NeuroMeditation and the Vagus Nerve

NeuroMeditation and the Vagus Nerve Course

Understanding what the vagus nerve is and how it functions within the nervous system empowers a person to be more aware of, and to have more agency and control over, regulating the system. This knowledge is helpful for many issues; such as: anxiety, addiction, PTSD, grief/loss, stress, panic disorders, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation. Capability to return to calm and the rest/digest state of the parasympathetic nervous system, after activation of the stress response, is key to managing these issues, reducing the activation and improving lived experience. NeuroMeditation is brain-based meditation, covering the Four Styles of Meditation: Focus, Mindfulness, Open Heart and Quiet Mind. Each NM style affects the Vagus Nerve differently and can be profound tools for: coming to understand the VN more fully, for increasing connection with it and fostering awareness of what state it is in, and for managing, regulating and shifting its state.  

Through this class students will learn: the basics about the Vagus Nerve, its role in our nervous system and our felt experience; NeuroMeditative tools to increase awareness of which state their nervous system is in; how to use NM to manage various forms of  dysregulation - how to interrupt the stress response and how to alter what state the nervous system is in and thus increase balance in the mind and body. 

Learning Objectives:

As a result of completing the course, students will be able to:

• understand the role of the Vagus Nerve in the nervous system and our felt experience

• learn how to identify which state our nervous system is in 

• select which NM style is needed to to respond to various issues (stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, grief, etc.)

• use various NeuroMeditations to interrupt the amygdala and the stress/threat signalling

• use various NeuroMeditations to stimulate the system when it is collapsed into the hypo state of the parasympathetic, or in freeze mode

• use various NeuroMeditation to calm the system when it is in an activated fight/flight state of the sympathetic nervous system

• engage in NeuroMeditations to restore calm to the system and return to the relaxed/safe state of the parasympathetic nervous system

• determine which style of meditation to use and when based on the level of activation

• discern which of the senses they connect with most easily as a route to connect with the Vagus Nerve through NeuroMeditations

• determine what type of imagery students most strongly connect with and understand the importance of connecting with the "right" imagery for the each individual

• access links and other resources and tools for continued practice

After the course, students will have: a basic understanding of the nervous system and the role the vagus nerve plays in it and our felt experience; knowledge and experience of  how to use NeuroMeditation and NM tools to regulate the vagus nerve; experience connecting with and adjusting the Vagus Nerve with movement meditations; insight into which senses and imagery they connect with most easily; tools and ability to continue independent practice at home. 

Brief Introduction Course

• Length: 2 weeks (or 2 hrs)

• 2 weekly classes of 1 hr each - or 1 class 2hrs

• Currently only available for private groups *smaller sized groups allow for better individualization* 

  • • Group minimum = 5 

    • Group maximum =13

    • Group cost = $200

Standard Short Course

• Length: 4 weeks

• 4 weekly classes of 1 hr each

• Currently only available for private groups *smaller sized groups allow for better individualization* 

  • • Group minimum = 5 

    • Group maximum =13

    • Group cost = $400

Eight Week Course

• Length: 8 weeks

• 8 weekly classes of 1 hr each

• Currently only available for private groups *smaller sized groups allow for better individualization* 

  • • Group minimum = 5 

    • Group maximum =13

    • Group cost: $800

Sixteen Week Course

• Length: 16 weeks

• 16 weekly classes of 1 hr each

• Currently only available for private groups *smaller sized groups allow for better individualization* 

  • • Group minimum = 5 

    • Group maximum =13

    • Group cost: $1600