You might not know the name for it, but you know the feeling.
Maybe you’ve been feeling wired even when you’re exhausted — your mind racing, sleep restless, and body tense. Or perhaps you swing between feeling highly anxious one moment and completely flat or disconnected the next. Your digestion might be unpredictable. You may feel on edge in social situations, struggle to focus, or notice brain fog — that hazy, heavy feeling where thoughts don’t come easily and decisions feel harder than they should.
It can feel like your body is running the show — and you can’t quite find the “off switch.”
These are all signs that your nervous system might be stuck in survival mode. And often, at the centre of this imbalance is the vagus nerve — a key communication pathway between your brain and body that plays a big role in how you feel, think, and function.
This is where I come in. Through somatic movement, breath, mindfulness, and bodywork, I help you tone and rebalance your vagus nerve so your body can shift out of survival mode and back into a state of calm, safety, and connection.
What is the Vagus Nerve?
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body. It begins at the brainstem, travels down each side of your neck, and branches through your chest and abdomen. It’s a key part of the parasympathetic nervous system— the “rest and digest” branch that counterbalances stress and helps your body recover.
When your vagus nerve is functioning well, you’re better able to:
- Relax after stress.
- Feel socially connected and safe.
- Maintain healthy digestion and heart rate.
- Regulate mood, focus, and mental clarity.
Polyvagal Theory: How Safety Shapes Our State
Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory explains how the vagus nerve supports three main states of being:
1. Ventral Vagal State – Safe & Connected
You feel calm, socially engaged, and grounded. You can think clearly, listen well, and respond thoughtfully.
2. Sympathetic State – Fight or Flight
Your body prepares for action. Heart rate rises, muscles tense, and adrenaline flows. Useful in short bursts, but exhausting if it’s constant.
3. Dorsal Vagal State – Shutdown or Freeze
When stress feels overwhelming, the body may “switch off.” You might feel numb, disconnected, or fatigued.
A healthy nervous system moves flexibly between these states. Trouble comes when we get “stuck” in fight/flight or shutdown.
What Does Vagal Imbalance Feel Like?
If your vagus nerve is under-active or overwhelmed, you might notice:
- Feeling constantly on edge or anxious.
- Trouble sleeping or winding down.
- Digestive issues like bloating, nausea, or IBS.
- Low mood, brain fog, or emotional flatness.
- Physical tension in the chest, jaw, or neck.
- Difficulty focusing or feeling present.
How I Help You Tone Your Vagus Nerve
The good news? The vagus nerve can be strengthened — much like a muscle. This is called vagal tone, and higher vagal tone is linked to better emotional regulation, resilience, and health.
In my sessions, I weave together somatic movement, breath, mindfulness, and bodywork to support your vagus nerve and help your body return to balance.
1. Somatic Movement
Gentle, mindful movements help release stored tension and signal safety to the nervous system.
2. Breath Practices
Techniques like slow diaphragmatic breathing, extended exhalations, and even humming stimulate the vagus nerve and promote relaxation.
3. Mindfulness & Guided Awareness
By tuning into the present moment, we shift away from stress reactivity and give the body space to reset.
4. Bodywork
Through massage, reflexology, and integrative therapeutic touch, the body receives safe, nurturing contact — a proven way to down-regulate stress responses and activate vagal pathways.
The Result
Over time, these practices can:
- Improve stress recovery.
- Enhance mood and emotional stability.
- Support digestion and sleep.
- Increase your ability to feel connected — to yourself and others.
This is about teaching your nervous system safety, so it can move through life’s ups and downs with more ease and resilience.
If you’d like to experience how vagal nerve toning can shift your energy, mood, and body, I’d love to guide you.
Book a session and let’s support your body’s natural ability to heal and restore.