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Illuminated Breath: Transform Your Physical, Cognitive & Emotional Well-Being by Harnessing the Science of Ancient Yoga Breath Practices
Named by mindbodygreen as one of the best health and wellness books for 2022
From our first breath to our last, we spend our entire lives in a perpetual cycle of inhalations and exhalations. Yet few of us are taught how to breathe, why we breathe, or the ways in which the breath influences us emotionally, energetically, physically, and spiritually.
The Illuminated Breath is a revolutionary manual on unlocking the power of the breath. With humor, clarity, and an appreciation for the art of storytelling, revered yoga practitioner Dylan Werner delves into the rich histories of breathing techniques and breath work, while validating these practices with a strong lean toward physiology and science. Using enlightening, practical examples from everyday life, Werner explains how energy flows through the body and how the breath can be used to regulate and control that flow. He walks readers through pranayama, the ancient yogic practice of breath control, and explains the four components of the breath cycle. He then introduces pranayama practices, which can be used on their own or combined into sequences to achieve specific goals. The final part of this book leads readers through a series of targeted breath sequences that are designed to boost athletic performance and recovery, improve sleep, enhance cognitive function, relieve anxiety, promote deep relaxation, and more. Each sequence is customizable and can be modified or used in combination with other sequences to create a personalized breath plan.
Embark on a life-changing journey as you learn how to breathe optimally and bring balance to your life, one inhalation and exhalation at a time.
From our first breath to our last, we spend our entire lives in a perpetual cycle of inhalations and exhalations. Yet few of us are taught how to breathe, why we breathe, or the ways in which the breath influences us emotionally, energetically, physically, and spiritually.
The Illuminated Breath is a revolutionary manual on unlocking the power of the breath. With humor, clarity, and an appreciation for the art of storytelling, revered yoga practitioner Dylan Werner delves into the rich histories of breathing techniques and breath work, while validating these practices with a strong lean toward physiology and science. Using enlightening, practical examples from everyday life, Werner explains how energy flows through the body and how the breath can be used to regulate and control that flow. He walks readers through pranayama, the ancient yogic practice of breath control, and explains the four components of the breath cycle. He then introduces pranayama practices, which can be used on their own or combined into sequences to achieve specific goals. The final part of this book leads readers through a series of targeted breath sequences that are designed to boost athletic performance and recovery, improve sleep, enhance cognitive function, relieve anxiety, promote deep relaxation, and more. Each sequence is customizable and can be modified or used in combination with other sequences to create a personalized breath plan.
Embark on a life-changing journey as you learn how to breathe optimally and bring balance to your life, one inhalation and exhalation at a time.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published February 23, 2021
55 people are currently reading
400 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 28, 2022
Those that practice yoga will likely recognize Dylan Werner as the colorful yoga influencer who can balance on fingertips and barely break a sweat. I had (mistakenly) dismissed him as a “yoga is for handstands” practitioner and looked elsewhere for guidance on breathwork and meditation. I finished a 500-hr YTT, read Breath by James Nestor (amazing!), practiced the Wim Hof Method, and took an on-line class with Megan Currie where she created “breath flows.” It seems like all these influences put me in the perfect space to receive this amazing book. (AND I started reading as I was recovering from COVID, and every breath had my attention.)
Dylan Werner is intelligent, articulate, and authentic, and his book is both accessible and nuanced. For readers interested in breathwork, the science and the practice, this is a five-star read, and a book I will return to again and again. My current project is to learn Werner’s themed sequences, so that I can, first, ground my practice, and then, tweak it. Because of this book, I have a starting place, and I am so grateful!
Dylan Werner is intelligent, articulate, and authentic, and his book is both accessible and nuanced. For readers interested in breathwork, the science and the practice, this is a five-star read, and a book I will return to again and again. My current project is to learn Werner’s themed sequences, so that I can, first, ground my practice, and then, tweak it. Because of this book, I have a starting place, and I am so grateful!
August 13, 2022
Fantastic book!
This book is broken into five sections. The first section guides you through the physiology effects that the breath has on the body and mind. The physiological effects and explanations are interwoven into every breathing practice so that by the time you finish the book, you will be well versed in these concepts.
The second section discusses the "systems of balance" and how energy travels through the body through the influence of our breath. Beginning with the nervous system, both how it functions physically throughout the body and it's emotional affects. Then the author explores the Eastern viewpoint using yoga philosophies and how yoga outlines the way energy moves.
The third section on pranayama and the concepts that are associated with the yogic breath practice continues with the Eastern philosophy. Each pranayama practice is explained and broken down to illustrate the technique, it's energetic and emotional effects, it's physiological effects, and it's applications.
These first three sections establish a foundation for understanding the breath. The fourth section explores how to take these pranayama practices and breathing concepts, modify them to your intention, and sequence them to accomplish the purpose of our practice.
The final section outlines ten breath sequences that the author created, covering several aspects and conditions of life where the breath can be utilized as a powerful tool to manifest positive change and influence health and well-being.
This book is broken into five sections. The first section guides you through the physiology effects that the breath has on the body and mind. The physiological effects and explanations are interwoven into every breathing practice so that by the time you finish the book, you will be well versed in these concepts.
The second section discusses the "systems of balance" and how energy travels through the body through the influence of our breath. Beginning with the nervous system, both how it functions physically throughout the body and it's emotional affects. Then the author explores the Eastern viewpoint using yoga philosophies and how yoga outlines the way energy moves.
The third section on pranayama and the concepts that are associated with the yogic breath practice continues with the Eastern philosophy. Each pranayama practice is explained and broken down to illustrate the technique, it's energetic and emotional effects, it's physiological effects, and it's applications.
These first three sections establish a foundation for understanding the breath. The fourth section explores how to take these pranayama practices and breathing concepts, modify them to your intention, and sequence them to accomplish the purpose of our practice.
The final section outlines ten breath sequences that the author created, covering several aspects and conditions of life where the breath can be utilized as a powerful tool to manifest positive change and influence health and well-being.
May 31, 2021
Excellent book! Just incredible :))
Thank you to the author, yogi, and master Dylan Werner
Thank you to the author, yogi, and master Dylan Werner
January 20, 2025
I found this book on breathing to be exactly the mix between western medical science and eastern philosophy I've always craved for. It delves into the chemistry and basis of breathing and how it works in the body with enough detail to satisfy the more scientific minded part of me, while also giving way to the more mystical and esoteric parts of eastern philosophy and acknowledging when there is or isn't empirical evidence to sustain them. The author is open with what is known and what isn't, and makes s beautiful integration between one world and the other.
If one is not interested in the deeper biological and philosophical parts of the book, you can always skip that part as the author himself suggests and go straight to the breathing exercises, which are are detailed but succinctly explained.
While I don't have the knowledge to contrast if what is said in the book about Eastern philosophy is correct or not, the way information is presented is easy to digest while respecting the complexity of the subject. The drawings in the book help visualize the information and book itself is well organized. It is obvious the author practices what he preached in terms of having s clear intention and goal.
I was especially struck by the more personal parts of the book and subjects that weren't about breathing itself, even if tangentially related to it. I especially liked the part about intentions, goals, and the emotional and experiential parts of life. The unity of everything and the difference between attachment and love. They were well placed at the later part of the book, when so much has been said about breathing already.
This is a great book for anyone how wants to delve into breathing, especially novices, although I see a lot of useful things for the more advanced I'm the subject as well.
It was a pleasure to read the book. I will surely revisit it many more times in the future. Now, to practice the breathing exercises!
If one is not interested in the deeper biological and philosophical parts of the book, you can always skip that part as the author himself suggests and go straight to the breathing exercises, which are are detailed but succinctly explained.
While I don't have the knowledge to contrast if what is said in the book about Eastern philosophy is correct or not, the way information is presented is easy to digest while respecting the complexity of the subject. The drawings in the book help visualize the information and book itself is well organized. It is obvious the author practices what he preached in terms of having s clear intention and goal.
I was especially struck by the more personal parts of the book and subjects that weren't about breathing itself, even if tangentially related to it. I especially liked the part about intentions, goals, and the emotional and experiential parts of life. The unity of everything and the difference between attachment and love. They were well placed at the later part of the book, when so much has been said about breathing already.
This is a great book for anyone how wants to delve into breathing, especially novices, although I see a lot of useful things for the more advanced I'm the subject as well.
It was a pleasure to read the book. I will surely revisit it many more times in the future. Now, to practice the breathing exercises!
January 25, 2025
Dylan Werner has an outstanding ability to integrate science, theory, and yogic principles. It is uncommon for me to rate a book a "5" when it is niche, and to some extent, I regard yoga to be niche. However, because of the well-developed integration of science, The Illuminated Breath is a beautiful example of honoring both positivism and constructivism while equipping the reader with invaluable tools for wellbeing. I genuinely believe everyone should read this to glean the benefits of breathing practices. Whether viewing this through the yogic or physiological lens, we have ample opportunity to modify (and improve) our bodily experience through breath, and that is endlessly fascinating to me. Highly recommend.
5-Star: Everyone should read this.
4-Star: Everyone in this specific field should read this.
3-Star: This was a decent read for the specific field, but there are better options.
2-Star: It got me to the end of the book, so there is that.
1-Star: It was bad enough that I didn't finish it.
5-Star: Everyone should read this.
4-Star: Everyone in this specific field should read this.
3-Star: This was a decent read for the specific field, but there are better options.
2-Star: It got me to the end of the book, so there is that.
1-Star: It was bad enough that I didn't finish it.
August 17, 2021
Great book. The perfect combination of western and eastern approaches to breathing practices. Written in a very friendly way, with great humor and full of personal experiences, so all the theoric data don’t feel overwhelming and distant. Definitely one of those books for constant revisiting.
December 31, 2023
La respiración influye en nuestro estado de ánimo y percepción de las cosas. Al controlar la respiración, controlamos nuestro ánimo y percepción de la vida en general.
January 18, 2026
Interessante, non troppo complesso.
Forse parla un po troppo di se stesso e un po troppo illuminato.
Comunque di quelli da leggere sulla respirazione.
Forse parla un po troppo di se stesso e un po troppo illuminato.
Comunque di quelli da leggere sulla respirazione.
March 3, 2023
Excellent reference book on the western science and eastern wisdom of mastering breath. Succinct, clear, and comprehensive. It has colorful tables to help navigate, assimilate, and practice intentional breathing for better health and access to spiritual states.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews