The Embodied Mind: Bridging Yoga and Polyvagal Theory

Why does anxiety often feel so "illogical"? Even when our minds know we are safe, our bodies can remain stuck in a state of high alert. In this transformative workshop, Amanda Carver—Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Yoga Teacher—invites you to explore the intersection of mental health and neuroscience through the lens of yoga.

Based on the groundbreaking Polyvagal Theory, this session moves beyond "top-down" cognitive talk therapy and dives into "bottom-up" somatic interventions. You will learn how the vagus nerve acts as a "direct phone line" between your brain and your body, influencing everything from your heart rate and digestion to your emotional resilience.

What You Will Explore:

• The Vagal Ladder: Understand the three evolutionary states of your nervous system—from the "frozen" dorsal state to the "calm and connected" ventral state.

• Neuroception & Glimmers: Learn how your body scans for danger and how to intentionally find "glimmers"—small moments of safety that help tone your nervous system.

• Somatic Regulation Tools: Practice evidence-based yogic techniques, including Ujjayi and Diaphragmatic breathing, specific Drishti (gaze) focal points, and Psoas release to shift from "fight-or-flight" into "rest-and-digest".

• Vagal Toning: Discover how to use movement, sound (like the Om chant), and social attunement to strengthen your "vagal tone" and improve your emotional baseline.

Whether you are a yoga practitioner looking to deepen your practice or a professional seeking new tools for regulation, this workshop provides a holistic framework for understanding the "elephant in the room": that the mind and body are a single, elegant system designed for survival and connection.

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