Breathing is important! Matter of fact it’s the bedrock of our very existence. Our respiratory system is an integral part of our body- it pushes in oxygen which our body systems and organs depend on, and which we use to generate energy. Even a large part of our body’s toxic waste is expelled through our respiratory system; yet as vital as this is, we often take it for granted.
When our lungs are deprived of enough oxygen, because of our unhealthy habits like smoking, bad posture, etc, it results in lifelong health problems which can be avoided if we pay a lot more attention to our breathing.
Understanding the science behind our breathing and knowing the right steps to take to improve our breathing is what we need to live a healthy life; and these books, written by top professionals who have spent a lifetime devoted to intensive research on this topic will guide you through.
#1.Health and Healing: Understanding Conventional and Alternative Medicine.
Andrew Thomas Weil, successful American Celebrity Doctor and founder of Weil Lifestyle, LLC, a leading resource for integrative medicine education, who has been a strong advocate for alternative medicine over the years, gifts us preventive medical practices as opposed to curative ones in his book- Health and Healing: Understanding Conventional and Alternative Medicine.
Weil argued that current medical practices were more curative than preventive, also too expensive, and too reliant on drugs, surgery, and technology.
In his vision of healthcare in the future, Weil saw a shift toward preventive therapies, the understanding of the benefits of using natural drugs in diluted forms, and a better understanding of the connection between mind and body.
So, in relatable terms, Dr. Weil suggests that it is more effective to embrace preventive medical practices rather than curative ones. In our breathing process, for example, it’s better off if we avoid unhealthy practices that hinder our breathing, and go a step further to engage in activities that improve our breathing; that way we’ll be protected from lifelong health problems that come as a result of bad breathing.
The book presents a spectrum of alternative healing practices, focusing especially on a 4-7-8 breath-control practice that can help you improve your breathing to promote healthy living.
#2.The Power of Breath: The Art of Breathing Well for Harmony, Happiness, and Health.
A Sanskrit proverb claims, ‘If you breathe well, you will live long on the earth.’ Renowned yoga teacher Swami Saradananda aims with The Power of Breath to give simple yet powerful guidance on the art of breathing.
With The Power of Breath, Saradananda explores the art of breathing, from the basic practices to its many effects on the mind and body. She delves into the five types of breath—vitalizing (prana), nourishing (Samana), expansive (vyana), cleansing (apana) and expressive (udana), and provides breathing exercises for each one. She also offers mini-programs for targeting specific common ailments and issues such as asthma, skin disorders, depression, lethargy, and phobias—plus ways to harness your breath to enhance vocal, dramatic, or sports performance.
#3.The Wim Hof Method: Activate Your Potential, Transcend Your Limits Book
Wim Hof has built a name for himself because of his astounding feats, such as withstanding extreme temperatures, breaking world records, and running barefoot marathons over deserts and ice fields.
With about 28 world records to his name, his achievements include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in shorts, sitting in icy water for 2 hours whilst maintaining a stable body temperature, and running barefoot marathons on ice and snow.
The secret to Wim’s superhuman achievements is a simple three-pillar method: – Cold exposure – Conscious breathing – Commitment Refined over forty years by the Iceman himself, championed by scientists across the globe and mastered by tens of thousands, the Wim Hof Method is now at your fingertips in this pioneering new book.
The unique thing about this book is that you’re reading from someone that has experienced what he teaches first hand. Wim reveals his remarkable life story and offers a clear, targeted guide to his game-changing techniques in his book. You’ll learn how to harness three key elements of Cold, Breathing, and Mindset to take charge of your own mind and metabolism.
The Wim Hof Method is the key to mastering your mind and unlocking your body’s true potential.
#4.The Power of Breathing Techniques: Breathing Exercises for more Fitness, Health, and Relaxation.
The amount of air that you breathe can change everything about your body, your health, and your performance.
In the top tips section of this blog on Mooshoo, we explained in detail how your respiratory system functions-giving scientific backing on the importance of sufficient oxygen running through your body. This book gives a more detailed explanation of that, with relatable examples and action points.
In this book by bestselling Author Lutz Schneider, you will discover the fundamental relationship between Oxygen and your body. You’ll be shown that increasing your Oxygen supply is not only healthy, it enables an increase in the intensity of your training and also reduces breathlessness; and when you do the action points in this book, you will notice a great improvement in your health and more relaxation in your everyday life.
#5.The Breathing Cure: Exercises to Develop New Breathing Habits for a Healthier, Happier, and Longer Life
The Author of this bestseller, Patrick McKeon, is a leading authority on breathing for sports, health, childhood development, and sleep. His work has been published in scientific journals and mainstream health and fitness magazines such as Men’s Health, and he makes regular guest appearances on popular podcasts.
This book by Patrick gives you a full understanding of the scientific connection between breath and health, opening up an actionable perspective of how a good understanding of your breathing can make you feel better. Imagine a breathing technique that can increase oxygen uptake and delivery to the cells, improve blood circulation, and unblock the nose; perhaps it can help open the airways of the lungs, enhance blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, improve sleep and bring calmness to the mind; it might even restore bodily functions disturbed by stress, build greater resilience and help you to live longer. You’re sure to find all that in this book.
The breathing techniques in this book are trusted by Olympic athletes and the elite military. But they are suitable for every level of fitness.