The Healing Power of Breath!

A client and friend recently gifted me a fascinating book: BREATH: The New Science of a Lost Art by investigative journalist James Nestor. Though I’ve practiced yoga and qigong for years, I had no idea how much more there was to discover about the science of breathing. This book opened my eyes to powerful, life-changing information that’s surprisingly accessible to all of us.

Fascinating & Surprising Facts About Breath

• Human noses contain erectile tissue (yes, the same kind you’re thinking of!), which explains why allergies and illnesses can clog us so quickly.
• Mouth breathing raises blood pressure and heart rate significantly.
• Slow, rhythmic nasal breathing creates balance, resilience, and even longevity.
• Carbon dioxide isn’t just waste—it’s vital for health. The right balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide can prevent and even reverse certain diseases while boosting athletic performance.

Much of this knowledge has been ignored in mainstream medicine, yet traditions like yoga have preserved breathing practices (Pranayama) for centuries. At Lotus Blossom Clinic, you can experience these techniques through Iyengar Yoga with Kandy Love, which blends breath, posture, alignment, and healing.

Pulmonauts: Breath Pioneers

Nestor highlights remarkable individuals he calls Pulmonauts—people who transformed health through breath:

• Katharina Schroth straightened her spine and cured herself of scoliosis using orthopedic breathing techniques, then taught thousands of others.
• Carl Stough, a choir director, first found success working with singers—including opera singers at NYC’s Met—before helping emphysema patients breathe again. Later, he trained Olympic athletes to win gold using his exhale-focused method.
• B.K.S. Iyengar, one of yoga’s most influential teachers, transformed his fragile health into a lasting legacy of healing practices taught worldwide.

The Breath of Life & Longevity: B.K.S. Iyengar

“The yogi’s life is not measured by the number of his days, but the number of his breaths.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

Iyengar Yoga is about more than flexibility; it’s about balance, strength, alignment, and the healing power of breath. If you haven’t experienced Kandy Love’s Iyengar yoga classes at Lotus Blossom Clinic—or through another certified instructor—you are truly missing out.

Iyengar Yoga is especially supportive for aging bodies and those with structural, postural, or skeletal conditions. I’ve experienced this firsthand: years ago, Kandy taught me a new way of walking that relieved stress on my hip. Since then, I haven’t heard the painful clicking in my right hip for nearly 15 years—a change that may help me avoid a hip replacement.

Iyengar himself began as a sickly young man in India but healed through determination, creativity, and devotion to breath and posture. He shared these practices worldwide until his passing in 2014 at age 95. His legacy continues through his family, trained teachers, and grateful students—including those of us at Lotus Blossom Clinic.

Why This Matters for You

Your breath is always with you. With awareness and practice, it can become your most powerful healing tool. Whether you’re managing anxiety, chronic illness, or simply seeking greater vitality, the breath is medicine you already carry inside.

Explore these practices at Lotus Blossom Clinic through Iyengar Yoga or a consultation. And for those who want to go even deeper, I highly recommend BREATH: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor—it expands beautifully on the science and wisdom behind these life-changing practices.

Note: This article highlights only a few items from the first third of Nestor’s book.

Upcoming Breath classes with Kandy Love:
Register for her classes at yoginikandy62@gmail.com

Blessings of the Breath,
Dr. David Martín & Deb Martín
www.LotusBlossomClinic.com
Fort Myers, FL | 📞 (239) 277-1399