May 17 , 2007

About:

COHERENCE(TM) provides tools and methods that facilitate autonomic nervous system balance. These patented tools and methods are the result of a breakthrough in the understanding of the subtle relationship between heart and breathing rhythms.

IMBALANCE		BALANCE
discomfort	physical comfort	comfort
tense	physical tension	relaxed
anxious	mind state	at ease
muddled	thinking	clear
extreme	sensibilities	tempered
impeded	mind-body communication	free flowing
weak	short term memory	good
reduced	sphere of awareness	expanded
reduced	intuition	increased
reduced	openness to new ideas	increased
defensive	interpersonal communication	accepting
acid	serum pH	balanced
higher	average heartbeat rate	lower
much higher	heart duty cycle (work)	much lower
higher	blood pressure	lower
lower	heart rate variability amplitude	maximal
lower	blood oxygenization/gas exchange efficiency	maximal
faster	breathing rate	slower

FIGURE 1: Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Autonomic Nervous System Balance

Optimal autonomic balance results when heart rate variability and breathing rhythms are synchronized. This synchrony both results-in, and is a result-of, balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic functions as well as harmony between autonomic and somatic branches of the central nervous system. Some of the many psychological/ physiological correlates of autonomic balance are presented in FIGURE 1 above. Also see The Science.

Referring to FIGURE 2 below, when cardiac and pulmonary functions are optimally synchronized, the heart rate variability cycle is of maximal amplitude and spectral purity approximating a sine wave, i.e. it is maximally "coherent".

FIGURE 2: Strongly Coherent Heart Rate Variability Rhythm (actual measurement)

Note that the Y axis equals heartbeat rate and the X axis equals time. It can be seen that the heartbeat rate of FIGURE 2 varies between approximately 60 and 95 beats per minute. It is this increasing and decreasing heartbeat rate that is referred to as "heart rate variability" (HRV). For contrast, FIGURE 3 presents an HRV signature with little variability and no discernable coherence. Prior to training, few people exhibit a significant degree of coherence.

There is an emerging understanding that heart rate variability amplitude is a key indicator of health status, adequate amplitude being indicative of sound health and inadequate amplitude being indicative of health risk. Furthermore, HRV "coherence" is emerging as a key indicator of autonomic nervous system balance, this balance or lack thereof manifesting in overall emotional and physiological health - coherence being strongly indicative of psychological/physiological harmony and incoherence being equally indicative of its opposite. Accordingly, it is desirable to achieve and maintain autonomic nervous system balance on an ongoing basis as life circumstances permit. This is the premise of COHERENCE(TM), the company.

To this end, COHERENCE(TM) employs a breakthrough in the understanding of subtle heart and breathing rhythms to provide a simple affordable means of achieving and maintaining autonomic nervous system balance via "Coherent Breathing(TM)". This breakthrough is the basis of the Breathing Pacemaker(TM) series of audio and visual products designed specifically for "retraining" the breathing process and promotion/maintenance of coherent breathing with resulting autonomic balance.

For yoga enthusiasts, autonomic nervous system balance is both a goal and outcome of yogic practice. When combined with relaxation and stillness, use of the Breathing Pacemaker(TM) automatically results in deep meditation. See Yoga & Meditation.