When Vagus spends time in Yoga!

What happens in yoga stays in yoga… Did you know that positive social interactions stimulate the longest cranial nerve in the body, the Vagus nerve.

(I am going to get technical for a few paragraphs, if you want to go for it and stimulate the vagus nerve now, skip to the exercise below!)

This vagabond of a nerve derives from the latin vagary-“to wander”, it is the head honcho of the involuntary biological process and the parasympathetic nervous system, “rest and digest”.

What does this mean to your health? The vagus nerve regulates the heart rate, improves memory, connects brain and gut, prevents inflammation, sends messages to the lungs to breathe, and helps you relax.

Now that we have established the importance of Vagus, what can we do to increase its function?  YOGA!  This 5,000 plus year old technique has been utilized for wellness, devotion, stimulation, and relaxation long before science was able to measure the results and exact functions of the body.  It is now recognized that many Sanskrit and yogic terms have modern day translations, ex: Ida Nadi=Parasympathetic Nervous System.

There are several ways to stimulate the vagus nerve; take a cold shower, singing or chanting, meditation, positive social relationships, deep slow breaths, laughter, exercise, and devotional practices to name a few.

Yoga encompasses several actions on the above list! So next time you get a chance to chant or sing in class, think vagus. Breathing practices (pranayama) and meditation are also a large element to a yoga practice.  Now, lets take a moment to practice yoga.

5 minute exercise: 

*The information and exercises provided are to be used at your own discretion. 

They are not offered as a replacement or substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Come to a stable seated position with a tall steady spine, ribs and hips aligned, neck long, chin in lightly. Relax the muscles of your face and jaw.

Hands to your belly, deep breaths into belly, in and out through the nose.  5-10 deep breaths.

Hands to chest/ribs, deep and wide breaths into the chest/ribs, in and out through the nose. 5-10 deep breaths.

Now breathe into the belly and ribs/chest together, filling the lungs fully with a deep breath. 5-10 deep breaths. 

Want more? Inhale through the nose, relax the face-exhale out through the mouth making noise, start with the vowels, Aaaaa, Eeeee…etc. 5-10 rounds. 

Bring a soft smile to your face, sit quietly for a moment, and then call a friend or come to a yoga class!  Hello Vagus!