The Pathway to the Pulsatile Self
and Sustainable Health

Discover Autonomic Intelligence — the ability to harness your body's pulsatile rhythms for lasting wellbeing through Reflective Exercise.

Explore the Book Join the Community
— Pulsatile International home page —
Reflective Exercise

Practice in Motion

P I

From Chinese martial arts to self-healing exercise: Visit the Pulsatile Community tab to view the video and photographic history of Pulsatile International as it grew from a humble studio to a pioneering health science platform.

— About Pulsatile International —
About

Pulsatile International

A mission-driven organization advancing self-healing through Autonomic Intelligence.

Mission Statement

Pulsatile International (PI) is dedicated to advancing the science and practice of self-healing through Autonomic Intelligence (AuI). We believe that every person has the innate capacity to regulate their autonomic nervous system and, by extension, their cardiovascular and immune function.

PI's products and services not only empower individuals with the ability to manage personal health, but also have the potential to unify our divided world through spreading awareness of our common pulsatile nature.

Founder — John Alton

John Alton is the founder of PI and the author of Autonomic Intelligence: Pathway to the Pulsatile Self and Sustainable Health. In addition to two previous books on self-healing (Living Qigong and Unified Fitness), John is a Lecturer in the University of Virginia School of Nursing's Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies (CSCAT).

John's approach to self-healing exercise, based on conventional fitness and East Asian martial and self-healing practices, has been the subject of several scientific investigations sponsored by CSCAT and other health science organizations. These produced the core concepts behind PI, in particular "Autonomic Intelligence" (AuI): the ability to create and stockpile health through awareness and activation of the autonomic nervous system.

Partnerships

PI Partners

Phillip Kuo, MD
Physician Partner, Pulsatile International
Steven Pasternak, MD
Emergency Physician & Director, Lewis-Gale Hospital, Salem, Virginia
John Dokken
Professional Tennis Coach & Entrepreneur

Strategic Partners

Tyvin Rich, MD
Professor Emeritus, University of Virginia School of Medicine
Phil Midland
President, Strategic Renaissance 21 & IHS International
Professor Lu Shaojun
Professor of Social Science, Beijing Normal University; Founder, International Society of Chinese Health Practices
— Books —
Books

Books by John Alton

A body of work on self-healing, autonomic intelligence, and sustainable health.

Autonomic Intelligence: Pathway to the Pulsatile Self and Sustainable Health
John Alton

Provides a fully illustrated overview of the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and the cardiovascular and immune systems, the latest research on measuring their strength and weakness, and introduces Reflective Exercise (RE): a simple routine that transforms the autonomic nervous system into a sensory organ for real-time control over cardiovascular and immune function. The audiobook edition is available on Audible and Amazon. Apple users can find both the e-book and audiobook editions in Apple Books by logging into their account.

Also by John Alton

— Pulsatile Community —
Community

Pulsatile Community

Welcome to the Pulsatile Community forum, where you can sample the video history uploaded to the PI YouTube Channel. Feel free to comment on the videos and to contact PI with further questions or comments through info@pulsatileinternational.com.

In the near future, the PI Channel will be the home of a weekly podcast featuring discussions on the Pulsatile Self and its ramifications beyond physical health and fitness.

Pulsatile International
YouTube Channel — Video & Photographic Archive
From a humble martial arts studio to a pioneering health science platform — watch archival footage, practice demonstrations, and conversations with leading figures in Chinese martial arts, Qigong, and Western health science.
▶  Watch on YouTube

Practice Groups

Connect with local and virtual Reflective Exercise groups. Share experiences, get guidance, and build a consistent self-healing practice with community support.

Research & Dialogue

Engage with the latest findings on autonomic nervous system health. Participate in discussions that bridge science, movement, and mind-body medicine.

Events & Workshops

Attend live and online workshops led by John Alton and other practitioners. Deepen your understanding and practice of AuI and Reflective Exercise.

Questions or comments? Contact PI directly: info@pulsatileinternational.com


Join the Community
— Reflective Exercise Video —
Video

Reflective Exercise in 8 Sessions

Watch the introductory video below, then experience the full program — Reflective Exercise in 8 Sessions: Discovering and Cultivating the Pulsatile Self — available on Amazon Prime Video.

▶  Watch Full Program on Amazon Prime Video

Reflective Exercise in 8 Sessions: Discovering and Cultivating the Pulsatile Self

— Pulsatile App —

The RfR App

Heart Rate Variability biofeedback for validating your Reflective Exercise practice.

RfR App logo Get it on Google Play

Upgraded for latest Android OS — available soon

Apple users: find Autonomic Intelligence
in the Apple Books Store.

What the RfR App Does

The RfR-app is a tool for validating the primary effect of Reflective Exercise (RE), a mind-body routine presented in the book Autonomic Intelligence: Pathway to the Pulsatile Self and Sustainable Health and in the video Reflective Exercise in 8 Sessions: Discovering and Cultivating the Pulsatile Self.

The primary effect of RE is known as the "Reflective Response" (RfR). The RfR-app captures the RfR as a significant increase in an autonomic cardiovascular signal known as the low-to-high heart rate variability (LF/HF HRV) ratio. Significant increases in the LF/HF HRV ratio have been shown to correlate with good health in general and enhanced immune function in particular. RE practitioners who regularly experience the RfR not only enjoy better health but also have the ability to sense, channel, and focus their immune system's inflammatory response to disease, injury, and stress.

Finger on phone camera — measuring HRV

Place your fingertip on the phone's rear camera lens to begin an HRV measurement session.

Android phone running RfR App

The RfR App runs on Android devices. An upgraded version for the latest Android OS is coming soon to Google Play.

LF/HF HRV increase — Overall LF/HF: 0.107

Record Details screen showing LF/HF HRV ratio during a Reflective Exercise session — Overall LF/HF: 0.107.

RfR App — HRV increase during meditation

The app confirms when LF/HF HRV increases significantly above your 3-minute baseline — the hallmark of the Reflective Response.

— Testimonials —
Testimonials

What Practitioners Say

Hear directly from people whose health and lives have been transformed by Reflective Exercise.

Stan Alexander
Stan Alexander
Marie Wyler
Marie Wyler
— Contact —
Contact

Get in Touch

For inquiries about Pulsatile International, Reflective Exercise, the book, the app, or partnership opportunities, please reach out directly.