Movement From The Heart

In her new book, Playing in the Unified Field,  noted researcher Carla Hannaford talks about coherence.  Coherence is a term that scientists use to describe the stabilization of wave forms.  A regular light bulb creates an "incoherent" series of waves that move in no discernable pattern.  But when the beams are focused into a "coherent" pattern, the result is a laser.

Researchers have extended the term "coherence" to the wave forms emitted by the heart. Coherence is correlated with positive feelings like appreciation, gratitude, joy, playfulness, inner peace. When a subject is hooked up to an EKG in one of these positive states, the monitor shows a regular pattern of peaks and valleys. But when negative feelings like frustration and anger are tracked, an "incoherent" series of scribbles appears.  

A coherent heart sends out waves that have been measured to be up to sixteen feet in diameter! According to Dr. Hannaford, this may explain why being around a truly joyful person is an infectious experience.
 

Movement Bite:  Hook-Ups (a Brain Gym © activity)

What movement activity can we do to put us in a peaceful frame of mind? At a 2003 Brain Gym conference in York, UK, I heard Carla Hannaford talk about measuring the effect of a Brain Gym activity.  She did Hook-Ups during an EKG - and her heart became coherent in only 5 seconds.

I find Hook-ups to be a favorite “Brain Gym” among teachers. As one said, "When we do Hook-ups, the room gets quiet. How often is it actually quiet in a classroom?"  

Hook-ups can be helpful while waiting in line at the drinking fountain, sitting at the desk getting ready to work, as a prelude to conflict-resolution, or even just relaxing to a lullaby.  (I personally sit in Hook-Ups during the scary parts of movies).

Here are two ways to learn Hook-Ups.
I.  Just the Facts, Ma'am!
    1. Cross your feet.
    2. Cross your forearms
    3. Point your thumbs down.
    4. Clasp your hands.
    5. Fold them in to rest on your chest.
    6. Let your tongue rest up against the roof of your mouth, just behind your teeth.
    7. Breathe.
Once you've rested in this posture for a little while, uncross your feet and touch your fingertips lightly together.