¶ … Houdini Was Able to Modulate His Normal Physiology During His Stunts
The objective of this study is to examine how Houdini was able to modulate his normal physiology during his stunts.
Harry Houdini caused the world to marvel at his skill in escaping the bondage of handcuffs and was referred to as the 'handcuff king' and as well Houdini performed many other magic tricks that required more than merely illusion but instead required that he be able to alter his own body's physiology. The modulation of physiology enabled Houdini to accomplish great feats and to capture the imagination and attention of a large base of fans across many years. Houdini is well-known for having spent a great deal of time and effort to invalidate individuals who were so-called mediums communicating with the dead because he detested this type of trickery.
Modulation of Physiology
The modulation of physiology is similar to the technique used by the individual when they are learning to play a wind instrument and involves breathing from the diaphragm. When the individual exhales and a hand is placed on their stomach, the individual's stomach moves towards the individual's spine and as the individual inhales, the abdomen expands. This is referred to as 'reverse breathing' since most individuals breathe precisely in the opposite manner or inhaling causes chest expansion and abdomen contraction. This type of breathing is referred to as thoracic breathing.
The healthiest type of breathing is reverse or diaphragmatic breathing because the air is able to expel from the bottom of the lungs, which is then replaced by fresh air. Breathing is reported as a "present-time, mindful process" because breathing is "always happening right now. You cannot be fondling memories or planning your future when you are contemplating your breath. Observe your breath and you are automatically in the present. You are in the here-and-now." (Seabourne, ) One type of breathing strategy is where one pays attention to the sensation created with the passing of air through the nostrils and to inhale through the nose.
II. Psychological and Physiological Factors that Affect the Heart Rate
There are reported to be various factors both psychologically and physiologically that affects the individual's heart rate. The individuals' heart rate is reported to be unique to that individual's body and is a self-regulating process. The individual does not have to do anything and the heart keeps beating and as well, the heart maintains its own rhythm to keep the individual alive. However, the individual's hormonal responses and central nervous system (CNS) as well as the autonomic nervous system (ANS) has the potential to affect the heart's rhythm and speed. One's hormones sends chemical into the blood to affect the pace of the heart and the heartbeat becomes faster or slower dependent upon how the individual's nerves stimulate their heart. (Seabourne, nd)
When the individual is mindful, they are able to "predict and override a conditioned physiological response" (Seabourne, nd) In other words, the individual is able to regulate their heart rate when they are threatened and allows them to appropriately handle any situation. The control center for the heart rate is the medulla of the human being's brain and may either speed up or slow the number of heart beats per minute. (Seabourne, nd, paraphrased)
III. The ANS, SNS, and PNS
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is stated to have two components include the following:
(1) Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS); and (2) Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS). (Seabourne, nd)
The SNS is reported to speed up the rate of the heart through hormonal release of a chemical called norepinephrine, epinephrine and catecholamines. (Seabourne, nd, paraphrased) When the human heart increases "to a frenzy this is termed tachycardia. There are no cardiovascular benefits when your sympathetic nervous system increases your heart rate. It is simply your hormones sending stimulating chemicals to your heart, and nerves directly affecting your heart to respond to an emergency." (Seabourne, nd)
The PNS is located in the individual's brain stem and the PNS is that which slows the rate of the heart. When the individual's heart rate becomes slower they experience bradycardia. (Seabourne,, paraphrased) Seabourne (nd) reports that Yogis are able to slow their heart rates to under 20 beats per minute (BPM) and also reports that Harry Houdini "the famous magician was able to survive in a coffin-sized airtight box for hours."
IV. Nerve and Hormonal Regulation of the Heart Rate
It is reported...
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