Yoga and the Nervous System
Yoga is much larger than just a physical practice. So many aspects of yoga can help improve the health of your oh-so important vagus nerve (a loooooonnnggg nerve that talks to your heart, lungs, GI tract, larynx, and beyond).
Here are some yogic practices associated with improved vagal tone and resilience (great tools for stress management!)
1. Breathwork (Pranayama):
The action of conscious breath control tones the vagus nerve!
2. Physical postures (Asana):
Challenging yourself in poses that support strength and flexibility increases resiliency in your muscles and nervous system, as well as stability in your joints-- both are connected to a feeling of safety in the body, and a balanced nervous system.
3. Meditation (Dhyana):
By drawing attention to the present moment, our nervous system can begin to settle. When we (even for just a few moments), practice loving-awareness of our thoughts and feelings, we create a sense of safety.
4. Self-Reflection (Svadhyaya):
Get to know your thoughts and emotions: This can look like journaling, drawing, seeing a mental health professional, venting with a trusted friend, or moving your body in ways that help you come back to center- to name just a few. Unprocessed emotions can impact the way your body responds to stress in the long-term, leading to unwanted health outcomes. It’s so important to remove yourself from autopilot at some point each day, and check in with how you’re feeling. In yoga, we call this svadhyaya, or self-reflection. Developing that self-awareness will help you build resilience and guide your nervous system back to a balanced state.
5. Sense-withdrawal (Pratyahara):
The act of pulling the mind away from its automatic worries and distractions is a challenging yet replenishing skill. The Yoga Sutras describe how being overly attached to our sensations can distract and unsettle us. At the time of that text, our senses were our main route to distraction. In these times, however, our senses tend to be overridden by other forms of distraction, such as our phones, our work, etc. By intentionally withdrawing away from these obstacles, and focusing on the present moment, we give our brain the chance to “turn off”. When this happens, our nervous system is better able to integrate all of the stimuli from the day. This can help you process your thoughts, emotions, and make decisions.
Yoga truly gives us so many tools for developing positive habits that can both calm our nervous system,
as well as develop its resilience.
What is your favorite way of using Yoga to tend to your nervous system?
As a yoga instructor and health coach specializing in stress management and the nervous system, I am here to help you do just that! Reach me on social media @imperfectly__well or by sending an email with the button at the top of this page!
Wishing you well,
Jess
