This week in addition to continuing my full throttle Feldenkrais infatuation, I’ve started playing with the emwave2 that mysteriously showed up at my door a few weeks ago. To the best of my limited understanding, emwave is a device that works with breath, blood pressure rhythm and heart rate variability, with the goal being to synch up those three functions. That synched up state has been termed coherence.
Read Heartmath’s article about the science behind the technology here. It’s very, very interesting stuff, particularly for yogis humans.
Coherence is not synonymous with relaxation although the two states do share some characteristics. Coherence happens as a result of working with the breath and actively generating positive emotions like gratitude, appreciation and love. According to Heartmath, who sells the thing, entering the state of coherence means that, “our body and brain work better, we feel better, and we perform better.”
I downloaded the software, clipped the clipper thingy on my earlobe and began my inaugural session. Upon initially turning the thingamabob on, the indicator light was red–inform me that–as predicted by Heartmath–my state of coherence was low. I frowned as I watched the needle on the screen graph my jagged heart rate variable.The tutorial video instructed me to begin a 5-count breath.
“Pffft. Whatever, Heartmath,” I thought. “I’m ALL OVER this shit. If there’s anything I know how to do it’s BREATHE.”
In spite of not having a history of excelling at stress management, as a yoga-teacher-type I figured this would be a snap for me. And to some degree, particularly at the lower levels, it was. After a few longer, smoother, deeper breaths, the indicator light turned blue and the emwave chirped to indicate that I’d progressed to a medium level of coherence. I had made progress.
As I felt a small flush pleasure at my accomplishment, the indicator turned green. My heart rate variable smoothed into satisfying, even, rolling sine waves.
Ta-HA! Coherence! Gotcha, you little sucker!
For the last week, I’ve been working with the device daily for 10-15 minute sessions. I find it fascinating to watch the coherence indicator light change as my mind moves of its own accord traveling time-worn paths. I think about something that makes me feel good–and the light turns green. I think about something that makes me feel crummy and crumbled in on myself– and the light turns red.
Instant feedback.
My main question about the emwave had been, “Is this something that will be useful for me? Is this relevant for yogis, or have we already got this covered? As a population with decent amounts of experience working with breath and meditation, will this technology be redundant and/or below our pay grade?”
Yes. No. No.
The emwave has really driven home the point that–although I am actively working on it–my mind often drifts to situations and people in ways that not only do absolutely nothing to enhance my peace of mind and well-being but that actively, physically take a detrimental toll. Seeing my own physical responses to my own thoughts–and to the resulting emotions provoked within milliseconds–is incredibly useful.
Now, I personally love the spirituality of a yoga that’s steeped in mythic consciousness. But I like the nonsectarian-ness of this thingy. You can take or leave the spirituality. In my case, I’ll take it but to each her own.
As I practice with the emwave, I’ll become more facile and adept at recognizing and shifting my physiological functions at will. Pretty cool. I hope all my yoga students and coaching clients will consider working with this technology. I definitely recommend the product. (Oh, and I’m not incentivized to say that in any way other than a humanitarian one. I don’t own stock in the company or receive commission or anything like that.)
Do you have any experience with the emwave? Leave a comment below and tell us about it.
