And the Beat Goes On

Vegetarian Times, Feb, 1999 by Cristin Marandino

Reading may be fundemental, but using it to improve the quality of your life is what it's all about. And that's exactly what these two new releases from the HeartMath Institute (HMI) will do. HMI is a nonprofit organization devoted to developing and teaching stress-management techniques through the understanding of the heart's effects on mental and emotional balance and immune system health.

Freeze Frame, Doc Childre

"Consider Freeze Frame as a sort of portable time machine, one that can't literally take you back in time but one that helps wake you up in the moment so you can experience more quality time in the future," writes Childre, founder of HMI.

Based on the premise that unbridled anger and frustration lead to nervous system imbalances that can damage the heart, brain and immune system, the book describes the five-step Freeze Frame technique for avoiding these self-destructive and all-too-common emotions. In a nutshell, the steps are to: recognize a stressful moment; shift your focus from the mind to the heart; recall a positive time; ask what the best response to the situation would be; and listen to the answer.

Before you write this off as New Age hype, know that several studies published in mainstream journals like the American Journal of Cardiobgy and the Journal of Advancement in Medicine have validated the technique's efficacy. One report found that subjects using the program were able to lower blood pressure. Another discovered a link between the techniques and improved immune-system function. These results have led mega-companies like Motorola, Hewlett-Packard and Boeing to bring in Freeze Frame trainers to teach the method to their employees.

The Hidden Power of the Heart, Sara Paddison

More thought-provoking than earth-shattering, this book helps the reader define the qualities (vulnerability, forgiveness, appreciation) that make us human. That's the easy part. The question this book asks--Can we be happier by realizing and acting on our true emotions?--prompt self-exploration of how to access and accept these true emotions. While the answer is not necessarily within these pages, Paddison's words will get you asking the right questions and your heart will give you the answers.

Both books are available from Planetary; call (800) 372-3100.