The Healing Power of the Breath: Simple Techniques to Reduce Stress and Anxiety, Enhance Concentration, and Balance Your Emotions - Softcover

Richard P. Brown; Patricia L. Gerbarg

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1590309022 ISBN 13: 9781590309025

Publisher: Shambhala, 2012

Synopsis

2013 Nautilus Award Winner - Silver

Here’s a drug-free, side-effect free solution to common stress and mood problems—developed by two physicians. Millions of Americans suffer from mood problems and stress-related issues including anxiety, depression, insomnia, and trauma-induced emotions and behaviors; and most would prefer not to take medication for their conditions due to troublesome side effects, withdrawal symptoms, and disappointing success rates.

Drs. Richard P. Brown and Patricia L. Gerbarg provide a drug-free alternative that works through a range of simple breathing techniques drawn from yoga, Buddhist meditation, the Chinese practice of qigong, Orthodox Christian monks, and other sources. These methods have been scientifically shown to be effective in alleviating specific stress and mood challenges such as anxiety, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and many others. The authors explain how breathing practices activate communication pathways between the mind and the body, positively impacting the brain and calming the stress response. The enclosed audio program guides readers through the techniques and helps make these breathing practices an ongoing part of daily life.

This book and CD set includes breathing techniques to relieve
   · anxiety and depression
   · trauma-related emotions and behaviors
   · post-traumatic stress disorder
   · insomnia
   · addiction-related behaviors

It also offers breathing techniques to enhance concentration, peak performance, and personal relationships.

Note: The audio exercises included with this book can be accessed online at www.shambhala.com/healingpowerofthebreath

About this title

About the Author:

A graduate of Harvard Medical School, Patricia L. Gerbarg, MD, is Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at New York Medical College and maintains a private practice, and facilitates research on mind-body treatments for anxiety, PTSD, and stress-related medical conditions. She has lectured on integrative treatments in psychiatry at the American Psychiatric Association, and other professional conferences.

Review:

“Whether we are facing the distressful outcomes of trauma or simply seeking relief from the stresses of everyday life, the life-changing steps in this book and audio program provide the essential skills we need to bring health into our lives.”—Daniel J. Siegel, MD, Clinical Professor, UCLA School of Medicine, author of Mindsight
 
“As pioneering researchers in the field of mind body practices and mental health, Drs. Gerbarg and Brown have researched the ancient traditions, both Eastern and Western, and know what works. In their groundbreaking new book, they keep it simple —no religion, no deities, no mumbo jumbo; just clear breathing instruction easily introduced in a clinical setting or for use at home.” —Amy Weintraub, author of Yoga Skills for Therapists and Yoga for Depression
 
“Firmly based in scientific and clinical observations, the simple techniques in The Healing Power of the Breath are a breakthrough for anyone wishing to lessen stress, balance emotions, and/or enhance concentration. The book is engaging and clearly-written, which makes the techniques it introduces easy to learn and put into practice.  Best of all, these techniques require no special training and give results without the harmful side effect of pharmaceuticals.  I have personally witnessed their effectiveness treating veterans with combat stress or PTSD.  Highly recommended.” —Shad Meshad, president and founder of the National Veterans Foundation

“The Healing Power of the Breath is an accessible book on a very important topic. Drs. Brown and Gerbarg deal with the complex subject of breathing and how it can impact our mental health from both conventional medicine and concepts from ancient philosophies. With a blend of anecdotes, citations from published medical literature, and actual practical sessions, this book is for anyone who would like to develop their self-help skills to improve their sense of wellbeing.” —Shirley Telles MBBS, Ph.D. (Neurophysiology); director of the Patanjali Research Foundation, Haridwar, India (www.patanjaliresearchfoundation.com), and head of the Indian Council of Medical Research Center for Advanced Research in Yoga and Neurophysiology, Bangalore, India

About this edition

• Publisher: Shambhala
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1590309022
• ISBN 13: 9781590309025
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 176