Vagal Toning for Vibrant Health

Vagal Toning for Vibrant Health is a yoga workshop on nervous system regulation, held at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, and led by Arielle Schwartz, PhD. It brings together polyvagal theory, therapeutic yoga and somatic psychology, offering practical ways to stimulate the vagus nerve and settle the body. All are welcome, and the practices are gentle enough for any level of experience.

The work is grounded in polyvagal theory and trauma-informed care. Learning to self-regulate can support mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health, and the organizer notes that vagal toning may bring relief from symptoms such as chronic pain, inflammation, PTSD, anxiety and stress sensitivity.

What to Expect

Across the days, you are guided through breath, sound, eye movements, self-applied touch and gentle yoga movements. The aim is a healthy balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic branches of the nervous system. As the vagus nerve pathway strengthens, the emphasis is on self-compassion and on awakening what the program calls your inner healer.

The workshop runs six days, from a Sunday arrival to a Friday departure. Check-in is on Sunday afternoon from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with rooms available after 5:00. Teaching sessions run from 9:00 a.m. to noon each morning, and on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday there is a second session from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon is open. On Friday the morning session ends at noon, and check-out is at 1:00 p.m. Commuters who did not check in the previous evening can do so on Monday between 8:00 and 8:45 a.m. The faculty may adjust the schedule.

A past participant, Cecelia from Colorado, describes the teaching this way: "Dr. Arielle is an amazing teacher. Having experienced trauma and grief in my past, she offered new, practical, and gentle practices along with her kind understanding, vulnerability, and intelligence."

About Arielle Schwartz

Arielle Schwartz, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, author and yoga teacher based in Boulder, Colorado. Her work centers on complex PTSD, post-traumatic growth and the therapeutic integration of somatic practices with evidence-based psychology. She draws on both Western clinical psychology and the self-regulation traditions of yoga, particularly pranayama and restorative asana. She holds that trauma lives in the nervous system and that effective treatment engages the body as well as the mind, and she is known for her yoga protocols for vagus nerve regulation.

The Setting

The workshop takes place on the Omega Institute campus in Rhinebeck, in New York's Hudson Valley. Participants can stay on campus for five nights, with all meals and use of facilities included. Housing ranges from single and double cabin rooms with heat, air-conditioning and linens, to a dorm single with a shared hall bath, to simpler tent cabins and camping. Tent cabins are wood-framed with screened windows and canvas roofs, a bathhouse nearby, and no heat or air-conditioning. Campsites are limited, and stoves, campfires and recreational vehicles are not allowed on campus. Those who live nearby or prefer to stay elsewhere can register as commuters, which includes use of facilities and amenities such as optional classes, recreation, walking trails and parking.

Before You Go

No prior experience is needed, and the workshop is taught in English. Tuition covers the workshop and time with the faculty, while accommodation is booked separately. After registering, you receive a link to handouts so you can continue the practices at home. Bring comfortable clothing and a journal and pens. For tent cabins and camping, bring your own sheets or sleeping bag and towels, or rent them from Omega for a small fee. Guests who need accessible rooms can ask the registration team when booking.