The conversation around the vagus nerve and its importance has become increasingly frequent in recent years. The vagus nerve is the largest cranial nerve in the body and is a key part of your autonomic nervous system, specifically the parasympathetic “rest and digest” nervous system. It influences your breathing, digestive function, heart rate and fight or flight response, all of which can significantly impact physical and mental health.

This program will be led by the Crosby Wellness Center’s Joy Henderson, a seasoned fitness professional who holds certifications in yoga, Pilates, spin and sports medicine training. This program will be split into two sections: in part 1, Henderson will lead an in-depth discussion on this important aspect of your wellbeing; in part 2, she’ll provide instructional examples via yoga modalities to help you learn how to better regulate the inter-related systemic mind-body mechanisms, specifically the vagus nerve’s role in contributing to improved body-mind awareness, physical and mental regulation and decreased reactivity to stressful stimuli. All yoga poses will be practiced on a chair.

You have two opportunities to attend this workshop: Tuesday, January 10, 1-2:30 p.m. and Tuesday, March 7, 6-7:30 p.m.

Special Instructions: Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in this program; no prior yoga experience required. Attendees are encouraged to bring a notepad and pen or pencil for taking notes and their own bottles of water.

This program is presented by Joy Henderson and hosted by the Winter Park Health Foundation.

About the Program Presenter

Joy Henderson is a seasoned fitness professional who holds certifications in yoga, pilates, Spin and sports medicine training. She also holds an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and an M.Ed. Joy’s areas of expertise are somatic awareness and a whole wellness approach. She has a specific passion working with a person’s with chronic illness and aging. Joy’s whole wellness approach begins with self and body awareness in order to regulate and navigate physical and mental discomfort thus promoting quality and quantity of life. Her unique and empirically based approach has helped many persons feel healthier and more fulfilled.