<p class=pageheadings>The Science (abbreviated version):</p>
<p class="sectionheading"><strong> Introduction: </strong></p>
<p><span class="content_text">COHERENCE(TM) represents a formative “New Science of Breath(TM)". <strong>This new science is based on a breakthrough in the understanding of autonomic balance and its relationship to subtle heart and breathing rhythms.</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="content_text">T<strong>he term “coherence” refers to the state wherein the breathing rhythm is synchronized with <em>the intrinsic autonomic nervous system rhythm</em> - this rhythm reflected as the rate at which the heart beat rate changes, i.e., heart rate variability (HRV). </strong>Technically, “coherence” refers to amplitude, phase, and frequency regularity of the heart rate variability rhythm. Optimal coherence results when heart rate variability (HRV) and breathing rhythms are synchronized. This synchrony both results-in, and is a result-of, balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic functions as well as a synergistic harmony between autonomic and somatic branches of the central nervous system. (The autonomic nervous system consists principally of two antagonistic divisions, the sympathetic division - responsible for "activating" functions, and the parasympathetic division - responsible for "deactivating" functions. Working together, sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions "autonomously" strive to establish and maintain homeostasis.)</span></p>
<p class="content_text">For adults in the state of rest or semi-activity, optimal synchrony between HRV and breathing rhythms occurs at a specific frequency, this being 1 cycle in ~12 seconds, or 5 cycles in ~1 minute. When operating at this pace, cardiopulmonary efficiency and effectiveness are maximized and in keeping with <em>the</em> fundamental underlying autonomic nervous system rhythm. Cardio-pulmonary operation at this rhythm is characterized by relatively low average heartbeat rate, maximized heart rate variability amplitude, and maximized heart rate variability coherence. </p>
<p class="content_text"> There is growing acceptance within the broad medical community that HRV 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 status - coherence being strongly indicative of psychological/ physiological harmony and incoherence being equally indicative of its opposite.(7)</p>
<p class="style6"> <span class="content_text">Referring to FIGURE 1, when in the state of rest or semi-activity, the autonomic nervous system takes its cue from the breathing rhythm. Breathing at a relatively rapid pace, even while seated and otherwise relaxed, results in an autonomic shift toward sympathetic emphasis, sympathetic emphasis often being characterized as the “fight or flight” response. The degree of emphasis varies directly with the rate of breathing. Sympathetic emphasis is characterized by relatively faster average heartbeat rate, reduced heart rate variability, increased heart duty cycle, and reduced heart rate variability coherence, as well as other physiological and psychological changes. </span></p>
<p class="content_text"><strong> There is an emerging understanding within the medical community that sympathetic dominance underlies many modern day maladies including anxiety and hypertension. What is not understood is the root cause of sympathetic dominance. COHERENCE(TM) asserts the theory that the root cause of sympathetic dominance is in fact suboptimal breathing. Breathing at the <em>The Fundamental Quiescent Rhythm</em>(TM), brings about autonomic nervous system balance, correcting the state of sympathetic over activity and parasympathetic under activity and its consequences including internal tension, anxiety, and potentially the myriad of other psycho-physiological challenges to health and well being resulting from this imbalance including hypertension. By adopting the breathing rate of 1 cycle in ~12 seconds or 5 cycles in ~1 minute as one’s “normal” resting breathing rate, autonomic balance can be realized and sympathetic dominance and its myriad affects averted. <span class="faq_answer"><span class="disclaimer_underline">No Specific claims are made regarding health benefits.</span></span></strong></p>
<p class="content_text"><strong> Why 1 cycle in ~12 seconds? For adults in the state of rest or semi-activity, if the breathing cycle is synchronized with the heart rate variability cycle, the resulting center frequency and primary component of the heart rate variability frequency spectrum is .085 cycles per second or 1 cycle in ~12 seconds. Because this is the "natural frequency" at which the cardiopulmonary system inclusive of nervous system aspects resonates, at this frequency, heart rate variability and coherence are maximal. You can experience this rhythm in an instructive format by clicking <a href="audio_samples_for_real/final_instructive_sequence.rm">here</a>. (Requires <a href="http://www.real.com">RealPlayer</a>)</strong></p>
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