Heart Brain Coherence

The brain thinks, but the heart knows.

Hey there. I’m Jenny, your home yoga hype girl. Welcome to my weekly newsletter where I share carefully, curated resources, inspiration and support to help you build a meaningful, personal practice in the comfort of your own home.

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This issue of Root&Rise is the second installment in a month of themed issues for February. Our theme is “Matters of the Heart” and today we are discussing:

• The Heart & The Brain

• The Nervous System

• Heart Brain Coherence

Our weekly “Put it into Practice” section is filled with handpicked classes from a variety of teachers designed to help you connect with your heart and foster heart brain coherence.

Let’s dive right in!

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I probably don’t need to tell you that your brain and your heart are two of the most important parts of your body.

Both organs are essential for survival. If either one stops functioning, we cannot live. This fact alone makes them extraordinary. However, there is more to them than just their biological functions.

To understand what makes these organs so darn special, let’s take a look at some quotes from anatomical scholars.

I found this, rather poetic, description of the brain on the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website.

The brain is the most complex part of the human body. This three-pound organ is the seat of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of body movement, and controller of behavior. Lying in its bony shell and washed by protective fluid, the brain is the source of all the qualities that define our humanity. It is the crown jewel of the human body.

The following, equally poetic, quote about the heart, is from “MetaAnatomy” (my favorite anatomy book)

The heart is the chief mansion of the soul, the organ of vital faculty, the beginning of life and the fountain of the vital spirits…the first to live and the last to die.

French Surgeon Ambroise Pare (Late 1500s)

Kristen Leal, author of MetaAnatomy, and my beloved anatomy teacher, often refers to the heart as a “jewel encrusted, four chambered mansion”.

What could possibly inspire scientists to wordsmith so beautifully about body parts?

It must be the allure of the unknown.

Because, when it comes down to it, what we don’t know about the inner workings of these vital organs, far outweighs what we do know..

One of the great mysteries, that we are just beginning to understand, is just how interconnected the heart and the brain really are.

The Nervous System

Although we are rarely conscious of it, our brain is in constant communication with our heart. This communication happens through our central nervous system, more specifically our autonomic nervous system.

The autonomic nervous system regulates “involuntary” bodily functions. We don’t have to remind ourselves to breathe or tell our hearts to beat. Those things just happen automatically.

Digestion, waste and even sexual arousal are all functions of the autonomic nervous system, which consists of two separate sets of nerves: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

We are always in either sympathetic, parasympathetic or transitioning between the two systems. The brain uses external stimuli to determine which one to activate.

The sympathetic nervous system engages when we are stressed or frightened. It is our biological response to danger and our body’s way of preparing us to, either defend ourselves, or escape. Hence the term “Fight or Flight”.

The parasympathetic nervous system activates when we feel safe and relaxed. This mode is commonly referred to as “Rest & Digest”. This is the space of renewal, rejuvenation and healing.

We’ve known all of this for a long time. The brain is the body’s super computer. It runs the show and tells all the other organs when to jump and how high.

Right?

Well, as It turns out that’s a “Yes, and…”

Heart Brain Coherence

The heart actually has a mind of its own…literally. In recent decades, scientists discovered an intrinsic nervous system within the heart. It is independently intelligent and it doesn’t just take orders from the brain, it sends out a few of it’s own.

In fact, those same scientists are beginning to believe that the heart sends a lot more communication to the brain than it receives from the brain.

Which means that our sense of security isn’t solely dependent on our brain’s interpretation of what we see, smell, hear, etc.

This is good news!!

When left to its own devices, the brain will always default to the negative. Its job is to assess risk. The brain is actively looking for problems to solve…at all times. That’s why so many of us get stuck in the sympathetic nervous system and experience chronic states of elevated stress, often referred to as “survival mode”.

The heart on the other hand, tends to be softer and more inclined to stillness. The heart is built for love. It wants to feel safe and warm.

The heart is the gateway to the peace and the pathway is through the parasympathetic nervous system.

This is where the concept of heart-brain coherence comes in.

In a few words, heart coherence focuses on the fact that when the heart is allowed to guide the body and the mind, great things can be achieved. More importantly, the state of heart coherence can give you access to better health, both physically and mentally. But the benefits go far beyond what you can ever imagine.

Art Tawanghar

Heart Intelligence

Given the choice between the heart and the brain, I would let the heart lead the way, any day of the week.

The brain tends to be wild and restless, getting up and running amok, just when you think you’ve tamed it. There’s a reason buddhists call it “Monkey Mind”.

Not the guy you want in charge when you’re trying to calm down and create stability.

No, the heart is the ideal candidate for that job.

If you want to alleviate stress, generate a profound, unshakable sense of internal security and build resilience that will render you unflappable in the face of life’s challenges, you must nurture your heart.

When your heart is open and at ease, it sends a signal to your brain that all is well. That message then radiates out to every other system in your body, creating a feedback loop of harmony, health and overall wellbeing.

Put It Into Practice

Put the heart brain coherence theory to the test this week. Try out some of the heart centered offerings below and spend a little time with your heart each day. Intentionally cultivate feelings of self love, gratitude and appreciation.

Pay attention to the way this practice affects you, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

10 Day Self-Love Challenge | Day 4 : Open Your Heart | Heart Centered Yoga

The Divine Flow Lab

10 Minutes | All Levels

This flow is swift and brief. Though it’s only ten minutes in length, Shana manages to give us an impressively complete class. She even includes savasana!

If you’re short on time and want to quickly tap into heart-centered awareness, this is a great option!

Yoga Nidra For Elevating Your Emotions & Wellbeing | A Heart Brain Coherence Meditation

Loren Runion

26 Minutes | Beginner Friendly | All Levels

I discovered this class while researching for the February issues. I had never heard of heart brain coherence before! When the class ended, I immediately set out to learn as much as possible about the idea. You can thank Loren for this issue!

Since then, I have practiced this class quite a few times. I’ve been loading it up every day this week and I’m excited to share it with all of you. If you’re new to heart brain coherence, this is an excellent place to start.

Heart Brain Coherence Meditation || Gratitude | Amanda Rose

14 Minutes | Beginner Friendly | All Levels

When I finished this guided meditation, I couldn’t help but say “WOW”. I felt so connected to my heart and my heart was brimming with joy and gratitude.

After all the research and practicing I’ve done in preparation for a heart-themed February, I’ve come to the conclusion that gratitude is the key to an open heart.

If you choose just one practice to try this week, let it be this one.

Trauma-Informed Heart Opening Yoga Flow | Yoga for Chest Tightness and Anxiety | Caitlin K’eli

19 Minutes | Beginner Friendly | All Levels

This class is gentle, comforting and does exactly what it promises.

Caitlin has an especially soothing style of teaching. Her delivery, coupled with a well structured sequence, make this class a lovely little reprieve from the stressors of life, any time of day.

I’ll be adding this one to my morning playlist for sure.

Final Thoughts

This week has the potential to bring up big feelings. Be tender with yourself.

My husband and I are never able to spend Valentines Day together. It used to really bother me. I would always get so sad. It took me a long time to learn that the day can be about so many other things, besides romantic love.

This year, I’ll be looking for love in all the right places, starting with self love. I encourage you to do the same. Once the self love is dialed in, it’s impossible to ignore all the other ways love shows up in everyday life. It’s literally everywhere!

I give you permission to do whatever it takes to feel the love. For me, that means buying deeply discounted, heart shaped boxes of chocolates on February 15th. I look forward to “half priced chocolate day” every year.

Have a great, hopefully chocolate filled, week. I’ll see you next Sunday!