Yoga classes in Exeter, book here
My yoga classes run in themes for five weeks. This allows for people to put in place adaptions to suit their body and learn the different options of each yoga flow that are right for them. After the five weeks you will find each yoga flow published on my blog, with a free interactive copy. You will find the yoga class for this theme below.
Vagus Nerve Yoga Flow for Wellness & Resilience
In today’s fast-paced world, finding ways to balance our bodies and minds is more important than ever. One powerful way to support your overall wellness is by focusing on the vagus nerve through yoga. In this blog, we’ll explore how stimulating the vagus nerve can help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and build resilience—and we’ll share a free interactive yoga flow to practice at home!
What Is the Vagus Nerve?
The vagus nerve is a key player in the autonomic nervous system, which regulates many of the body’s essential functions. It helps maintain balance between the sympathetic nervous system (responsible for fight-or-flight responses) and the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for rest-and-digest responses).
When you face stress, your sympathetic nervous system kicks in, releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Ideally, once the stress subsides, the vagus nerve helps you return to a calm, relaxed state. However, modern life often brings chronic stress, leaving the vagus nerve hyper-aroused and making it harder for us to find that calm state. This can lead to issues such as anxiety, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.
How Yoga Helps Stimulate the Vagus Nerve
Yoga is a natural and effective way to stimulate the vagus nerve, helping to reset the nervous system and promote relaxation. This yoga flow focuses on specific areas of the body associated with the vagus nerve, including the spine, belly, chest, and throat. By using slow, mindful movements paired with deep breathing, we can gently stimulate the vagus nerve, ease tension, and restore balance.
This flow also includes restorative yoga postures and breathing techniques, which are particularly effective at soothing the nervous system and supporting relaxation.
Additional Ways to Stimulate the Vagus Nerve
In addition to yoga, there are several other methods to naturally stimulate the vagus nerve:
- Breathwork: Deep, diaphragmatic breathing helps activate the vagus nerve and calm the body.
- Cold Water Therapy: Splashing cold water on your face or taking a cold shower can stimulate the vagus nerve and improve resilience.
- Laughter: Genuine laughter is a wonderful way to engage the vagus nerve and reduce stress.
- Massage: Neck, back, or abdominal massages can directly affect the vagus nerve, helping to soothe the nervous system.
The Benefits of Vagus Nerve Activation
Stimulating the vagus nerve through yoga and other methods offers numerous benefits, including:
- Reduced stress and anxiety levels.
- Improved sleep quality.
- Enhanced digestion and gut health.
- Increased emotional resilience.
- Better heart rate variability (a key marker of overall health and stress response).
Practice the Free Vagus Nerve Yoga Flow
This yoga flow is designed to gently target the vagus nerve while releasing tension throughout the body. By focusing on areas such as the spine, belly, chest, and throat, this sequence encourages deep relaxation and nervous system balance.
What to Expect:
- Gentle Spinal Movements: These help release tension in the spine and support the vagus nerve.
- Chest and Belly Stretches: Opening these areas encourages better breathing and nervous system support.
- Restorative Poses: These calming postures help soothe the mind and body, allowing you to relax deeply.
- Breathing Techniques: Simple but effective breathwork techniques to stimulate the vagus nerve and activate the parasympathetic nervous system.
Take Time for Yourself
Practicing this yoga flow regularly can help you reconnect with your body and mind, finding balance amidst life’s daily stresses. Whether you’re dealing with chronic stress or simply want to feel more grounded, this practice offers a gentle yet powerful way to support your overall wellness and resilience.
Ready to give it a try? You can find the interactive yoga flow below to guide you step by step through the sequence.
Take a deep breath, roll out your mat, and let’s get started.
Want to try one of my yoga classes?
I run yoga classes in Exeter- Exminster & Topsham, Devon
My Exeter based yoga classes are suitable for most levels of yogis. There are flowing sequences, often using sun salutations and vinyasa to warm the body and move through the yoga postures.
The yoga classes include an element of all styles of yoga, to bring a fresh angle to yoga and will encourage the use of yoga props in a fun and informal environment to help you explore your practice. My styles include Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Flow Yoga, Yin Yoga & Restorative Yoga.
Variations to yoga postures will be given throughout the class allowing each person to adapt the class to their personal level of yoga practice. All equipment is provided.
Classes are available at Kiva & Zen Studios in Topsham, Exeter, Victory Hall in Exminster, Exeter.
Book a yoga class today and immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere of my Exeter yoga venues, while rejuvenating your mind and body through the practice of yoga.
Each session is designed to help you connect with your inner self, cultivate mindfulness, and improve flexibility, strength, and balance. Whether you're a beginner to yoga or an experienced practitioner, there's a class for you in my Exeter venues.
As a Yoga Teacher, I underwent my initial yoga training in India and am both qualified and registered with the Yoga Alliance. Since completing my initial yoga qualification, I have undertaken further yoga studies both here in Exeter and in locations around Europe.
Book your yoga classes in Exeter
You can view my online brochure, of the wellbeing services I offer in Exeter, here.
