IJCH Book Review
Written by Deborah Lallier
Published in the International Journal of Caring and Healing, Vol. 6, No. 2, May 2006

The HeartMath system of transforming stress takes the reader to new levels of understanding the components of stress and its effects in daily life. This is not only a guidebook with ample instructions for this transformational process, but it is also filled with case studies illustrating what can be expected from this innovative approach. A technique supported by ample research, the HeartMath solutions are not really coping mechanisms, but rather offer the participant the ability to transform worry, fatigue, tension and stress into healthy, heartfelt, positive feelings and creative energy.

These simple techniques give participants the ability to take on new direction and glean helpful insights into their individual stressors by changing habitual emotional reactions. The authors describe how these techniques are easily used by the participant to shift the stressful mental and emotional energies into positive, heartfelt feelings: Quick Coherence, Heart Lock-In, Attitude Breathing, and Freeze Frame. These skills are quick, hands-on exercises used in response to immediate stressful and emotional situations. The techniques of Quick Coherence and Heart Lock-In are geared to send the participant’s focus directly to heartfelt feelings of appreciation and compassion by shifting the mental and emotional energies to the more stable and coherent frequencies of a positive emotional state. The ongoing practice of these techniques are thought to recharge the emotional energy reserves, align the mind with the heart, and facilitate intuitive perceptions and ideas: “Practicing Quick Coherence several times a day will train you to make inner adjustments fast and develop the intuitive perceptions you need to make better choices” (p. 56). Learning to activate the positive emotional state through the use of each of these techniques brings the participant to a deeper level of inner peace and an increased ability to balance and flow with life.

Childre and Rozman advocate developing 'heart intelligence' as a means of focusing on the natural rhythms and energies of higher emotional functioning and coherence. They use the term to describe the "direct intuitive knowing that manifests in thoughts and emotions that benefit you and others and guide you in the behaviors that smooth your way through life" (p. 21). According to the authors, not only is the heart a place for sentiment, it is also a place of wisdom. 

As a person experiences stress, anxiety, or tension, the body initiates the stress responses of the autonomic nervous system. The HeartMath techniques are designed to redirect this response to a calm state of balanced biochemistry. Identifying the stressors in one’s life is important in this process. The authors use an approach to assist the individual in compiling this personal emotional information through the use of a "Stress, Emotions, and Physiological Activation" axis (p. 93). This personalized chart begins to identify for the individual those habitual areas of discomfort and stress. High Arousal/High Energy emotions are noted on the upper half of the axis, such as, passion, joy, love, care, anger, fear, worry, and anxiety; while Low Arousal/Low Energy emotions are noted in the lower half.  Examples of the low energy emotions include compassion, serenity, contentment, inner balance, hopelessness, depression, despair, and apathy. Those emotions which are considered positive are listed on the right side of the axis; and negative ones on the left. The right side of the axis identifies the high-performance zone; the left side is the low-performance or stress zone. 

Understanding how to shift the persistent attitudes around negative emotions is taught with the technique of Attitude Breathing. The authors discuss synchronizing the nervous system activity to better control the emotions. They advocate the use of HeartMath techniques to facilitate a coherent interaction between the three levels of the triune brain, the heart brain, and gut brain. Participants are trained to release those long-standing unproductive attitudes that habitually influence their attitudinal states: "Coherence makes it easier to find a neutral state, and a higher order of objectivity can become available to you" (p. 102).

The use of HeartMath techniques differs from cognitive behavioral therapies in that using these techniques is said to shift the emotions and the physiology during the actual real-time experience. This ’fast-track’ approach begins to break the stress circuitry right in the moment, paving the way for new habits. The authors claim that is the difference between HeartMath and other methods of stress coping skills – like scheduling a massage, a trip to the gym, or a vacation well after the stress is experienced. "Managing your emotions when you experience stress rather than after the fact, is what transforms your habitual stress response" (p. 66).

Managing the emotional shift rather than simply a mental shift is the goal of this therapy, clearing the way to being "heart vulnerable [and] in the moment" (p. 121). Learning to be authentic, genuine, and grateful activates the energetic heart as taught through the technique of Freeze Frame. It gives the individual the ability to take time out and evaluate the intentions, motivations and mental/emotional reactions that are occurring.  After shifting to a heartfelt emotion, the individual is directed to sense what "would be the most efficient, effective attitude or action that would balance your system and help release stress," (p. 123) thus activating heart intelligence. Applications for this approach could include creating a state to facilitate a decision or to invite creative ideas.

Other books and tools used by the Institute of HeartMath are listed as well as licensing and trainer certification information. One particularly helpful tool is the Freeze Framer software which is used by the participant to get a direct feedback of the biophysical nature of heart rhythm coherence. This monitor provides objective data of heart rhythm patterns by measuring heart rate variability thus aiding the participant in understanding what heart rhythm coherence feels like.

Several reference pages provide evidence for the usefulness of the HeartMath techniques and ample suggestions for further research.

The overall value of the book is tremendous, particularly those interested in being more consciously involved in the creation of their health. From the layperson to the counselor, the easy to follow techniques can help to generate a higher quality of life and health and support the ability to retake responsibility and control of one’s life. 

Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications Inc., 2005. 152 pp $12.95