body. 

Nestor explores both ancient practices and contemporary research, moving fluidly between yogic pranayama, Tibetan techniques, and modern scientific studies on carbon dioxide tolerance, nasal breathing, and respiratory efficiency. This breadth gives the book a sense of openness rather than dogma. Readers are not instructed to adopt one “correct” way of breathing, but are invited to notice how different approaches affect their own bodies and states of mind. 

From a therapeutic standpoint, one of the book’s strengths is its implicit normalisation of dysregulation. Nestor describes how shallow, rapid breathing is common in modern life, particularly under chronic stress. Rather than framing this as a personal failure, the book places it within a wider cultural and physiological context. This can feel relieving for clients who experience anxiety, panic, or fatigue and may already feel frustrated with their bodies. 

The sections exploring the autonomic nervous system are particularly relevant to emotional wellbeing. Nestor highlights how slow, nasal, and rhythmical breathing can influence heart rate variability and vagal tone, concepts that align with polyvagal-informed therapy. While the science is presented in an accessible way, it may also encourage readers to reflect on how breath awareness can support emotional regulation without forcing change or control. 

Importantly, Breath does not position breathing techniques as a cure-all. Nestor is careful to acknowledge complexity and individual difference. Some practices described in the book may feel supportive for one person and overwhelming for another. This nuance is important in a therapeutic context, where pacing, consent, and bodily safety are central. The book encourages experimentation, but also listening to one’s limits. 

The narrative style is engaging and personal. Nestor includes his own experiences of altered breathing practices, sleep changes, and physical sensations, which lends the book warmth and relatability. However, readers seeking a purely academic or structured self-help guide may find the storytelling approach less linear. From a counselling perspective, this can be seen as an invitation to relationship rather than instruction—an exploration rather than a prescription. 

One area where the book can be particularly helpful is in supporting clients to reconnect with embodied awareness. Many people spend much of their time disconnected from bodily sensations, especially if they have lived through stress or trauma. The gentle attention to breath described in the book can offer a way back into the body that is less confrontational than other somatic practices. Simply noticing whether the breath is held, shallow, or flowing can become a starting point for self-compassion rather than self-correction. 

That said, Breath is best read as a complementary resource rather than a standalone intervention. It does not replace medical advice, nor does it address the relational and psychological dimensions of distress in depth. In therapy, its ideas may be most useful when integrated thoughtfully, with space to reflect on emotional responses that can arise when focusing on the breath. 

In summary, Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art offers a curious, non-judgemental exploration of breathing as a foundation for health and wellbeing. For those engaged in counselling or personal development, it can serve as a gentle reminder that change does not always begin with doing more, but with noticing what is already happening inside us. Read with self-kindness and discernment, the book invites a slower, more attentive relationship with the body—one breath at a time. 

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