Course Description
The Vagus nerve plays a crucial role in the autonomic nervous system, carrying both sensory and motor fibers and serving as a major pathway that connects the brain to various organs, including the heart, lungs, and digestive tract. As a key part of the parasympathetic nervous system, the vagus nerve helps regulate essential involuntary functions like heart rate, breathing, and digestion. It contributes to the body's "rest and digest" response, helping to calm the body after stress, lower heart rate, improve digestion, and maintain homeostasis. The Phrenic nerve is a mixed motor/sensory nerve that courses through the neck and thorax to innervate the diaphragm.
This class will cover the basic anatomy/physiology and wide reaching effects of these nerves. Participants will learn how to recognize signs of disturbance in either system and how to address these nerves in a simple, gentle, and respectful way. Self care for the vagus nerve will be demonstrated and practiced.
Prerequisites
Exploration of Movement Patterns, Phase Five, or by permission of instructor
Credits
This class provides 16 units of Electives towards completion of the Ortho-Bionomy Registered Practitioner Training Program and 16 NCBTMB CEs. Participants who attend both days of class will receive a certificate of attendance
Tuition
$325 before June 12, 2026
$375 after June 12, 2026
Registration
Contact
Haley New
608-712-9578
haleynew@gmail.com
What others have said about this work
“The vagus nerve work has proved invaluable for my clients who are recovering from accidents, surgery, and trauma. It has become an essential part of my practice.”
“So simple and yet profound"
Instructor Lynne Marotta
Lynne is a Registered Advanced Instructor with the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International®.
In 2001, Lynne fell down a flight of stairs and herniated the L5/S1 disk in her spine. After 9 months of physical therapy, dietary changes and Alexander technique, she realized she was only 50% better. At this time she began her search for a solution to her pain and through a friend was introduced to Ortho-Bionomy. After one session with Morel Stackhouse, Lynne walked away without any pain or obvious limp. This experience opened her eyes to a more subtle, pain-free way to help her body heal. One month after the session, she began her studies in Ortho-Bionomy.
Ten years prior to her study of Ortho-Bionomy, she taught a subtle form of movement as an International Master Teacher of Callanetics. Lynne was deeply influenced by her experience of teaching and training Callanetics which helped her realize that she has a unique point of view of the human body. She brings this perspective and experience into her teaching of Ortho-Bionomy, as well as her daily private practice. Lynne has been actively practicing Ortho-Bionomy since 2003 in her hometown of Leonia, New Jersey.
During her studies of Ortho-Bionomy, she was fortunate to have learned from many instructors throughout the Ortho-Bionomy community. Her main influences were Morel Stackhouse, Ursula Hofer and Darlene Smith.