The Vagus Nerve and The Parasympathetic Nervous System
This training cuts through the wellness noise and gives you a clear, evidence-informed understanding of how the nervous system actually works and how yoga fits into that.
LeLearn the real science behind recovery, autonomic regulation and the vagus nerve, and discover how to build classes and practices that support your students' nervous systems with integrity.
ENROL TODAYWho's it for?
This 100% online and on-demand training is self-paced and is perfect for you if...
YOU'RE A YOGA TEACHER OR MOVEMENT PROFESSIONAL...
who wants to go beyond the buzzwords. You've heard "activate your vagus nerve" more times than you can count, and you're ready to understand what's actually happening, what the science really says and how to bring that into your teaching with confidence and honesty.
YOU WANT TO SUPPORT RECOVERY, RESILIENCE AND STRESS REGULATION IN YOUR STUDENTS...
if you're curious about why some practices calm the nervous system and others don't, and you want practical, evidence-informed tools you can use from class to class, this training gives you the depth and the detail to teach this well.
YOU'RE TIRED OF OVERSIMPLIFIED WELLNESS CONTENT...
the vagus nerve is one of the most over-hyped and most misrepresented topics in the wellness space right now. This course exists because the conversation deserves better. You'll leave with a genuinely nuanced understanding of the physiology, and the language to explain it clearly to your students without overclaiming.
What you'll learn:
With The Vagus Nerve and the Parasympathetic Nervous System, you'll build a thorough, scientifically grounded understanding of how the autonomic nervous system works, where the vagus nerve fits within it, and how yoga practices influence autonomic regulation in real, physiologically coherent ways.
This is not a course about "hacks." It is a rigorous, accessible exploration of one of the most complex and consequential systems in the human body, taught with the same care for accuracy that your students deserve. That's why teachers who've taken this training describe it as genuinely perspective-shifting — not just for how they teach, but for how they understand their own bodies.
- The autonomic nervous system - sympathetic, parasympathetic and how the two branches work together rather than against each other
- The vagus nerve in context - its anatomy, its pathway, its connections to the heart, lungs, gut and beyond, and why "wanderer" is a misleading name
- Interoception and the vagus nerve — how internal sensory signals travel to the brain and shape our physiological and emotional states
- Vagal tone, HRV and what the evidence actually shows - including why "higher vagal tone = calmer" is an oversimplification
- How the brain receives and integrates vagal information - through the nucleus tractus solitarius, limbic circuits and insular cortex
- Practical tools for parasympathetic regulation - including breathwork, pelvic floor practices, diaphragm mechanics, thoracic mobility, jaw work, swallowing, humming, auricular stimulation and aerobic exercise
- The cranial nerve network - how working with the eyes, ears, face, jaw and throat influences the same brainstem centres as the vagus
- The HPA axis and stress physiology - how cortisol, allostatic load and chronic stress interact with autonomic function
- The insula and interoception - how the brain makes internal signals conscious, and why this matters for yoga practice
- Polyvagal theory - with honesty - what the theory gets right, where the anatomy doesn't hold up, and how to use it wisely in teaching
This is your go-to course if you love geeking out on the neuroscience of rest!
While the course covers the vagus nerve function, how to test it and how to influence it - spoiler alert: through diaphragm breathing and gentle aerobic exercise! -, it goes way beyond the vagus nerve itself to encompass a wide variety of tools enabling us to slow down and relax. And because the content is grounded in neuroscience, you get to understand why they work.
The course is a great balance between theory - the science behind it all -, measuring some variables to support our learning rather than subjective feedback, and practical application.
It is incredibly detailed with lots of updated information because Celest always makes sure to keep up with the latest research available out there!
I highly recommend this course to anyone keen to help their students and themselves find a renewed appreciation for the importance of rest.
FLO
I really love that we get the manual to work through alongside the course and very much appreciate the information being put together so well.
The format works really well for me as I learn kinestetically and there are plenty of recaps and accompanying learning material to absorb more than I ever do at other workshops.
KATH
Who nowadays has not heard of the Vagus Nerve? But who really knows how it weaves through our wonderful bodies and how we can take care of it? I certainly didn’t, but that radically changed with Cel’s workshop.
Not only do I now understand the roles it plays in regulating our physiology and nervous system, but also have the tools to help people feel better. And that makes me feel better.
I was deeply impressed by the depth of work and care Celest put into delivering such a high-quality training. As always with her usual gift for making complex material land effortlessly, with clarity, playfulness, and genuine enjoyment.
PHILIPPE
MEET YOUR TRAINER
Learn from a world-renowned teacher who has built successful yoga businesses off the back of unique approach to evidence based learning.
@CELESTPEREIRAPHYSIO
Celest Pereira (E-RYT 500)
Celest is deep down (or maybe not so deep) a Geek that loves anatomy and neuro-mechanics. She miraculously acquired her BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy in 2009, despite dropping out of school at 16. The bonus of this is that she knows how to explain complex concepts and make them easy to grasp and digestible. After a workshop with her, you’ll know so much more than just your ass from your elbow ;o)
In addition to her degree she is currently studying functional neurology.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy
- 200h from Hatha Yoga Gurukul
- 50h David Sye from Yoga Beats
- 300h Edward Clarke from Tripsichore
- 500h Sri Dharma Mittra
- Z-Health Essentials: I phase, R phase, S phase, T phase, Next Evolution, Falls Preparation, No More Mindless Mobility, Breathing Gym
- Stop Chasing Pain: Lymph Mojo, Breathing Mojo, Vagus Nerve Mojo
- Prof Julie Weibe: Foundations of Diaphragm/Pelvic Floor Piston for Adult Populations
HOW IT WORKS
Our Vagus Nerve and Parasympathetic Nervous System module involves various learning modalities to ensure you're set up for success over the long term.
PROGRESS CHECKPOINTS
Multiple choice tests and progress checkpoints at the end of each module to track your growth and test your knowledge.
ON-DEMAND VIDEO LIBRARY
Access all the lessons we cover in our live lectures, pre-recorded videos and workshops so you can review topics at your own pace and avoid information overload.
WRITTEN MATERIALS & DOWNLOADS
You'll receive the full Vagus Nerve and Parasympathetic Nervous System Manual, a comprehensive, beautifully produced reference written by Celest that you can return to throughout your entire teaching career.
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30 Day Money Back Guarantee applies from the date of purchase.
