Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism

· North Atlantic Books
14 reviews
Ebook
296
Pages
Tools

About this ebook

Simple vagus nerve exercises rooted in Polyvagal Theory to calm the nervous system and ease anxiety, depression, trauma, migraines, and chronic neck pain

The bestselling guide

Dr. Stanley Rosenberg, PhD, offers an easy-to-understand overview of the vagus nerve—and helps you regulate your body’s innate capacity to heal from stress, trauma, anxiety, and injury.

A sigh, a yawn, a swallow: these small reflexes show that the nervous system has shifted out of defense and into safety. Dr. Rosenberg's exercises are designed to bring about that shift in a minute or two.

Building on Stephen Porges’s Polyvagal Theory, Rosenberg shows how the vagus nerve and four other cranial nerves govern breathing, digestion, heart rate, and our ability to connect with others. When these nerves aren’t working well, the body can stay locked in fight-or-flight or sink into shutdown. Rosenberg links those patterns to anxiety, depression, trauma, migraines, and chronic neck and back pain. Most meaningfully, instead of chasing each symptom, he works with the source. Drawing on more than thirty years as a Rolfer and craniosacral therapist, he offers:

  • The Basic Exercise, a simple eye-movement technique that takes less than two minutes
  • A quick self-check of vagal function by looking at the soft palate
  • The Salamander exercises and stretches for stiff necks, tight shoulders, and forward head posture
  • Self-massage for migraine trigger points, plus a four-minute natural facelift
  • A clear map of the five states of the nervous system
  • Insight into autism, sound sensitivity, and the middle ear

With a foreword by Stephen Porges, this is a hands-on guide for readers who want to work through the body, not just the mind, to calm the nervous system and support emotional and physical health. Grounded in neurobiology research, clinical stories, and easy-to-follow exercises, this book gives you the tools to bring your body back into a state of safety, balance, and optimal functioning.
Simple vagus nerve exercises rooted in Polyvagal Theory to calm the nervous system and ease anxiety, depression, trauma, migraines, and chronic neck pain The bestselling guide Dr. Stanley Rosenberg, PhD, offers an easy-to-understand overview of the vagus nerve—and helps you regulate your body’s...

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Ratings and reviews

14 reviews
Jo Mc
November 30, 2024
Yeah rite, unless you've got a degree or masters in various subjects don't buy this book
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About the author

STANLEY ROSENBERG is an American-born author and body therapist. A
Rolfer since 1983 and a practicing craniosacral therapist since 1987, he
studied biomechanical craniosacral therapy for many years under Alain
Gehin, trained in craniosacral therapy at the Upledger Institute and in
biodynamic craniosacral courses with Giorgia Milne, studied applications
for treating children with Benjamin Shield, and took courses in
osteopathy with Jean-Pierre Barral.

For many years he led a school in Denmark, teaching structural
integration, myofascial release, release of scar tissue, biomechanical
craniosacral therapy, visceral massage, and biotensegrity. He is the
author of four books, published in Denmark: Nevermore Pain in the
Back, Nevermore Stiff Neck, Pain Relief with Osteomassage, and Hwa
Yu Tai Chi. In addition to his work as a body therapist, he has worked
in theater— training actors in yoga, acrobatics, and voice—at various
institutions, including Yale University, Brandeis University, Swarthmore
College, and the National Theatre Schools of Denmark and Iceland.
More information about the techniques presented in this book can be
found on his website: www.stanleyrosenberg.com.
STANLEY ROSENBERG is an American-born author and body therapist. A Rolfer since 1983 and a practicing craniosacral therapist since 1987, he studied biomechanical craniosacral therapy for many years under Alain Gehin, trained in craniosacral therapy at the Upledger Institute and in biodynamic cran...

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