It was a great way to start the year. I listened to Breathe, a practical guide to breathing exercises by Rebecca Dennis. You can listen to it whenever you need to escape, inspire, or relax. It is a short audiobook that lasts only four hours and ten seconds. Although I like the idea of meditation, I struggle with mastery and discipline. Breathe gives you the tools, and you can use them however you like. You have the option to take 5 minutes to relax or to spend an hour expressing your creativity. There are no expectations. This is all about you and what your needs are, not a higher purpose.
Before I begin my review, I want to mention that Fearne Cotton’s name is not listed in the official title. She only narrates this foreword. This is a nice testimonial, but it’s not a part the listening experience.
NetGalley, Penguin Random House and I are grateful for the opportunity to review this audiobook for free.
SYNOPSIS
Britain’s top breath coach offers a practical audio guide for breathing.
Our bodies are exposed to air around 20,000 times a day. But how often do you think about the power and quality of your breath? Rebecca Dennis, who is a breathwork expert, is on a mission: to spread her knowledge and help people feel calmer, happier, and healthier through the use of breathwork.
As a breathwork coach, Rebecca Dennis has helped thousands of people achieve transformative results. Breathe is her breathwork audio course that includes more than fifteen guided breathing exercises, accompanied with soothing music and soundscapes. This can be accessed repeatedly. Breathe is a breathwork program that can help you reduce stress, anxiety, improve mental focus, boost your energy levels, improve emotional resilience, and promote good sleep hygiene. This book will help you become more aware of your breathing and teach you how to use your breath to help you thrive in a fast-paced environment.
THE POWER OF BREATH
Although it may sound absurd to state that breathing is essential, the truth is that most people forget this fact. Rebecca Dennis takes us on a gentle journey to learn more about the power of breathing in Breathe. It can energize, soothe, and even disrupt our whole being. We can control our mind and body by controlling our breathing. This is a powerful, but sometimes uncomfortable realization. It’s also a powerful realization.
This audiobook explains the workings of the respiratory system and provides a basic understanding of physiology. The author weaves science seamlessly into the story, so that everything flows smoothly.
BREATHING TECHNIQUES
The audiobook contains a variety of breathing techniques, each one suitable for different situations. Some of them were easier than others, and you should practice them. However, you can also just dip in, if you wish. Rebecca Dennis’s years of mentorship experience are evident in her narration. Her calm confidence and guidance takes out the fear of trying new things with your breath.
This section contains a collection of short breathwork routines that can be used to improve sleep quality, reduce anxiety, and refocus. These can be done while you are out and about, with or without an audiobook. ).
SELF DISCOVERY
Surprised to discover that the audiobook contains a section about self-discovery, particularly about the release of unneeded emotions. Although not everyone is ready to take this path, it was something that I appreciated. You can’t separate the mental and physical, so you must work on both. Breathe is still practical and useful. After you have listened to all of the techniques, you will be able to pick and choose which ones you like best.
The only problem I have with the audiobook format, is that there is not enough information to help me find sections. You don’t want to spend too much time looking for bookmarks when you’re fully engaged in the exercises. I need to do this again.
After listening to breathe once, my awareness of my body has increased, especially during stressful situations (lockdown homeschooling). I am now able subtly to alter my reactions. It’s as simple as releasing my jaw and remembering to breathe. I’m trying to incorporate a few of the shorter exercises into every day and save the more difficult ones for weekends. Every quarter, I will update you on the impact of this book and other self-improvement books I have listed on my 10 Lively Books for 2021 post.
If you are looking for an audiobook to guide you through difficult times in your life, I recommend the Breathe audiobook at Audible. This is the audiobook I will keep coming back to when I need calm and perspective.
