FROM CHAOS TO BALANCE:
YOGA PRACTICES TO TONE THE VAGAL NERVE
with Nadia Puttini, MA, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist, and Total Yoga Nidra Facilitator

March 11th to June 10th (12 weeks)
(Eastern Daylight Time)
BareSole Yoga VIRTUAL Studio
Cost: $216 *
Registration Required

"Resilience is not a trait that you either have or do not have; 
it is a set of strategies that can be learned and practiced."
- Arielle Schwartz, PhD -

What is the vagal nerve and why it's important
The vagus nerve wanders from the brain all the way to the gut with ramifications across the torso and belly, along the 7 chakras (see photo below). It is the longest (cranial) nerve in the body and is the master switch between brain and body, whereas input from the senses travel to the brain and vice versa.  It's an information highway.  When this highway is well maintained (toned) the autonomic nervous system, which includes sympathetic and parasympathetic remains balanced so we can process stressors without developing symptoms.  When this nerve is slack/weak, the physical, emotional and neurological symptoms of this disregulation are multiple. 

The term vagal efficiency was coined by Dr. Stephen Porges, the founder of the Polyvagal Theory.  Through the vehicle of yoga and related practices we train the nervous system to be flexible and resilient, i.e. neither stuck in sympathetic mode (fight, flight, freeze) nor in parasympathetic mode (collapse, immobilization, depression) thereby improving physical and psychological well being and quality of life.

The vagus/vagal nerve

Symptoms of a disregulated vagal nerve (=imbalanced Nervous System):

• insomnia and chronic tiredness
• sensory integration issues
• persistent anxiety and stress, panic attacks
• mood disorders
• digestive issues (IBS, reflux, etc)
• heart palpitations and vertigo
• difficulty in respiration
• difficulty in swallowing or sore vocal chords
• blood pressure instability
• decreased immunity

Benefits of a toned vagal nerve (= balanced Nervous System):

• improved sleep
• increased calm and alertness
• increased healthy range of feelings
• increased feelings of being grounded and at ease
• hightened somatic awareness and mind body connection (body and breath)
• increased self-awareness, acceptance and compassion
• decreased emotional reactivity, anxiety, depression, pain, panic.
• when the  body/brain receive the message (through the vagal nerve)  that all is well, heart rate and respiration slow down and vital processes such as digestion, immunity, etc.  resume optimal functioning

Each month you will receive (one practice per week):

• 1 live/recorded zoom yoga practice, 75 min. (see schedule below)
• 1 freshly recorded audio Yoga Nidra, 20 min.
• 1 breath regulating practice video with the science behind it, 10 min.
• 1 vagal toning video (self-massage, mantra, mudra) , 15-20 min.
• a weekly newsletter discussing aspect of nervous system regulation and featuring one of the above mentioned practices

The zoom classes will be at 9am on the following Fridays:
March 14th;  April 11th;  May 9th;  June 6th.

Unfortunately I am 6 hrs. ahead so evening classes are not possible.
You will receive the zoom link the night before and the classes will be recorded. 

Videos and audios are available for one year.
All the audios and videos are embedded in the weekly Newsletters, on Tuesday evenings:   simply click play to access content.

"I love all of your classes and the variety and thoughtfulness you bring to them, and look forward to the next series."
M. B.

*if necessary, payments can be done monthly.  Scholarships are available.  Please email me here for info and to arrange.