Moving Mountain Institute

The vagus nerve has been commodified and the conversation can feel played out. However, as body-oriented care providers we have a lot to contribute to the body of knowledge. The vagus nerve is only one aspect of the conversation. Another aspect is everywhere the vagus touches, and most of those are places that we can do meaningful work with bodywork and acupuncture. 

The vagal conversation has been somewhat dominated by theorists and the psychotherapeutic community - and we are so grateful for their contributions. But as bodyworkers we have a lot to contribute to the vagal conversation. The focus is often on the nerve and yet as bodyworkers we have the opportunity to work in the milieu of the structures that nerve is in relationship with. In this lecture I focus on the "vagal system" which means we are talking about the inter-relationship between viscera, brain and nerve. The vagus nerve is important not because of much of the theory that has developed around it but because of how it is in relationship with the body and mind/emotions.

Let's explore the vagal system and how we can meaningfully engage this conversation as bodyworkers and acupuncturists.