Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Training, Richard Gevirtz PhD

YouTube Video

In this talk on May 30 2014, Richard Gevirtz shares shares the insights that have come from research into Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRV). In this method the heart rate of an individual is measured. The timelaps between beats varies from heartbeat to heartbeat – there is a complexity and chaos to the pattern or rhythm – this is what is known as heart rate variability (HRV). The variability part is actually an expression of a healthy system – it indicates resiliance and the ability to adjust to a changing environment, in other words, a capacity to maintain homeostasis under variable conditions. Too much consistency in the time between beats is considered dysfunctional. After hooking up long-term meditators (monks, yogis, swamis, monastics) to biofeedback machines and asking them to get into a relaxed states, they observed that they all controlled their breathing which smoothed out the variability and chaos in the heart rhythm. In the normal flow of life, the lack of complexity in our heart rhythm is unhealthy, but when achieved through regular, focused breath work, the result is parasympathetic tone that in turn improves HRV. Amazing physiological results have been documented from improved blood pressure even in cases of labile hypertension; and decreased chronic pain.

This resource is related to Course VI: Nervous System. If you are interested in purchasing this course from our on-demand library of courses click here.

[Nervous System. Parasympathetic NS. Heart Rate Variability (HRV). Richard Gevirtz PhD.]