Series: Build a Resilient Nervous System

Service Description

Each week, we delve into a specific nervous system response (fight, flight, and freeze). We’ll begin every 75-minute class with 15 minutes of learning as a community, discussing that week's theme of nervous system response, identifying behaviors (how they show up in our body), and learning ways to help our nervous systems recover. Then we transition into a 60-minute practice to engage in intentional breathing, body sensing, active flow and restorative movements designed to stimulate the vagus nerve and discharge stress to help our nervous systems repair, recover and become resilient to stress. At the end of the four part series, students will be able to recognize what stress responses look and feel like in our own bodies, learn practices to self-regulate and self-soothe, and experience the autonomy we have to overcome habitual stress responses, so that we may remain in engagement with ourselves and others. FAQs: How is yoga for a resilient nervous system different from typical classes you’ll find in a studio? This practice is different from a typical yoga class which focuses on alignment or particular advanced poses. Instead, through our yoga practice we will safely activate a specific nervous system state and then recover from a flight, flight, or freeze response. Much of this practice focuses on toning the vagus nerve, which is essential to regulating our nervous systems. Why is it important to tap into and recognize how stress shows up in the body?   Many people don’t even recognize when they’re triggered into various stress responses. We may be so habituated to living in a state of chronic stress that we don't realize it’s a function of a dysregulated nervous system, which can be rewired and repaired. In order to come out of a stress response, we have to realize we’re in one. Once we get out of those patterns and physically discharge that stress from our bodies we can return to a state of calm and to be in community with others and at peace with ourselves.  What tools do you hope participants will take from the series? Every class participant will leave with their own toolbox of breathing, body sensing, and movement practices. When we practice activating and recovering our nervous system on the mat, we can access that response in our daily lives