Show notes
On today's episode, I'll be covering how recent research from HeartMath institute shows us what Chinese Medicine has been teaching for centuries, and that is that the heart houses the mind. I will also cover why that matters when it comes to fertility health! In this episode I will go over: -Why you can't control emotions directly (and what you can do to shift them over time). -How to use biofeedback on your heart brain coherence for free on an app. -The importance of your heart state and why it behaves like a little brain. For more information about Michelle, visitwww.michelleoravitz.com The Wholesome Fertility facebook group is where you can find free resources and support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2149554308396504/ Instagram: @thewholesomelotusfertility Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewholesomelotus Transcript: [00:00:00]Welcome to the Wholesome Fertility Podcast. On today's episode, I'm going to talk about something that I find really fascinating and I've actually gotten into something called heart math, but I'm going to discuss also the connection between the heart and the uterus and why the heart is something that often gets overlooked. Emotions often get overlooked when it comes to the fertility journey. Many times when somebody's undergoing fertility challenges, they'll go immediately to what foods they should eat, what kind of supplements they should take, etc. But so much in the, literally, no pun intended, the heart of it really needs to go to The emotional state of the person from a Chinese medicine perspective and from my perspective as a practitioner I see that because that's one of the things that I look at when I'm treating people So I'm gonna give you kind of my perspective as a practitioner and I'm also gonna give you some[00:01:00]data and research and science That's out there something called heart math Institute, which I'll be Explaining a little bitmore in a bit But it is really important not to miss the state of the heart because thestate of the heart impacts the uterus directly by a vessel called bowel my I've discussed this before as the heart uterus connection and basically the heart's role onthe uterus is to open the uterus and when the heart is imbalanced, it can impact the role. Cause just think about anything. If something has a role, anything, and it has otherthings that are stressing it, thenit's just not going to do its job as well as it wouldhave if it feels more balanced and whole. So, I'll explain exactly like really the energetics of the heart. So, when I talk about energetics of the[00:02:00]heart, I'mreally talking about a TCM perspective, a traditional Chinese medicine perspective. And it's different than if you went to a cardiologist and they said, Oh, something's wrong with your heart. Nothing necessarily is physically wrong with the heart. You could still have an energetic imbalance with the heart and that have nothing to do with. like a physical manifestation or something going on like physical that really needs to get treated emergently. So I want to throw that out there again. Also, this is not medical advice. This is not something that should be used as a medical diagnosis, but I thought that it was veryimportant to address. And then you can also look into some of the resources thatI'll be mentioning. So the heart in Chinese medicine is considered to be housing the mind. So the mental state of a person is very much connected and linked to the part. So[00:03:00]the heart immediately responds to any mental conditions. And if you've been in a situation where you've had anxiety, you may realize or feel that you have heart palpitations or you're nervous about something, you'll feel it immediately in your heart. What's interesting is, is that We've always been taught that as traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, that the heart houses the mind and that there is this connection. But new research from the heart math Institute, interestingly enough, is also showing that there is a connection. There's this connection and communication that happens between the heart and the mind.So what they're finding is that the heart actually sends signals to the brain. So what state your heart is in and your heart almost has like neurons the way it functions and it's almost like another brain really? So it's fascinating to just think about because[00:04:00]most of the time you don't really think of the heart as having that much of an impact, but it can actually similarly to the gut when they talk about the gut microbiome.If you have a lot of Candida, for example, if you have certain dysbiosis where there's an imbalance in the microbiome, whatever that microbiome wants, it will signal to the brain for you to eat. So say you have a lot of Candida, um, Which likes sugar, it's going to cause you to crave sugar. So it's kind of fascinating how we think we're in control.And then we have these organs that are actually communicating with our brain, telling the brain what it wants. And so it sort of overrides our own logic and our will in a sense. So there is this really strong connection between the two. And the non top of it, the heart has a really important role on the uterus.So, therefore, having that connection between the heart and the brain, and then the heart and the[00:05:00]uterus, one can deduce, and obviously I'll be talking also about the research, that the mental state, really getting into control of the mental state, can impact your uterus. Ultimately, and that there is this connection between the heart and the mind and having this coherence.So coherence when something is in coherence and the heart math institute, they talk about that a lot heart coherence and when your heart is in coherence, which what that means is that it's organized, it has a pattern that's rhythmic and it's more consolidated where it's not as erratic. If you're stressed, what they see is that if you're in a stress mode or if you're in a mode, really, that's depleting of energy that is going to impact the way the coherence shows up in your heart. So the coherence gets impacted by your state of mind and vice versa. It[00:06:00]also impacts your state of mind. So there are certain exercises that they found, one of them slowing down your breath. And they found that doing these exercises can increase your heart coherence and therefore increase your brain coherence and that altogether over time impacts something called the heart rate variability and which, just to explain it in layman's terms, is that heart rate variability means that it can basically stretch itself and adjust accordingly to certain situations easily.Basically what it means is that it's more adaptable and over time when you do these exercises that really come down to our own intention, our breath work and our, where we're putting our energy and our focus. And also thinking about positive things that you love. So having a state of thinking about what you love in your life,[00:07:00]which points to why a gratitude journal is so important, is because it's putting your focus on what you have, and it also puts your focus on something that really fills your heart.And all of us can find something. So that's something that, over time, Is a practice.It's called a practice for a reason is because the more you practice, the better you become, and the more you train your mind to focus on those things. And when you get into that state, you really do become a magnet for more of those things.And you get into a state of receivership. So a lot of what I'm saying. Is really things that I've seen with my own patients, these are observations I've made and I think that it's really helpful to, for anybody who's going through the fertility journey to hear and also kind of a little bit of, um, uh, pre announcement, I am in the works of finishing up a book. And I'm very excited about it. It's called the way of fertility. And it talks[00:08:00]really about the energetics of fertility. And I'm very, very excited about it because it's a lot about what I've seen. It's a lot about what ancient medicine has been teaching us. And if you look at really ancient teachings, ancient medicine, they've always been pointing to very similar, like a lot of different teachings point to the similar things.And really what it comes down to is having a state of living in the accordance with the way. With a DAO, which is nameless, but it's this state of harmony that gets created when things are in balance. And when that happens, it doesn't even necessarily have to rely on what you're eating or doing. It really has to do with how you're being, your state of being and state. And, and it tends to be a really hard thing to control because it's not something that we can observe with the senses that we're, we use a lot, which are the hearing, smelling, tasting, seeing, it's a different type of.[00:09:00]sense. It's something that's more interoception. Basically what that means is that feeling inside of your body, what is going on and what heart math does.It's so fascinating and I actually highly recommend getting Um, a device. It's about 150 bucks, but it's worth it. It connects to the app, the heart math app, or you don't have to actually get the device. If you want to start the only app of theirs that you can test your coherence is the global, the global coherence one. And that is more where you're joining groups, but nobody really knows who youare. It just, all it does is measure your heart coherence, but it does so in a way of where you're putting your finger on the camera and then you connect with that and that it actually does, um, check your heart rate variability and your heart coherence through that.And so that's one free way if you want to just check it out. It won't [00:10:00]work on the just straight up heart math where they have the different exercises, But it works on the group one. So you could definitely take a look. The group one also has video lessons and it explains everything. The reason I get so excited about this is because I just completed a certification for heart math and I'm just blown away.I mean, there's so many levels of like learning about the body and the mind and now. we have so much research and so much coming out that have really been proving what has been said all along. It's basically proving what Chinese medicinesays, which is that the heart houses the mind and the connections.I mean, the heart housing the mind means without the heart, you don't have. A heldmind, basically. And so when the heart is not in a stable mode, how can it hold amind? And there are certain people, which is fascinating. I'll, I'll mention this. My husband's an ER doctor. I've mentioned that[00:11:00]before. So you've been listening to the podcast.You probably know. And what he actually mentioned, this is fascinating.Absolutely fascinating. He had mentioned that when people talk about people dying of a heart of a broken heart. There's actual science that shows that there is no medical reason, no like common medical reason for why the person would have aheart attack, meaning there's no blockage, there's no like specific reason that is typical for people getting heart attacks, so it's not like a blockage or a clot or like You know, arteries getting like calcified or, you know, all the typical reasons why a person would normally have a heart attack. They don't have that reason. They actually have a completely clear heart and that the only explanation would be that they're impacted by a very tremendous loss. Soit just goes to show how important it isto[00:12:00]acknowledge that and realize that and so with feelings I want to mention We're not really built to control our feelings. When the feelings happen, they happen. It's almost like trying to control the wind. When the wind happens, you just let it happen. You allow it to happen. If you try to stop it or resist it, it actually makes it worse. So that's why whenever I talk about validation a lot, because validation is super powerful. It's important to validate your feelings. And I remember a teacher telling me this was a health teacher in my middle school years, which happened to be really hard for me. It was around the time my parents got divorced and it was a really hard time. And I remember her mentioning. feelings aren't right or wrong.They just are. And I was like, wow, this is incredible. This really, really speaks tome on so many levels. And so that was something very powerful. And I just want to mention this to you. Like there is no right or[00:13:00]wrong way to gothrough the fertility journey. To feel through the losses and most of the time the losses happen from my understanding from a lot of my patients and obviously every case is different. But a lot of people say they go through it alone. So it is really important to find agood community. And I've actually two of my patients who I absolutely adore.They both came to me. They're both really close friends. They actually met me fairly recently, but they felt this really strong bond together and, um, they talk about each other like they're sisters.It's just amazing. And they're both going through the same thing and they're both expressing to me, Oh my God, if I didn't have her, I don't know what I would do.It's just like nobody else gets it. So to have that person in your life that truly gets itis priceless. And unfortunately not[00:14:00]everybody has that. However, nowadays, there are a lot of communities out there where people feel so hurt and so seen and this is for pregnancy loss or people going through the fertility journey and I'm not talking about just like some of the Facebook groups and you have to be really careful because sometimes I've heard from a lot of people that it can bring them down and they hear bad news and so it really depends on what it is, you know, getting clear on like what it is that makes you feel better. and finding the group that resonates for you. And sometimes it is just venting, needing a place to vent and have that. What I mean by bringing them down is when they're seeing like people get getting pregnant and then losing it and then it gets into their mind, Oh my God, is that going to happen to me? You know, those kinds of things. So you really have to know yourself and knowhow certain things are impacting your heart, your heart state, how it feels. And really interoception is this[00:15:00]golden key of connecting with your body.And one of the best ways to strengthen that is really getting quiet and heart math isa wonderful way as well.And you could do that a couple of times a day or just even once a day for five minutes. And start out. So the amazing thing about it is that it's like biofeedback.The device connects, you, you basically put it on your earlobe. It's super easy, not complicated at all. And if you get the device, you could also do it with your finger. Um, so I'd mentioned that, but if you do get the device, it's really, really easy touse. You literally put it on your earlobe. And what's amazing about it is that it is a form of biofeedback, which basically. It teaches your mind, when you're aware of what's happening to your heart, to pretty much control the heart.And the tool that you do that with is a breathing, a certain type of breathing rhythm. And it also tells you, it[00:16:00]has a little, like, I don't know if it's like circle, each one is a little different. So you'll see, but it'll basically have a tool that shows you, you inhale to one end and then you exhale to another end.And you just follow this circle or meter, you know, everyone's a little different andyou follow that. And as you're breathing, you're breathing from the heart area. So you just imagine as if your heart is breathing and you go in and out and then youfocus on emotions of love. You bring yourself back to a place in your life.Maybe it's when you met your partner or something that really, really resonated, or even like connecting with your pet. Something that makes you feel that warm and fuzzy feeling. Getting to that state and when you do that, you start to, it's pretty much meta meditation, which is loving kindness. It's very similar to that. And then you do that every single day. At first you start out with your eyes closed and you focus on this[00:17:00]and you measure your coherence. But over time,you may not even need the device. You could be out somewhere and dealing with something that might be triggering or stressful. And during that time. You get intothe state, you'll know how to connect with that again.So you start to breathe like that on your own because over time you practice andit's something that you can bring up. It's an emotional state that you can actuallystart to bring up and control. And that's the fascinating thing about it. So as I mentioned before, emotions are really, once emotions get triggered or they'reactive, it's very hard to put them back in the box. So you just let them. Do their thing, let them feel them. Doesn't mean to scream at people or anything like that. Obviously control yourself to some extent. If you're out in public, find a space, maybe take a couple of deep breaths and kind of be with yourself and, or if you can. Just acknowledge them, talk about them,[00:18:00]feel them, be with them. It's okay. Like just really validate and go through those emotions. Once that happens, one of the things that you can control, so it's not so much emotions, but what you can control. And this is something that happens over time is number one, your awareness of what thoughts were you having that contributed to those emotions having like happening. And most of the time you will find that there's certain thoughts that can make you feel those emotions. So for example, I'm really impatient. So when I'm driving, I get really like frustrated with the drivers here in Miami and What aremy thoughts my thoughts are I have to be somewhere and and so I start to stress myself out and I feel my Heart increasing. So this is just an example I'm just giving you some random example so that you understand like how thoughts really do come into play and One evidence is of that is why? Can you[00:19:00]have ten different people with the same exact situation? But they'll have 10 different reactions to them. Some people will get sad.Some people will get angry. Some people will just not care. Everybody has a different response. What is it that's different about them? It's probably, well, it is, it's their thought or perspective on the situation. And that is one thing we can't control. So when we do have emotions and they're active, you allow yourself to go through that. You accept it. You don't resist it. You allow it to be, but one of the things that youcan do over time is control where your mind is going, and that will empower you, especially when you're dealing with challenges. So one of the ways that I find. That helps with that is a gratitude practice because all it does is it really Trains your mind over time to focus on what you do have so the small wins You know the small tiny wins my AMH increase something even if it's not like a full big one[00:20:00] Something that happens, just celebrate those wins. And then if your body does something that you're excited about, like you ovulated or the menstrual cycle is starting to get a little more regular. I have one patient where her menstrual cycle is starting to regulate, but she hasn't gotten pregnant and she's going through the same disappointment every single month, every time she gets her period. And we talked about it. I talked about validating that and allowing herself to have that good cry. And it's important to feel the feelings. And yet she told me, I know that this happened. It was really disappointing, but I'm really happy because my period is better. Like I'm seeing improvements in my body, which tells me that things are going well.So those are small wins. They're tiny little wins, but ultimately. One of the things that I find really powerful is just doing a gratitude journal and slowly moving your mind into a state of thinking about things that make you[00:21:00]feel good. AndI highly recommend starting this HeartMath practice and looking into the different exercises.You can find also tons of videos about it if you're interested and you want to learn more on YouTube. Just Look up HeartMath or go to the HeartMath Institute website and they have products. They have apps again You could start out with free. I recommend if you can invest in the device, but you don't have to have the device So there are definitely many ways to do that.But what it does is it really ultimately nurtures the state of your heart and ultimately The heart is the way through to the uterus. So I'm seeing it from a TCM perspective and how I see my patients getting impacted from the acupuncture and also from lifestyle changes. I see how they get impacted And I see how the[00:22:00]emotion component of it is really, really important. It should not be ignored. It is an important thing, and ultimately because you deserve to feel well. You deserve to feel good in your body. You deserve to not suffer. So, these are little tools, but again, if you are suffering, there's no right or wrong way. Like, It just is. So, just like feelings aren't right or wrong, they just are. However you are in this state is just how you feel, and that's okay. Like, once you have those active emotions, just allow them to be. Pemo Chodron, she's, uh, an author and Buddhist monk. And she talks a lot about sitting with your emotions. And one of the books that I love also by Michael Singer is the Untethered Soul. He talks about leaning into what is leaning into the emotions that you're feeling. And I find that to be incredibly powerful because it's[00:23:00]when you allow yourself, it's when you don't resist what is that it frees you. It really frees you and it allows the emotions to move. So you're not holding them in place, you're just allowing them to be. And you're honoring that. You're honoring the state that you're in. So, really it's two fold. It's doing the practice and guiding yourself little by little and really becoming aware of your emotional state and how that impacts your heart. And noticing also, like, how does your heart feel? Sometimes you will literally feel a pressure on your chest if you're feeling anxious. And again, when you're feeling that just be with it, but the awareness of what that can teach you in that moment showing you how your body's reacting is huge. Because it shows you, it starts to teach you how your body responds and how yourbody sends you signals when it is in certain states. So I hope this was beneficial for you. I[00:24:00]do feel like it can really empower you once you really understand that inner terrain. I talk a lot about that. And it's because it is, hands down, one of the most powerful things you can do. Not only for your state of being, but also for your body. Your body will respond to your emotions and your state and yourthoughts are what controls the emotion. So that's kind of like the steering wheel. If you guys ever want to, you can DM me on Instagram. That's always a good place to find me. And my Instagram is at the wholesome lotus fertility. And you can DM me. I have a lot of people, actually, alot of listeners reaching out to me there. I also give a lot of free fertility content on there, so it's a good place to go.Lots of good tips on diet, supplements, lifestyle, mind tips, all of that. And thank you so much for tuning in today. Have a beautiful day.