Working with the Vagus Nerve
Practical applications for daily life and wellbeing
COURSE OVERVIEW
Many people struggle with symptoms or clusters of symptoms without a medical cause that have a significant impact on their life and the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Some of the common symptoms are chronic stress, anxiety, fatigue, digestive issues, poor recovery, muscle tension, pain sensitivity, sleep disturbances, recurring inflammation, or a constant sense of being “stuck” in patterns of dysregulation. As practitioners, we may notice that these clients seem unable to benefit fully from otherwise appropriate interventions like changes in nutrition, lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, breathwork, medication, or mindfulness. When you are experiencing this in your own body or recognise this in your clients, the vagus nerve can be an
The vagus nerve not only plays a central role in regulating the body’s stress response, it also plays a vital role in supporting communication between the brain, digestive system, immune system, heart and lungs. When vagal function is compromised, all these systems are affected.
In this three-part course, we will explore the anatomy and function of the vagus nerve, its relationship with the autonomic nervous system, and its influence on the digestive system and immune health. Each session combines accessible science with easy to apply practices that you can apply in daily life or integrate into your therapeutic work.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Each session includes a blend of theory, guided practices and opportunities for reflection and discussion. The theory we discuss will be translated into practical tools that can be integrated into everyday life.
You will leave each session with a deeper understanding of the vagus nerve related to daily life experiences and a collection of effective practices to support regulation, digestion, breathing and overall wellbeing.
This training includes:
- 6 hours of live presentations
- Access to the full recording after the sessions
- Supporting written materials
- Email access to experienced teachers for topic-related questions
- A Certificate of Attendance with 6 Yoga Alliance CE points
What will you learn
- The anatomy and functions of the vagus nerve
- How the vagus nerve relates to the autonomic nervous system
- Common signs and symptoms associated with reduced vagal function
- The brain-gut axis: relationship between the vagus nerve and digestion
- How breathing influences vagal activity and nervous system regulation
- The connection between the vagus nerve and immune function
- Practical exercises and daily rituals to support vagal health and resilience
- How to apply this knowledge in personal practice or professional settings
Who Can join this training?
This course is open to yoga therapists, yoga teachers, healthcare and wellbeing professionals, as well as anyone interested in learning more about the vagus nerve and its role in health. No prior knowledge of anatomy, physiology or yoga therapy is required. Participants are welcome whether they wish to deepen their professional understanding or explore these practices for their own wellbeing.
DATES & PRICE
€40,50* excl. VAT
* VAT calculated at checkout based on your location. Professional organisations may be eligible for reverse-charging — [contact us to find out more]
Meet Your Teachers
Suze Retera
Psychologist & E-RYT 200 Yoga Teacher
Frequently Asked Questions
You can start your course anytime through our online learning platform.
All sessions are pre-recorded, so you can study completely at your own pace. You’ll have access to videos, written materials, and supporting resources, all in one place.
You’ll receive unlimited access to all course materials — including recordings, resources, and downloadable notes — so you can revisit them whenever you wish.
Attending all hours of the course — live or on-demand — automatically qualifies you for a Certificate of Attendance with Yoga Alliance Continuing Education (CE) points.
Once you have finished all the materials you'll be able to request your certificate through a form in the learning platform.
Absolutely. You can pause, rewind, or restart lessons anytime. Your progress is saved automatically in your student profile.
Since all on-demand content is accessible immediately after purchase, refunds are generally not available once access has been granted.
However, if you encounter any technical issues, please contact us at education@theyogatherapyinstitute.org and we’ll do our best to help.
You can email us directly at education@theyogatherapyinstitute.org.
Our experienced C-IAYT teachers are happy to guide you with topic-related questions.
