Breath

A lifetime struggle with respiratory problems led James Nestor to the science and art of breathing. He discusses myriad breathing methods and myriad cultures whose ideas on breathing align. Nestor argues against mouthbreathing and the modern diet. His conclusions – most of which emerge from Nestor experimenting on himself – may surprise you and likely change your breathing habits.

Mouthbreathing

Dr. Jayakar Nayak is a nasal and sinus surgeon at the Stanford Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. James Nestor, who suffered dental and respiratory problems his entire life, participated in one of Nayak’s experiments. Nestor spent a miserable 250,000 breaths with his nose plugged over 10 days of forced mouthbreathing – the experiment’s Phase I. During Phase II, Nestor breathed through his nose, practicing breathing techniques.