CONNECTING PRACTICE - VAGAL TONING - massaging the vagus nerveÂ
[About the vagus nerve - the 10th cranial nerve- you can think of it like a superhighway to the brain with information from the whole body.]
This large nerve system is key in regulating the parasympathetic nervous system [which helps us rest and digest.]
HOW TO TONE YOUR VAGUS NERVE:: PT. 1
- Take long, deep breaths, and let your sit bones anchor toward the earth while your spine and crown elongates to the sky.Â
- Using small circular movements with one or two fingers find the little nook on either side of your nostrils and begin to massage outward. (30 secs)
- Let your breathing be long, slow and relaxed.
HOW TO TONE YOURÂ VAGUSÂ NERVE:: PT. 2
- Next, take your second knuckles, making little fists, and massage your occiput where your neck meets your head.
- Make tiny circles in both directions, using medium pressure. (30 secs)
HOW TO TONE YOURÂ VAGUSÂ NERVE:: PT. 3
- Finally, sit tall on your sit bones, let your chin rest forward toward your chest and bring one fist to the center of your chest. Use the other hand to lie flat your fist creating more weight and pressure as you slide the fascia and tissue in a downward motion. The fist and hand don’t move in space, they just pull down creating a tension of release on the fibers.
- Breathe deeply and play with rocking your chin toward your chest and back to neutral. Noticing how the line of tension changes and the overall release.