Breathe

As someone who loathes guided mediation I was skeptical about how effective this audiobook(course?) would be for me, however upon listening before bedtime I was fast asleep before I'd even finished the first section.

Practical is the perfect way to describe this audiobook, Rebecca Dennis brilliantly balances empathy with facts that allows the listener to trust her voice as a guide. Each section breaks down the different things that can effect your breathing, the emotions behind it, the effects of it and that it's completely normal. The techniques themselves are simple to follow and easy to adopt into your everyday. Dennis lays out clearly at the start the most effective way of using her course and the variations that may suit you best.

Dennis' delivery is reassuring, making note of how frustrating/silly doing these self care practices can feel at times. Coupled with the tranquil sound design it creates a calming atmosphere that doesn't tip over into a more 'woo woo' experience.

My only critique is that the main breathing techniques aren't on separate tracks. On a first listen it's great to have the explanation precede the practice but it would make revisiting the exercises much easier if you could click directly to the right track.

A very useful self help book. Focus on your breath to help focus on your wellbeing. Clear instructions and easy to follow every day. Loved this audio book- very calming voice which helps reach your full potential.

I have been following the work of Rebecca Dennis since her first book, I've enjoyed her podcasts and some of her zoom breathing sessions this year and find her work very inspiring and accessible. This audiobook is an excellent guide and support to those wanting to integrate breathwork into their lives. Each section deals with a different aspect of breath work such as the physical mechanics of breathing and the mental and emotional aspect. Rebecca explains each aspect in detail and follows it with practical exercises. I found the chapter on the mental and emotional aspects of breathing hugely powerful - Rebecca looks at how, by working with the breath we can access unexpressed emotions and self limiting beliefs and how we can breathe into the root causes and triggers of our beliefs and anxieties.
The audiobook is read warmly, reassuringly and clearly by the author.
As mentioned by a previous reviewer it would be great if the breathing exercises were available separately at the end of the audiobook

Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital audiobook.

‘Breathe’ is a wonderful listen for anyone interested in breathwork and wanting to get started straightaway!

The narrative and backing music for the exercises are both lovely and complimentary to the sense of calm that embodies this type of work.

The exercise are easy to follow and highly effective. I don’t feel the need to attend a course or retreat - just go back through the guided exercises in this audiobook!

I found the balance of information and practical exercises just right!

My thanks to Net galley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Having read the books Happy and Calm by Fearne Cotton I couldn’t wait to give this a try.

As a complete breathwork novice I found the advice was clear, easy to follow, and built up session by session as I became more confident.

As someone with asthma, I was particularly pleased that there was specific advice tailored to me - I feel like that helped me access the guidance even more fully and more importantly, safely.

The narrator (and author) has such a calming voice and measured delivery I couldn’t help but feel relaxed immediately, and each section of the book was short enough to be enjoyed and carried out on my lunch break without taking up too large a chunk of my day.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of ‘Breathe: A practical guide to breathwork exercises by Rebecca Dennis, in exchange for my honest review.

Breathing is something we all know how to do. And yet, the majority of us lose our natural ability to breathe fully: we are conditioned from an early age to control our feelings and emotions, and as a result our muscles tighten and our breathing patterns become restricted. The impact on our mental and physical well-being is huge. Breath coach Rebecca Dennis shares the deep diaphragmatic breathing exercises that she uses with her clients to combat issues such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem--techniques that helped her heal from her own depression. With simple exercises that can be done anywhere, anytime, And Breathe shows you how to harness the power of your own breath through conscious breathing, which helps alleviate stress, fatigue, and negative emotions. The result? You'll feel calm yet energized, focused yet relaxed. Full of tips and real-life testimonials, the heart of And Breathe is the exercises, which show you how to: Conquer anxious thought patterns, Relax and calm your mind, improve sleep, quell pre-meeting butterflies or email overload, increase physical energy, expand your creativity, by learning how to consciously connect to your breathe and encourage its natural rhythms, you can let go of any unwanted patterns of emotions, blockages, and tension holding you back. Just open the book...and breathe.
As some of you may know, I suffer from anxiety and depression and I have done for as long as I can remember. For years now, I have been trying to find ways to cope with my mental health. One thing that I am trying to do more of is meditation and breathing exercises. I am not going to lie, I do find both of these things very hard to do, so I am trying to train myself to do it as I think it will be very beneficial for me in the long run. This leads me to why I wanted to read this book.
As a newbie to mediation and breathing, I found this book very helpful. I used the audiobook format and I think this was the perfect way to consume the book. The author, Rebecca Dennis, was the narrator and her voice was very calming, relaxing and just generally really soothing.
The book is split into different sections and each section involves different breathing techniques to cope with each section. The part of sleep really helped me as I have always had problems sleeping and some of these breathing techniques has really helped me. I think splitting the book into different parts is really effective as, if there is a particular issue that you need help with, you can acsess that as many times you need to whenever you need to.
If you are new to mediation and being aware of your breathe like me, then I think this is the perfect book for you. As I said above, it takes you through different sections in depth and you can really focus on the areas you need to most. I feel that this book has really be a starting point for me in this wellness journey and I will definitely continue to do meditation and breathing exercises.
You can buy 'And Breathe' here

As a woman in her twenties who has struggled with anxiety, I've been wanting to get into breathwork as a means of healing. After listening to the audiobook Breathe, I feel calm, inspired and excited to finally get better.

In this (audio)book, the author Rebecca Dennis shares various breathing techniques she uses with her clients in helping them improve their mental health and overall well-being. As a beginner, I found it very clear and accessible, practical and powerful. Completing the exercises left me calm and content, which to me is a definition of success.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone in a similar position, especially because it's a short one - anything to make me less overwhelmed is a big plus in my book.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’m so glad I chose start my year by listening to Breathe: a practical guide to breathwork exercises by Rebecca Dennis. It’s a short audiobook, only four hours and ten minutes long, that you can dip into for escape, inspiration and relaxation whenever you like. I enjoy the concept of meditation, but have struggled with the focus on discipline and mastery. Breathe simply gives you the tools and let’s you use them as you wish. You can either take five minutes out to decompress or spend half an hour manifesting your inner creativity. There are no expectations – this is about you and your needs, not some higher purpose.

After listening to Breathe only once, I have experienced a greater awareness of my mind and body – especially when stressed (lockdown homeschooling!) and am now able to subtly alter my responses. Small things like relaxing my jaw, or remembering not to hold my breath. My aim is now to embed a couple of the shorter exercises into my day, reserving the longer ones for the weekend. I know I’m going to keep turning back to this again and again when I need perspective and calm.

This is incredible,
It’s soothing, calming, easy to follow and tremendously powerful.
I cannot recommend this highly enough. It will change your life