Interrupting Anxiety: NeuroMeditation & Neuro-Tools for Calm State Regulation

Course Description

This specialized course offers a precision, brain-based approach to interrupting and managing anxiety at its source—the nervous system. It provides a deep exploration of the biological underpinnings of anxiety, focusing on the brain's alarm center (the amygdala) and its critical connection to the Vagus Nerve and the autonomic nervous system. Students will learn to accurately identify their level of physiological arousal and how to leverage the four core NeuroMeditation (NM) styles to address different manifestations of anxious states, from racing thoughts to the intense physical response and hypervigilance. The curriculum is focused on empowering students with practical techniques to reduce reactivity, interrupt the stress response, and actively shift the nervous system into the parasympathetic calm/safe state. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning, integrating both sitting and movement meditations to connect students with the optimal sensory routes and imagery for their unique neurobiology.

Key Learning Outcomes

• Understand the neurological basis of anxiety, including the role of the amygdala and the profound impact of the Vagus Nerve on chronic anxious states.

• Determine which of the four core NeuroMeditation styles is most effective for different manifestations of anxiety (e.g., panic, hypervigilance, rumination).

• Apply specific NM practices to effectively interrupt the stress response and actively shift the nervous system into the calm, safe state of the parasympathetic system.

• Acquire the tools and self-awareness needed to foster inner quiet and develop a sustained sense of agency and self-control over anxious reactivity.