TEDxPortsmouth - Dr. Alan Watkins - Being Brilliant Every Single Day (Part 2)

Alan is the founder and CEO of Complete Coherence Ltd. He is recognised as an international expert on leadership and human performance. He has researched and published widely on both subjects for over 18 years. He is currently an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience and Psychological Medicine at Imperial College, London as well as an Affiliate Professor of Leadership at the European School of Management, London. He originally qualified as a physician, has a first class degree in psychology and a PhD in immunology.
Website: www.complete-coherence.com
- About TEDx -
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@RudmilaRashidMithila]

Excellent lecturer.thanks to sohag Bhai for suggesting us to watch it

[@DevJubayer]

​@@Aman01776 paici

[@ZAL13211]

Same

[@Aman01776]

এটা প্র্যকটিস করার কোন গাইড পাইছো? আমি খুঁজতেছি! এই ভিডিওতে শুধু থিওরিটিক্যাল আলোচনা

[@jowelrana524]

Same

[@siratmohaiminulislam8677]

same!

[@yeahmansoul]

finally a ted talk presentation that is an actual lecture and not yet another gourou-ish motivationnal talk. great job.

[@meatburger]

Totally Agree. I don't mind a motivational talk but this was probably the best Ted talk ive seen, except for the one by Sir Ken Robinson on Education.

[@alexsanderanderson5598]

I was thinking the same, this guy actually gave some real useful information.

[@zacharyb2723]

Three cheers!

[@Calyptico]

1) it's a tedx talk, not a ted talk 2) it's guru pseudoscience

[@HarryNicNicholas]

they are out there: Stephen Ilardi: Therapeutic Lifestyle Change for Depression - instead of telling you what to do and what not to do he goes through the why's and physiology of depression so the "victim" can decide for themselves to change lifestyle - the temptation is always to say "do this or do that", the "you're lifestyle is wrong" approach, but this guy says "this is why you feel this way and you can see for yourself how to improve".

[@nadineghows8413]

This is fascinating. When I think about it, during our five daily prayers we actually stand and touch our hearts. We say gratitude and my breathing gets rhythmic and smooth.

[@ebrelus7687]

Ignoring everything around works equally well. But touching female chest sounds much better 🙃

[@DanWadeH]

Although this has all been taught and practised for thousands of years, it often gets tied in with new age mysticism, talk of auras and souls, and is very difficult to take seriously or see its purpose. By backing up these techniques with scientific research and offering grounded explanation, it gives it so much more credibility. Absolutely brilliant video and very enlightening.

[@anic5805]

Sorry to hear you can't take things seriously when they come from a spiritual/non-scientific angle. I'm a yoga instructor, have meditated for decades, yet also a bio/physio geek. No need to look down upon info given from any one angle. Instead, simply appreciate the angle that makes sense or is convincing to you. 🤓🤠😇✌☯️

[@x15money]

​@@anic5805mediating and yoga fall under the spectrum of science. mediating and yoga are simply putting your body into stable mode where your heart can generate coherent variance between every beat. Coherent variance (produced while you mediating) leads to a clear state of mind, and finally you are able to focus and see thing more clearly.

[@rocket1974a]

@@anic5805 Well-said. It's only because of bicameral / Descartian thought that the separation between mind/body and soul/spirit exists in the West. The inventions and technology can be useful (and also enslave us; witness modern 'social media') but ancient technologies existed to put us in direct touch with our souls and our highest Self. If someone only sees a human being as a body animated by the mind, they miss the vastness of what we really are and can be. I greatly appreciate Dr. Watkin's humour and knowledge to aid people in 'getting to the midpoint' of their physiology. From there, with an open mind AND coherent heart, greatly Truths wait to be discovered.

[@mr.univers64]

Who is here after Mahmudul Hasan Sohag vai❤

[@Hala-zv4kv]

Definitely in my top five Tedx Talks

[@queeniesoo6343]

Hala Ibrahim was not in his

[@squareknowledge3153]

What are the other 4?

[@israelibarra797]

Yes sir ill second that!

[@polevoypavel8019]

coul you name the rest 4?

[@Sbannmarie]

What are the other four friend?

[@MindandQiR1]

Watching this in 2019, wishing I've done it 7 years ago....

[@stuartjstewart]

Literally thought exactly the same!

[@antonioingilizov2349]

You watch 1-hour talk about being brilliant and after you are done you choose to complain instead of feeling happy and awesome for finding it. Cmon guys just breath good and be positive!

[@Azeoble97]

2021 here

[@ebrelus7687]

This should have at least 10-12 millions views. Seriously. Selecting good stuff in Ted talks is so laborious.

[@j_j8758]

Single most important video I have watched in my 24 years of existence.

[@LiberationOfMIND]

I agree.

[@LuigiSimoncini]

you may want to check "mindfulness" then

[@julianduncan9401]

Same age. Same belief.

[@powerpowerpower]

Same here

[@andy4an]

only 35% of the people who start the first half start the second half. if you are reading this, congrats!

[@MrMinisoda]

thats what I thought too ! they aren't interseted in being brilliant eh ?

[@RogerBarraud]

weesh ful Prove it.

[@hildcit]

Roger Barraud You check the numbers of people that have watched the first part, and then you check the numbers of people that have watched this, and then you do the math.

[@gcgrabodan]

+Kobirita ... and then you havent proven anything. It could be that nowone who watches this part has watched the first and all the people watching the second started with the second part. Man do I feel good now.

[@adamj7613]

And most of them end up complaining in the comments, that they weren't told what to do.

[@splashcat3090]

@ 9:11 YES! Finally someone who recognizes that thought is an emergent property. That a thought does not simply precede an emotion, but there is also a physiological and hence emotional state from which thinking emerges. BRAVO!!!

[@Cosjaysez]

Great talk but it would have been good to see the volunteer retested with questions again so we could see if the technique yields any improvement

[@nishabhadauriya788]

exactly what I thought

[@ebrelus7687]

It would measurefull because there is psychological factor of being tested publicly and recorded.

[@stevemcc4447]

Great talk. Thanks! "A joyful heart is good medicine..." Proverbs 17

[@anjukelkar6863]

Mahjong Maharaj belasare k v Thanks to the lord

[@damienmixtape7erglis319]

This needs to be taught to everyone in early childhood and there will be a significant improvement in the education and development of our species👍👍well done TEDx keep up the good work🥳💨🌊✌️❤️🖖✅

[@KristenONeillArt]

My daughter's elementary school is teaching breathing and being mindful. It is so awesome to see her apply it.

[@judysmith8982]

Get teaching

[@PauloNideck]

I have a brain upgrade everyday. Good talk!

[@desertTRUTH]

Dr. Watkins is brilliant, perfect communicator. Thank you.

[@ashwinin4819]

Gist of the video: B Breathe R Rhythmically E evenly A And T Through The H Heart E everyday

[@Aritul]

Thank you.

[@vathsav182]

Cute

[@MoosaIslamic]

*Summary:* HRV regulation = rhythmic, smooth, central breathing + positive emotion (passionate drive, curiosity) -Stress causes chaotic heart rate, a measure of nervous system (parasympathetic vs sympathetic), causing cortical inhibition. -Controlling breathing is an effective way to regulate HRV: (order of importance) 1. Rhythm (fixed ratio of in:out) 2. Smoothness 3. Area of attention of the breath (best = centre of chest) Dimensions of mental state: Adrenaline vs Relaxed (unimportant) Negative emotion vs Positive emotion => Most important = positive emotion Side note: -Quality of thinking is most important, but simply thinking more does not improve quality. The key to quality is context

[@philip_roa]

Okay how do I get control of my thinking, feelings, emotions, and physiology? I may have missed out on it in the 2-part lecture.

[@millachipmunk]

Thank you, I appreciate this

[@jameskiwanukakatendenkuubi6940]

brilliant

[@jameskiwanukakatendenkuubi6940]

@@philip_roa breathe before you think. And pay attention till it becomes natural. Will take some time.

[@amitjha9650]

Great summary of a great lecture

[@VictorFoote01]

I have also used visualization exercises to help my breathing and concentration. I started using this technique when I was on the gun range for the police academy. I never shot a gun before so my nerves got to me. Then I started imagining this seesaw in my minds eye. The seesaw would move up and down. Right before the target was about to turn I would imagine the seesaw as a straight line in complete balance. At the end of the training from the 50 yard line I tied with the top shot who had over 10 years experience on me. I apply this technique to calm my mind all the time. Try it out and see what happens :)

[@sierratonin69]

TransMind i must try this

[@VictorFoote01]

You should brother. I was reading a book and the author said "Anything that causes you to overreact or underreact can control you, and often does". This quote inspired me to come up with the seesaw visualization exercise.

[@gmttl]

Do you remember what book that was? I'm terribly intrigued.

[@JeffreySchwinghammer]

@@VictorFoote01 Another idea: that which pushes your buttons is your master.

[@youhavetogotheretocomeback]

Here we go! Quote is from Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

[@StyleViewStudio]

EXCELLENT POINTS! ITS ALL IN THE REGULARITY OF BREATHING! ... Watch it - it is worth every second,🙏

[@sarahchurchman6554]

Wow that was so cool, what a top class guy.

[@ninajey6572]

This will be the first key towards a positive life after so much darkness. Thanks Doc!

[@revisionwithaastha1904]

Rhythmic and smooth breathing is powerful ❤️

[@davidbubb5108]

big congratulations to everyone who ended up here . well done its good to listen aswell as talk .

[@margoqu]

one of the best videos i have seen on TED

[@kalinwang1]

I have been meditating my whole life. This man just help me understand why I have clearity of mind and deep understanding in tight situations. I've always figured my quiet time made me brilliant. This guy just reaffirmed it for me. Guess that's why I do well on exams when others panic.

[@marceloovg1873]

Well it hasn’t helped you on your ego yet, so keep meditating 😅

[@kalinwang1]

@@marceloovg1873 Interesting, I posted this 8 years ago and life has shown me I was correct. Maybe you need to think more and understand the wisdom in accepting someone's honest assessment of their life 8 years ago. Moreover, you didn't know me then and definitely know nothing about the subject (of me) to say that it was ego driven. This reveals a lot about you and where you are mentally. Since I posted this 8 years ago I obtained a phD in information system security. Once again, I gave an honest perspective of my life at that time. Moreover, no lol or emoticon will justify your response. Grow up

[@samyakjain4468]

The single most impactful TED talk that has or will ever be given on a stage like this. Really wish he mentioned how to go from the mid point into the left region, where peak performance and positive emotions are achieved.

[@hrudayjadhav6057]

Yeah me too, he probably sells that for millions

[@judyives1832]

He has written several books. You can get them at your library. I use the Cela library (for the blind person) and download the audio onto my phone. If you are vision impaired, ask your doctor to connect you with your CNIB or other organization to get access. You have to fill out a questionnaire etc so get a friend to help.

[@shardsmp8831]

what book of his do you find that in?

[@psyvana]

As someone who has tried various breathing exercises recommended through different therapies, this is the only one that has worked for me. Heck, just recently, I had a wisdom tooth extraction and rhythmic breathing got me through the old trauma of a previously failed tooth extraction and an anxiety attack.

[@user-ff7br3tx3e]

How do you breathe?

[@PEACELOVEHAPPINESSXL]

Firstly i'd like to say to Dr. Alan Watkins, much respect for this talk. You nailed it. Secondly thx to Tedx, for another great insight to what we truely are. I'm going to upload Dr. Alan Watkins' talk to my channel as a one part vid. Also adding Tedx as a featured channel. It's time to shift towards real life. We all need to wake up and live it. Positivity creates positivity. Good vibes

[@C.B.Bortey]

This explains why yoga is so important. Just good breathing can take you so far! Wow!!! If only the actual passionate people are given all the resources [which has never been money but tools/ingredients (provided by nature or invented by other humans) and people to provide assistance to make it speedy enough] to study and explain everything as simple or simpler than this if it’s possible to the world; fame and status wouldn’t be the goal, but rather how to make progress for better world by all and for all.

[@surajshinde4534]

BREATHE Breathe rhythmically evenly and through the heart

[@sheethalnair2386]

I am an Indian and have a strong belief in the art of breathing as an art of stabilising our minds. Our ancient texts speak about the different air elements coursing across our bodies and how pranayama ( differnt patterns of rhythmic breathing) helps to ground us. This amazing ted talk gave a scientific validity for those beliefs. Immensely grateful for this intelligent lecture!

[@pedroalmodovar6087]

This ted talk made this click for me: Emotions are energy in motion. The breath regulates the physiology because it distributes the energy throughout the system. Breathing in positive energy in a consistent rhythm while breathing out the negative energy that causes our negative physiological response. Positive energy has healing qualities and negative energy causes chaos in our system.

[@berylcomar]

Yes, Basic NLP

[@leilooliel]

Is there a part three? also your lectures are to the point, interesting and practical. I enjoy everything about them. :)

[@piyushdanej3930]

It seems theres A some footage but its not on KZbin.

[@sincere1277]

Can you link it here for f you find out

[@sallykirkstephens8415]

Haha did I miss a part 2?

[@littlemisssnazzy]

@@sallykirkstephens8415 this video is part 2

[@susanaplantbasedadoptacat1677]

Soberbio! this has been amazing, can't thank you enough! THANK YOU!!

[@TrigonAZR]

I think that this may be the video I was unknowingly searching for in all of KZbin and I'm so grateful that I've found this (and the first part)♥️

[@jurnabachannel]

The best Ted Talks I’ve seen... Great! I wish I can meet Dr Watkins someday..

[@MissSunnieBunnie]

I am just glad there is a part 2! I learned a lot actually, when he dissected the way we breathe into 9 sections, it made me truly deconstruct my physiology in a conscious way. I loved both videos, both were engaging :)

[@hrudayjadhav6057]

12

[@peterstiles1]

Excellent talk. But he called it, 'How to be brilliant every single day', not how to balance and calm your heart beat everyday. I'd like to have seen Neil tested a second time after the breathing exercises to see just how much of a difference to his performance it all made. After all that was the whole point. Also he talked about the effect of our physiology on our emotions. That's only part of the the story. We've all experienced strong emotions coming solely from external stimuli, like a bereavement or seeing a loved one. I think he made the problem and it's causes very clearly but only implied a solution, the extent of whose efficacy I doubt. Whilst it was a really interesting talk, I think it was also a sales pitch.

[@VishwaJay]

The training was demonstrated. It's pretty much as advertised: your breathing rhythms help you to remain calm, and if you change the rhythm of your breaths, then your thinking is more (or less) coherent. It's merely a matter of recognition and changing your patterns. This isn't a solution to every problem; it's a way to learn to be aware of what's happening inside of us, and that in itself increases our performance (and is well-documented as a fact, long before this ever got put together). The solution is basically this: keep your breathing on a regular rhythm: "It doesn't matter what the ratio [of the timing of breathing] is, so long as it's [a fixed ratio]" is what he said in the video. It's not "the solution"... it's an outline to a process that produces the solution as a natural result. After over a year of practicing this, it works as-is, without the machine. The machine only speeds the process of learning to be aware by giving you feedback about your biological process (e.g., "biofeedback"). Knowing what state we're in means that we're aware of how we're going to react, so we can pick up the rhythmic breathing so that we can de-lobotomise ourselves. You can't doubt efficacy until you see a result or a lack of it: try it! If you get a result (or no result), then you can speak on its efficacy. I will say that I have obtained results with this, and they are fairly good results. Sales pitch or not, the solution is produced by practicing what is presented.

[@VishwaJay]

Also: I haven't sunk a penny into the machine or this man's company, and I still have results.... just saying.

[@swima94]

Vishwa Jay While the guy says it's the pace of the breathing that keeps the heart rate coherent could it not also be because you're actually focusing on breathing rhythmically and so clearing the mind of other things and so going into a more stable state?

[@VishwaJay]

If not the result of breathing, what causes the greater stability? Focusing has long been known to help us pay attention, but no change happens without the action of breathing. More stability results from greater focus on breathing, which is the whole purpose of the machine.

[@swima94]

Well focusing on breath is almost a form of meditation... the quieting of the mind.. which helps fight anxiety

[@kosmopolitanna]

It's such an amazing talk, especially this part with diagrams and tables! Loved the acronym at the end. Seriously fun to watch.

[@nassah2010]

first time i've seen a ted talk with people calling out.. i like it!

[@sanikawickramaarachchi1690]

one of the best TED TALKS ever...it is took rooted deep with in the heart without any effort to remember....Specially it should mentioned that Dr.Alan is truely sharing his knowledge in a very simple way to understand.....

[@habibyama]

Thank you for this talk. This is a pure gift.

[@honeybee6978]

Easily one of the most insightful and best TED talk ever

[@smalik888]

Absolutely amazing! Life changing. Thank you very much.

[@anonymous_5720]

The most brilliant tedx speakers ever!!!

[@arjunsaluja1207]

Insightful!!! Thanks So much!!

[@avan812]

Thanks! The best video I have seen! I've been meditating every moment possible; you help me why I must continue...

[@Lit-E]

Breathing important points, rythm, smoothness and direction of attention towards chest/heart

[@SoumiSenguptaBDS]

Great info...That "breathing through my stomach" never jived with me!

[@hamooon]

same here. whenever I try I extend my stomach on the exhale after a while... it feels artificial

[@shinazbakar]

This is AMAZING!!! And I wish I could speak like him!

[@alexsanderanderson5598]

Best Ted talk I've ever watched. Information you can connect with and actually apply.

[@bernaloudamondamon450]

This is a gem! Thank you Dr. Alan Watkins for the share! I can switch now practice the control button on my physiology everyday.

[@yannisantoniou3662]

This is just brilliant. I wish I had seen this 10 years ago that it came out - just brilliant.

[@QutaibaAlMahawili]

Amazing. Practical, doable and science-based. Thanks for sharing this.

[@vajeehabidi]

Its Its one of the best Ted Talks I have heard. Thank you!!

[@maaaaaaaaaa247]

This sincerely changed my life forever, i'm so thankful for watching these 2 videos

[@kkrass1]

Thank you for sharing this. A truly meaningful talk. Thanks

[@ehbaltazar5589]

What a brilliant talk. Thank you very much Dr. Watkins for this amazing realisation! 🙏🙏🙏

[@Spirittkdaus]

Excellent! Great to see the importance of breath broken down scientifically.

[@TusharPatel-ke3kb]

One of the best TEDx talks I have seen and experienced. Thank you Dr Watkins!

[@j1naPArk]

You are amazing : ) explained everything so well.

[@vichmedic2001]

So now I know why my brain stops working in exam time, and take double the time to comprehend even the easiest questions asked. Definitely gonna learn to tame my emotions and control my thinking by engaging myself in 15 minutes meditation each day. Thank you doctor Alan😀

[@ruhidyusifov5106]

Have been watching over 5 years Ted's videos but definitely it was best one

[@chakmisss]

wow, thank you so much for sharing, i think this will cause a breakthrough in my life. blessings!

[@tajinar_can3379]

Perfect! I'm impressed

[@rishabhtaneja2567]

Thank-you Dr. Alan Watkins

[@ZzaphodD]

Wham, bam thank you mam! As a (soon former) exhausted person the first part and the beginning of this was exactly how my brain was affected. The latter part of this was how I live in my state of mind today, but now I have the reason why it works! So full of gems!!

[@brooklyn8227]

Dr. Alan Watkins is fantastic!

[@CTYeung]

breath of fresh air needed today ! Thank you !

[@ajsctech8249]

Absolutely excellent talk.

[@pushpendersingh3077]

One of the Best Lecture By Ted...

[@swapniljadhav3239]

Simply Brilliant!

[@MrSuperbird15]

This was brilliant massively underrated talk it certainly helped me a lot

[@Hugo-mz8vc]

Wonderful synthesis of the most valuable parts of breathing!

[@gauravclient]

Good one. Same has been mentioned in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras 2000 years ago. Same thing is the basis of "Sudershan Kriya" taught at Art of Living centers. And I personally feel it every day after doing it and followed by meditation.

[@ebrelus7687]

Everything was mention is some yoga sutras. There is nothing that wasn't tried in India. That's happens when you replace science with experimentation and out all smart people focused on that instead of empirical research with logic. And if you put many enough you eventually get some results by sheer luck & natural selection. He didn't tell about the grounding though. When you feel falling down and the ground pressing on you it also helps calm down. Also reason why heavy blanket helps sleep deeper.

[@maja8453]

I love this! Very needed! Thanks!

[@imwhy]

One of the better talks, where i actually learnt something and could apply it straight away..

[@matatmat]

absolutely brilliant video, this is one of the few TED talks where ive been both interested and ive learnt something constructive by the end of the video

[@peacefuldialog]

Loved the whole subject and the way it was presented. It is everything that I have learnt from Buddhist monks in a very different way.

[@ebrelus7687]

Don't pull and don't push away? 😉

[@radhikafreebird6422]

Loved this talk with the demos and the first part of this also..the HEART rules....

[@marekdrzewiecki3780]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@henrychang340]

Everything comes from within 🙏

[@amandabrisbane8716]

And the breathing calms you allowing you to FOCUS

[@shobbster1]

Thanks Sir. That was life changing.

[@adamburton27]

This is incredible. Really interesting and helpful.

[@amalan74]

Amazing Brilliant Inspiring and Very Refreshing - THank You.

[@brentmorganmaster]

this is amazing.

[@diS6005]

Summary at 25:50: Breathe Rhythmically Evenly And Through the Heart Every day BREATHE

[@Piratariaviva]

thiis talk is amazinggggggg.....all the way from luanda, angola peace throughout the world people

[@mostofaabdullahkamal2992]

sohag vai r lecture from Bangladesh 🇧🇩 ❤

[@user-om7eb3ib3s]

Same

[@tejuswadbudhe7909]

Thank you

[@davormarkelic556]

very informative and helpful. Thank you

[@AnuradhaPathirana]

This is the best TED talk i have watched😍

[@grahaminglis4242]

Backing up from Part 1 which was the introductory half of Dr Alan’s amazing presentation, the second half gives practical and accurate advice on how to make it work for you, again by understanding the physical biology and its connection with the nervous system and the critical brain functions for optimal performance. Like the clarity of Part 1, the second half takes the story featuring rhythmical breathing effects and the way the frontal brain functioning stays stable or not. Simple and succinct explanation with technological drawings and screens that shows the benefits visually. Overall score for the whole presentation now 100% (accent OK). So this is what schools should be including in the curriculum rather than the touchy-feely mindfulness practices stuff. BRAVO to Dr Alan Watkins !!!!!

[@Rkumar9]

Wow great insights into how we function… I loved the Acronym BREATH - Breath Rhythmically Evenly And Through the Heart!!

[@bladehahn9221]

The best video I have ever seen for motivation or mind control. Every student and workers should watch this.

[@salikmohammad9779]

Life changing, feeling obliged for this supreme knowledge sharing. Best wishes respected Sir!

[@wendywood4719]

Wonderful Alan thank you

[@developeromar]

Great job Thanks TDX Keep up the good work

[@zerodarkthirty1935]

Brilliant, Alan!