What's in the mini course?
Two hours of class per month plus my new eBook and a place to talk about what we're learning
-
1 hour Vagus Exercise Class each month - learn four or more vagus exercises to practice on your own later
-
1 hour Q&A Class each month - ask me questions about the nervous system, the vagus nerve, and neurodiversity
-
The Nervous System Study Guide (eBook) - recieve my new eBook in monthly installments until you have the full book
-
Private Facebook Discussion Group - a place to connect with others in the course and build community
What are Vagus Exercises?
The vagus nerve is also known as cranial nerve X, the 10th cranial nerve. This nerve's sensory fibers begin at the brain stem, travel through the face and voice box, and touch all of our major organs.
The vagus nerve is part of our parasympathetic nervous system. 20% of the vagus nerve regulates autonomic responses and 80% of the vagus nerve "talks" to a part of the brain that evaluates whether we are safe or in danger.
Vagus exercises are sensory activities which can communicate to our brain that we are safe enough to move out of fight/flight or freeze responses.
Vagus exercises are an exploration not a guarantee. Some exercises will feel good and some will not. If you get triggered by an exercise, there are many others to try instead. Most people find a few favorites that they can use anytime anywhere.
You won't find journaling, gratitude practices, coloring books, yoga, or deep breaths on this list.
Most vagus exercises are simple movements or sensory exercises that take less than one minute to have an effect.
Some of the 50 exercises in this course will be completely new to you. Other exercises are familiar activities which you might not realize have a big impact on the nervous system.
In our monthly vagus exercise class, we will spend about 15 minutes learning about each vagus exercise. First, I'll explain how the exercise works, and then you'll get a chance to try it (if you want to).
You'll be invited to try at least 3 different exercises during the class. The fourth exercise will be like a scavenger hunt clue - something to notice in your off-zoom life.
You're welcome to keep your camera on or off, whatever you're comfy with. After the class, we can talk about how the exercises felt for us in our private Facebook group.
You can learn about the Vagus nerve from a lot of places . . . Why is this course special?
Neuroaffirming worldview
The vagus nerve is not a bio hack or a "cure" for neurodivergence. We can learn how to work WITH our nervous system instead of against it. Our nervous systems exist in a context of oppression. Healing is collective, not individual.
Low demand presentation
There is no pressure to participate. Everything is an invitation. Participants feel free to choose what exercises to try and when and how they try them. Doing it differently or sitting out for an exercise is not a failure.
Community social learning
Hierarchies like professional and client don't apply here. Lived experience matters as much as research. Questions and reflections from other students add depth to topics and inspire new ways of thinking. Connection can help us feel safe enough to learn.
Affordability
It shouldn't cost thousands of dollars to learn about your own nervous system. Gatekeeping information that is essential for health and wellness is like raising the price of insulin. Learning about your nervous system should be as easy as signing on to Netflix.
Tentative Schedule
Class is planned for 12pm EST, the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. The first session was originally planned for January 16th but has been moved to January 23rd.
Janae may change the schedule due illness or unexpected loss of capacity from stress, trauma, or burnout. If the schedule changes, we will inform participants via email.
Make up sessions (if necessary) will happen on a different Thursday at the same time. Recordings are always available in case a scheduled class doesn't work for you.
Pricing options
The cost of the full series is $25/month for 12 months. If that amount is financially difficult, you can choose to pay $15/month for 12 months, no questions asked. If the reduced cost is inaccessible, please scroll down to the end of the page to find the scholarship sign up form.
-
Enroll Here
12 x $25.00
Regular price
-
Enroll Here
12 x $15.00
Sliding Scale
-
Enroll Here
$300.00
Year-in-advance
-
Enroll Here
$180.00
Year-in-advance sliding scale
Facilitator / Teacher
Janae Elisabeth
Trauma Geek
Janae (they/she/he) is an information synthesizer who has been studying polyvagal theory and related nervous system models for 6+ years. Their specialty is tying together threads of information from many different fields to create a holistic understanding of the nervous system and neurodivergence. Janae has deeply studied these topics in an effort to understand herself better as an AuDHD PDAer with complex trauma.
Since 2018, they have been teaching about trauma, the nervous system, and neurodiversity through local peer support circles and through the advocacy and education project, Trauma Geek. Past students in Janae's courses have reported transformational experiences including more self-love, more gentleness with themselves, more understanding of their own bodies, more acceptance of themselves, and more connection to community. For legal reasons, please note, Janae is not a counselor or therapist.
FAQ
-
If I do the recorded version, is there a way to ask questions since the live Q&A will be missed?
Yes! We have a private community group for questions. We'll also have a class google document that you can contribute questions to.
-
Are there CEUs?
Check with your supervisor! My in-person groups count for CEUs but online groups have varying requirements.
-
Can I buy the course as a gift for someone else?
Yes! When you go to the checkout page, you can click the box next to "This is a Gift" and then add the recipients email address.
Refund Policy
Refunds are not available. However, you may drop out at any time; just let us know by email. If you drop out, you'll lose access to the course website and you will not be charged for the rest of the year.
Feedback Policy
Feedback is welcome via email throughout the course. [email protected]
Feel free to send suggestions, likes/dislikes, or ideas about how you would like to access the material in this study group. Adjustments for accessibility and understanding will be made whenever possible!