Research shows us that trauma always affects the voice and the breath. The vocal cords and respiratory diaphragm are horizontally oriented in the body. Severe trauma will sometimes induce bladder and/or bowel incontinence, affecting the pelvic floor, also a horizontal set of structures. This course combines evidence-based evaluation and treatment with leading-edge theory to establish a whole-body baseline of trauma and leverage it to treat both mental health and physical health, rooted in the passage of the vagus nerve through these horizontal structures.

1. Understand the basic physiology of our fight-flight-freeze response and polyvagal theory.
2. Explain the implications of vagus nerve function in physical health, mental health, and flow state.
3. Outline the path of the vagus nerve in the body and identify common restriction points.
4. Recognize the relationship of the vagus nerve to transverse plane structures and how somatic dysfunction affects the vagus.
5. Use a heart rate variability measuring device to measure vagus nerve function
6. Use exercises and manual techniques to restore transverse plane mobility and improve heart rate variability.