Credit: Sophie Chery & Tina Toro “Breathing as a Tool for Self-Regulation and Self-Reflection” is the best book about behavioral breathwork to date. The authors are the impressively interdisciplinary team of Miina Martin (psychologist), Maila Seppa (movement therapist), Paivi Lehtinen (psychologist) and Tiina Toro (graphic designer and relaxation therapist).
In his review of „Breathing as a Tool for Self-Regulation and Self-Reflection“, Jan van Dixhoorn MD, PhD, not only compliments the authors but also gives a succinct explanation of how and why breathwork is relevant today.
‘We live in an era of increasing human population, hence of globalisation and climate change. The individual faces increasing uncertainties and changes in living conditions. Therefore, options for self-regulation are welcome. (This book describes the possibilities and effects of an approach to psychophysical integration, using breathing, developed over forty years.) Psychophysical integration means that we inhabit a living body but also live in our mentally constructed reality. The two realities tend to split, but when they integrate we become more resilient, realistic and adaptive beings. Breathing is a proper tool to this end: it is not only a vital biological function; it is also part of posture and movement, and also instrumental in our self-awareness. We receive feedback on ourselves from it, but may also partially regulate our breathing. Readers will benefit from the insights offered in this book.’
Jan van Dixhoorn is a pioneer in breathwork and the director of the Centre for Breathing Therapy, Netherlands. He has developed his own breathing and relaxation therapy which was tested in clinical trials with cardiac patients and is included in the Guidelines for Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Netherlands.
Source: http://us.karnacbooks.com/product/breathing-as-a-tool-for-self-regulation-and-self-reflection/37753/?MATCH=2