Heart Coherence trainer Katrien Geeraerts: Live life according to your own time and pace

In our busy and often hectic world, consciously seeking ways to relax is essential to stay well-balanced. The question is: how do you do that? We ask experts to share their tips & tricks with us. Meet Katrien Geeraerts, heart coherence trainer and author of two noteworthy books on heart coherence and hyperventilation.

Katrien Geeraerts

“I’m Katrien, a Belgium heart coherence trainer, specialized in anxiety and hyperventilation. I’m also co-author of the books 'Keep Breathing' and 'Hyperventilation, fear and panic'.”

How do you notice you’re in need of relaxation?

“Whenever I find myself too busy and not living according to my own pace and needs, I get all kinds of physical and mental struggles. Physically I can feel agitation and dizziness. It becomes harder to relax and I also feel it in my heart rhythm. Mentally, my concentration and resilience become lower. At such moments, I experience sensory overload, it’s disastrous.”

What do you do at these moments to take good care of yourself?

“I try to live according to my own pace and take as many short relaxing moments as possible during my busy day. I do this through heart coherence training (with or without biofeedback) - on a regular basis.

In addition, a good lifestyle is absolutely necessary! I walk 4 to 5 km each day, I try to eat a varied and healthy diet (and sometimes I consciously sin), I drink enough water and consciously end my day with gratitude. The ultimate way to relax for me is to experience good connections with the right people.”

What has conscious breathing brought you?

“I consciously feel all the effects in my body. Only when you sit quietly and breathe, you can become aware of the adrenaline rush that sometimes flows through your blood. Whether it’s because something overwhelmingly fun happened, or something sad or stress-related.

Breathing brings you closer to your soul. It makes you aware of what is going on, right now. It lowers your heart rate and blood pressure. You can measure that too. Measurement brings knowledge.”

What’s your favorite moment to use moonbird?

“I alternate using moonbird with and without the app, to track my biofeedback. During the day it varies, but in any case I use it before getting out of bed in the morning and before going to sleep.”

What do you like about breathing with moonbird?

“You can do breathing exercises with your eyes closed, it helps you to stay close to yourself and what you are feeling at that moment. Moonbird feels very soft, it’s a beautiful device.”

What is your favorite motto in life?

“Live life according to your own time and pace!”

Connect with Katrien?

Find her at www.biofeedbacktraining.be.