Our Polyvagal World

Safe social behavior and playing with others may make us more resilient to trauma.

The Polyvagal Theory posits that co-regulation through social behavior is a biological imperative—a need as hardwired into us as that for food or sleep.

Breathing’s unique presence as an ANS-autopiloted system that we can also commandeer at will makes it very special. Like a heroic character that finds itself drawn between two worlds, this dual citizenship makes it uniquely suited to bridge the gap between our brains and bodies, and offers a salve for when our bodies act in ways that our brains wou

The goal is to be aware of the feeling of the body moving into defensive states, without allowing these feelings to overtake the patient.

We may not wear our hearts on our sleeves, but we definitely do on our faces. Just as dogs do with their wagging tails.

Our bodies rely on the Yellow system for survival. But tapping into it is metabolically costly, and keeps us from properly healing and restoring our bodies—not to mention properly enjoying our lives.

The Polyvagal Theory posits that the search for safety can be viewed as the primary organizing principle behind human evolution and human society. The need for safety is so central to our survival that virtually everything we are drawn to or enjoy is, in some way, a reflection of this need.

When we feel unsafe, our very senses change. Things taste, look, smell, and sound different.

When we are in the Green state and feel safe, we simply look and sound different.