Do you ever feel the need to completely switch off, but can’t? It’s not just in your mind. It’s your nervous system asking for help. Recent research (as highlighted by the BBC) shows that the vagus nerve , which is the longest cranial nerve in the body, plays a vital role in how we rest, recover and regulate our emotions.
At Infinite Harmony, I weave this science into practice through yoga therapy and somatic movement , helping you reconnect with your body’s natural rhythm of rest and restore.
What the vagus nerve actually does
The vagus nerve connects the brain, heart, lungs and gut. It influences heart rate, digestion, breath and emotional balance. It acts as a communication superhighway between mind and body. When life keeps us in stress mode (“fight or flight”), this pathway becomes overstretched. We feel wired, tired and unable to relax, even when we’re exhausted.
Supporting vagal tone , which is your nervous system’s ability to return to calm, helps restore balance, resilience and emotional wellbeing.
How Yoga Therapy and Somatics support the vagus nerve
1. Gentle breathwork and mindful movement
Slow, diaphragmatic breathing is one of the most direct ways to calm the nervous system.
In Yoga Therapy, we often begin with simple breath awareness: noticing the exhale soften the body, slowing the pulse, releasing held tension.
Gentle, somatic movements such as rolling through the spine, softening the shoulders, exploring micro-movement, encourage your system to feel safe enough to let go.
2. Interoception and body awareness
Somatic practice teaches you to feel from the inside out.
You start noticing the signals of stress or safety, learning to respond before overwhelm sets in.
This builds what researchers call vagal tone, which builds flexibility within the nervous system, so that activation and rest can flow more smoothly.
3. Deep rest and integration
Practices like restorative yoga, guided relaxation and Yoga Nidra allow the body to shift fully into the parasympathetic state which is the the true “rest and digest” mode.
Here, heart rate and breath slow, muscles release, and the mind becomes quiet. This is where healing happens.
Why this approach works
When we combine scientific understanding with embodied practice, we can literally teach the nervous system how to relax again. For those living with chronic stress, pain, fatigue or trauma, this is not indulgent - it’s essential. Yoga Therapy and Somatics offer a bridge between science and self-care: evidence-informed, gentle, and deeply human.
A few ways to start reconnecting
- Try breathing out for slightly longer than you breathe in.
- Notice how your body feels before and after gentle movement.
- Give yourself permission to rest - without needing to earn it.
- Reflect in a journal: Where do I feel tension? What helps me release it?
If you’re feeling stuck in “always-on” mode, know that there’s another way.
Through yoga therapy and somatic practice, you can rebuild your capacity for calm, connection and vitality - one breath at a time.
Learn more about Yoga Therapy and Somatics at Infinite Harmony - or book a discovery call to explore how these practices can support your wellbeing.
