Vagus NOT Vegas

Meet Your Vagabond Vagus Nerve for Harmony.

Remember the "Operation" game? It was so hard to extract the darn "Writer's Cramp" pencil and "Spare Ribs". I played like a relentless child surgeon to get the elusive bone. I visualized a bunch of parts assembling to form one unique 3-D human form. This popular interactive board game with a red light nose and a jarring buzzer was the precursor to my interest in science.

I wish the cardboard cartoon patient in a box also illustrated and made us seek our Vagus nerve, running from the brain stem to the large intestine. Our longest nerve carries signals to varied and distant places in our body, like a Vagabond. Vagus means Wanderer in Latin. So fitting for its character as it includes left and right vagal nerves.

Part of the Parasympathetic Nervous System known for our "rest and digest" functions, it balances us with the more active Sympathetic Nervous System, our "fight or flight" responses. Both make up your Autonomic Nervous System.

The Vagus Nerve performs involuntary functions. Like regulating your heart beat to circulate precious blood to your organs, the digestion system for absorbing nutrients and eliminating toxins, passive lung breaths, and your immune system's ability to eradicate invaders like viruses, germs and bacteria. Less vital but important, it also allows us to produce saliva, ability to taste, sensations of touch, eye response to colors, sizes and beauty of all vision.

So this wandering nerve affects much of what we feel mentally, emotionally and physically. From our mood, sense of security, digestion, sleep patterns and healing.

Turn down any overstimulation like the city lights and loud sounds famous in Las Vegas to more peaceful shores with calming waters.

Want to sleep better, feel more serene, heal and stay well? Tap into your inner wisdom. What calms you best in times of need? For me, stopping in my tracks, pause and contemplate. Take a breath, calm the emotional self, use logic with compassion for myself and others. I might do some yoga, take a walk, a nap (yes, I now do this), or get a relaxing massage. Then trust I will know whether to activate "fight or flight," or to "rest and digest" the situation. My higher self will usually know the best solution.

Wild Wanderer and Guide,

Gina

Fusion Owner, Registered Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master Teacher, R.N.

Private Yoga events and Reiki sessions available by request:

Call 239-498-8800 for quickest response or email info@fusionyogawellness.com with requests.

BREATHE. MOVE. CONNECT.