

Optimizing Life thru Heart Math
Location: Chiang Mai Holistic, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Website: Heart Math
Coach: Alan Strydom
Too Much Head, not Enough Heart
I've always made decisions from an intellectual perspective, often times neglecting input from the heart. While I know I'm right, sometimes, it doesn't feel right. What am I missing? When Alan Strydom, coach trainer for Heart Math, invited me to try the Heart Math approach, I took him up on it, curious if it would answer my questions.
Alan
+❤ HeartMath SA
Alan Strydom has layered dimensions to him. He's a DJ organizing Ecstatic and Secret Sunrise dances in Chiang Mai, a conscious soul who walks the path and a friend I hang with for coffee and long talks. He talks with a calming reassurance and empathy that he brings with him during the sessions. He makes the venue a safe place for everyone to let their guards down and come to terms with their struggles.
Workshop Format
We met on three Saturdays from 4-6pm at the Chiang Mai Holistic. It was an informal gathering as we leisured ourselves in the comfort of the floor cushions as Alan presented and explained slideshows on a wall screen. We were free to ask questions during the presentation. Our numbers fluctuated within 5-7 pax.
Lotsa Variables
Going through the 3-day course was more than a handful. There was so much to take in - biometrics, coherence, quadrants, 3D/4D/5Dimension, etc. And these were all tied-up with our own personal struggles to make sense and give us a kind of bearing.
Biometrics
What makes Heart Math unique is that they use instrumentation so you physically see what's happening to your physiology as your trigger points are pushed. With current technology, a sensor can be clipped on your ear and you see on the laptop color-coded graphs and pie charts telling you what's happening to your body in real time. This is powerful. You just don't feel the feeling, you actually see metrics on how the body is reacting to the feeling.
Breath
Like most modalities where mindful breathing plays a crucial role, so does Heart Math. You take refuge in the breath to keep the balance of the mind. By observing the breath, you are back in the here-and-now....and not playing back a painful episode that happened in the past or worry about the future.
New Science
While some modalities come from a tradition 2500 years old, Heart Math anchors itself on new science - quantum mechanics, epigenetics, etc. featuring the rock stars of the emergent Zeitgeist - Bruce Lipton, Gregg Braden and Dr. Joe Dispenza. I use the word new science because radical proposals are made that debunk what has been held for so long as gospel. And it's not just voodoo-talk, these are backed-up by experiments with repeatable and predictable results. There's a ton of empirical data supporting these studies. e.g. - it has been long held that we are a function of our genes. Genes are our constants we make a life from. New thinking now suggests consciousness and environment transcend genetics (Bruce Lipton).

Life Issues and Limiting Beliefs
It would seem that Heart Math addresses specific life issues, even though the therapy could be a broad brush stroke that clears up all blockages. Questions were asked on what goal we had, what our limiting beliefs stop us from those goals, cultivating feelings that those goals had been achieved, etc.
Mind and Heart
Another methodology of Heart Space is to make the head and heart think and beat as one - feeling the visualization. This is perhaps one of the most powerful approaches anyone can have in manifesting desires or architecturing reality as we construe it. Head without the heart could be intellectual adventurism. Heart without the head (no logical cornerstone) could be what I call sentimentalism. But together? It's pure synergy. 1+1=3 !!! This idea has been echoed in so many texts throughout history. It's even inferred to in the bible!
Ending Thoughts
I've come across many modalities designed to optimize life, more along the lines of empowerment keeled towards the spiritual path - Epigentics by Bruce Lipton (which I'm currently exploring with curious excitement), Vipassana Meditation Goenka tradition (in whose tenets I am a devotee), asana-pranayama-meditation (which has now become a way of life), and fitness training (because yoga alone is not a comprehensive body workout). They all work wonders.
Even within my periphery, I've sampled TRE (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises), Auto hypnosis, Psycho-Cybernetics (Maxwell Maltz), Art of Living by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and a whole host of transformative modalities.
Now, we have Heart Math - the newest of the modalities out there designed to free you up from stuck energies so you can move on through life with vitality, vigor and greater appreciation for what's on the table.
I don't think there is a one sure-shot approach to transformation. We are all unique individuals and there's no one-size fits all for awakening and growing up. Seriously, given the glut of all these tranformational modalities out there, there is no excuse for feeling miserable about life. But if all your efforts in transforming yourself have failed, perhaps you'd like to give Heart Math a try.
Thank you Alan for making me a part of this wonderful experience.
--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
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Alan on TheLoneRider.com
- Secret Sunrise: Nelson Mandela International Day July 17, 2019
- Farewell Picnic with Alan and Nicola July 15, 2019
- Optimizing Life thru Heart Math May 8, 15 and 22, 2019
- Fascinating Peoplescape Of Chiang Mai II May 22, 2019
- Secret Sunrise Interactive Dance May 9, 2019
- Peoplescape Of Chiang Mai Jan 24 - Mar 13, 2019
Next stop:

Chiang Mai, Thailand



















USEFUL INFORMATION
Chiang Mai FYI / Tips
- crop-burning season in Chiang Mai is between late Feb to early April. But laws change everytime. This year, 2019, there is a 61-day ban on burning so the farmers started burning early. When my plane was approaching Chiang Mai on Jan 24, 2019, there was already a thick blanket of smog covering the entire city (and beyond). But within the city itself, you won't feel it (but that doesn't mean the air is healthy). To monitor air conditions in real time, refer to site: Chiang Mai Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)
- hot season begins March and lasts until June
- wet season begins July and lasts until September
- best time to visit Chiang Mai is mid-September to mid-February - after the monsoon and before the burning
- you have to try Khao Soi, this is north Thailand's culinary staple
- the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located in the Old City
- to exchange your dollars to Thai Baht, the Super Rich Money Exchange give the best rates. There are many branches scattered around Chiang Mai
- get a red cab (songthao) outside the train station for Baht 50 (instead of paying B100 if inside the train station) to Old City - if you haggle nicely enough...I did!
- shared red taxi (songthao) - B30 standard fare plying all over Old City
- for only B50/day, best to rent a bike to go around the Old City - it's a 2.5km2 with lots to discover
- FREE daily yoga classes from 9:00am to 10:15am at Nong Buak Hard Park (southwest corner of Old City). Resident and passing-through teachers take turns conducting yoga classes.
Blues/Jazz Bars in Chiang Mai
- North Gate Pub - at Chang Phueg Gate, great Tuesday jam session, Blues on Sundays by the 11pm band
- Taphae East - 88 Thapae Rd. (just north of Night Bazaar). Fridays at 9:30pm by Chiang Mai Blues Band
- Boy Blues Bar - at the Night Bazaar. Mondays at 9:30pm is open mic
Chiang Mai Cost Index
- B60 Chiang beer
- B250 1 hour drop-in yoga session
- B200 one hour Thai body massage at WAYA Massage (highly recommended)
- B50 noodle soup with meat
- B50 coffee
- B40 pad thai
- B30/kilo wash-only laundry
- B50/kilo wash+iron laundry
- B100-150 dorm bed/night
- B250 fan room/night
- B30 internet cafe/hour
- B170-190 Movies Sat-Sun and public holidays
- B130-150 Movies weekdays
- B100 Movies Wednesdays (movie discount day)
- B750 1/2 day Thai cooking lessons
- B900-1000 1 full day Thai cooking lessons
- B400 Muay Thai boxing ticket
- B2500 starting room rate at the luxury hotel, Nawa Sheeva (highly recommended)
- B450 bus, Chiang Mai to Bangkok
- B160-180 bus, Chiang Mai to Pai
- B1250 bus, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
- B1650 slow boat, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
- B210 bus, Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, 3-4 hours
- B360 Green VIP bus, Chiang Mai to Mae Sai (Thai border town for visa run to Tachileik, Myanmar)
- B50 bicycle rental, 24 hours
- B200 motorbike rental, 24 hours
- B273 #51 sleeping train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
- B638 #7 a/c train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
- B50 red taxi fare from point to point
- B100 red taxi fare from train terminal to city
- B2000 full day elephant sanctuary
- B750 Chiang Rai one-day tour
- B1500 mountain biking scenic ride
How to Get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok by Train from Bang Sue Train Station
For more train info: Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains - departing from Hua Lamphong - MRT (Bangkok)
(I'm using Bang Sue as a starting point because I was closer to it, but you may be closer to the Hua Lamphong station)
- take the MRT train to Bang Sue Station. Take the #1 Exit to the north provincial trains
- Proceed to Counter 2. You will see an
information booth, a
train schedule chart and the
ticket counter. Choose the train and pay at the ticket counter.
- daily train schedule:
- 8:48am - #7 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:30pm, not sleeper, B638
- 2:06pm - #109 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 4:05am, sleeper
- 6:31pm - #9 Premium Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:15am, sleeper, B938 upper deck, B1038 lower deck
- 7:56pm - #13 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 8:40am, sleeper, B768 upper deck, B838 lower deck
- 10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck
Chiangmai Blogs by TheLoneRider
- Movie Review: Ford vs Ferrari Dec 5, 2019
- Roasted Red Bell Pepper Puree Dec 3, 2019
- Coffeemates and Breadmates (Nov 2019) Nov 30, 2019
- Bhujangini Mudra Nov 25, 2019
- Mathangini Mudra Nov 24, 2019
- Kaka Mudra Nov 23, 2019
- Movie Review: The Cave (2019) Nov 23, 2019
- Movie Review: Panic: The Untold Story of the 2008 Financial Crisis (2018) Nov 22, 2019
- Pasini Mudra Nov 20, 2019
- Aswini Mudra Nov 18, 2019
- Sambhavi Mudra Nov 16, 2019
- Manduka Mudra Nov 15, 2019
- Movie Review: Midway (2019) Nov 15, 2019
- Tataka Mudra Nov 14, 2019
- Movie Review: Zombieland: Double Tap (2019) Nov 11, 2019
- Sakti Calana Mudra Nov 10, 2019
- Vajroli Mudra Nov 9, 2019
- Coffeemates and Breadmates (Oct 2019) Oct to Nov 5, 2019
- Yoni Mudra Nov 1, 2019
- Movie Review: Judy (2019) Oct 31, 2019
- Viparita Karani Mudra Oct 31, 2019
- Khecari Mudra Oct 30, 2019
- Mahadeva Mudra Oct 28, 2019
- Movie Review: Roger Waters - Us + Them (2019) Oct 27, 2019
- Sacred Cacao - Chakra Dance Journey Oct 26, 2019
- Movie Review: Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) Oct 24, 2019
- Partner Healing with Natascha Oct 24, 2019
- Maha Bandha Mudra Oct 24, 2019
- Movie Review: Liam: As It Was (2019) Oct 23, 2019
- Point-Of-Failure Birthday Workout Oct 22, 2019
- Mula Bandha Mudra Oct 21, 2019
- Hugfest at Thapae Gate, Chiang Mai Oct 19, 2019
- Anushasan Mudra Oct 18, 2019
- Ling Mudra Oct 17, 2019
- Movie Review: Official Secrets (2019) Oct 15, 2019
- Jalandhara Bandha Mudra Oct 15, 2019
- Learning Thai with Cee Oct 13, 2019
- Uddiyana Bandha Mudra Oct 10, 2019
- Nabho Mudra Oct 9, 2019
- Movie Review: Joker (2019) Oct 8, 2019
- Maha Mudra Oct 7, 2019
- 20 Essential Mudras by T. Krishnamacharya Oct. 6, 2019
- Mindfulness Gong Bath by Vee (Veerayuth Pongsiri) Oct 3, 2019
- Cuddle Party by Abundant Love CM Oct 1, 2019
- Vayu Mudra Oct 1, 2019
- Movie Review: Hail Satan? (2019) Sep 29, 2019
- Visa-Run to Tachileik, Myanmar Sep 28, 2019
- Sankalpa Mudra Sep 27, 2019
- Surya Pradarshini Mudra Sep 26, 2019
- Movie Review: Ad Astra (2019) Sep 25, 2019
- Movie Review: Rambo 5 Sep 22, 2019
- Eye-Gazing at Heart Space Sep 20, 2019
- Vayu (Pranic Wind) Sep 20, 2019
- 2-Week Yoga Challenge by Agnese Erba Sep 17, 2019
- Movie Review: Farewell Song (2019) Sep 16, 2019
- The Mudra Project Sep 13, 2019
- Movie Review: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) Sep 12, 2019
- Sunday Vinyasa Flow with Marina Forster Sep 8, 2019
- Shamanic Breathwork by Rachel Constantino Sep 4, 2019
- Movie Review: Yesterday (2019) Sep 3, 2019
- The Conscious Peoplescape of Chiang Mai Aug 31, 2019
- Movie Review: Midsommar (2019) Aug 28, 2019
- Of Winos and Yogis Aug 26, 2019
- Movie Review: Ready or Not (2019) Aug 22, 2019
- The 9 Jhanas of Buddha Aug 22, 2019
- Full Moon Ceremony at Heart Space Aug 15, 2019
- Yin Yoga - Water Element by Martina Barabas Aug 15, 2019
- Movie Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019) Aug 14, 2019
- Hatha Mix Yoga with Christin Aug 13, 2019
- Boy Blues Bar Rocks Chiang Mai Aug 5, 2019
- Back to my Beloved Chiang Mai Aug 1, 2019
- Kaleidoscope of Chiang Mai's Peoplescape July 27, 2019
- Secret Sunrise: Nelson Mandela International Day July 17, 2019
- Movie Review: Anna (2019) July 15, 2019
- Farewell Picnic with Alan and Nicola July 15, 2019
- Movie Review: Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019) July 4, 2019
- Secret Sunrise: Water July 3, 2019
- Hotel Review: Arun Suite June 27, 2019
- Movie Review: Rocketman (2019) June 25, 2019
- Bruce Lipton: Epigentics to Transcend Genes June 24, 2019
- Optimizing Life thru Heart Math May 8, 15 and 22, 2019
- Movie Review: Aladdin (2019) June 13, 2019
- Connective Cacao and Sound Journey June 12, 2019
- Movie Review: X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) June 6, 2019
- Chiangmai BLUES June 6, 2019
- Movie Review: John Wick 3 - Parabellum (2019) June 4, 2019
- Hatha Slow Flow with Neil Jefferson June 3, 2019
- Meditating with One Million Meditators Movement June 1, 2019
- Vinyasa Happy Flow Series by Vaida May 31, 2019
- Muay Thai at the Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium May 30, 2019
- Yoga Flow Through the 7 Chakras May 30, 2019
- The Outsiders (people you need to push out of your sacred circle) May 31, 2019
- Fascinating Peoplescape of Chiang Mai May 22, 2019
- World Meditation Day at Heart Space May 21, 2019
- Movie Review: Avengers: Endgame (2019) May 14, 2019
- Movie Review: Arctic (2018) May 13, 2019
- Abs Yoga May 12, 2019
- Kundalini and Vinyasa Yoga with Nicola Symons May 10, 2019
- Secret Sunrise Interactive Dance May 9, 2019
- Tok Sen Massage from Ying May 8, 2019
- Bruschetta: Nawa Saraan Style Apr 22, 2019
- Thai Cooking at Pra Nang Thai Cookery School Apr 20, 2019
- Movie Review: Hellboy (2019) Apr 15, 2019
- Bonding with the Elephants in Chiang Mai Apr 11, 2019
- Ziplining in Chiang Mai with Eagle Track Zipline Apr 10, 2019
- Movie Review: Shazam! (2019) Apr 4, 2019
- Movie Review: Captive State (2019) Mar 27, 2019
- Getting Thai Massage from Chiang Mai's Best (Lar Thanakrit Khamtanong) Mar 21, 2019
- Movie Review: Captain Marvel (2019) Mar 19, 2019
- Being the Soul of Nawa Saraan Hotel Mar 18, 2019
- Peoplescape of Chiang Mai Jan 24 - Mar 13, 2019
- Movie Review: Vox Lux (2018) Mar 2, 2019
- Movie Review: The Favourite (2018) Feb 25, 2019
- Curing Cancer with Yoga? Feb 21, 2019
- Movie Review: Alita Battle Angel Feb 19, 2019
- International Training Massage School (ITM): Level 1 Feb 11-15, 2019
- Sandesch Album Launch by Christoph Joerg Feb 13, 2019
- Movie Review: Spider-Man - Into the Spider-Verse (2018) Feb 3, 2018
- Movie Review: Green Book Jan 30, 2019
- Meditation in a Sensory Deprivation Tank at Float Chiang Mai Jan 29, 2019
- Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) Jan 27, 2019
- Movie Review: Aquaman Jan 26, 2019
- Reiki Share at the Mastermind Brain Spa Jan 26, 2019
- Resuming Life in Chiang Mai Jan 24, 2019
- 4 Days in Chiang Mai at Nawa Saraan Hotel Jan 2-6, 2019
- Mike Chong Aug 8, 2018
- An Intimate Conversation with my Universe in Chiang Mai Aug 8, 2018
- Kneaded and Pampered at Zira Spa Aug 4, 2018
- Savoring a Baht 3,500 Birds Nest Soup at Natural Bird Nest by Burapa Aug 3, 2018
- Yoga Exploration at The Yoga Tree with Gernot Aug 1, 2018
- Laughter Yoga with Saffiya Arnous July 31, 2018
- Yoga with Adam at Hidden House Yoga, Chiang Mai July 29, 2018
- 2 Weeks in Chiang Mai July 25 - Aug 7, 2018
- A First Timer in Chiang Mai Apr 9-23, 2016
- Chiang Mai's Amazing Peoplescape Apr 9-23, 2016
- Dance Mandala in Chiang Mai at The Yoga Tree Apr 19, 2016
- Songkran Waterfight Festival in Chiang Mai Apr 13-15, 2016
- Border Crossing from Siem Reap (Cambodia) to Bangkok (Thailand) to Chiang Mai April 9-10, 2016
Travel Tips for Thailand
How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days
- Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
b) flight booking to Thailand
c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
d) filled-in tourist visa form
e) 2 passport pictures
f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
g) passport with at least 6 months validity - After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
- NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.
60-Day Thai Tourist Visa
NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.
- bring the following to the Immigration Office:
a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
b) Baht 1900
c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture - submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
- when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
- when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
- when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes
30-Day Extension
NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.
General Travel Tips
- arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
- put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
- avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
- power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!

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