A Journey Into the Science and Story of Breathing

The Evolving Breath

A beautifully illustrated guide that explores the science, story, and human journey of breathing, bringing together evolutionary biology, functional anatomy, and practical breathwork tools to help you understand your body in a more intelligent and meaningful way.

Why The Evolving Breath?

Have you ever wondered why we breathe the way we do?

Have you ever wondered why we breathe the way we do? Every creature on Earth relies on respiration to survive, and every species has evolved its own unique way of doing it. Understanding why humans breathe as we do opens the door to more intelligent, effective, and personalised breathwork.

This book goes far beyond popular protocols and surface-level techniques. It explores the extraordinary story of the breath — through space and time, through the human body, and deeper into yourself. Beautifully illustrated and grounded in science, it reveals the hidden intelligence of breathing and the intricate connection between your biology and the natural world.

With QR-linked practices throughout, it’s a practical and insightful guide for anyone who wants to understand their body, reconnect with nature, and breathe with more awareness. Whether you’re developing your own practice or supporting others, this book offers clarity, depth, and a richer understanding of how breath truly works.

Why Read It?

The Evolving Breath brings science and embodiment together in a clear, accessible way. With rich illustrations, guided practices, and easy-to-follow explanations, it offers both knowledge and experience for anyone wanting to understand the human body more deeply.

The book weaves together evolutionary science, neurobiology, and functional anatomy, helping you look at breathing through three essential lenses: respiratory mechanics, psychology, and physiology — each influencing the other.

This is a guide for seekers, practitioners, teachers, athletes, and anyone who wants to understand the deeper story of breath and use it to improve their life.

Understanding Why We Breathe

Volume One

Volume One explores the foundations of breathing through evolution and functional anatomy. It gives you a clear understanding of how healthy breathing works and how to use it to support your wellbeing in everyday life.

Exploring the Deep Science of Breath

Volume Two

Volume Two goes deeper into the science of breathing, exploring stress, trauma, resilience, and high performance. It also includes women-centred breathwork and the transpersonal aspects of breathing.

What People Say About The Evolving Breath

An ambitious, fascinating, and comprehensively holistic text.

— Joanne Elphinston, author of The Power and Grace

A must-read for every Pilates or movement teacher.

— Lynne Robinson, author of The Pilates Bible

At a time of quick fixes and oversimplified trends, this book celebrates complexity with clarity.

The Evolving Breath connects the seemingly simple act of breathing to the most profound evolutionary, physiological, and ecological phenomena.

It unravels the many reasons we breathe and grounds every insight in rigorous, accessible science.

It doesn’t just instruct — it invites you to notice, question, and experiment with your breath.

A compelling exploration of how breath links human biology with Earth’s long story of life.

One of its most powerful themes is the importance of context — the ‘why’ of breathing.

A manifesto for reconnecting with our heritage and the natural world.

A breath of fresh air for anyone wanting to go deeper.

A guide for reconnecting with our wider story as humans.

Let this book inspire you to breathe with intention and curiosity.

Whether you are a novice or a seasoned practitioner, this book will enrich your understanding.

Its interdisciplinary approach is a model for how big, complex subjects should be explored.

Ready to explore the full journey of breath?

Authors

James Earls

Author, Lecturer & Bodyworker

James Earls is a lecturer, author, and bodyworker specialising in Myofascial Release and Structural Integration. For over 30 years he has focused on helping people understand movement, fascia, and functional anatomy in a practical and accessible way.

He teaches internationally, sharing simple and effective approaches to bodywork informed by movement science and the interconnected mechanics of the human body.

James is the author of several well-known titles, including Born to Walk, Understanding the Human Foot, Functional Anatomy of Movement, and Fascial Release for Structural Balance.

Christopher Gladwell

Biologist, Breathwork Teacher & Author

Christopher Gladwell is a contemporary Yoga-Dharma practitioner and teacher of teachers, with over 50 years of direct experience in breathwork, yoga, meditation, and embodied practice. His work brings together breath training, neurobiology, movement, mind mastery, and ancient wisdom traditions.

With a background in biological science, martial arts, athletics, and deep yogic study, Christopher blends scientific understanding with lived experience. He has been trained and initiated in Vedic, Tibetan, and Shamanic traditions, and emphasises clarity, discipline, and compassionate awareness in his teaching.

Christopher has worked with a wide range of people — athletes, young people, trauma survivors, corporate teams, and those seeking greater wellbeing and resilience. He has written fifteen books on yogic psychology, mind skills, and breathwork, sharing insights on freedom, empowerment, and inner strength.