How The Heart Can Heal

It is in the name... uniting hearts.  What does this mean to us?  Every day more is learned about how we show up in the world, process information and about somatic connections.   The heart is proving to be the key. 

 

The information below supports the services at NW Hearts United.  This is from a HeartMath Institute study www.heartmath.org.

 

“Recent studies conducted by the Institute of HeartMath provide a clue to explain the bidirectional “healing” that happens when we are near horses. According to researchers, the heart has a larger electromagnetic field and higher level of intelligence than the brain: A magnetometer can measure the heart’s energy field radiating up to 8 to 10 feet around the human body. While this is certainly significant it is perhaps more impressive that the electromagnetic field projected by the horse’s heart is five times larger than the human one (imagine a sphere-shaped field that completely surrounds you). The horse’s electromagnetic field is also stronger than ours and can actually directly influence our own heart rhythm!

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​Horses are also likely to have what science has identified as a “coherent” heart rhythm (heart rate pattern) which explains why we may “feel better” when we are around them. . . studies have found that a coherent heart pattern or HRV is a robust measure of well-being and consistent with emotional states of calm and joy – that is, we exhibit such patterns when we feel positive emotions.

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A coherent heart pattern is indicative of a system that can recover and adjust to stressful situations very efficiently. Often times, we only need to be in a horse’s presence to feel a sense of wellness and peace. In fact, research shows that people experience many physiological benefits while interacting with horses, including lowered blood pressure and heart rate, increased levels of beta-endorphins (neurotransmitters that serve as pain suppressors), decreased stress levels, reduced feelings of anger, hostility, tension and anxiety, improved social functioning; and increased feelings of empowerment, trust, patience and self-efficacy.”

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The Influence of the Heart on Healing

Horses have an extremely strong heart rhythm or heart energy field. Equine facilitated methods have conducted studies, especially using HeartMath, showing horses assisting in healing humans.  One of the ways this occurs is when a horse’s heart rhythm is strong enough to influence the human’s heart rhythm, aiding in regulating and calming the body and the neurochemistry within the brain.

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Breaking the Patterns… Courage and Connection

The level of emotional balance and congruency humans provide the horse-human relationship creates connections that affect our emotional and energetic regulation, and provide a sense of safety and belonging.   Feelings like these help break dysfunctional, unhealthy patterns that keep us stuck and unable to respond in present meaningful ways.

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Heart to Heart Article  Click Here

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Measuring the Emotional Bond Between Horses and Humans Article  Click Here