Vagus Nerve Reset To Release Trauma Stored In The Body (Polyvagal Exercises)

This vagus nerve reset is designed to relieve stress and anxiety by restoring the social engagement state referenced in Polyvagal Theory developed by Stephen Porges.

Vagus nerve exercises also turn off fight or flight in the sympathetic nervous system to release trauma stored in the body.

Note: this content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, or as a substitute for the medical advice of a physician.

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-- Vagus Nerve Reset To Release Trauma From Your Body (Polyvagal Exercises) --

When it comes to trauma stored in the body, people usually ask me two questions.

The first is:

How do I know if I have trauma stored in my body?

The answer to that one is, you do. We all do. Trauma is a part of life and we’ve all got stuff.

(Even if you don’t remember it.)

It’s why our shoulders are tight and our backs ache. It’s why we get weekly massages and go to therapy.

It underlies most chronic health conditions and makes them worse.

Case in point:

Did you know that researchers have drawn a connection between experiencing racism and a higher prevalence of adult onset asthma for black women?

Trauma isn’t always about the Big Events. Yes, those count. Of course they do.

But so does having a distant mother (who likely had her own trauma).

Cultural shaming (hello women who were constantly told to be quiet, be small, not take up space).

Toxic work environments. Not being heard. Microaggressions.

And of course the ever prevalent accidents, injuries, falls out of trees and off horses, broken legs, cracked ribs, etc, etc, etc.

So, you’ve got some trauma. You don’t have to call it that, but it’s there, okay?

Now the second question: what do we do about it?

This is the part I love. SO MUCH of the conversation surrounding trauma in our culture boils down to understanding the narrative -- what’s your story?

That’s important, BUT…

It doesn’t get to the biological roots. These parts of our bodies are up to 500 million years old and they frankly don’t give a flying unicorn fart about your story.

So that’s where I come in.

We can “talk” to these ancient parts of you -- the parts where fear, stress and trauma are stored -- through movement and sensation, which form the language of your nervous system.

And that’s what I’m showing you how to do in this video.

You can use this vagus nerve reset regularly any time you feel stressed, anxious or tense.

Be sure and leave me a comment to let me know how this vagus nerve reset went for you!

#TraumaRelease #PolyvagalTheory #VagusNerveReset #SukieBaxter

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[xenadanavira]

you probably won’t see this but your exercises just helped me down from a suicidal episode. thank you.

[yoginiprincess]

We as a generation are incredibly lucky to have internet and YouTube!

[Ashley-rpui]

You know what's crazy? You get in this position and do this exercise automatically when you lay down in the grass and look up at the clouds. It's amazing that this exercise is so healing and it can be found in a fun activity

[yviwo]

I learned in my coaching training, if you experience dizziness, it's because you look too far to the right or left. Fixate a point more in the middle and it shouldn't happen :)

[dalriadajohannsen]

WOW. 26 YEARS of psychiatric drugs and hospitals. I just did this excersize, breathed several big sighs, now I feel like a lifetime has been lifted off of my shoulders 😯🤗💞 THANK YOU and thank the algorithm that brought us together 😁

[midlifemulligan]

It instantly relieved the painful ball of energy that grows in my chest when I'm anxious. Thank you so much for sharing. It's extremely hard to try and heal trauma when you're living in poverty and can't afford professional guidance, resources like yours are life savers.💜

[cloverlyand]

My neck was so stiff. While doing this I found myself taking a really deep breath I wasn’t expecting and then next thing I burst into tears. I can’t describe the feeling. It was pure sorrow and relief. My head is turning so much more easily now.
I don’t know what just happened but that was profound.

Thank you 🙏🏻

[ilovemelodyjane]

I was very discouraged when I first began this practice because I could not hold the gaze for 30 seconds. In fact, it was such a powerful exercise for me, I became nauseous and dizzy after my first attempt with just 15 seconds on each side. However, I kept at it with my small 15 second gazes and tried to reassure myself that something was better than nothing. It was. Keep at it no matter how many seconds you can hold. It's a mediation element so that means it can build over time❣️ It did for me. 🌹

[girlcurious]

If you don't get an automatic deep breath or yawn the first few times you try this exercise, keep it up. It took me 7 days before my nervous system responded with a yawn. I also have a hard time lacing my fingers behind my neck because of shoulder immobility and so I placed my hands as close as I could get them instead.

[shadowfax]

I can't believe how painful and uncomfortable it was to do this for 30 seconds. I started feeling this tingly sensation at the base of my spine and realized I was clenching my teeth. As soon as I started to relax I began crying! And breathing very deeply. What a release.

[carlosgarcia]

WOW!!! I didn't know what to expect when performing this exercise, most people have commented they cry or have better motion in the neck, not me my experience was completely different. I have had a tremendous amount of stress for decades in combination with covid related damage. When I started the exercise looking to the right it was hard for me to focus my eyesight on a given point, I kept going holding my eyes as far as they would go. About 5-10 seconds in a huge wave of panic came over me, rapid heartbeat, uneasiness, alarms going off, i kept going. I had no swallow or yawn halfway through. When my eyes came back to center it felt like my entire chest cavity opened up for my first deep breathe in decades, it was incredible. I looked to the left for 30 seconds, my legs started to get warm and tingly. My heart was beating so quickly and my breathing was so rapid i thought to myself OMG I'm going to have to go to the emergency room. I sat up, was very dizzy a little discombobulated. It felt like i was walking for the fist time, very strange feeling like my legs didn't know what to do. I sat on the bed and checked my pules which remained over 130 BPM for about 15 minute's, i could breathe so easily and felt so calm. About 3 minutes in i had a strong urge to go to the bathroom, most amazing bowel movement of my life. It took about 2 hours to calm down and for the body to get settled. I went to the beach the next morning and i never felt more relaxed, stress free and a calmness that is indescribable. This has helped me so much I'm at a loss for words, i must have had so much trauma built up it exploded.... The second time i did the exercise about a week later, i threw up a few minutes later. What i find interesting is most of my experience is GI related, maybe its from my appendicitis trauma. Another interesting point, i went to see an energy healer a couple months prior. She stated, huh that's interesting your brain and GI tract are not communicating at I truly believe this exercise has helped them reconnect, thank you!!!

[ynlljqg]

I suffer from complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and anxiety. I have been through various therapies over the years, I am talking more than a decade. This is going to sound weird now but this simple fast exercise actually works! My fiance sent me this link and I was very sceptical but I thought I give it a go. It really works, thank you Sukie!

[valeriealtman]

This was so much more uncomfortable than I anticipated. So hard to keep my eyes to the side for 30 seconds but WOW! I felt a little dizzy and uneasy during the exercise, but my neck is looser and I feel a bit clearer!

[gracecunningham]

Did anyone else’s eyes hurt when they did this? After ten seconds my eyes started to get tired. I wasn’t sure if I was looking too far right but made it through! Definitely feeling more relaxed now.

[azshimi]

Thanks for the video. Just like to let everyone know that the head turning technique we Muslims practice five times or more in our prays. We are told to be steadfast in prayers as it is beneficial to us. Now I understand why. I have gone through allot in my life but it has not destroyed me as my prayers have helped to deal with all the trauma physically and psychologically.
Thanks again.

[nxigold]

It was hard for me to look right at one spot, but no reaction like yawning. Looking left at one spot was easier, but I felt really emotional, tears came out and swallowing. Thank you for this exercise Sukie.

[annvrabel]

Holy cow. The difference in neck mobility was quite noticeable. No sighs or swallows, but super cool connection between the movements. Thanks.

[yeshemama]

So far anyone I've seen presenting this has neglected to emphasize the exact position on the back of the head that gives you the greatest result and feedback. In Stanley Rosenberg's further description of this exercise he notes that the eye muscles doing the movement are connected at the BASE of the skull. So by making sure your first fingers or thumbs feel just beneath the curve of the occipital bone just above the connection to the neck you can notice very subtle changes in the muscular tension. To find the optimal point for your body with your hands low on your skull behind your head slowly nod chin to chest In the west we call this a nod YES. (some other cultures use this motion differently!) Try it with your hands both ways and see what you notice. It's all about YOU and learning to know how your body and heart FEEL. Thank you Sukie, your video is very helpful. Can't wait to see more of your channel!

[JessforR]

Honestly, this is crazy! I thought my stiffness was due to my arthritis but my neck and back relaxed immediately after this exercise. I'm so grateful.

[michaelpruett]

I was rear-ended 6 months ago, and as an otherwise active, upbeat person have really struggled emotionally with the loss of strength and mobility the injury has caused on my dominant Rt side. So, the exercise today brought a flood of tears when gazing toward the Left (did Rt side 1st; L second). Immediate increased mobility! Thank you❤