The Vagus Nerve – Mind & Body Connection
Introduction
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “mind-body connection” and wondered what ties the two together, the vagus nerve is a big part of the answer. Known as the wandering nerve (from the Latin vagus), it runs from the brainstem down through the neck and into the chest and abdomen, touching nearly every major organ system along the way.
It is both scientific and mystical — carrying messages between brain and body, influencing mood, digestion, heart rhythm, even the tone of your voice. And in energy healing and trauma-informed yoga, the vagus nerve is recognized as a vital pathway for restoring balance.
The Science of the Vagus Nerve
Medically, the vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve, and it’s central to the parasympathetic nervous system — the body’s “rest and digest” mode. When activated, it slows the heart rate, stimulates digestion, and lowers stress hormones.
Researchers at Harvard and NIH have shown that vagus nerve stimulation can:
Reduce inflammation
Calm anxiety
Improve heart rate variability (a measure of resilience)
Support mood regulation in conditions like depression and PTSD
In short: the vagus nerve is a built-in self-healing switch.
The Psychology of the Vagus Nerve
Psychologists connect the vagus nerve with emotional regulation. It’s what allows us to come out of “fight, flight, or freeze” and re-enter a grounded state.
Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory explains how different branches of the vagus influence whether we feel safe, connected, or shut down. This is why tone of voice, facial expression, and breath are so powerful — they are all vagus-regulated.
When your vagus nerve is healthy, you can bounce back from stress more quickly. When it’s blocked or dysregulated, you might feel anxious, exhausted, or disconnected from your body.
The Energy Healing Perspective
In trauma-informed Kundalini Yoga (and other somatic practices), we learn to work with the vagus nerve energetically.
Why? Because the spine, posture, and subtle energy channels all influence how nerve impulses travel. If someone’s spine is curved or compressed, the vagus nerve can’t send clear signals, and imbalances show up in mood, digestion, or energy.
This is why Kundalini is often referred to as a trauma-informed yoga:
Straightening and strengthening the spine supports vagus nerve flow.
Breathwork and mantra stimulate vagal tone through sound vibration.
Movement + awareness restore the balance of nervous system energy.
Practices to Support Your Vagus Nerve
Here are two accessible exercises you can share with your community:
1. Kundalini Stretch Pose
Lie flat on your back.
Lift your head and feet about six inches off the ground.
Extend arms alongside the body, palms facing up.
Breathe in short, powerful breaths through the nose.
Hold for 30–60 seconds, then release.
This strengthens the core, realigns the spine, and stimulates the vagus nerve.
2. Triple Warmer Smoothie (Energy Medicine)
From Donna Eden’s Energy Medicine — this resets the Triple Warmer meridian, which is tied to the fight-or-flight response.
Rub your hands together and shake them out.
Place your fingertips at your temples.
Inhale deeply. As you exhale, slowly trace your fingers back and behind your ears, down the back sides of your neck, and where your shoulders meet your neck (traps).
Hang your hands for a moment, allowing the weight of the elbows to pull down on your traps.
Take another deep breath and release.
Crossing your hands over your heart.
Take one final breath and feel yourself return home. Grounded.
This calms the overactive stress response and helps your vagus nerve return to a state of relaxation.
Closing Reflection
The vagus nerve is more than anatomy — it’s a bridge between science and spirit. By caring for it through mindful movement, breath, and energy practices, you support not just your nervous system but your whole being.
Whether through Kundalini yoga, energy healing, or simple daily rituals, the vagus nerve invites us back into alignment, reminding us that safety, connection, and healing are possible.
✨ Thank you for reading! If this post resonated with you, I invite you to continue exploring—many more reflections and resources await you on my blog.
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With love,
Jeri
