Heart Math

Since 1991, the Institute of HeartMath (IHM) has conducted leading ­edge research on stress and emotional physiology, heart brain interactions, the physiology of learning, optimal performance and technologies to improve emotional health and overall well being.

Recent biomedical research has revealed that the heart is not merely a simple pump, but actually a highly complex, self organized informa­tion processing center. With each beat, the heart continuously com­municates with the brain and body via the nervous system, hormonal system, bioelectromagnetic interactions and other pathways. At I HM, researchers are demonstrating that the messages the heart sends to the brain not only affect physiological regulation, but also can pro­foundly influence perception, emotions, behavior, performance and health.

Many contemporary scientists believe the quality of feeling and emo­tion we experience each moment is rooted in the underlying state of our physiological processes. This was the essence of the theory of emotion first proposed by William James more than a century ago'. The basis for the theory has since undergone considerable study and refinement. Recent expression of this view is expounded by neuroscientist Antonio Damasio.

The fact that we, sentient and sophisticated creatures, call certain feelings positive and other feelings negative is directly related to the fluidity or strain of the life process. The feelings we experience as "negative" are indicative of body states in which 'life processes struggle for balance and can even be chaotically out of control." In contrast, the feelings we experience as "positive" actually reflect body states in which "the regulation of life processes becomes ef­ficient or even optimal, free flowing and easy.

The coupling of a more organized pattern of afferent heart rhythm input to the brain with an intentionally self generated positive emo­tion reinforces the natural conditioning between an efficient physi­ological mode and the client's sense of well being. Thus the client self reinforces more healthful emotions and behaviors. This helps the therapist to facilitate the client's shift from external motivation toward a positive internal motivation that empowers the client to self regulate with improved awareness and resiliency.

As the ability to self-regulate emotions improves, clients and patients are able to neutralize and replace depleting emotions and shift the emotional and physiological dynamics that may be exacerbating a wide range of medical and psychological conditions.

HeartMath interventions have been shown to be effective with very young children, adolescents, young adults and adults dealing with a variety of emotional, mental and medical challenges. Therapists, cli­nicians and other health care practitioners report that they have seen improvement in perception, self regulation and behavior in clients and patients with acute, chronic and recurrent pain, psychophysipological problems, learning and performance issues and chronic illness.