Hi! My name is Steven, and I am just beginning my journey into studying psychology to practice clinical mental health. Having studied primarily outside the realm of the human mind from a deeply scientific perspective, exploring our internal experience through the body, somatics, techniques such as HeartMath, and hypnotherapy is quite new to me. So far, I have found most of these experiences to be remarkable (especially hypnotherapy with Robin, which we’ll discuss another day).

I’ve had trouble separating my heart and body from my mind. While I identify as an emotional person, I’ve lived inside my head for most of my life. Just now, nearly halfway through my life (I guess…I hope?), I’m finally beginning to explore my experience through my body instead of solely through my mind. This is why exploring HeartMath seems like a logical (there I go, back in my head) place to begin. Accepting the intelligence of the heart is one of the first steps in the journey to connecting the heart, brain, and body. Just reading about it was enough to make my nervous system calm and my heart feel open.

What is HeartMath? The answer from the HeartMath Institute FAQ page (which I’ve hyperlinked above) leaves one wanting more:

“HeartMath is a unique system of rigorous scientific research, validated techniques, leading-edge products and programs, and advanced technologies for people interested in personal development and improved emotional, mental, and physical health. HeartMath is internationally recognized for practical solutions that can transform the stress of change and uncertainty and build people’s heart coherence and energy reserves.”

Okay…but still, what is HeartMath? It’s their thing, and I encourage you to explore their content. However, I found the question “Why HeartMath?” more compelling. They do a much better job of explaining and defining “Heart” and “Math,” why those terms matter, and how they go together. Without disregarding the incredible team at HeartMath, allow me to go off script a bit.

In the early 1990s, scientists discovered a nervous system within the heart that functions independently of the brain—an extraordinary finding. They called it the heart’s “little brain.” Our bodies don’t have systems like this for other organs (as far as we know), and as researchers delved deeper, it became clear why: emotions are a powerful way to make us react, and the heart plays a key role in recognizing them. An increased heart rate signals intensity, danger, anxiety, or excitement, while a slow heartbeat conveys relaxation, calm, trust, and perhaps even gratitude, warmth, and acceptance.

The nervous system in our heart is hardwired into the vagus nerve. And the vagus nerve? That’s a big deal! We’ll dive deeper into it in another post, but for now, just know it’s a major component of the parasympathetic nervous system—you know, the good one.

Around the time scientists were uncovering the secrets of the heart, someone struggling with health issues—badabing—invented HeartMath! HeartMath has some serious scientific components. There are devices you can use to measure your heartbeat and rhythm. These data help describe where your heart is and guide you in keeping it within a zone that is most beneficial. And those benefits? They’re truly wonderful—love, kindness, wisdom.

I believe it’s powerful to view the world and ourselves through the lens of love, kindness, and wisdom. So for the next ten days I’m going to practice HeartMath, and I will do my best to report back to you my experiences. Because beyond the why and what of HeartMath I want to know the how. I want to do it.

So how do I do HeartMath? I’ll explore that question further in the coming weeks. Until then, Robin’s description is my favorite:

“Close your eyes and listen to your heart. Feel your heart. What is it telling you?”