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Breathe Well: Easy and effective techniques to boost energy, feel calmer, more focused and productive
Simple techniques to boost energy, feel calmer, more focused and productive.
We breathe approximately 20,000 times a day - so it's something that we can all improve for better health and wellbeing - no equipment or fancy fitness gear necessary. Aimee's simple and accessible exercises are designed to fit into your life - from 2 minutes in the shower to 5 minutes at your desk or 2 minutes during your commute.
Introducing breath basics and detailing why breathing properly is so important for health and wellbeing, Aimee shows you how to build up to a daily 20-minute breathing practice, divided into manageable chunks that you can easily fit into a busy day. day. Organise
Organised into sections reflecting how we spend our time - from work to sleep and eating to relationships - there are breathing exercises for the office, including how to calm your nerves before a big pitch; how our breathing has been affected by technology and how to counteract 'tech apnea', alongside breathing for better relationships, such as exercises to help clear the air after an argument.
Also including breaths to help you perform at your exercise peak and enhance digestion, alongside practical tips such as the top 10 plants to purify the air in your home.
Conscious breathing activates the body's relaxation response, which in turn reduces blood pressure, which in turn lowers the risk of stroke and improves cardiovascular health. It's also good for digestion and general immunity, both of which are impaired by stress.' - Guardian
We breathe approximately 20,000 times a day - so it's something that we can all improve for better health and wellbeing - no equipment or fancy fitness gear necessary. Aimee's simple and accessible exercises are designed to fit into your life - from 2 minutes in the shower to 5 minutes at your desk or 2 minutes during your commute.
Introducing breath basics and detailing why breathing properly is so important for health and wellbeing, Aimee shows you how to build up to a daily 20-minute breathing practice, divided into manageable chunks that you can easily fit into a busy day. day. Organise
Organised into sections reflecting how we spend our time - from work to sleep and eating to relationships - there are breathing exercises for the office, including how to calm your nerves before a big pitch; how our breathing has been affected by technology and how to counteract 'tech apnea', alongside breathing for better relationships, such as exercises to help clear the air after an argument.
Also including breaths to help you perform at your exercise peak and enhance digestion, alongside practical tips such as the top 10 plants to purify the air in your home.
Conscious breathing activates the body's relaxation response, which in turn reduces blood pressure, which in turn lowers the risk of stroke and improves cardiovascular health. It's also good for digestion and general immunity, both of which are impaired by stress.' - Guardian
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
Paperback
Published May 1, 2021
59 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 9, 2024
Really great and insightful book, I feel that a bit of depth was sacrificed for the sake of design. For example I would have loved to have a more thorough explanation of Yin Yoga. I loved the scientific & anatomical facts scattered throughout
November 7, 2023
Rediscover the transformative power of conscious breathing for improved health and well-being with ‘Breathe Well.’
Amid the constant hum of technology and the pressures of daily life, one crucial aspect often goes unnoticed – our breath. Aimee Hartley sheds light on this often-overlooked issue in her comprehensive guide, ‘Breathe Well.’ Hartley contends that, as a society, we have forgotten how to breathe properly, leading to a host of health and well-being challenges. In her book, she takes readers on a journey to rediscover the significance of conscious breathwork and provides practical exercises to address this critical concern.
Let’s explore how ‘Breathe Well’ unveils the transformative potential of mastering our breath for a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Author’s background
Aimee Hartley is a Certified Transformational Breath Facilitator and Yoga Teacher. She conducts breath work and yoga classes in various locations such as the UK, Australia, and Bali.
Her clientele includes corporate giants like Amazon Fashion, Philosophy, Rebel Kitchen, and Depop. Aimee is also a regular instructor at The Natural History Museum, where she teaches to an audience of 200 people every month.
What is the book about?
‘Breathe Well’ by Aimee Hartley is a comprehensive guide that introduces the fundamental principles of breath and its critical role in promoting overall health and wellbeing. In her book, Hartley emphasises the significance of breathing properly and provides practical exercises that can easily be incorporated into a busy daily routine.
The book is thoughtfully organised into sections that align with various aspects of our lives, making it easy to apply the techniques to specific situations when you are at work, or an educational institution, have trouble falling asleep or feel anxious.
Key takeaways from ‘Breathe Well’
1. Breathwork paired with movement can boost your energy and improve posture
The book primarily focuses on providing readers with examples of breathwork aiming to enhance certain health or lifestyle aspects. One such area for improvement is physical activity. The book highlights the significant shift in human lifestyle, from an active and nomadic existence to our current sedentary way of life, mainly due to modern work environments that demand prolonged periods of sitting. This transition, which has occurred relatively quickly in human history, has led to detrimental effects on our health and breathing patterns.
Incorporating breath techniques and movement during the workday can help improve posture, release tension, and boost energy levels, making it essential for our overall health and well-being in today’s predominantly desk-bound world. Breathwork ‘Walk + Breathe’ can help you acquire these benefits.
Here is how the author describes the procedure if the breathwork:
• Breathe in through the nose for 5 steps.
• Breathe out through the nose for 5 steps.
• Repeat for a few rounds and continue for as long as you can.
• If you find the five-step count easy, then you can up the count to six or seven.
2. Breathing techniques can be used to combat stress caused by smartphones and social media
The digital world, especially smartphones and social media, has become a ubiquitous and addictive presence in our lives. Like a drug, people can become dependent on their smartphones to elevate their moods, leading to withdrawal-like symptoms when separated from their devices. Spending excessive time on social media and constantly engaging with technology can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression, affecting both mental health and overall well-being.
Aimee Hartley provides readers with a variety of exercises that aim to ease anxiety and stress caused by social media and bring us to the present moment.
3. Breathwork is an effective self-calming method
The book also addresses the commonness of social anxiety, a prevalent form of anxiety. The symptoms of social anxiety, including increased heart rate and sweating, can drastically affect a person’s quality of life.
However, by using self-calming methods like conscious breathwork, people can alleviate these uneasy sensations and navigate social situations with greater comfort. Acquiring healthy strategies to manage anxiety can result in increased confidence, resilience, and a more enjoyable social life. Breathing exercises like Acu-Calm Breathe ‘5–2–7’ and Box Breathe can swiftly soothe nerves, while additional relaxation techniques can be practised for extended periods to reduce stress in social settings.
Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews
Strengths:
• Offers a plethora of practical breathing exercises for various purposes.
• Created by a highly experienced breathwork coach, making the book a valuable and credible resource for understanding the benefits of conscious breathing.
• Written in an accessible and enjoyable style, making it easy to comprehend and apply the information.
Weaknesses:
• Although the book covers various topics related to breathing, the excessive number of repetitive exercises may cause readers to lose interest and miss out on other potentially valuable information.
Best quotes from ‘Breathe Well’
“Our breath, like our heartbeat, is the most reliable rhythm in our lives. When we become attuned to this constant rhythm, our breath can gradually teach us to come back to the original silence of the mind.”
“Social anxiety, the fear of interactions with other people in social situations, is one of the most common forms of anxiety today.”
“We sleep for more than one-third of our lives: that’s around 165,000,000 breaths, if we make it to the grand old age of 80. Sleep – and, more importantly, the quality of our sleep – is vital for a healthy, long life. Deep sleep helps restore our immune system, refines our metabolic state and improves our ability to learn and memorize.”
Final takeaway
‘Breathe Well’ by Aimee Hartley is a valuable resource that opens our eyes to the often-overlooked power of conscious breathing. With practical exercises catered to various situations and well-researched insights, this book offers a comprehensive guide to reclaiming control over our most fundamental rhythm.
Whether you are seeking to reduce stress, improve posture, or enhance overall well-being, ‘Breathe Well’ is a must-read for anyone looking to unlock the transformative potential of their breath.
Amid the constant hum of technology and the pressures of daily life, one crucial aspect often goes unnoticed – our breath. Aimee Hartley sheds light on this often-overlooked issue in her comprehensive guide, ‘Breathe Well.’ Hartley contends that, as a society, we have forgotten how to breathe properly, leading to a host of health and well-being challenges. In her book, she takes readers on a journey to rediscover the significance of conscious breathwork and provides practical exercises to address this critical concern.
Let’s explore how ‘Breathe Well’ unveils the transformative potential of mastering our breath for a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Author’s background
Aimee Hartley is a Certified Transformational Breath Facilitator and Yoga Teacher. She conducts breath work and yoga classes in various locations such as the UK, Australia, and Bali.
Her clientele includes corporate giants like Amazon Fashion, Philosophy, Rebel Kitchen, and Depop. Aimee is also a regular instructor at The Natural History Museum, where she teaches to an audience of 200 people every month.
What is the book about?
‘Breathe Well’ by Aimee Hartley is a comprehensive guide that introduces the fundamental principles of breath and its critical role in promoting overall health and wellbeing. In her book, Hartley emphasises the significance of breathing properly and provides practical exercises that can easily be incorporated into a busy daily routine.
The book is thoughtfully organised into sections that align with various aspects of our lives, making it easy to apply the techniques to specific situations when you are at work, or an educational institution, have trouble falling asleep or feel anxious.
Key takeaways from ‘Breathe Well’
1. Breathwork paired with movement can boost your energy and improve posture
The book primarily focuses on providing readers with examples of breathwork aiming to enhance certain health or lifestyle aspects. One such area for improvement is physical activity. The book highlights the significant shift in human lifestyle, from an active and nomadic existence to our current sedentary way of life, mainly due to modern work environments that demand prolonged periods of sitting. This transition, which has occurred relatively quickly in human history, has led to detrimental effects on our health and breathing patterns.
Incorporating breath techniques and movement during the workday can help improve posture, release tension, and boost energy levels, making it essential for our overall health and well-being in today’s predominantly desk-bound world. Breathwork ‘Walk + Breathe’ can help you acquire these benefits.
Here is how the author describes the procedure if the breathwork:
• Breathe in through the nose for 5 steps.
• Breathe out through the nose for 5 steps.
• Repeat for a few rounds and continue for as long as you can.
• If you find the five-step count easy, then you can up the count to six or seven.
2. Breathing techniques can be used to combat stress caused by smartphones and social media
The digital world, especially smartphones and social media, has become a ubiquitous and addictive presence in our lives. Like a drug, people can become dependent on their smartphones to elevate their moods, leading to withdrawal-like symptoms when separated from their devices. Spending excessive time on social media and constantly engaging with technology can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression, affecting both mental health and overall well-being.
Aimee Hartley provides readers with a variety of exercises that aim to ease anxiety and stress caused by social media and bring us to the present moment.
3. Breathwork is an effective self-calming method
The book also addresses the commonness of social anxiety, a prevalent form of anxiety. The symptoms of social anxiety, including increased heart rate and sweating, can drastically affect a person’s quality of life.
However, by using self-calming methods like conscious breathwork, people can alleviate these uneasy sensations and navigate social situations with greater comfort. Acquiring healthy strategies to manage anxiety can result in increased confidence, resilience, and a more enjoyable social life. Breathing exercises like Acu-Calm Breathe ‘5–2–7’ and Box Breathe can swiftly soothe nerves, while additional relaxation techniques can be practised for extended periods to reduce stress in social settings.
Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews
Strengths:
• Offers a plethora of practical breathing exercises for various purposes.
• Created by a highly experienced breathwork coach, making the book a valuable and credible resource for understanding the benefits of conscious breathing.
• Written in an accessible and enjoyable style, making it easy to comprehend and apply the information.
Weaknesses:
• Although the book covers various topics related to breathing, the excessive number of repetitive exercises may cause readers to lose interest and miss out on other potentially valuable information.
Best quotes from ‘Breathe Well’
“Our breath, like our heartbeat, is the most reliable rhythm in our lives. When we become attuned to this constant rhythm, our breath can gradually teach us to come back to the original silence of the mind.”
“Social anxiety, the fear of interactions with other people in social situations, is one of the most common forms of anxiety today.”
“We sleep for more than one-third of our lives: that’s around 165,000,000 breaths, if we make it to the grand old age of 80. Sleep – and, more importantly, the quality of our sleep – is vital for a healthy, long life. Deep sleep helps restore our immune system, refines our metabolic state and improves our ability to learn and memorize.”
Final takeaway
‘Breathe Well’ by Aimee Hartley is a valuable resource that opens our eyes to the often-overlooked power of conscious breathing. With practical exercises catered to various situations and well-researched insights, this book offers a comprehensive guide to reclaiming control over our most fundamental rhythm.
Whether you are seeking to reduce stress, improve posture, or enhance overall well-being, ‘Breathe Well’ is a must-read for anyone looking to unlock the transformative potential of their breath.
November 20, 2020
Good Practice book
January 23, 2021
I received this book as a Christmas gift in 2020, as it had been on my Amazon wish-list. I wish I could remember who recommended it, or where I heard about it, but right this second, I can't.
This is a book that is probably not intended to be read from cover to cover, but I did it anyway, just for the first reading. There will be subsequent readings, but more as a reference. It is surely a book that will be good to carry around, as it gives helpful tips and breathing exercises for many different circumstances.
It is the author's contention, and I tend to agree, that we, in general, especially in the West, have forgotten how to breathe properly. Her opinion is that this happens somewhere around the time when we first go to school Anxiety is a big cause of the forgetting, she believes.
Well, Aimee Hartley is on a mission to help us remember how to breathe again. I see great benefit in this book and the exercises contained therein. She begins with some "tests" to help us find out what kind of breathing patterns we already have. As a lifelong brass instrument player, I believe I have a sort of leg up on non-horn blowers, as, in order to play a brass instrument well, one must breathe from the diaphragm.
She begins, after the introduction, and rightly so, I believe, with the workplace. This is where we spend most of our waking hours. And, as society has "evolved," we now sit more than ever, when working. So she gives us a number of breathing exercises to practice at work.
Side note. Aimee is British, and the book was published in Great Britain, so we see a few words spelled differently, such as "practise." Also, "tyre." I was not surprised to see "practise." I was a bit surprised to see "tyre." There are probably others, but I don't remember them. And I'm not making fun of it at all, in case anyone thinks that. Just pointing out the differences for us American readers.
There's a great chapter on how technology has hindered our breathing, as well. There are even suggestions to *gasp* leave our phones at home for a day. Did anyone else just get an anxiety attack just thinking about that??
Interestingly, the book is not exclusively about breathing. There are some tips on social anxiety. There is even a chapter on how to have cleaner air where we live. There is a list of recommended house plants, with which to fill one's house, in order to have more pure air to breathe while at home.
A good bit of this is drawn from yoga. While I don't personally have anything against yoga, I'm not exactly into it, either. So some of the exercises probably won't interest me. But a lot of them do, and I plan on carrying this book to work with me, as well as other places to begin working out some of the exercises.
The design of the book is, in my opinion, quite friendly and even, perhaps, calming. Good illustrations, and a variety of font sizes keep it interesting. It is well put together, and I highly recommend it.
This is a book that is probably not intended to be read from cover to cover, but I did it anyway, just for the first reading. There will be subsequent readings, but more as a reference. It is surely a book that will be good to carry around, as it gives helpful tips and breathing exercises for many different circumstances.
It is the author's contention, and I tend to agree, that we, in general, especially in the West, have forgotten how to breathe properly. Her opinion is that this happens somewhere around the time when we first go to school Anxiety is a big cause of the forgetting, she believes.
Well, Aimee Hartley is on a mission to help us remember how to breathe again. I see great benefit in this book and the exercises contained therein. She begins with some "tests" to help us find out what kind of breathing patterns we already have. As a lifelong brass instrument player, I believe I have a sort of leg up on non-horn blowers, as, in order to play a brass instrument well, one must breathe from the diaphragm.
She begins, after the introduction, and rightly so, I believe, with the workplace. This is where we spend most of our waking hours. And, as society has "evolved," we now sit more than ever, when working. So she gives us a number of breathing exercises to practice at work.
Side note. Aimee is British, and the book was published in Great Britain, so we see a few words spelled differently, such as "practise." Also, "tyre." I was not surprised to see "practise." I was a bit surprised to see "tyre." There are probably others, but I don't remember them. And I'm not making fun of it at all, in case anyone thinks that. Just pointing out the differences for us American readers.
There's a great chapter on how technology has hindered our breathing, as well. There are even suggestions to *gasp* leave our phones at home for a day. Did anyone else just get an anxiety attack just thinking about that??
Interestingly, the book is not exclusively about breathing. There are some tips on social anxiety. There is even a chapter on how to have cleaner air where we live. There is a list of recommended house plants, with which to fill one's house, in order to have more pure air to breathe while at home.
A good bit of this is drawn from yoga. While I don't personally have anything against yoga, I'm not exactly into it, either. So some of the exercises probably won't interest me. But a lot of them do, and I plan on carrying this book to work with me, as well as other places to begin working out some of the exercises.
The design of the book is, in my opinion, quite friendly and even, perhaps, calming. Good illustrations, and a variety of font sizes keep it interesting. It is well put together, and I highly recommend it.
September 12, 2021
Bit disappointed. Half of the exercises inside the book I can't do. Not quite what I was expecting.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews