What is the vagus nerve and how does it work with your nervous system?

The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve that travels from the brain stem, into the neck, chest, and abdomen. Its main function is to provide the nervous system with information about how we are doing. If we use a car analogy, it is the brake of our nervous system.

The primary practice that I use to affect the vagus nerve and calm the nervous system is diaphragmatic breathing. Put one hand on your chest and the other one on your abdomen to feel where you are breathing. Ideally we want to decrease or still the movement under the hand on the chest. Under the hand on the abdomen, feel the rising and expansion as you inhale and an inward release on the exhale.