Process Pop-Up: Yoga, Experience, and the Vagus Nerve
We are no longer concerned with the dualistic opposition between God and [human], but with the immanent tension in the God image itself…This inner non-equilibrium, the glorious imperfection of life, is the effective principle of evolution. God is not the creator but the mind of the universe.
CG Jung (Eastern Body, Western Mind, 392)
Yoga, a spiritual practice from the Hindu tradition, provides gentle and consistent contributions to the practitioner’s wellbeing. This conversation will introduce participants to recent research on the Vagus Nerve, Pranayama Breathing practices and Asanas, or flows of movement. In addition, Whitehead’s notion of “experience all the way down” is particularly relevant for vagus nerve research.
Pranayama or breath is at the heart of yogic strength and somatic or body awareness. In this event, we’ll look at ways in which process thought on the primordial and consequent natures of God can be deeply applied through pranayama and its effect on various bodily regions. We’ll introduce simple chair yoga movements or asanas and each participant will learn more about their range of movement and how yogic practices best make sense for the body.
Students will be invited to join a follow-up Learning Circle to explore the practices even more deeply.
Without evolutionary inquiry, we lack a sense of direction; without mythological inquiry, we lack a sense of systemic existence. Without both, we separate ourselves from the world we live in.
Erich Jantsch (Eastern Body, Western Mind, 397)
Rev. Dr. Leslie King began her service to First Presbyterian Church of Waco in 2012. She received her BA from Kansas University (’91) and her Masters of Divinity from McCormick Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Chicago (‘94). In 2010 she completed her Doctor of Ministry at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City Missouri with an emphasis in Spirituality and Organizational Change.
Since September 2020, she has been a yoga instructor (RYT 200) with Spirit Bear Yoga and (RYT 500) with My Vinaysa Practice. She’s a member of Yoga Alliance and has recently completed a Polyvagal Informed Certificate for Mind-Body Practitioners. She enjoys leading yoga flows for her church and the studio, Duality Yoga. Her particular interest is in Yin and Restorative yoga as it relates to spiritual well-being. Piano competency is slowly emerging and music is a source of a lot of joy.
She has been married to DJ King since November of 1996 and together they enjoy watching their three young adult children, Cody, Katie and Claire, make their way in the world. With a menagerie of stray animals, the Kings are glad to call Waco “home”.
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