Search the Internet for solutions to just about any ailment, from stress to high blood pressure and even constipation, and meditation will inevitably show up on the list of recommendations. Those for whom the word “meditation” calls up images of kombucha-sipping New Age hippies sitting cross-legged on yoga mats may roll their eyes at the notion of treating chronic maladies with relaxation and breathing exercises. Even so, scientific studies suggest that practicing meditation results in genuine benefits for the body and brain, significantly rewiring the brain to improve memory, mood, and sleep. Those interested in trying meditation, however, may be intimidated by the prospect of sitting in complete silence (along with touching a hot stove burner, sitting still without looking at a smartphone or television can make seconds feel like hours), trying not to fidget or think about what to make for dinner.
It’s this trepidation that Monica Garcia Duggal seeks to address in THE POWER OF BREATH, a beginner’s guide to the practice of therapeutic meditation. Duggal, an entrepreneur and Ironman triathlete, offers a handbook that is easy to understand and simple to implement. What sets THE POWER OF BREATH apart from the numerous other books on the subject is the author’s personal approach. As much a memoir as an educational reference, the book argues for meditation through Duggal’s story of the profound impact it has had on her life. Duggal writes movingly of her traumatic childhood experiences, the intense pressure she faced as a student at UC Berkeley, the stress of being a new mother, and the grief of losing family members, all while enduring the agony of chronic migraines. For Duggal, the practice of yoga and meditation was transformative, not merely relieving her stress and anxiety but giving her the mental clarity to refine and focus on her personal and career goals and cultivate a positive, confident outlook.
The ten chapters that comprise THE POWER OF BREATH are loosely organized around concepts like “Place,” “Method,” “Hormones,” and “Rest and Digest” (the counterpoint to the “fight or flight” response to stress), that explain why and how problems like anxiety and brain fog occur, and offer instruction and inspiration. At the end of each chapter is a section providing practical tips as well as self-reflective questions (“do you find it hard to start new things because you feel they will be difficult?”) designed to facilitate introspection and greater self-awareness. Throughout, Duggal acts as both interpreter and friendly, gentle guide, offering encouragement and inviting readers to proceed at a comfortable, manageable pace. THE POWER OF BREATH is dense with information but user-friendly, thanks to Duggal’s ability to convey complex ideas in an accessible, relatable manner. For both the novice and those who have already begun the journey, THE POWER OF BREATH is an eminently approachable and engaging primer to the practice of meditation.
THE POWER OF BREATH is an approachable and engaging introduction to the meditation practice. Author Monica Garcia Duggal’s ability to convey complex ideas in an accessible, relatable manner makes the book an invaluable guide for both novice and experienced meditators.
~Edward Sung for IndieReader