This course is held over five weeks on Mondays starting on 6th March (6-8.30pm) and ending on Monday 3rd April. It is a gentle yet deeply embodied understanding of Polyvagal Theory supported by compassionate inquiry. It is designed to increase self-awareness through embodied practice, education, group work and personal inquiry. Each session will finish with a guided embodied practice so you can wind down and transition smoothly into the rest of your evening. 

Feeling into your unique nervous system

One thing we all have in common is that we all have a nervous system. Therefore, understanding your Nervous System patterning and experimenting with ways to traverse your inner landscape is an empowering enquiry.Part of this system is the Vagus nerve, also known as ‘the wandering nerve’. It sprawls out from the brain and into the body like an intricate network of roots, connecting to the lungs, heart, gut, immune system, and many organs. It feeds information into all of our bodies’ systems, creating our physiology. Our Nervous System determines how we experience ourselves, other people and the world. More and more, we’re learning how critical vagal activity is to attention, mood and overall well being. Science shows us that heightened vagal activity counteracts the stress response, which involves the Sympathetic Nervous System. Working with the Nervous System can unlock new doors to treating all manner of human suffering and take part in life or lead us to shelter when we feel a need to rest, recuperate, or protect ourselves. 

Something happens when we befriend our inner workings rather than fighting with them. This course intends to empower you to utilise the wisdom of the nervous system through practice and compassionate inquiry to promote health and vitality in your system and your relationships. 

Rachel has shared this with over one hundred people from all walks of life including health care professionals, teachers and psychologists. All curious friends are welcome. You will learn through the group process, embodied practice, inquiry, simple movements, breathwork and sound in a trauma-informed way.

Course Modules

This acronym BASIC themes each week of our course

Befriend

Here we get a clear overview of Polyvagal Theory, including its three principles. Hierarchy, Neuroception and Co-regulation.

Attend

Here we inquire further into Neuroception by bringing what is feeding our Nervous System into conscious awareness. 

Shape

Once we can identify where we are in our Nervous System, we get practical learning simple ways to shape our system.

Integrate 

Taking what we are learning about our system to the next level, integrating what we know into a language we can use with ourselves and our relationships. Increasing our ability to communicate and connect to others compassionately and authentically.  

Co-regulate 

From the moment we are born, we are wired for connection. However, self-regulation is only one part of the picture. Here we explore safe ways that we can move into our social engagement system with others. 

Reference for the above acronym: Deb Dana  

Testimonial 

“Befriending the nervous system has been so helpful in understanding the different stages of the nervous system. It has inspired me to take better care of myself and feel better supported. Thank you, Rachel.”