Most people don’t notice their breathing until they experience a strong emotion or physical sensation—like anxiety, panic, or pain. In Free Your Breath, Free Your Life, Dennis Lewis shows how being conscious of your breath can have a significant impact on your physical and emotional health. Whether you are interested in stress reduction, easing a chronic breathing problem, or exploring the more spiritual aspects of breathing, this illustrated guide includes exercises you can use. The practices show readers how to identify and release the restrictions in their breathing, enabling them to live with more presence and vitality in their everyday lives.
Lewis also looks at the psychological and metaphysical dimensions of breathing, exploring the many ways that our self-image (including the clothing we wear, the way we exercise, and our sense of self-importance or low self-esteem) shapes our breathing. Special practices and meditations help readers explore breathing not only for health and healing, but also for self-transformation and self-realization. You can pre-order now through Shambhala or Amazon.com and save 20 percent. The book will be available in book stores after May 11, 2004.
"This is by far the most compelling and complete book on breathing I've ever read. It is 'must' reading for everyone who is interested in optimal health."--Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause.
“This wonderful book offers a delightful and innovative path to the most profound truth, shared by the world’s greatest healing traditions: the way through any trauma, stress, illness, or injury is to first put attention on the breath. The reader will not only understand through Dennis’ inspired writing, but get to experience through numerous excellent, practical exercises how conscious and authentic breathing is the gateway to enhanced health and vitality.”—Meg Jordan, PhD, author of The Fitness Instinct and founder and editor of American Fitness Magazine.
"Lewis teaches us how to assess our breathing and provides practical tools to help us learn to breathe better and create a healthier balance in our everyday lives. He makes clear that how we breathe reflects who we are and the manner in which we express ourselves--physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This book is a wonderful resource for anyone who wishes to improve his or her health and vitality through the breath."—Len Saputo, M.D., author of Boosting Immunity.
“It is extremely difficult to write well and truly about the healing role of breathing both in our everyday life and on the way to great self-knowledge. Dennis Lewis succeeds through a rare combination of clear-headed, practical thought and spiritual sensitivity.”—Jacob Needleman, author of The American Soul.
“Dennis Lewis has a deep understanding of the central importance of breathing, in both its physical and spiritual dimensions—as the breath of life and the breath of the spirit. This book is a practical and inspiring guide to opening yourself to the larger energies of life through the medium of the breath. Highly recommended!”—John Welwood, author of Toward a Psychology of Awakening.
“... covers the territory very well, providing an abundant array of benefits. Equally useful for breath-aficionados and for professionals.”—Gay Hendricks, Ph.D., author of Conscious Breathing and Breathing Ecstacy.
“...the most conscious book on breathing that I’ve read. It can breathe you back into Being. I highly recommend it.”—Leonard Laskow, MD, author of Healing with Love.
"I offered my views on wellness in a long blog last week. I revealed that I'd bought the Whole Act about the importance of good breathing practices. (Wow do they work, on the fly, in stressful situations! And the great news—you always have it with you! Your breath, that is.) At any rate I have discovered a brilliant book on the topic, the best I've read so far. Namely, Free Your Breath, Free Your Life, by Dennis Lewis (Shambhala, 2004). No dogmatism. No mysticism. Practical, do-able practices. TP: Learn to breathe! Get a life!"--Tom Peters (Tom Peters, well-known business guru, is the author of many books. This review appeared in the Tom Peters Tuesday Edition, July 30, 2004. You can read the original review on his site by clicking here.)
“Dennis Lewis is a colleague, teacher, author, poet, and dedicated student of the breath and breathing. Free Your Breath, Free Your Life is not just a good book—it is a great book. It is required reading for all my students attending the Optimal Breathing School. It should be required reading for everyone.”—Michael Grant White, Executive Director, Breathing.com.
Visit the Authentic Breathing website for a complete list of workshops and retreats by Dennis Lewis.
http://www.authentic-breathing.com
Visit Dennis Lewis' personal website.
http://www.dennislewis.org
