“He who half breathes, half lives.”—Ancient Eastern proverb 
So I hear there’s a new bestseller about the power of breathing. Written by James Nestor, it’s called Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art. I’ve ordered it and am looking forward to reading it, but, from what I can tell, it echoes much of the same info as the breathing book I wrote in 1996 when Taz was three.
I called it Jumpstart Your Metabolism, because, among other things, proper breathing (which most of us don’t do) pumps up your metabolism. It was my way of tricking people into paying attention to this uber-important body function that we tend to take for granted.
I initially self-published it. I’ve got a great photo of three-year-old Taz walking “the yellow brick road” she made out of the books wearing her ruby red slippers, the ones she liked to sleep in. Eventually, Simon & Schuster bought it and, far as I know, it’s still out there inspiring people to “take a big, deep breath.”
After re-reading my own book (funny how I have to do that sometimes), I decided to post this excerpt:
“Breathing, quite frankly, is the most underrated activity on the planet. My own interest in this topic started when somebody gave me a series of motivational tapes by Tony Robbins, the self-help guru whose late-night infomercials are enough to inspire a sea slug. I’d love to tell you I sat down immediately, listened to each and every tape, and suddenly became a genius, but the truth is I didn’t get around to listening to most of them until a few years later.
“While driving home to my mother’s house for the mandatory Thanksgiving turkey, I happened to plug in a cassette in the series that talks about energy: how to get it, how to keep it. Since this was a subject I was miserably lacking in, I decided to pay attention.
“At the time, I had about as much energy as a dead goldfish. I was a single mom of a then one-year-old. Need I say more? Between diapers, fevers, and rent payments that seemed to be due every five minutes, energy was not a word in my vocabulary. It was obviously Tony’s favorite word.
“Even his voice was infectious. I almost stopped the car and did a polka. He talked about energy and how the best way to get it was to breathe. Since I was presumably already breathing, I didn’t think it’d be too much trouble to breathe a little more.
So I did.
Now you’ve got to understand something about me. This cassette was the 17th in the series and so far, I hadn’t followed through on any of them.
But breathing was so simple, so undemanding.
Maybe I’d even follow through on his suggested 21-day breathing program. If he’d asked me to swear off chocolate or run up ten flights of stairs, that would have been a different story. But all he wanted in return for all this boundless energy was ten deep breaths three times a day. I could fit that in between meals.
Besides, what did I have to lose? I didn’t have to buy anything or go anywhere or even stick with it longer than the average lunar cycle.
Well, to make a long story short, I followed through with the breathing—all 21 days. And guess what?
Tony was right. I felt as if somebody finally flipped the switch. I actually had energy for the time since Taz was born. She had to be wondering what in the heck was going on. Her draggy mommy had suddenly turned into Jim Carrey. Once, I’m pretty sure I even saw her wanting to stick her finger down her throat, roll her eyes, and say, “Chill, mom.” But luckily this was before she could speak.”
The book goes on to explain how nine out of ten of us are wimpy breathers and it gives breathing cocktails (I have always eschewed the word exercises) to overcome this deficiency. After mentioning my new interest in my old book, a member of one of my posses mentioned she had once laminated a couple of the exercises and kept them by her bed.
I’m not sure why it surprises me so much when I hear people actually “listen” to what I write.
Anyway, my friends, as I say in the end of that book, “May the breath be with you…..with all its accompanying peace, passion and prosperity.”
And, as always, have the best weekend of your life.
Pam Grout is the author of 20 books including E-Squared, E-Cubed, Thank & Grow Rich and her latest book, The Course in Miracles Experiment: A Starter Kit for Rewiring Your Mind (And Therefore Your World).
38 Responses
Thank you for the reminder Pam! I have your “Jumpstart Your Metabolism” book upstairs (Bought it years ago … time to bring it out again). I soooo need energy right now.
Yes, I needed to re-read it, too!
I own both books (Yours and Nestor’s) and they’re life changing. Once Again, thank you Pam
I look forward to reading his book. I ordered right after listening to several podcasts in which he was interviewed. Fascinating stuff!
“Even his voice was infectious. I almost stopped the car and did a polka.”
This I gotta see!
Thanks for the reminder to remember the very basics.
Started taking deeper breaths before I even finished reading the post! How is it we keep forgetting the basics of living. Glad you’re there to keep coaching us along Pam – thanks.
Two thirds through, I did too!!
Thanks Pam!!
I read that passage in your book last night before bed! Must be time to start breathing. Thank you!
Any weekend is improved vastly by the receipt of your wise words into my email inbox. Thanks Pam, you are amazing and the photos of your beloved Taz are beautiful. Hope you have a great weekend too x
Hi Pam – I bought “Jump Start Your Metabolism” after I fell in love with “E-Squared” and its author – YOU! “Jump Start Your Metabolism” is an excellent book. In addition to buying and reading and LOVING all of your books since “E-Squared”, I’ve also read a number of your other older titles. Thanks for all you have contributed to uplifting my life and SO many others, I am sure. (Was gratefully rereading this morning that I am as the Dude created me. So helpful!) Like Teresa, I too am going to get out my copy of “Jump Start Your Metabolism.” I am ready to have the energy to do the polka by the side of the road!
This is awesome!! This past week I was reminiscing about one of my favorite patients from many years ago. She was an elderly woman in her 90’s who was always amazing me with her great health and sense of well being. One day I finally asked her what her secret was and she said… “every day I walk outside and take a few deep breaths”!! Way back then, I thought it was a great idea, but I never followed through! Thanks for reminding me that there’s no time like the present! 😮💨🧡 Thanks to you, I shall begin on this fine day! 😍🎵
I love waking up to your emails. This one totally spun my wheels. Gorgeous pics of your wee angel. Thanks 🙏 x
Thank you. Thank you. I always love your posts. I would love to be a part of or create a Possibility Posse near me in Snohomish, WA! I know it’s off topic, and would love any direction. 🙂 Did I say thank you? LOL! Thank you girrrrrl!
I love this Idea! I will do this! Thank you Pam Grout!
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You will love James Nestor’s book though. Great reading; covers the research beautifully, and all written engagingly-just like you do!
Cute pics of your little angel Taz!
Breathing is the inroad to the soul and this book looks great.
Thanks. Hope you drop in and visit me sometime. ❤️🙏
Breath. My most portable “energy booster” and “stress reliever” in my entire tool kit!!!
Pam I have your book and love it! As a yoga instruction and biofeedback therapist, I am always interested in the breath. It’s FREE and the best thing we can do for our health and wellness and with the best benefits! AND IT’S ALWAYS WITH US!
Thanks for this post and for writing the book, I highly recommend it!
Awwwww Pam..what precious pictures of Taz ❤
Thank you for the breath tip..energy has been low for two weeks. A hug to you
Thankyou Pam for reminding us how powerful the breath is, and how the act of breathing deeply and fully can lift our energy and change our lives. Taking ten deep breaths three times a day sounds like a simple and easy way to lift my energy and speed up my sluggish metabolism so thanks for sharing that tip. And thanks too for the gorgeous photos of Taz as a cute little girl. Adorable.
Love and gratitude from Jenny Louise.
💖🤗🌷
I have your book on breath too. But it’s easy to forget to do these things and a reminder is always good!! So I’ve bought James Nestors book too. He says he’s not an expert, just a journalist who recovered so well after learning to breath properly that he had to do research on the subject.
The more people who learn breath work the better 🙂
(Still love going back to exercises in Esquared!!)
Great post and I think we should all be into breathing properly in view of the respiratory nature of the virus. Patrick Mckeown with the Buteyko breathing method on Youtube is worth looking at too. Fab photo of Taz. She’d probably hate the label but what a cutie!
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Wonderful pictures of you daughter Taz. It is nice to put a picture to the stories I have read about her. A Very Blessed child.
Your breathing is spot on and I will consciously work on that exercise. Thank you.
I love the pictures of Taz! Just adorable. Just like we can’t keep them small forever, we often can’t keep them forever. I think there are several books on breathing on my shelves that shamefully, I have not read. I even bought a Qi Gong DVD on how to breathe since that’s what I need most in the world right now. This from a woman with lung disease. You’d think I’d take a bath in the reading and practice of them. I think that’s one of your books that I do not have.
There are so many people out there in the world and we can get good information from them…if we bother to partake. Love Tony Robbins too. Time to take a breathing break now. Thanks for the reminder. I’m surprised my daughter didn’t mention this as she read this yesterday. Never comments.
I was wrong. I bought your book in 2015 according to Amazon. I just haven’t found out where it’s hiding because it’s not with the rest of your books. Hope I didn’t pass it on after I finished it. ;(
Hi Pam,
I have Jump Start and lost 32 lbs. I just recently ordered a copy for my daughter and had it sent to her. I recommend it to everyone! If not for the benefit of dropping pounds but to expand your lungs and let the healing oxygen do it’s thing! Awesome book; thank you for writing it. Also, adorable pics of Taz! What a doll! And what an amazing light being she is.
Pam, I first met you threw your breathing book. It inspired me so much. I have seizures (silent ones) bc I forget to breath. Your book made me want more of what you were offering. I own 5 of your books now and I share your exercises with everyone. I feel like you and Taz are good friends. I have even felt Taz thru her 222 bc my son and I shared that number before I read E2. Thank you for being the wonderful friend I always turn too. I am blessed by your messages and your quirky emails. If you are ever in Morehead City NC please give me a ring. I’d love to take you to lunch to show my gratitude. ❤Richly Blessed,Sarah Cook315.573.3039
I am re-reading it, along side Dr. Belisa Vranich. On Dr. Vranich’s thebreathingclass.com, Resources tab/Required Reading List, is your book on breathing 😁🙏🏻🥂
Re-reading it now, along with Dr. Belisa Vranich’s book. On her website, thebreathingclass.com, under the Resources tab, your book is listed in the Required Reading section.
Re-reading it now, along with Dr. Belisa Vranich’s book. On her website, thebreathingclass.com, under the Resources tab, your book is listed in the Required Reading section. 😁🙏🏻🥂
I guess this was the universe speaking through you. I just reread this exact book because “Breath” kept coming into my mind over and over the last month. So I have been doing the exercises for a few weeks. They do help and am also doing some other breathing techniques from Alan Finger (thanks to you). Thank you for the Universal Nudge that I am supposed to be doing this!!
Thanks Pam. I found you through ACIM. Someone posted about your ‘starter kit’ for ACIM. I look forward to reading your version of the lessons along with the workbook! You’re funny and smart and real and so glad we have crossed paths. Looking forward to reading more of your books!!!
I read your book, and you said in your book that you were able to change your appearance?
I really want to grow taller, what should I do?
Thanks Pam! I found and read your book 9 months ago. I am ready to do the 21 dayer! Thanks for the reminder. You make me life with your anecdotes.
Wish you could hear me. p.s. your daughters pictures are so precious. Thank you for sharing.
I meant to write LAUGH!!!
Are you no longer offering your breathing coaching program? I was interested in after hearing about the book but it seems the website for the coaching no longer works.
Are you no longer offering your coaching program for breathing? I tried clicking on the link under the tab for book but the website no longer seems to be working.