Exhale: An Overview of Breathwork (Paperback)

by Gunnel Minett (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A book I can recommend to my clients and students alike. No more mystery—here are the facts." -- Bronwyn Barter, professional breathworker

"One of the most comprehensive overviews of the development of breathwork in the modern world." -- Jim Morningstar, International Breathwork Training Alliance

Product Description
There is a spiritual aspect of breathing that has been known throughout human history, and today yoga and Tai Chi have reintroduced this knowledge to the Western world.

Here is a comprehensive look at the role of the breath—or "breathwork"—for physical and psychological well-being. The author contrasts various techniques and compares ancient knowledge with the most current research in the West. She shows how it is possible to use the breath to achieve positive changes for body and mind.

Simple breathing exercises are included that help the reader toward awareness of healthier breathing. This book is ideal for use in breathwork courses or as a broad and valuable introduction for the general reader.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 242 pages
• Publisher: Floris Books; First Edition edition (February 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0863154646
• ISBN-13: 978-0863154645
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #445,515 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #10 in

  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Personal Health > Stress > Breathwork

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, well-referenced discussion about breathing as a therapeutic intervention, March 22, 2006

By	Daniel J. Benor "Wholistic Healing Publications" (Medford, NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Gunnel Minett presents an excellent, well-referenced discussion of an enormous range of information about breathing as a therapeutic intervention. Minett states that "Only three per cent of all waste products are eliminated through the faeces, seven per cent through urine and 20 per cent through the skin; the remaining 70 per cent is eliminated through exhalation." (p. 150) This is one of the few places where I would have liked to see more references.

This valuable book includes explanations of the many ways in which breathing can be therapeutic - way beyond the exchanges of gasses, the point at which western medicine generally ends its limited consideration of this topic.

Minett enriches her presentation with a survey of many ways in which breathwork has been developed in China, India and Tibet. Here, as in the rest of the book, simple exercises invite the reader to appreciate the benefits of breathwork experientially.

Minett's discussion extends into transpersonal benefits of breathwork, both in ancient and modern traditions. Readers who are not aware of the potent Rebirthing and Holotropic breathwork techniques will be fascinated to read about how people can retrieve and release traumatic factual and feeling memories from the time of their birth. These memories suggest a variety of ways in which we could bring greater healing to the birthing process as currently conducted in western hospitals.

Minett also suggests broader applications for breathwork, such as introducing this as a simple, easily learned and readily applied de-stressing technique in schools.

This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in learning more about breathwork.