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Body by Breath: The Science and Practice of Physical and Emotional Resilience
In the hierarchy of life, breath always wins. It persists 22,000 times daily, but you get to decide whether the way you breathe is to your benefit or detriment.
Breath becomes compromised by stress, disease, and the environmental trappings of progress; you can still breathe under this pressure, but it leads to poor breathing habits that slowly whittle away at your health. In Body by Breath, bestselling author Jill Miller takes you on a journey through your breathing body and presents more than 100 step-by-step techniques and practices to help you master the body-breath connection and reset your physiology.
This book explores four primary types of resilience-building exercises—breathwork, movement, rolling, and non-sleep deep rest — to help you achieve
• Greater power, endurance, and recovery ability
• Enhanced self-regulation skills
• Supercharged executive function
• Relief from pain, injuries, and chronic conditions
• Freedom to feel, connect, and express stored emotions
Jill shares her scientifically supported methods so you can
You’ll travel the pathways of the vagus nerve and trace miles of fascial intersections beneath your skin to unlock your body’s regenerative reservoir.
If you have struggled with traditional meditation practices because remaining still spikes your anxiety and leaves you feeling agitated and fidgety, Body by Breath presents innovative alternatives designed for your unique nervous system. This inclusive approach allows you to reap the benefits of relaxation, restoration, and regeneration.
Take these practices into your life and renew the way you embody breath.
Breath becomes compromised by stress, disease, and the environmental trappings of progress; you can still breathe under this pressure, but it leads to poor breathing habits that slowly whittle away at your health. In Body by Breath, bestselling author Jill Miller takes you on a journey through your breathing body and presents more than 100 step-by-step techniques and practices to help you master the body-breath connection and reset your physiology.
This book explores four primary types of resilience-building exercises—breathwork, movement, rolling, and non-sleep deep rest — to help you achieve
• Greater power, endurance, and recovery ability
• Enhanced self-regulation skills
• Supercharged executive function
• Relief from pain, injuries, and chronic conditions
• Freedom to feel, connect, and express stored emotions
Jill shares her scientifically supported methods so you can
You’ll travel the pathways of the vagus nerve and trace miles of fascial intersections beneath your skin to unlock your body’s regenerative reservoir.
If you have struggled with traditional meditation practices because remaining still spikes your anxiety and leaves you feeling agitated and fidgety, Body by Breath presents innovative alternatives designed for your unique nervous system. This inclusive approach allows you to reap the benefits of relaxation, restoration, and regeneration.
Take these practices into your life and renew the way you embody breath.
- GenresHealthNonfiction
480 pages, Hardcover
Published February 28, 2023
54 people are currently reading
695 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 5, 2024
i found this book by accident at the library and it must have been some kind of fate. jill miller has totally changed my relationship to my body and chronic pain in like two weeks. sorry in advance to everyone i will be proselytizing to about this
February 15, 2023
I’ve followed Jill Miller for a long time, and everything she releases is impeccable. The hours of research and practice that she puts into her efforts is surely astounding.
I had already ordered my copy of Body by Breath when I saw it pop up on NetGalley. Couldn’t resist a sneak peak! As with her earlier release, The Roll Model, this breathing “bible” includes highly readable research and practice, with fantastic pictures and illustration. It also has QR codes to scan for further info. It’s amazingly accessible, regardless of your learning style. It could be read for personal gain or serve as a textbook.
It’s a true reference book, meaning you will come back to it again and again for both knowledge and practice.
Fantastic!! Thank you NetGalley, Victory Belt Publishing, and the amazing Jill Miller for allowing access to a digital ARC for review purposes.
I had already ordered my copy of Body by Breath when I saw it pop up on NetGalley. Couldn’t resist a sneak peak! As with her earlier release, The Roll Model, this breathing “bible” includes highly readable research and practice, with fantastic pictures and illustration. It also has QR codes to scan for further info. It’s amazingly accessible, regardless of your learning style. It could be read for personal gain or serve as a textbook.
It’s a true reference book, meaning you will come back to it again and again for both knowledge and practice.
Fantastic!! Thank you NetGalley, Victory Belt Publishing, and the amazing Jill Miller for allowing access to a digital ARC for review purposes.
November 7, 2023
‘Body by Breath’ is a comprehensive guide to harnessing the power of breath for enhanced well-being and improved physical performance.
While people can endure weeks without food or water, a few minutes without breath can be fatal. Our breath goes beyond mere survival; it significantly impacts our life’s quality, serving as a powerful tool for relaxation, health, empowerment, and overall well-being. Breathing forms the core of our existence and profoundly affects both our physical and emotional well-being.
In this review, we will explore how the book ‘Body by Breath’ delves into the profound impact of breath and presents practical techniques to optimise our physiological function and improve the way we live.
Author’s background
Jill Miller, C-IAYT, ERYT, is a renowned figure in the world of fitness, yoga, and pain management.
As the co-founder of Tune Up Fitness Worldwide and the creator of Yoga Tune Up® and The Roll Model® Method, she has over 30 years of experience in anatomy and movement. Known as the Teacher’s Teacher, she has trained numerous movement educators, clinicians, and manual therapists in her groundbreaking self-care fitness programming, which is used in athletic and medical facility programs worldwide.
What is the book about?
‘Body by Breath‘ is an extensive guide that delves into the profound impact of breath on overall well-being. Emphasising the importance of breath in our daily lives, the book presents over 100 practical techniques and exercises to harness the connection between the body and breath, optimising physiological function.
The book centres on four core exercises for building resilience: breathwork, movement, rolling, and non-sleep deep rest, offering a wide range of benefits like increased power, endurance, enhanced self-regulation skills, and relief from pain, among others.
The book is divided into two main sections:
1. ‘The Path of Breath Embodiment’ – This section delves into the anatomy and physiology of breath, with a particular focus on fascia’s role in healthy breathing. It provides a scientific understanding of the breathing body.
2. ‘Body by Breath Exercises’ – This section offers a gallery of curated exercises, encompassing breath, self-massage, movement, and deep rest, all designed to bolster the relaxation response and provide immediate relaxation strategies.
Throughout the book, ‘Breathe with Me’ boxes introduce exercises to familiarise readers with the concepts discussed. Links to videos and podcasts complement the text, promoting embodied learning and accommodating various learning styles.
Key takeaways from ‘Body by Breath’
1. Practising breathwork offers a multitude of benefits
Breathwork from ‘Body by Breath’ offers a wide range of health and performance benefits. Athletes gain increased power, endurance, and recovery ability while enhancing core strength and heart health. Movement educators find self-regulation and emotional resilience, while business professionals improve executive function and stress management. It provides relief for injuries and chronic pain, aids meditation, supports pregnant/new parents, and aids COVID-19 recovery by enhancing airway flow and addressing fascial restrictions.
2. Breathing exercises optimise brain function and health
In ‘Body by Breath,’ Jill Miller explores breath’s profound significance as a foundational brain rhythm, influencing critical regions like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Nasal breathing benefits cognitive function and emotional regulation, it also plays its role in enhancing memory, decision-making, and brain health through increased nitric oxide and improved air filtration. Prioritising nose breathing can optimise overall well-being and brain interactions tied to breath.
3. Breathwork is an excellent tool to improve physical performance
Breathwork enhances physical performance by increasing power, endurance, and recovery ability. Proper breath techniques optimise athletic performance and reduce fatigue. Effective recovery is vital for overall well-being, as chronic stress in the diaphragm and respiratory muscles can lead to burnout and declining performance. Balancing training with activities that promote relaxation through the parasympathetic nervous system is crucial. Monitoring heart rate variability (HRV) helps assess recovery and stress tolerance. Building parasympathetic capacity fosters resilience and faster recovery. Breath training and abdominal massage aid flexibility and performance improvement. Prioritising recovery, breath, and the parasympathetic nervous system lead to peak performance and quicker regeneration.
Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews
Strengths:
• Filled with practical, achievable exercises backed by science and practice.
• Crisp photography and clear graphics enhance understanding and visual appeal.
• Layout of information and QR code tutorials make content easy to understand and apply.
Weaknesses:
• Heavy emphasis on detailed anatomy may overwhelm some readers, especially beginners.
• The text can be perceived as advanced, making it less accessible for novices seeking a more straightforward approach.
Best quotes from ‘Body by Breath’
“Our twenty-first-century bodies are bombarded with more arousing stimuli than at any other point in evolution. The lure of electronic devices and the harnessing of our brain by the internet and a twenty-four-hour society has made anxiety-related illness more prevalent than ever.”
“All your basic metabolic demands can be reduced to whether your trillions of cells can transport gases across their membranes to use oxygen (02) as fuel and exchange it for the waste product of carbon dioxide (CO2). The movement of 02 and CO2 across cell walls requires the presence of extra CO2 as a transporter of sorts.”
“You don't have to crush your soft tissues to get them to submit. In fact, the more you bully your soft tissues, the more you arouse your body's innate defense mechanism. Instead of helping them recover, you're encouraging them to run for cover. They brace in response to threat, via the muscle spindle response, and other nearby muscles rally to protect the tissue that's under a perceived attack.”
Final takeaway
‘Body by Breath’ by Jill Miller is a comprehensive and valuable guide that explores the profound impact of breath on overall well-being. The book provides practical and achievable exercises, supported by science and practice, to harness the connection between the body and breath.
Readers seeking to enhance physical performance, improve brain function, and promote relaxation will find this book beneficial. It is also a valuable resource for athletes, movement educators, wellness professionals, and individuals on a journey to optimise their health and well-being through breathwork.
While people can endure weeks without food or water, a few minutes without breath can be fatal. Our breath goes beyond mere survival; it significantly impacts our life’s quality, serving as a powerful tool for relaxation, health, empowerment, and overall well-being. Breathing forms the core of our existence and profoundly affects both our physical and emotional well-being.
In this review, we will explore how the book ‘Body by Breath’ delves into the profound impact of breath and presents practical techniques to optimise our physiological function and improve the way we live.
Author’s background
Jill Miller, C-IAYT, ERYT, is a renowned figure in the world of fitness, yoga, and pain management.
As the co-founder of Tune Up Fitness Worldwide and the creator of Yoga Tune Up® and The Roll Model® Method, she has over 30 years of experience in anatomy and movement. Known as the Teacher’s Teacher, she has trained numerous movement educators, clinicians, and manual therapists in her groundbreaking self-care fitness programming, which is used in athletic and medical facility programs worldwide.
What is the book about?
‘Body by Breath‘ is an extensive guide that delves into the profound impact of breath on overall well-being. Emphasising the importance of breath in our daily lives, the book presents over 100 practical techniques and exercises to harness the connection between the body and breath, optimising physiological function.
The book centres on four core exercises for building resilience: breathwork, movement, rolling, and non-sleep deep rest, offering a wide range of benefits like increased power, endurance, enhanced self-regulation skills, and relief from pain, among others.
The book is divided into two main sections:
1. ‘The Path of Breath Embodiment’ – This section delves into the anatomy and physiology of breath, with a particular focus on fascia’s role in healthy breathing. It provides a scientific understanding of the breathing body.
2. ‘Body by Breath Exercises’ – This section offers a gallery of curated exercises, encompassing breath, self-massage, movement, and deep rest, all designed to bolster the relaxation response and provide immediate relaxation strategies.
Throughout the book, ‘Breathe with Me’ boxes introduce exercises to familiarise readers with the concepts discussed. Links to videos and podcasts complement the text, promoting embodied learning and accommodating various learning styles.
Key takeaways from ‘Body by Breath’
1. Practising breathwork offers a multitude of benefits
Breathwork from ‘Body by Breath’ offers a wide range of health and performance benefits. Athletes gain increased power, endurance, and recovery ability while enhancing core strength and heart health. Movement educators find self-regulation and emotional resilience, while business professionals improve executive function and stress management. It provides relief for injuries and chronic pain, aids meditation, supports pregnant/new parents, and aids COVID-19 recovery by enhancing airway flow and addressing fascial restrictions.
2. Breathing exercises optimise brain function and health
In ‘Body by Breath,’ Jill Miller explores breath’s profound significance as a foundational brain rhythm, influencing critical regions like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Nasal breathing benefits cognitive function and emotional regulation, it also plays its role in enhancing memory, decision-making, and brain health through increased nitric oxide and improved air filtration. Prioritising nose breathing can optimise overall well-being and brain interactions tied to breath.
3. Breathwork is an excellent tool to improve physical performance
Breathwork enhances physical performance by increasing power, endurance, and recovery ability. Proper breath techniques optimise athletic performance and reduce fatigue. Effective recovery is vital for overall well-being, as chronic stress in the diaphragm and respiratory muscles can lead to burnout and declining performance. Balancing training with activities that promote relaxation through the parasympathetic nervous system is crucial. Monitoring heart rate variability (HRV) helps assess recovery and stress tolerance. Building parasympathetic capacity fosters resilience and faster recovery. Breath training and abdominal massage aid flexibility and performance improvement. Prioritising recovery, breath, and the parasympathetic nervous system lead to peak performance and quicker regeneration.
Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews
Strengths:
• Filled with practical, achievable exercises backed by science and practice.
• Crisp photography and clear graphics enhance understanding and visual appeal.
• Layout of information and QR code tutorials make content easy to understand and apply.
Weaknesses:
• Heavy emphasis on detailed anatomy may overwhelm some readers, especially beginners.
• The text can be perceived as advanced, making it less accessible for novices seeking a more straightforward approach.
Best quotes from ‘Body by Breath’
“Our twenty-first-century bodies are bombarded with more arousing stimuli than at any other point in evolution. The lure of electronic devices and the harnessing of our brain by the internet and a twenty-four-hour society has made anxiety-related illness more prevalent than ever.”
“All your basic metabolic demands can be reduced to whether your trillions of cells can transport gases across their membranes to use oxygen (02) as fuel and exchange it for the waste product of carbon dioxide (CO2). The movement of 02 and CO2 across cell walls requires the presence of extra CO2 as a transporter of sorts.”
“You don't have to crush your soft tissues to get them to submit. In fact, the more you bully your soft tissues, the more you arouse your body's innate defense mechanism. Instead of helping them recover, you're encouraging them to run for cover. They brace in response to threat, via the muscle spindle response, and other nearby muscles rally to protect the tissue that's under a perceived attack.”
Final takeaway
‘Body by Breath’ by Jill Miller is a comprehensive and valuable guide that explores the profound impact of breath on overall well-being. The book provides practical and achievable exercises, supported by science and practice, to harness the connection between the body and breath.
Readers seeking to enhance physical performance, improve brain function, and promote relaxation will find this book beneficial. It is also a valuable resource for athletes, movement educators, wellness professionals, and individuals on a journey to optimise their health and well-being through breathwork.
August 17, 2023
This book sure is “a gift that keeps giving”. I’ve studied with Jill online and live, and I have followed her since 2014. Being myself a yoga teacher, studying with her changed my teaching and Opened my mind to so many possibilities, as a body can move. Jill is a true innovator but first and foremost she’s, as she usually says in her trainings, a student of her body. This book, I know it’s the result of years of research, study, training taught and experiences gathered. It’s a book full of life and love. And I think it’s for everybody but if would be very much appreciated by anatomy students and enthusiasts, movement teachers and general public that love to know more about how our body works. Jill has a very didactic way of explaining things. Also, she’s a great storyteller. I’m sure a lot more gifts will be pouring out of this book for me, and for everyone who reads it.
November 26, 2023
A hefty tome with a comprehensive and up to date exploration of breathing mechanics with loads of practical exercises in part 2 of the book.
It's a lot of info to take in so I'm happy I own it so I can revisit sections. Lots of photographs and diagrams in the book as well as QR codes sprinkled throughout with links to video demos, discussions, and more info.
It's a lot of info to take in so I'm happy I own it so I can revisit sections. Lots of photographs and diagrams in the book as well as QR codes sprinkled throughout with links to video demos, discussions, and more info.
January 7, 2024
EXCELLENT.
DECENT.
FULL 5 STARS.
GIVING LONGER LIFE.
BASANT KUMAR DUGAR
FCA SINGAPORE,
BANGKOK,7.1.2024
MY WHATS APP IS +66 81 860 7851 IN BANGKOK.
BOUGHT BOOK FROM KINOKUNIYA AT CENTRAL WORLD
DECENT.
FULL 5 STARS.
GIVING LONGER LIFE.
BASANT KUMAR DUGAR
FCA SINGAPORE,
BANGKOK,7.1.2024
MY WHATS APP IS +66 81 860 7851 IN BANGKOK.
BOUGHT BOOK FROM KINOKUNIYA AT CENTRAL WORLD
March 9, 2023
Lots of useful insights, but a very heavy emphasis on detailed anatomy. This is a valuable reference, although the text overall seemed a bit advanced for the novice.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews