?? 8 Things I Learned About Learning from Nervous System Mastery

I recently completed a learning experience that resonated deeply with my curiosity about human behaviour and becoming more aware of our internal sensations. While the subject intrigued me personally, I was equally curious about how such a complex topic could be taught effectively in a blended format.

Nervous System Mastery (NSM) is a five-week cohort-based program created by Jonny Miller and supported by Ocean Kiani. It focuses on practical strategies to help individuals regulate their nervous systems, build emotional resilience, and reduce stress. If this sounds interesting, I’ve shared an exclusive discount code at the end of this article for anyone who wants to explore NSM.

Here are 8 things I learned about designing better learning experiences after completing NSM.

1?? Design Learning Paths

One of the first things that stood out was the way NSM catered to different learning needs. During onboarding, we were asked to choose between two learning paths: Core or Deep.

• Core Curriculum: Focused on foundational knowledge essential for understanding the nervous system.
• Deep Dive: Included additional sessions led by experts to explore niche aspects.

The choice gave me a sense of ownership over my learning. Even better, all resources were accessible regardless of the path chosen—ensuring flexibility while allowing learners to pace themselves comfortably.

2?? Use Metaphors That Simplify Complexity

The topic itself is complex and scientific in nature, and for many people, it’s entirely new (including me). What worked brilliantly was using something familiar to explain something new and more intricate. I loved how Jonny used the simple metaphor of driving a car (something most of us already understood) and connected its components to explain the three modes of being (a new concept for most of us).

What stood out for me was how the metaphors were woven into different parts of the course to make learning easier at every stage. Here’s an example

Imagine trying to learn how to drive a car without telling you that there's a gas pedal, a brake, an emergency brake or a dashboard. That’s what I think living without this knowledge is like, and it’s what I’m going to share with you today.

So returning to the metaphor of learning to drive a car, the SYMPATHETIC branch of your nervous system is like your gas pedal.

3?? Blended Learning

Not everyone enjoys learning theory, especially when it’s dense or technical. NSM addressed this by delivering content in multiple formats:

• Audio recordings (available on YouTube Music) for those who like to learn while walking.
• Text, visuals, and videos on the Circle platform for those who prefer reading and visual aids supplemented by additional research papers to read.
• Live sessions to bridge theory with practice through interactive exercises.

The content was divided into micro-lessons and weekly subjects that were followed by one live session by Jonny. The mix of asynchronous and synchronous learning ensured that everyone, regardless of their learning style (if that exists :P), could stay engaged.

4?? Make Breakout Rooms - Learning Playgrounds

I think the one question Jonny may have thought of while designing the breakout activity could be this: What could be the simplest way to get diverse people to experience your theory in a limited time? Every breakout activity was designed to turn knowledge into practical experiences.

One approach Jonny used was incorporating the Feynman Technique (ABC method) into the sessions. These 6-minute breakout exercises were insightful in so many ways:

• Person A shared their understanding of the topic.
• Persons B and C pretended to be curious 12-year-olds, listening closely and asking questions if they didn’t fully understand something.
• After 3 minutes, B and C spent 2 minutes reflecting back on what they heard, sharing anything that remained unclear or points they misinterpreted.

This activity not only fostered collaborative learning but also balanced the experience for those who might not have fully engaged with the content during the week. By working together, we could bridge gaps in understanding while reinforcing key concepts.

The breakout sessions concluded with larger group reflections, making the activity both engaging and enlightening. It was a perfect blend of theory and practice, ensuring that everyone had a chance to participate and internalize the learning.

5?? Design Course as an Exploration

One of the most powerful aspects of NSM was its emphasis on exploration. The content continually reminded us that we are explorers. Each of us has a unique nervous system, so what works for one person may not work for another. This personalized approach encouraged us to experiment and discover what resonated with us individually.

The activities during live sessions were playful and engaging. For instance, we played the “noticing game”, where we observed and named sensations in the body. Another activity, called “autonomic adventure,” guided us through an exploration of the three states of being.

Jonny often reminded us that our sample size for any experiment can be just one (n=1), which made the journey feel deeply personal and empowering.

6?? Make a Handbook for Personal Reflection

I believe learning isn’t complete without reflection, and the NSM handbook played a big role in this. It was more than a guide—it became a tool for active engagement. The handbook included prompts, exercises, and space for journaling. It helped me process what I was learning and turn it into actionable steps for my life.

And there were enough prompts in the course text/live sessions to remind us to complete our reflection.

7?? Engage Learners Using the Power of Community

The online Circle platform was thoughtfully organized into sub-channels, making it easy to navigate and connect with others.

A special shoutout to Ocean Kiani, the community manager, who made everyone feel supported—from onboarding to troubleshooting. The cohort quickly became a space for both learning and connection, where sharing experiences felt safe and validating.

Learning in a group made a big difference for a topic that involves personal conversations and vulnerability. Jonny, Ocean, and every cohort member created a space where we could share any side of ourselves. The more we opened up about our personal experiences, the more it felt like others in the community truly understood and shared in that experience.

8?? Options Empower Learners

We always had a choice in this learning experience from the very start, which made me feel in charge of my learning. Do I want to choose the Core or Deep learning path? Do I want to join the breakout rooms or stay in the main room? Do I wish to turn on the camera or keep it off?

Other subtle things made me feel cared for as a learner—like being encouraged to turn off the chat if it was disrupting my experience, participating in a Relational Dojo exercise to strengthen my ability to observe sensations and be a part of a smaller group to practice implementation.

L&D Reflections

As an L&D professional, this experience left me with some key questions to reflect on:

• Can I design different learning paths to meet diverse learner needs?
• How can I use metaphors to simplify complex topics?
• What strategies can I use to make blended learning more engaging?
• How can I create breakout activities that help learners apply what they’ve learned?
• What can I do to make learners feel like explorers in their learning journey?
• Does my learning experience need a reflection handbook to support deeper learning for my audience?
• How can I incorporate community learning?
• What choices can I provide to make learning feel empowering?

Obviously, my fellow cohort members and I chose to learn and enrol in this course. Not every learning experience I design will be something people actively choose to participate in. But what I can surely reflect on while designing is: How can I make them a part of their learning journey?

Is there any learning experience you recently joined that made you feel, This is something I want to incorporate into the learning experiences I design next? Do share in the comments.

Join the Next Cohort of Nervous System Mastery

The next cohort of Nervous System Mastery begins on March 10, 2025. Here’s how you can get an exclusive $250 discount on your enrollment:

1. Visit the NSM website at www.nsmastery.com
2. Click on Apply Today and fill out the registration form.
3. At checkout, click on Have a Coupon Code? and enter RACHNAG to receive $250 off.

Note: Using this code gives you an exclusive discount and allows me to earn a commission. Use your discretion to join the program—I genuinely feel it's worth the fee and opens the door to a vibrant community that offers avenues to explore related themes.