SOFCast's Midweek Conceptmaxxing - "Biological Resonance"
Conceptmaxxing - Not to be mistaken for the great crime of "philosophical investigation"...
The loose concept of resonance will play an essential part in our upcoming work together. Resonant frequency is a core principle of right-breathing and Hara breathing. We need to understand this foundational element to know what we're doing. I believe anyone spruiking breathing who does not account for this cannot offer life-long structural biological change.
Although there are operationalist definitions for resonance in much of the biological literature, it is often used intuitively. Cardio-pulmonary-specific work, like that we're involved in, and technical literature increasingly references it technically, for good reasons.
In physics, "...resonance means a condition in which an oscillating system shows the maximum amplitude response to an alternating driving force" (Schaffer - 2007)
Physics views resonance as a vibratory frequency of any system. To make something resonate, we need to understand its resonant frequency - once energy is added to it, to ascertain the rate at which it vibrates.
Generally, determining the system frequency is achieved through stimulating a system with different frequencies (This is critical to our work, that's what we'll be trying for, kids). Whilst doing so, measuring the system's vibratory responses. The response we're looking for in our cardio-pulmonary systems is maximal efficient amplitude. Like all systems in nature, the human body and cardio-pulmonary processes demonstrate resonance, and we can measure it.
This resonance is measured by Heart Rate Variability, Venous Return and Arterial Pressure and the blood wave associated with it, efficient gaseous exchange, and autonomic balance. Autonomic balance is the very thing that we've argued is reflected by HRV.
This is a complex dynamic interplay, considering the complexity of environmental factors and how they interact with our internal systems.
Therefore, proper breathing necessarily reflects a specific resonant frequency in our data. Through adjustments according to our bio-feedback, personal resonance is what we're striving for - the point of maximal efficiency in the interplay of these various systems.
The oft-given example of resonance is that of a swing in a park. A child swinging and an adult pushing the swing. We all know that when in a swing, we can find the zone or point in which we can swing the highest whilst exerting optimal effort. This is our sweet spot.
Too much effort and energy? The swing will become unstable, loosening and perhaps becoming dangerous over the subsequent few cycles. If not enough effort is put in, exerted in the wrong way at the incorrect point within the swing system, the swing will drop in height.
Breathwork is much the same. The system's frequency of resonance – the system's moment of optimal efficiency and "coherence" is the key to all our work since this is the thing that will induce maximal, resonant coherent amplitude of HRV, blood around the body, gaseous exchange, and organ efficiency.
Not all breathwork achieves this task. Indeed, our everyday breathing habits are shabby and pathetic. Lowly byproducts of nerdoid tendencies, of a lesser animal. Living in a word daze, obsessed with political frenzy and the worthless, formless burblings of deluded cretins - but that isn't us, is it, readers?
Because we know this is the problem now. Imagine thinking you can overlay word structures on reality and have it mean or do anything. Are they all into Harry Potter that much? Do they like magic spewls? Do these babies like Harry Potter? Are they commies?
Another Key Problem in losing resonant frequency with breath: Too much effort, too much forcing. I would imagine this would be the statue-head esoteric rights' primary issue since they feel they must rage against life to make up for their intrinsic self-hatred. Raging, that's for sure.
I digress.
HRV often becomes less stable and diminishes in amplitude and resonance with too much effort. Rather like our swing example. Balancing the ANS then is not an easy task; resonance is highly individual and must be worked with as such - my own results over the last few months measuring HRV, GSR and blood wave data indicate this. The last thing we want to promote is the swing becoming highly unstable.
As discussed in previous articles, HRV results from intrinsic autonomic state. It is the only metric, non-invasive, that gives us insight. Resonance, for breathing, is, therefore, a function of blood flow and circulation - induced by breathing through thoracic pressure.
And like our swing, many people haven't mustered enough energy to exert maximal amplitude, and others, they're breathing too intense and too deep, too quickly. Threatening to derail the entire project. Many people have superman syndrome; we keep thinking we're some kind of spiritual hero. Or whatever other cretinous personal insecurities drive it, and we miss it. Just relax.
With the product I will be releasing and is in testing with a kiwi and a yank who will remain unnamed for their personal safety, we can, at best approximate breath frequency and resonance. Indeed, it may be possible to intuit it with time.
It is another matter entirely to use data to find it. I can and do assist people with this. However, you must work with me due to the required data crunching and specialised sensors.
Finding your unique personal, resonant frequency - is the real goal of all this work. Our work. This is true, life-changing work. The key to unlocking our individual organisms' overall biological frequency. The true vitality.
Look out for this weekends newsletter on non-self, where I will be saying “not that not that” a lot. I warn you though, for whatever reason people find this subject matter truly traumatising. If that’s you, I don’t want to hurt your fee fees, or drown in the global flood of tears that typically ensues. So give it a miss if you like.
Nevertheless, looking forward to crushing people with the “SOFCast guide to non-self” artikal this week. Should be a cracker.
Enjoy your weeks,
-A