03/14/2026
I often have yoga students ask me how to regulate their nervous system.
I remind them that we’re not looking for regulation, but we’re looking for a capacity to be able to hold both stress and relaxed states
We want to feel healthy amount of stress in order to get things done in our day-to-day lives. We also want to be able to rest in a way that allows our bodies and minds to decompress from an overly taxing day.
We help toggle between the two states using these techniques.
Breathing Exercises: Deep, slow diaphragmatic breathing activates the parasympathetic system. Deep inhale and long sigh.
Vagus Nerve Activation: Stimulate the vagus nerve to calm down by singing, or gargling.
Cold Exposure: A quick and effective method, such as taking a cold shower for 60 seconds or holding an ice cube, can reset an overwhelmed nervous system.
Grounding Techniques: Use the 5-4-3-2-1 technique to get out of your mind and back into your body: identify 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, and 1 you taste.
Physical Movement: Gentle exercise, such as walking, stretching, or yoga.
Sleep, nutrition, and reducing stimuli are other tools to add to your toolbox.
