Breathwork is a powerful tool that can help us improve our physical, mental and emotional health. It involves the conscious control of the breath, which can be done through a variety of techniques and approaches. These techniques can be used to address a variety of issues such as anxiety, stress, depression, chronic pain and more. Or to achieve a state of overall well-being.
There are many different types of breathing techniques, each with its own specific focus and benefits. Some examples include diaphragmatic breathing, alternate nostril breathing, breath holding, and more. These techniques can be used alone or in combination with other practices such as meditation or yoga.
For those interested in learning more about breathwork, there are numerous resources available. Books, workshops, and online courses are a great way to explore this practice and find the techniques that work best for you. Whether you want to improve your physical health, reduce stress and anxiety, or simply connect more deeply with your breath, breathwork can be a powerful tool for transformation and healing.
In this article, we present the 20 best books on breathwork that you can use to deepen your understanding and practice of this transformative technique. The order was chosen randomly.
The Oxygen Advantage is a comprehensive guide to breathwork that can help you improve your athletic performance, reduce stress, and improve your overall health. The book is written by Patrick McKeown, a leading expert in the field of breathwork, and includes detailed instructions and exercises for improving your breathing technique.
The journalist and avid health enthusiast James Nestor explores the science behind breathwork in his book called Breath. Nestor dives deep into the history of breathwork, including the impact of modern lifestyle on our breathing patterns, and how we can re-learn to breathe for optimal health.
It includes insights from experts in the field and offers practical exercises.
McConell offers a new approach to psychotherapy that combines the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model with somatic therapy techniques. The book outlines a step-by-step process for working with clients to help them access their internal family systems and integrate parts of themselves that have been disconnected or disowned. Through a combination of experiential exercises and case studies, McConnell demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach for treating trauma, anxiety, depression, and other emotional and psychological issues. This book is a valuable resource for therapists and clinicians seeking to incorporate somatic techniques into their work with clients.
The Breathing Cure by Patrick McKeown is a book that explores the importance of proper breathing for overall health and well-being. The book emphasizes that many people are unaware of how they breathe and how it affects their health. The author explains that incorrect breathing patterns, such as mouth breathing and over-breathing, can lead to a variety of health issues including anxiety, asthma, sleep apnea, and even high blood pressure.
The Wim Hof Method is a book written by Wim Hof, also known as “The Iceman,” who is a Dutch extreme athlete and proponent of cold exposure and breathing techniques. The book explores Hof’s method, which combines breathing exercises, cold exposure, and mindset training to improve physical and mental health. The method is based on the idea that by controlling our breath and exposing ourselves to cold, we can activate our full human potential and improve our immune system, reduce stress and inflammation, and increase energy and focus.
Conscious Breathing by Anders Olsson is a comprehensive guide to the practice of conscious breathing, which involves breathing with intention and awareness to improve physical, emotional, and spiritual health. The book provides a wealth of information on the science behind conscious breathing, as well as practical exercises and techniques to help readers incorporate conscious breathing into their daily lives.
The Healing Power of the Breath is a comprehensive guide to breathwork that can help you reduce stress, improve your mental health, and promote physical healing. The book includes detailed instructions and exercises for a range of different breathwork techniques.
The book offers a comprehensive guide to the practice of Holotropic Breathwork, including the theory behind the method, practical instructions for breathing techniques, and case studies of individuals who have experienced profound transformation through the practice. Holotropic Breathwork offers a unique approach to therapy and self-exploration that combines ancient wisdom with modern psychology and offers a powerful tool for personal growth and healing.
This book on breathwork for trauma combines history and science to explain how intentional and conscious breathwork can aid in processing trauma stored in the body. It offers practical techniques for those who suffer from PTSD, chronic tension, pain, irritability, and depression, and prepares readers for breathwork sessions with trained instructors. The book emphasizes the body’s natural healing process and how breathwork can be a powerful tool for freeing and healing.
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. is a comprehensive exploration of the effects of trauma on the body and mind. The book highlights the importance of understanding how trauma affects the brain and offers practical strategies for healing and recovery through various therapies, including mindfulness, yoga, and EMDR.
In this book, Dr. Danny Penman, an international best-selling author, explores the power of the breath to minimize anxiety and stress and live a more meaningful life. The book provides practical guidance on using the breath as a tool for wellness, with exercises that can be done anywhere with just a chair and your body. With insights from science, culture, and philosophy, the book highlights the many benefits of breathwork and offers a path to deeper healing and personal growth.
Breathe To Heal by Sasha Yakovleva is a book that offers a holistic approach to treating asthma through conscious breathing techniques. The author shares her personal story of overcoming severe asthma and provides practical exercises and guidance on how to use breathing as a tool for healing and managing asthma symptoms.
This book is a practical guide to using breathwork for stress reduction, improved health, and spiritual growth. The book provides a variety of techniques for controlling breathing and achieving a state of mindfulness, blending practical application with spirituality. Brulé’s expertise in breathwork offers readers the knowledge and tools needed to incorporate conscious breathing into their daily routine.
Porges proposes a new understanding of the autonomic nervous system that emphasizes the importance of the vagus nerve in regulating emotional states and social behavior. Porges argues that the vagus nerve is responsible for our ability to form close relationships, communicate effectively, and regulate our emotional responses to stress. He also suggests that disruptions in vagal function can lead to a range of mental and physical health problems, including anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. The book offers practical insights and applications for clinicians and researchers in a wide range of fields, from psychology and psychiatry to neurology and physiology. Good news: There is also a pocket guide of the book that is more comprehensive and easy to digest.
This book explores the impact of modern diets and lifestyles on human jaw development, and how this impacts overall health. The authors argue that changes in the way we eat and live have contributed to the widespread misalignment of our jaws, leading to a host of health issues, including sleep apnea, TMJ disorder, and poor posture.mThe book offers practical advice and exercises for improving jaw health, including dietary changes, breathing techniques, and orthodontic interventions. The authors emphasize the importance of understanding the connection between jaw alignment and overall health, and provide a compelling case for taking action to address this important issue.
“Recognizing and Treating Breathing Disorders” is a comprehensive guide to identifying and treating various breathing disorders. The book is written by expert practitioners in the field and is intended for healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat patients with breathing disorders. The book covers topics such as assessment and diagnosis, treatment options, and patient management. It provides practical guidance on the use of various diagnostic tools and treatment modalities, including medications, oxygen therapy, and mechanical ventilation.
The book is a comprehensive guide to understanding and treating snoring and sleep apnea. The book is intended for individuals who suffer from these conditions and their partners, as well as healthcare professionals who treat patients with sleep-disordered breathing. Graham covers topics such as the causes and symptoms of snoring and sleep apnea, diagnostic testing, treatment options, and lifestyle changes that can improve sleep quality. It also includes case studies and testimonials from patients who have successfully managed their symptoms, as well as helpful resources for finding healthcare providers and support groups
In “Deep,” James Nestor explores the connection between humans and the ocean. He travels the world for two years, meeting with experts and researchers to understand our physiological and spiritual relationship with marine life. Nestor learns about underwater habitats, bioluminescent creatures, and how dolphins communicate through echolocation. He also confronts his fear of sharks and encounters the great sperm whale.
In “Waking the Tiger,” Peter Levine explains how traumatic experiences can leave a lasting impact on the body and mind. He draws upon his years of experience as a therapist and researcher to offer a new approach to trauma therapy, focusing on somatic experiencing – the idea that the body holds onto traumatic memories and can be used to heal them. By exploring the physiological responses to trauma and offering practical exercises to release stored tension, Levine provides a path for healing and moving forward from trauma.
Drawing on decades of experience as a therapist and teacher, Morningstar explores the power of the breath to release emotional blocks and physical tension, leading to profound personal transformation. Through practical exercises and techniques, readers will learn how to access the wisdom of the body and connect with their true selves. This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the power of breathwork for personal growth and healing.
These 20 books will get you started on your breathwork journey. The books can help you to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the power of the breath.
Written by Zoe Levit 
Experiences, expeditions and education to unlock your potential, open your heart and let your breath set you free.
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