Vagal Harmony

CURRENT COURSE

An immersive 5-week journey designed to support and nourish your nervous system. We’ll explore the intricate connection between the vagus nerve and overall wellbeing, offering a holistic approach to promoting relaxation, resilience, and inner balance.

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“There is a certain calmness to a life lived in Vagal Harmony, where the rhythm of breath and heartbeat dance in synchrony with the flow of the universe.”

~ Unknown

Vagal Harmony

Learning to balance our nervous system can have a profound effect on our overall health and well-being, how we show up in the world and how we deal with stress and the inevitable ups and down of life. 

Vagal Harmony, a 5-week immersive journey, is structured around the principles of promoting vagal tone, the key to activating the body’s relaxation response and fostering nervous system wellness. Through a carefully structured series of classes, we’ll explore a blend of yoga asana, breathwork, and mindfulness meditation, all aimed at stimulating and toning the vagus nerve.

Although fully practical and lived on the mat, theory will be weaved in alongside our practices so that you can begin to take what you learn off the mat and into everyday life – I have found this is where real change happens.

Louise Neicho, Yoga teacher doing yoga and meditation pose in Hertfordshire woodlands with daffodils

What you’ll learn:

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Understanding Vagal Harmony – Learn how the vagus nerve influences relaxation, balance, and overall well-being.

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Regulating the Nervous System – Explore techniques to harmonise the sympathetic and parasympathetic responses.

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Building Resilience – Discover powerful tools for stress relief and emotional regulation.

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Deepening Body & Breath Awareness – Cultivate mindfulness practices that restore and rejuvenate the nervous system.

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Integrating Sustainable Wellness – Develop long-term habits to support ongoing balance and nervous system health.

You’ll experience a blend of gentle and dynamic yoga sequences, guided mindfulness meditations, and pranayama (breath control) practices to tap into each element.

The course is suitable for all levels and will help you stay grounded, energised, and resilient.

When does it start?

This course starts on Tuesday 22 April 2025, with the following classes:

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Tuesdays 07.30-08.15 – Sunrise Flow (Online only)

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Wednesdays 10.00-11.00 – Gentle & Restorative (Heartwood/Highfield & Online)

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Wednesdays 18.30-19.30 – Candelit Yin  (Online only)

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Saturdays 09.30-10.45 – Flow & Reflect (Heartwood/Highfield & Online)

In-person classes take place at Heartwood Forest, AL4 9DQ when the weather allows.

When we can’t be outside we’re at Highfield Park Trust, AL4 0RA, a lovely light-filled space with underfloor heating.

PLUS, all classes are recorded so if you miss a class you can still practice at a time to suit you.

I use professional sound equipment so it sounds as if I’m in the room with you (according to my students!).

People after a yoga class

How to join?

*Membership

from £60 / month

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Up to 20 classes per month (live in-person & online),
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Access to the library of on-demand classes (over 100 available & added to regularly),
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2 workshops every month (1 online & 1 in-person),
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Access to earlybird offers on retreats at anytime,
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Community connections – regular meet ups, share experiences, connect with like-minded people.

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Payment Plan

£30.00 x3

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Up to 20 classes per month (live in-person & online),
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Access to all recordings from this course,
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Lifetime access to this course.
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One Payment

£80.00

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Up to 20 classes per month (live in-person & online),
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Access to all recordings from this course,
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Lifetime access to this course.
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*PLUS! Access a 7-day FREE TRIAL with no obligation to commit AND cancel your membership at anytime.

There’s no minimum time you need to stay as a member and you can pause whenever you need to.*

Our themes each week

Week 1 – Establishing Foundation

In our first session, we delve into the concept of Vagal Harmony, exploring how the vagus nerve plays a crucial role in regulating our body’s stress response and promoting relaxation. Through yoga and mindfulness practices, we begin to cultivate awareness of our body’s innate ability to find balance and calm.

Week 2 – Balancing Sympathetic and Parasympathetic

Dive deeper into the intricate dance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Explore practices that balance these two aspects of the autonomic nervous system, promoting harmony and equilibrium.

Week 3 – Stress Reduction & Resilience

Discover powerful tools for stress relief and resilience-building. Through various forms of yoga, breath awareness, and mindfulness techniques, learn how to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and grace.

Week 4 – Deepening Connection to Body & Breath

Rejuvenation for the nervous system as you explore practices that promote deep relaxation and integration. Cultivate a sense of wholeness and renewal as you nourish your nervous system from the inside out.

Week 5 – Integration & Lasting Habits

In this final session, we weave together the practices, awareness, and insights gained throughout the course. Explore how to create lasting habits that support vagal tone, resilience, and overall well-being.

Here’s what you can expect from this course:

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A unique opportunity to pause, reflect and bring healing to your inner and outer worlds
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Learn tools to reduce stress levels on and off the mat
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Promote quality sleep through reminding your body how to slow down and relax
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Receive expert guidance from a senior yoga teacher
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A variety of insightful, interesting and varied classes that build on a new theme each week
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Become part of a like-minded caring yoga community

Your Teacher

‘Yoga gives us peace and clarity in order to see the beauty and wonder that is all around us’

Louise Neicho

Having spent the first 20 years of my professional life working in and with Nature I feel a deep connection to the natural world that has promoted numerous benefits in my life. Combining this with a love and appreciation of yoga and mindfulness that spans over two decades has enabled me to share practices that help us connect more deeply with Nature and ourselves. I have completed over 1000hrs of yoga and mindfulness teacher training and in 2023 I received a distinction for my master’s degree in Mindfulness where my thesis focused on the wellbeing benefits of connecting with Nature. I can honestly say that yoga and Nature has saved my life on more than one occasion, and I don’t think I would be the person I am today if it wasn’t for my practice. To bring all of this together is simply a dream come true and I hope you will join me and our like-minded community soon.

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Words from my clients

“Louise has a very unique approach to teaching yoga, drawing learning from nature, neuroscience and nourishing spiritual teachings! I love the variety in her programmes, which combine mindfulness practices, movement and postures, readings and poetry, with wisdom and warmth. I am learning so much about how the mind, body and spirit can work together to cultivate compassion, strength and resilience for ourselves and those around us. I always feel calm and uplifted after a class. Informative, insightful and inspiring - thank you Lou!”

‘A unique approach to yoga’
by Liz Hobman

"Louise’s classes are a life-line! I find myself being able to calm my anxiety, find a new purpose and most importantly accept where we are as a country and continue my daily life. Louise is a very warm, nurturing and knowledgeable teacher. She also integrates elements of mindfulness through various readings, poetry and insights to deepen the practice and allow deep rest to take place. I always feel lifted, yet grounded after each of Louise’s yoga sessions."

‘Classes are a life-line’
by Cathy Washbrooke

"I started as a complete beginner and was worried I would not be able to follow the moves, but Louise is so kind and caring, plus really knows her stuff so is able to give very clear, supportive guidance. There is never any pressure as Louise always offers alternatives. With care and kindness she has encouraged me to really develop my practice. I always feel really energised after a session with Louise but I am also starting to notice a higher level of peace and tranquility in my day to day life. I feel strong and calm at the same time!"

‘Louise is so kind and caring’
by Emma Scinaldi

“Lou's passion for yoga is infectious and her knowledge is incredibly vast. I have been doing yoga for a long time but I am always amazed at the fact that I am still learning something new with Louise’s very detailed explanations. The classes have helped me staying in the moment and achieving calmness within”

‘Louise’s passion for yoga is infectious’
by Sonia Battaini

"Louise's classes are always insightful, interesting and varied as she brings her knowledge and ongoing training and research into each one, combining useful 'off-the-mat' mindfulness tips with yoga poses appropriate to the unique theme for the week as well as catering for individual requirements where needed. They are packed with lots of good advice for day-to-day living as well as for practice on the yoga mat. Now that everything is online and recorded there is the added benefit of being able to participate in Louise's classes wherever you are in the world and the enormous library of recorded classes is a treasure trove of resource"

‘Insightful, interesting, varied’
by Sarah Hall

“Lou's classes have been a real anchor for me amongst all the uncertainty of the past year. I do like being able to log on to the website and do the recorded classes at any time. The classes cover a specific topic each term, and I’ve found that having a subject to focus on really enhances my yoga practice, off the mat as well as on it! Lou brings some wonderful insights into each class and you can tell she really teaches from the heart.”

‘Louise teaches from the heart’
by Amy Dodd

Your Questions Answered

How is this different to other yoga classes?
This course is designed to take you gently and slowly into the deeper layers of the mind, each week building on your understanding of yoga and the tools and techniques that you can use on and off your mat. The difference to regular yoga classes is that we focus on one particular theme, as well as a physical focus in the body each week. You get to explore this theme for a whole week on and off the mat, building your awareness and focus.
Which class should I choose?

There are 3 different styles to choose from each week and how you choose will depend on whether you have practiced yoga before or not and what you would like to gain from your practice. If you are new to yoga or haven’t practiced in a while, I would suggest starting with the Gentle & Restorative and Yin Yoga. If you are familiar with vinyasas then you’ll love the Flow & Reflect classes on Monday and Saturday mornings and if you’re looking for more stillness, deep physical stretches and meditation techniques then Yin Yoga will be for you.

What do I need to begin?

You will need a yoga mat and comfortable clothing that you can easily move around in, PJ’s work well for this! For some of the classes you will need some props, but household pillows, cushions and blankets work well in place of traditional yoga props. I will let you know at the beginning of class what you need.

How does the membership work?

As a member you are welcome to come to any of the classes on the timetable where we will explore these concepts and themes. All classes are recorded and uploaded to the Exclusive Members Area within 24 hours of taking place so if you miss your favourite class you can catch up at a time suit you. PLUS if you go on holiday, you can still access the live classes or recordings from anywhere in the world (as long as you have internet of course!)

How does the one-off course work?

If you decide to invest in the one-off course instead of the membership, then you will have access to all in-person or live online class for the duration of the course (i.e. 8 weeks). You will also have access to all recordings from the course which you can access forever.

Other questions?

If you have any other questions that are not answered here, then feel free to contact me on louise@woodlandyoga.co.uk.

Ready to get started?

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