01/27/2026
Beyond the obvious (i.e. a gorgeous Hawaiian coastal walk with the cutie-est baby) there's a reason a view like this is calming, comforting and regulating– and there’s science to back it up.
Research suggests that gazing at the horizon downregulates our sympathetic nervous system response (the one that is intoxicated by things like ruminating, fixing, flighting, or fighting: aka anxiety) not necessarily because the view is nice, but because it influences pupillary response and visual field expansion. 👀
When our field of vision widens and when our peripheral vision expands, it triggers a physiological cascade of calming signals within our bodies.
In other words: we can train our vision to positively influence our stress response and ease anxiety. 🙌
Replay the reel again, and notice how your breathing pattern changes, how your jaw softens, how your eyes widen and how your body calms (even the tiniest bit counts.)
I’m diving into the research (and VERY cool implications) during my presentation at the Annual Yoga Medicine® Innovation Conference:
“Eyes Wide Open: Using Visual Awareness to Modulate Stress and Anxiety with Yoga Therapeutics” Thursday February 12 (2 pm PST/ 4 pm CST).
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Join me and 17 other Yoga Medicine® experts for an online conference as we present some of the highest quality research, coolest yoga teaching experience, and newest innovation straight to YOUR BRAIN. 🧠
💻Live Event February 9- February 12
🖥️Replay and 18 CEU hours available for professional yoga teachers
✔️ Register at YogaMedicine.com (or follow the link in my bio)
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