08/07/2026
This weekend on my 300 hour yoga teacher training we focused on nervous system regulation a lot, and so many aspects of yoga clicked for me. It feels relevant for life too though.
When exploring Polyvagal Theory we discussed how important co-regulation is in helping us to feel calm - this is when a regulated person helps to soothe the nervous system of someone who is dysregulated.
I know this as a mother and as a yoga teacher! It’s why sometimes these roles can be hard when we are stressed ourselves, and why it’s so important to have ways to look after ourselves; it’s impossible to be the calm in everyone else’s storm all the time!
But it’s also why being a yoga teacher is such a privilege and, for me anyway, it’s fundamental to the concept of ‘creating a safe space’. We make the environment that helps people to co-regulate through our energy, attitude and even through collective movement and breath.
It fascinated me how emphasis is placed on the power of relationships, whether this be with friends, partners, therapists, and even yoga teachers, who can help us to soothe just through interaction. My go-to these days is to phone a friend (I have a couple on speed dial!) and this knowledge just gave me permission.
Today’s world seems to teach us to be strong, independent, individualistic, to not “burden” others when they ask how we are... but we are hard wired to need community, to talk, share, soothe each other. And it’s not a weakness to need this sometimes - something I’m also learning to accept!
I really love the 300hr YTT because it’s a space for teachers to share and feel supported too - something that’s so lacking in the yoga world. If you want to join us, we start again in March!
