Seeking Safety | ventral vagus nerve stimulation
Trauma Informed Yoga
4 SESSION SERIES
Your Ventral Vagus nerve is the piece of your nervous system that allows you to feel safe, at rest, and connected with others.
This amazing nerve is found in the "rest and digest" branch of your nervous system, while "fight, flight, freeze" is found in another branch. Trauma can cause our nervous system to become stuck. This might look like being stuck in overdrive (anxiety and panic), or in shut down (depression and disassociation). By giving your body cues of safety, you can support your nervous system in beginning to regulate and ultimately become "unstuck."
Session 1: Creating Space
Neck, shoulders, chest + spine.
Affirmation: It is safe to be in my body. // I am safe.
Session 2: Side Stretches + Swooning Breath
Swooning breath, shoulders, side stretches, + twists.
Affirmation: I am home in my body. // My body is home.
Session 3: Acupressure + Cross Patterning
Alternate nostril breathing, neck, hips + glutes
Affirmation: I am whole, even as a I heal.
Poem for contemplation:
“I dive into the well of my body
and end up in another world
everything I need
already exists in me
there’s no need
to look anywhere else.”
Home by Rupi Kuar
Session 4: Thoracic Spine + Internal Hip Rotation
Humming breath, guided meditation, upper back + chest.
Affirmation: I love my body. // I am learning to love my body.
