19 Dec Review: Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor

I picked up Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art because, well, I’ve always been a sucker for those books that promise to tweak some tiny thing in your life and unlock some magical secret. Plus, as an inconsistently passionate yogi (read: I’ll hit a yoga streak for two weeks and then promptly forget yoga exists for months), I figured it’d be fun to learn more about the thing I’m constantly being told to “focus on” during downward dog—my breathing.

I read this book over a couple of rainy mornings, curled up with tea and a blanket, which honestly felt very on-brand for the whole “slow down and breathe” vibe. Going into it, I thought it’d be a mix of self-help and pop science, and I wasn’t wrong. What surprised me, though, was how much it made me think about stuff I’d never considered, like how my chewing habits or sleeping position might actually be sabotaging my health. It made me reflect on the time I tried alternate nostril breathing in yoga class and nearly passed out because I was that bad at it. Turns out, there’s a whole world of breathing stuff to geek out about. Who knew?

What’s it about?

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor is one of those books that feels oddly life-changing even though it’s technically about something you’ve been doing since the day you were born: breathing. Nestor dives into the history, science, and—dare I say—philosophy of breathing, blending personal experiments with some wild facts about how we’ve all been, well, doing it wrong.

The book reads like a quirky detective story, as Nestor explores why humans have evolved into mouth-breathing, crooked-toothed creatures and what that’s doing to our health. He goes all-in, traveling the world to meet monks, free divers, and scientists, trying out everything from nasal breathing to taping his mouth shut while he sleeps (yes, really). There’s a lot about how modern lifestyles, diets, and even orthodontics have messed up our airways. But don’t worry—it’s not all doom and gloom. Nestor also dives into solutions, like ancient breathing techniques and simple hacks to reset your respiratory system.

It’s part science book, part self-help, and part personal adventure. You might find yourself suddenly obsessed with how you’re inhaling by page 10—or wondering if you’ve been sabotaging yourself every time you sigh.

What This Chick Thinks

Okay, so as someone who occasionally dabbles in yoga—“inconsistently passionate” is such a mood—I went into this book hoping for a little extra zen and maybe some life hacks. And I wasn’t disappointed, but Breath also took me down rabbit holes I didn’t expect.

What I loved most was how accessible and engaging it was. Nestor’s writing doesn’t drown you in jargon. Instead, he mixes the science with enough personal anecdotes to keep you hooked. Like when he plugs his nose for an experiment and almost combusts from frustration? Same, James. Same. It felt very human, which is what I think makes the book stick. The historical tidbits were surprisingly fascinating too—who knew Victorian orthodontists were the unsung heroes of nasal breathing?

That said, the book does get a bit repetitive. By the time I hit the middle, I felt like I’d gotten the gist of what he was saying and started mentally wandering into my grocery list. Also, while the tips are super intriguing, they can feel a little oversold. The “breathing will save your life!” vibe got just a tad dramatic for me. Like, I get it—breathe better, feel better. But also… some of us are still going to eat tacos at 10 PM and forget to meditate.

The yoga nerd in me did appreciate how Nestor ties it all back to ancient practices. It’s a reminder that this “new science” isn’t really new at all. But even if you’re not into yoga or wellness trends, there’s something universally fascinating about how we’ve all been sabotaging our breathing without realizing it.

Final Thoughts

I’d give Breath a solid 7.5/10. It’s eye-opening, occasionally mind-blowing, and definitely made me more aware of my own breathing (seriously, I was doing it wrong while reading). But the pacing could’ve been tighter, and it’s not the kind of book you’d necessarily revisit for a second read. Still, it’s worth a shot if you’re into self-improvement, health hacks, or just want to sound weirdly interesting at parties.

Try it if you like:

1. Atomic Habits by James Clear – If you love books that mix science and practical life advice, this one will scratch a similar itch.
2. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk – This one’s heavier, but it also explores how our bodies hold onto patterns and how to reset them.
3. The Wim Hof Method by Wim Hof – If Breath got you curious about how to push the limits of your respiratory system, Wim Hof’s methods take it to the extreme.