
The Science of Breath for Better Health
02/17/25 • 26 min
Enhance your health through the power of breath, and discover how such a simple act can profoundly impact your physical and emotional well-being. Join me, Susannah Steers, as I guide you through the often-overlooked science of breathing, drawing insights from James Nestor's "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art." Together, we'll navigate the intricate connections between breathing patterns and health. Learn about the role of the diaphragm in effective breathing, and how modern society's loss of fundamental breathing skills affects everything from posture to athletic performance. Whether you're into Pilates, fitness or sport or or whether you're someone curious about ways to improve your wellbeing, you'll gain valuable insights into how movement practices like Pilates, and deep nasal breath can help you live healthier and feel better.
Some references for this episode:
- Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, ” James Nestor, Riverhead Books/Penguin Random House, USA, 2020
- “Spark: The Revolutionary Science of Exercise and the Brain ,” John J.Ratey, MD with Erik Hagerman, Little Brown and Company, Hachette Book Group. New York, NY 2008
- “Multidisciplinary Approaches to Breathing Pattern Disorders, ” Leon Chaitow, Dinah Bradley, Christopher Gilbert, Churchill Livingstone, 2002.
Heart of Motion Podcast host Susannah Steers is a Pilates & Integrated Movement Specialist and owner of Moving Spirit Pilates in North Vancouver, BC. She is passionate about movement, about connections and about life.
Through movement teaching, speaking, and facilitating workshops, she supports people in creating movement practices that promote fitness from the inside out. She loves building community, and participating in multi-disciplinary collaborations.
Along with her friend and colleague Gillian McCormick, Susannah also co-hosts The Small Conversations for a Better World podcast – an interview based podcast dedicated to promoting the kind of conversations about health that can spark positive change in individuals, families, communities and across the globe.
Social Media Links:
Moving Spirit Pilates Instagram
Moving Spirit Pilates Facebook
Susannah Steers Instagram
Enhance your health through the power of breath, and discover how such a simple act can profoundly impact your physical and emotional well-being. Join me, Susannah Steers, as I guide you through the often-overlooked science of breathing, drawing insights from James Nestor's "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art." Together, we'll navigate the intricate connections between breathing patterns and health. Learn about the role of the diaphragm in effective breathing, and how modern society's loss of fundamental breathing skills affects everything from posture to athletic performance. Whether you're into Pilates, fitness or sport or or whether you're someone curious about ways to improve your wellbeing, you'll gain valuable insights into how movement practices like Pilates, and deep nasal breath can help you live healthier and feel better.
Some references for this episode:
- Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, ” James Nestor, Riverhead Books/Penguin Random House, USA, 2020
- “Spark: The Revolutionary Science of Exercise and the Brain ,” John J.Ratey, MD with Erik Hagerman, Little Brown and Company, Hachette Book Group. New York, NY 2008
- “Multidisciplinary Approaches to Breathing Pattern Disorders, ” Leon Chaitow, Dinah Bradley, Christopher Gilbert, Churchill Livingstone, 2002.
Heart of Motion Podcast host Susannah Steers is a Pilates & Integrated Movement Specialist and owner of Moving Spirit Pilates in North Vancouver, BC. She is passionate about movement, about connections and about life.
Through movement teaching, speaking, and facilitating workshops, she supports people in creating movement practices that promote fitness from the inside out. She loves building community, and participating in multi-disciplinary collaborations.
Along with her friend and colleague Gillian McCormick, Susannah also co-hosts The Small Conversations for a Better World podcast – an interview based podcast dedicated to promoting the kind of conversations about health that can spark positive change in individuals, families, communities and across the globe.
Social Media Links:
Moving Spirit Pilates Instagram
Moving Spirit Pilates Facebook
Susannah Steers Instagram
Previous Episode

Movement, Mindfulness, and the Art of Holistic Living with guest Tara Walsh
Ever wondered how movement can transform not just your body, but your entire way of living? Join us as we welcome Tara Walsh, an expert horticulturalist and outdoor enthusiast, whose life story is a testament to the power of movement.
From the physically demanding world of horticulture to her mountain biking and outdoor adventures, Tara’s journey highlights the incredible benefits of balancing high-level athletic training with mindful recovery practices. Her experience with Moving Spirit Pilates reshaped her approach to healing, teaching her the importance of listening to her body and embracing resilience.
As we chat with Tara, we unravel the art of integrating self-care into rigorous training routines. It's a shift from the "no pain, no gain" mindset to a more sustainable approach that honors the body's need for recovery. Learn how everyday rituals and mindful practices, often overlooked in favor of more intense workouts, can be transformative. By acknowledging the body's interconnected nature, Tara helps us see the value in incorporating Pilates, yoga, and other mindful activities into our lives, ensuring we enjoy the sports and hobbies we love well into our later years.
Our conversation expands beyond personal performance, revealing the profound significance of interconnectedness in our lives. By recognizing our bodies as holistic systems that mirror the natural world, Tara’s insights teach us to foster deeper connections with ourselves and our environment. We explore the necessity of staying present in a fast-paced technological era, and how embracing a holistic view can lead to more meaningful relationships and sustainable living. Let Tara’s story inspire you to integrate movement, presence, and connection into a life full of joy and purpose.
Walsh & Co Gardens and Design Ltd.
Heart of Motion Podcast host Susannah Steers is a Pilates & Integrated Movement Specialist and owner of Moving Spirit Pilates in North Vancouver, BC. She is passionate about movement, about connections and about life.
Through movement teaching, speaking, and facilitating workshops, she supports people in creating movement practices that promote fitness from the inside out. She loves building community, and participating in multi-disciplinary collaborations.
Along with her friend and colleague Gillian McCormick, Susannah also co-hosts The Small Conversations for a Better World podcast – an interview based podcast dedicated to promoting the kind of conversations about health that can spark positive change in individuals, families, communities and across the globe.
Social Media Links:
Moving Spirit Pilates Instagram
Moving Spirit Pilates Facebook
Susannah Steers Instagram
Next Episode

Meditation as Medicine
In a world increasingly fraught with stress and anxiety, finding balance and peace can sometimes seem unattainable. This episode of the Heart of Motion podcast dives deep into the potent intersection of movement, mindfulness, and health, featuring expert insights from Siobhan O'Connell, a seasoned physiotherapist with 40+ years experience. We explore how chronic stress influences our overall health, shaping our bodies and minds in detrimental ways. Siobhan shares her journey of discovering the mind-body connection, revealing how integrating ancient wisdom from meditation with modern science can open pathways to healing that extend beyond traditional practices.
Listeners will learn how meditation, often misconstrued as an esoteric pastime, plays a crucial role in counteracting the effects of stress while promoting overall well-being. Siobhan explains how mindfulness can revolutionize our understanding of healing and wellness, leading to transformative changes in the way we approach our health. The episode culminates in a guided meditation, offering listeners a tangible experience of the serenity that can be cultivated through such practices.
Join us as we uncover the layers of our personal health narratives, highlighting that within us lies the capacity for self-healing and resilience. Whether you seek to understand the science behind stress or are curious about meditation's profound benefits, there's something here for everyone.
Let's embark on this journey together and reclaim the joy of movement and connection in our lives. Join Siobhan O'Connell for a Meditation as Medicine workshop on Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 2 - 5 pm at Moving Spirit Pilates Studio in North Vancouver! Registration details below.
Connect with Siobhan O'Connell
www.meditationasmedicine.ca
Instagram: @meditation.as.medicine
Meditation as Medicine Workshop
Saturday, March 15, 2025
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Moving Spirit Pilates Studio
#205-38 Fell Ave.
North Vancouver, BC
$65.00 + GST
Click here for more info and to register
Want to learn more?
Siobhan recommends checking out the following resources:
www.deepakchopra.com
www.drjoedispenza.com
www.drdivi.com
Heart of Motion Podcast host Susannah Steers is a Pilates & Integrated Movement Specialist and owner of Moving Spirit Pilates in North Vancouver, BC. She is passionate about movement, about connections and about life.
Through movement teaching, speaking, and facilitating workshops, she supports people in creating movement practices that promote fitness from the inside out. She loves building community, and participating in multi-disciplinary collaborations.
Along with her friend and colleague Gillian McCormick, Susannah also co-hosts The Small Conversations for a Better World podcast – an interview based podcast dedicated to promoting the kind of conversations about health that can spark positive change in individuals, families, communities and across the globe.
Social Media Links:
Moving Spirit Pilates Instagram
Moving Spirit Pilates Facebook
Susannah Steers Instagram
Heart of Motion - The Science of Breath for Better Health
Transcript
Welcome to the Heart of Motion podcast . I'm Susanna Steers and I'll be your host as we explore the heart , soul and science of movement as a pathway to more active , vibrant and connected living . Nothing happens until something moves , so let's get started .
Susannah SteersBreath we take it for granted . We breathe in , we breathe out , t
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