Oxygen Advantage Patrick McKeown meets James Nestor, Author of Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
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Nov 21, 2025 
James Nestor, a journalist and author of 'Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art,' shares insights from his deep dive into the world of breathing. He reveals how modern life has led to a decline in proper breathing techniques, impacting our health in surprising ways. Nestor discusses the consequences of mouth breathing on facial development and overall wellness. He highlights the benefits of various breathing methods, including how controlled stress can enhance our respiratory systems. Ultimately, he argues for breathing's place as a foundational element of health.
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From Illness To Freediving Revelation
- James Nestor discovered breathwork after respiratory illnesses and an intense breathing class that made him sweat profusely within 20 minutes.
- Covering freediving later convinced him that breathing methods confer major physiological benefits on land as well.
Breathing Shapes Much More Than Lungs
- Modern medicine largely ignores how breathing patterns shape facial structure, airway health, and chronic diseases.
- A century of studies supports breath's broad impact, yet awareness and acceptance remain limited.
Diet Changed Our Facial Anatomy
- Human jaws and palates have shrunk in recent centuries due to softer diets, creating crowded teeth and narrower airways.
- Smaller oral anatomy increases nasal obstruction, snoring, sleep apnea, and other breathing-related conditions.