Books & Journals

I am an athlete who has lived with a complete spinal cord injury for just over two years. I am paralyzed from the waist down. I became interested in learning more about my vagus nerve because it regulates many of the internal systems that are affected by spinal cord injury and paralysis.

From the beginning of the book, the author emphasizes the importance of slow, deep and deliberate breathing. As we read on, she introduces many other techniques to stay inwardly focused. As an athlete, I am already aware of and practiced at most of the techniques described in the book. However, I never thought of combining them for the specific purpose of strengthening my vagus tone. It makes total sense.

For the past two weeks, I have been consciously box breathing, meditating, visualizing, humming, stretching, self massaging and reflecting more all while focusing on my vagus nerve. I already work-out regularly, eat healthy and get enough sleep. Difference is lately, while doing all these things, I have really been dialing my mind in to my vagus nerve.

I have seen immediate results in a profound way. Being paralyzed from the waist down also means not feeling my bladder or bowel. Therefore, it is important I stick to a strict schedule of catheterizing my bladder and a morning bowel routine. Still, I am often constipated for many days on end. I am happy to report that I have been regular daily for these past two weeks!

The methods and practices described in this book are all easy, intuitive and actionable. I am grateful that I am already good at most of them. Only one I need improvement on is journaling. I promise to do better. The book offers several excellent ideas for readers who are not as accustomed to these practices to get help and support. The author makes it clear that she wants her readers to be successful in their practice. The book is quick and easy reading. It is informative and entertaining. I recommend it to beginners as well as experts at self-healing practices.