The polyvagal theory was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges that describes how our autonomic nervous system consisting of our parasympathetic system, the system that is activated when we are calm and feel safe, and our sympathetic system which is responsible for flight, fight responses play a role in our mental health.
When we are in a stressful state or the face of danger repeatedly or once, the sympathetic system becomes activated, and our parasympathetic state becomes immobilized. When this occurs, we automatically engage in behaviours that our mind and body deem as safe for that situation such as using self-defence strategies. When our self-defence mechanism is continuously activated, we are not able to communicate with others effectively. Our bodies are stuck or frozen in our maladaptive or unhealthy states. Ever wonder why you might be engaging in behaviours you do not necessarily want to engage in? This may be why.
Our vagus nerve has two parts, the frontal vagus nerve and the dorsal vagus nerve. The frontal vagus nerve is associated with safety and comfort and is in our core section under our bellybutton. Whereas the dorsal vagus nerve is often activated by trauma or stress. This is the dark, chaotic, dissociative part of ourselves and it is in the lower back. Our Vagus nerve is essential for the parasympathetic system, as itcontrols the motor functions of the heart, lungs, digestive system and otherorgans in our core area.
When we use polyvagal theory tostimulate our vagus nerve, we activate our parasympathetic system we shift fromflight or fight responses. When we move from the dorsal vagus to the frontalvagus, we feel a sense of safety and calm and can become more mobile and not asstuck. When our physiological system settles, it reduces the onset of symptomssuch as dissociation, avoidance, digestive issues, IBS, chronic pain andfatigue, and inability to communicate.
This form of yoga applies the Polyvagal theory as described above plus yoga postures. Don’t do yoga? That’s okay!! Being into yoga or advanced in yoga is not a requirement for engaging in this therapeutic approach. You also do not need to be flexible or have a lot of strength.
The purpose of this approach is to become comfortable with sensations that arise in our body and to build connection and safety if we have become “separated” from our body after traumatic experiences. When using yoga, we build a deeper connection to our emotions and memories associated with those sensations by titrating our experience from a position or pose of calm too when we are in a place of slight discomfort, stretching our window of stress tolerance.
The approach uses safe yoga postures to induce sensations and sit with them in a safe space to become comfortable with how your body feels and to build a connection with the frontal vagus nerve. Additionally, build confidence and empowerment by building knowledge of your body and identifying how you can control these sensations and the emotions which accompany them.
