14/02/2024
Happy Valentines Day !!!
According to History.com, the legend of the patron saint or saints, are shrouded in mystery. Having associations with ancient Roman traditions as well as within the Catholic church. One legend states that Valentinus, was a priest during the 3rd century in Rome. Who helped young couples to wed. When Emperor Claudius II had outlawed marriage for young men. On the premise that he thought that single men made for better soldiers!!!
Surely no one can contend that love is truly one of the most powerful of emotions. However, on this special day, it might be worth looking into just a little bit of the science going on behind this super organ.
According to some of the amazing work done by the Heart Math institute over the past 35 years. Research can now tell us so much more about the heart and the role that it plays within the body.
For many years we were told that the brain was the major player. With the heart, simply pumping blood around the body and responding to signals from the brain. We now understand though, that it is the other way around. With the brain continuously responding to many more signals from the heart, than the brain sends to the heart.
In sending this information, the heart is able to influence our higher levels of brain function. Which in turn, will affect emotional & cognitive functioning. Making a significant impact on the way we perceive things and solve problems. As well as having repercussions on our memory & attention. As well as having the ability to affect our physiology & wellbeing.
Research shows that the patterns of information sent by the heart rhythm, vary greatly according to our emotional states. During times of stress and anxiety for example, the heart rhythm will be disordered and erratic. Once the heart has sent the information out, the brain will respond. By sending the information to our amygdala, which will move our nervous system into a state of high alert. Sending us into our fight / flight / freeze survival mode. Which will not only affect our cognitive functioning. But will also have a knock on effect, in many other areas, as it informs every cell in the body of this hyper alert state.
It's no wonder then, that the American Institute of Stress, concludes that up to 90% of health problems, relate to stress. Forming ties with issues that relate to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, as well as many emotional related issues such as sleep disorders and depression.
As a heart math facilitator, we are able to use interactive tools to show you just how much stress can affect your body, health and mind. So that we can use the techniques to gain a better understanding and to facilitate change.
The tools that we use are very easy to understand and have been put together so that they can be used with children or adults . With each drawing upon the next, to help us to build a varied toolkit. Which can help to create a higher resilience in terms of stress and anxiety. Which will in turn, create a new baseline, to help us avoid the long term effects of stress on the body.
The first tool that we use is called the heart focused breathing technique TM. It can be used “in the moment” to help bring the body back into a more relaxed state. Which it does by essentially “tricking” the nervous system, to allow it to move from high alert, into a calmer frequency. So that we are able to deal and overcome, stressors, in real life situations. Allowing us to shift our attention away from a high stress mode. To allow us to regain our composure & activate a higher level of balance.
This is a very simple technique.
All you need to do is, focus your attention on your heart. Bringing your hands in a prayer position in front of it. Or by allowing yourself to consider just how wonderful this organ is.
Allowing yourself to consider your beautiful heart. Which not only pumps your blood around your body for every moment of your life. But has the ability to touch deep down into our soul. Filling our lives with love and passion. Holding those dear within and being ever so thankful of this wonderful resource, that we call love.
Whilst thinking of the greatness of the heart, we should then turn our attention to our breath. Slowing changing it slightly, so that it is able to slow down a little. Breathing in a little more slower and deeper than usual.
Carry on in within this vein, for a few moments.
Imagining your breath to flow in and out of your heart or chest area, in an easy rhythm. That feels comfortable for you, for as many breaths as you would like.
You will soon, realise that you have dropped out of that high stress mode. Which in turn, will have stopped the impact of stress on the body. Removing the significance of the drama. To allow you to move back into a more balanced rhythm.
Back into being you. The wonderful you ###x
I hope you have enjoyed this post and that you will be able to use this very easy technique, “in the moment” at times of stress. Or to help with feelings of anxiety, prior to a stressful situation. Or even as part of our morning routine, to help you to prepare for the day, or to unwind for a restful night’s sleep.
This and the other Heart Math techniques can be explained in more detail, as part of an interacting learning experience. In which they are used, to help to understand the power of stress and anxiety. So that we are able to regain more control. With the ultimate goal being that we are able to use the techniques to help us to build a higher level of resilience. That can inform a much less stressful baseline.
I am currently offering a 40% discount on a group of three Heart Math sessions. Bringing the cost of this interactive learning experience, down from £180.00 to £102.00 for the three sessions, as a Valentines treat ###.
The sessions will be based in my own office within the TW15 area, which is on the Surrey / West London borders. The sessions can be booked in. At first within a weekly – then bi-weekly basis. During the day / evening / or weekend at times to suit.
This special offer will last for until the middle of March. Please do get in touch if you would like more information or to enquire about dates in the diary.
Thanks so much for your time. Much much love. Especially on this wonderful day of St. Valentine. ###
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