Welcome to this practice for calming and soothing the vagus nerve.
This technique is from Donna Eden's work in energy medicine.
It's an easy practice to learn and it will aid in returning a healthy energy flow in the body so that we're calmer and more grounded.
You can do this practice seated with your feet against the earth or you may choose to do it lying down with two extra pillows for your arms.
Get comfortable so that your body is able to release and relax.
It is helpful to know how this practice works before we begin so that you can actually relax during the exercise.
It's called cap it off.
In a moment,
Not now,
We will place a hand on top of our head to direct the energy flow downward through the chakras.
The other hand we place on the forehead.
This stimulates the neurovascular points there sending a signal from the brain to the nervous system that everything is alright and that we can move away from the stress state into rest and digest.
Then we will trace the path of the vagus nerve downward completely anchoring into our body and helping to repattern a healthy energy flow.
Now close your eyes and begin to present yourself in your body.
Observe how you're doing physically,
Emotionally,
Mentally,
And energetically.
Rate your overall state on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being anxious and 10 being blissful.
5 is I'm okay.
Now let's begin.
Place one hand on top of your head and take the other hand and lay it flat across your forehead.
Relax your shoulders down and begin to breathe deeply all the way down into your belly.
Inhaling deeply and as you exhale,
Allow that exhalation to be long and slow with a sense of letting go.
We're slowing everything down.
Keep your hands here and just continue to breathe,
Noticing the soothing quality of the hand on the forehead.
You are letting your body know that it's safe.
Sense the warmth between the hand and the forehead.
So soothing.
Keeping the hand now on top of the head,
Take the hand from the forehead and gently glide the hand down your face,
Softly soothing the skin.
Move slowly down the neck and all the way to the center of the heart.
Slowly begin to circle the hand at the heart,
Inviting a sense of release.
Breathing deeply into the heart.
Allow the hand to rest,
Noting the warmth and comfort of connecting here.
Take your hand from your heart and glide it down your body to your navel.
We keep the hand on the head for a few more breaths,
Inviting all of the attention to the navel and belly area.
Inviting your belly to soften.
Now take the hand from your head and place it on top of the hand at the navel.
Place your focus at the navel and belly area.
Inhale deeply and on your exhalation,
Move your attention down your legs and past your feet.
Inhaling into the navel and exhale,
Drift the attention downward,
Continuing with this grounding breath.
As you let go of the breath practice,
Notice how you're doing now.
Sense the body against its support and rate yourself on that scale of 1 to 10.
It is my sincere hope that you feel good in your body and that you've moved up on this scale.
Use this practice as often as you would like to shift into a more grounded,
Relaxed state.
This is a great practice to start your day because it sets a safe tone for the nervous system.
Wishing you deep peace,
My friends.
Namaste.
