The Effect of the Practice of Nia Dance On Sustained Periods of Psychophysiological Coherence; HRV:

A Literature Review

A proposal in light of relevant research

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Introduction:

The commonalities held between achieving a high state psychophysiological coherence and the healing arts included in foundation of Nia dance center around the concept of awareness. Psychophsyiological coherence can be assessed through the measure of heart rate variability, and is defined as a global state of optimal function (McCraty, 2008).

This optimal well-being is shares a correlation with the ability of an individual to emotionally self-regulate, and replace negative emotions, (which, are physiologically caused by ineffective and imbalanced metabolic function) with positive emotions (being characteristic of optimal metabolic rate and ratio.

Nia includes healing arts such as Feldenkrais and Alexander Techniques, Yoga, T’ai Chi, and more.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Yoga:

Yoga emphasizes the stretching of the musculature and the maintaining of balance while assuming a variety of postures, or asanas, that condition a combination of flexibility, strength and focused attention. Yoga has demonstrated through research to result in a longer period of psychophysiological coherence than meditation and supine rest alone (Sarang & Telles, 2006).

The reason that the practice of Yoga supports psychophysiological coherence is unknown. It is that practices such as yoga, T’ai Chi, and the Alexander and Feldenkrais techniques that regulate and place breath may be involved.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Alexander and Feldenkrais:

The Feldenkrais theory suggests that an individual has access to each of the seventy-two trillion cells composing the human body, and that alleviation of pain, a more effective lifestyle, and greater sense of well-being can be crafted through sensorimotor self-exploration (Buchanan & Ulrich, 2001).

This sensorimotor self-exploration manipulates behavioral patterns by method of providing experiential insight into the development of a correct body map, or cognitive schema of personally effective and pleasurable movement (Peterson, 2008).

One of the purposes of Nia is to invite self-exploration through movement and sensation.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture. QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and a

TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

T’ai Chi:

T’ai Chi is heavily focused on breathing, stretching and balancing. It also requires a certain amount of cognitive control control as it encompasses a particular method of meditation and the use of empty space for physical support.

Studies of elderly adults in Hong Kong have correlated a longer expected lifespan with the practice of T’ai Chi. It has been hypothesized that this is due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the maintaining of balance and special awareness throughout the aging process, the social aspect of T’ai Chi classes in groups, and the strengthening and conditioning of musculature (Kwai-Sang, 2002).

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Rationale & Discussion:

The largest obstacle in analyzing themes in existing literature is simply the fact that the HeartMath Technique and the associated equipment are in a relatively infantile stage of development. Although biofeedback practices have been used in the mainstream since the 1980’s, a more complex theoretical orientation of the principles, foundations, and results of biofeedback exercises have been explored in more recent years.

Theory now suggests that the physiological component of biofeedback therapy is far more than a relaxation technique that relieves tension, but also results in the regulation of neurotransmitter activity, which, can be brought to an optimum level that sustained over time through the regular practice of biofeedback exercises that create a strengthened system neural pathways that promote optimum psychophysiological function.

Examining the proclivity for the maintenance of a sustained period of psychophysiological coherence before and after a period of Nia dance execution provides a holistic approach for studying several different systems regarding a variety of types of corporeal awareness, in effect, contributing to answering the question of whether or not physical movement correlates with physiological effectiveness.

Hypothesis:

If a subject is exposed to ten minutes of practice of the HeartMath Technique for achieving physiological coherence before participating in a sixty minute Nia Dance session, and then spends another ten minutes repeating the initial HeartMath Technique exercise via use of the HeartMath EmWavePC, the period of time spent in HeartMath Technique following the Nia Dance session will yield a higher percentage of time spent in the psychophysiological coherence state. More simply stated, the practicing of the centering exercises in Nia will yield a greater proclivity toward maintaining a state of psychophysiological coherence.

References

Buchanan, P., & Ulrich, B. (2001, December). The Feldenkrais Method: a dynamic approach to changing motor behavior. / La Methode Feldenkrais: une approche dynamique pour changer le comportement moteur. Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sport, 72(4), 315-323. Retrieved September 11, 2009, from SPORTDiscus with Full Text database

Kohatsu, N.D. (2008, April 9). Preventative medicine physician interviews. Retrieved from http://www.amsa.org/preventive/kohatsu.cfm

Kwai-Sang Yau, M., & Packer, T. (2002, April). Health and well-being through T'ai Chi: perceptions of older adults in Hong Kong. Leisure Studies, 21(2), 163-178. Retrieved September 11, 2009, doi:10.1080/026143602110138850

McCraty, R. (2008, Spring2008). From Depletion to Renewal: Positive Emotions and HeartRhythm Coherence Feedback. Biofeedback, 36(1), 30-34. Retrieved September 11, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.

Peterson, P. (2008, May). Alexander Or Feldenkrais: Which Method Is Best?. Choral Journal, 48(11), 67-72. Retrieved September 11, 2009, from Academic Search Completedatabase

Sarang, P., & Telles, S. (2006, November). Effects of two yoga based relaxation techniques on heart rate variability (HRV). International Journal of Stress Management, 13(4), 460-475. Retrieved September 11, 2009, doi:10.1037/1072-5245.13.4.46