Yoga and the vagus nerve

Your nervous system has a secret superpower hiding in plain sight. The vagus nerve quietly weaves through your body, shaping how you feel, heal and connect. Here's how yoga helps you tap into its profound potential.

- Words by Rachael Coopes Photography by Tessa Tran

There has been much fanfare in recent years about the vagus nerve (VN), with every podcaster, wellness influencer and yoga teacher preaching its capacity to moderate our wellbeing. But given most of us had probably never heard of the now-trending VN until recently, what exactly is the big deal with this big nerve, and how can we use our yoga practice to harness its power?

Parasympathetic nervous system

The etymology of the word “vagus” gives us some insight as to its function. “Vagus” comes from the old Latin “wandering”, and this is exactly what the VN does. The VN is a long and complex cranial nerve that meanders through so many parts of the body, it impacts many different aspects of our system. The VN makes up around three quarters of the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system and therefore plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including the heart rate, digestion and respiratory rate. Vagal tone indicates how well the vagal nerve is functioning, and a 2010 landmark study found that those with higher vagal tone had better overall heart health, lower levels of inflammation and a profound effect on aspects of wellbeing beyond our physical health.

Social and psychological wellbeing