Yoga and the Vagus Nerve
Where and what is the Vagus Nerve? How does Yoga stimulate and help regulate our nervous system and other major organ systems through the Vagus Nerve?
“The vagus nerve represents the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system, which oversees a vast array of crucial bodily functions, including control of mood, immune response, digestion, and heart rate. It establishes one of the connections between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract and sends information about the state of the inner organs to the brain via afferent fibers.” (1)
The Vagus nerve is a large nerve that connects your brain to your major organs and systems. The Vagus Nerve is the pathway for messages back and forth from your thoughts to your body creating chemical reactions and vice versa. Keeping the Vagus Nerve stimulated and working in a healthy way can encourage awareness of what your body is telling you at any given moment to help you regulate your physical and emotional reactions, increasing resilience for a better quality of life.
Using Holistic Yoga, breathing, relaxation and meditation practices, we can stimulate and engage the Vagus Nerve to help sooth and calm the nervous system, reduce stress and the chemicals associated with stress and illness, reduce inflammation that leads to other chronic illnesses, and to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD.
The Vagus Nerve is tied to our gut health as well. Stimulating the Vagus Nerve through breathing and movement helps to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract encouraging better nutrient absorption and a more a regulated intestinal and bowel system, reducing IBS and other digestive issues.