Heart Rate Variability

Heart Rate Variability Coherence Training

With increased educational opportunities people are smarter than ever these days. And yet, we are more anxious, stressed, depressed, reactive and over medicated than ever. This is a major warning sign that we are out of balance.

The HeartMath Institute researches heart-brain communication and its relationship to managing stress, increasing coherence, and deepening our connection to self and others.

Over 20 years of research has told us that it is the quality of the emotion that affects how our body responds. With our HeartMath emWave technology  we are able to measure this through Heart Rate Variability (HRV). HRV is the normal, naturally occurring variations or changes in the amount of time between heartbeats. It is the beat-to-beat changes in our heart rate. It is often a precursor brainwave biofeedback to allow coherence of the heart and emotions as well as increase oxygenation of the brain. This is different than your overall heart rate – the number of beats that occur in any given minute. Physiological coherence is derived from HRV. Coherence is a measure of the pattern in the heart’s rhythm, which is independent of the amount of HRV, and reflects an orderly and harmonious synchronization among various systems in the body such as the heart, respiratory system and blood-pressure rhythms. The amount of coherence we have in our heart’s rhythms can be measured with HeartMath emWave technology.

The HeartMath Institute System offers both technology and training options to help you harness the power of your heart rhythms to manage your emotions. HRV training affects stress, health, focus, communication, creativity, as well brings a more balanced you into your interactions, which in turn improves your relationships.

The heart is, in fact, a highly complex information-processing center with its own functional brain.

The heart is commonly called the “heart brain” and communicates with and influences the cranial brain via the nervous system, hormonal system, and other pathways. These influences affect brain function and most of the body’s major organs and play an important role in mental and emotional experience and the quality of our lives.

The HeartMath System has been developed and validated through rigorous scientific research. The Institute of HeartMath is a non-profit research organization recognized as a global leader in emotional physiology and stress-management research. Institute scientists also explore the electrophysiology of intuition and how all things are interconnected. Their studies using HeartMath techniques and technology have been published in many peer reviewed journals including:

The American Journal of Cardiology, Harvard Business Review and Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Additional studies are currently taking place in many institutions such as Mayo Clinic, Arizona State University, University of Northampton, Northampton, England and VA Palo Alto Health Care System.

success stories:

“After experiencing extreme anxiety and debilitating fatigue, I was referred to Dr. Stephanie Rimka for neurofeedback. The atmosphere was kind and supportive. After a couple months, my anxiety and fatigue were improving by leaps and bounds. Still to this day, a year and half later, my work at Brain & Body Solutions has lasted, and I feel better than I have in years.”

– E.W., Neuroscientist

I have referred several of my clients to Dr. Rimka for neurofeedback. In conjunction with my therapy, the clients who have completed neurofeedback, have, in my opinion, experienced increased insight and happiness. They have also experienced a decrease in depression, anxiety, dissociation, negative thoughts, and insomnia.

I wish all my clients were willing to incorporate neurofeedback into their treatment.

-Cynthia Cosson, Licensed Professional Counselor, DBT Intensively Trained, Imago Therapist

Like many of her patients, I came to Dr. Stephanie with a complex set of problems—autoimmune disease, insomnia, fatigue, and depression…Dr. Stephanie is knowledgeable in many areas, including women’s health, and her counsel was very beneficial. My health improved, my mental state  improved, and I looked forward to every session.

– Lily, Artist

I  had been diagnosed with complex PTSD. I was unable to focus and felt like my life was over. She was patient, kind, went over and beyond what any other provider ever has. Finally, I have shifted and turned a corner in my life. I believe in myself again and ready to face the world with a much more resilient attitude. Her strong and loving presence is a gift and her commitment to her patients is unwavering. I only wish I had met her when I was much younger but like she says, ‘It’s never too late to become what you might have been.’

– T.D., Speaker/Performer

We first came to see Dr. Rimka to try neurofeedback for our then 5-year-old son who is on the Autism Spectrum…Dr. Rimka has been an invaluable source of information, inspiration, and healing for us.

– E.S., Supermom

Just wanted to thank you for the work you did with me last time I was home. What a beautiful gift you gave me – you gave me my creativity back! My spirit is definitely lighter and happier to be around!

-Robin, Artist

It is very difficult to put into words exactly how instrumental Dr. Rimka has been in helping my son work through his challenges…Despite being very intelligent, he was so anxious that panic attacks were very common to the point he couldn’t even speak…The gratitude and love that we have for them can never be expressed.  I will be bringing my entire family to Dr. Rimka, and I highly recommend her to my clients, friends, and family.

– Andi, Massage Therapist

Emotionally things feel different since our work together. I feel a certain calmness around decisions, and that’s nice! Spiritually I notice my thoughts changing to more positive, inspired ones without even consciously trying. Thank you so much for helping me find myself again.

                                                                                          – Cindy, Retired

I feel great today! In fact, I’ve never felt better.
I don’t know what you did, but you did wonders. Thank you!

– Adrienne, HR Executive