In this episode of the Native Yoga Toddcast, host Todd welcomes back Dr. Michael Shea for a discussion on polyvagal theory in yoga and meditation. They explore the importance of the vagus nerve, an information highway that connects the brain to every organ system in the body. Dr. Shea explains how the vagus nerve plays a crucial role in our sense of safety and how trauma can impact its functioning. They delve into the concepts of top-down and bottom-up approaches in therapy and the role of yoga and meditation in regulating the nervous system. The episode highlights the significance of turning inward and finding love in the present moment as a means of healing and self-discovery.
Visit Michael on his website: https://www.sheaheart.com/
Key Takeaways:
- The vagus nerve is a vital information highway that connects the brain to every organ system in the body, providing sensory impressions and information about our state of safety.
- Trauma can disrupt the functioning of the vagus nerve, leading to heightened stress responses or withdrawal and numbing behaviors.
- Yoga and meditation can help regulate the vagus nerve and promote a greater sense of safety and well-being.
- The yamas and niyamas, ethical principles in yoga, provide a moral code that can guide our relationships with others and ourselves, supporting the turn inward and self-discovery.
The Power of Polyvagal Theory in Yoga and Meditation
Key Takeaways:
- Polyvagal theory is based on the vagus nerve, which is an information highway that connects the brain to every organ system in the body.
- The vagus nerve is responsible for transmitting information about the body’s state and sensations to the brain, allowing us to make conscious choices and feel safe.
- Trauma can disrupt the vagal pathways and affect our ability to sense and respond to our body’s signals of safety.
- Yoga and meditation can help clarify and strengthen the vagal pathways, leading to a greater sense of safety and improved well-being.
Understanding Polyvagal Theory
Polyvagal theory is a neurologically based model that focuses on the vagus nerve, which serves as an information highway between the brain and the body. The vagus nerve connects to every organ system in the body, allowing for the transmission of physiological and metabolic data to the brain. This information is crucial for our overall health and well-being.
The vagus nerve also plays a role in our ability to sense and perceive our body’s sensations. It provides us with conscious perception of information and sensations, allowing us to make choices and navigate our world more effectively. This is particularly important when it comes to our sense of safety.
The primary association of the vagus nerve is with safety. It provides the brain with information about the state of our organs and the sensations we experience in our body. This information helps us determine whether we are safe or in danger. When the vagus nerve is functioning optimally, we have a greater sense of safety and can navigate our world with confidence.
The Impact of Trauma on the Vagus Nerve
Trauma can disrupt the vagal pathways and affect our ability to sense and respond to our body’s signals of safety. There are different types of trauma, including physical abuse, developmental trauma, sexual abuse, and PTSD. Each type of trauma can have a unique impact on our vagal response.
When trauma is triggered, our body can enter a state of sympathetic arousal, characterized by an accelerated heart rate and increased stress response. However, depending on the severity of our trauma history, we may also experience a withdrawal response associated with the older part of the vagus nerve. This response can lead to a numbing out or dissociation from the world, as our body’s way of protecting itself.
Understanding our trauma response and how it affects our vagal pathways is crucial for healing and finding a sense of safety. Yoga and meditation can play a significant role in this process by helping us develop a greater awareness of our body’s sensations and providing tools to regulate our nervous system.
The Role of Yoga and Meditation in Polyvagal Theory
Yoga and meditation offer a bottom-up approach to healing and regulating the vagal pathways. By turning inward and focusing on our body’s sensations, we can develop a greater sense of safety and connection to ourselves. This somatic awareness allows us to override the stress response and activate the relaxation response associated with the vagus nerve.
The practice of yoga and meditation can help us refine our relationship with our body and breath. Through asana and pranayama, we can release unnecessary tension and develop a deeper connection to our physical and energetic bodies. This physical awareness is essential for grounding and finding a sense of safety.
Pratyahara, the withdrawal of the senses, and dharana, concentration, further support the turn inward. By withdrawing our attention from the external world and focusing on the present moment, we can cultivate a calm and peaceful state of mind. This inward focus allows us to develop an open-hearted sense of self and connection to others.
Meditation, the culmination of the yogic practice, expands our consciousness beyond the confines of the mind. It allows us to experience a deeper connection to ourselves and the world around us. Through meditation, we can tap into a sense of awe and love that transcends our individual experiences.
Embracing Love and Healing
Polyvagal theory and the practice of yoga and meditation offer us a path to healing and finding a sense of safety in our lives. By understanding the impact of trauma on our vagal pathways and developing a greater awareness of our body’s sensations, we can navigate our world with more ease and resilience.
It is never too late to seek love and healing, regardless of our past experiences. The practice of yoga and meditation provides us with the tools to turn inward, cultivate self-compassion, and develop a deeper connection to ourselves and others. By embracing love and healing in the present moment, we can rewrite our narrative and create a more fulfilling and joyful life.
In conclusion, polyvagal theory and the practice of yoga and meditation offer us a powerful framework for understanding and healing trauma. By turning inward and developing a greater awareness of our body’s sensations, we can regulate our nervous system and find a sense of safety. Through the practice of yoga and meditation, we can cultivate self-compassion, expand our consciousness, and embrace love and healing in our lives.
Thanks for listening to this episode. Check out: 👇
Free Grow Your Yoga Live Webinar – Every Thursday at 12pm EST
➡️ Click here to receive link
New Student FREE Livestream Yoga Special ~ Try 2 Weeks of Free Unlimited Livestream Yoga Classes at Native Yoga Center. info.nativeyogacenter.com/livestream Sign into the classes you would like to take and you will receive an email 30 minutes prior to join on Zoom. The class is recorded and uploaded to nativeyogaonline.com ➡️ Click Here to Join.
Practice to a New Yoga Class every day with our nativeyogaonline.com course called Today’s Community Class with code FIRSTMONTHFREE.
Subscribe to Native Yoga Center and view this podcast on Youtube.
Thank you Bryce Allyn for the show tunes. Check out Bryce’s website: bryceallynband.comand sign up on his newsletter to stay in touch. Listen here to his original music from his bands Boxelder, B-Liminal and Bryce Allyn Band on Spotify.
Please email special requests and feedback to info@nativeyogacenter.com
Native Yoga website: here
YouTube: here
Instagram: @nativeyoga
Twitter: @nativeyoga
Facebook: @nativeyogacenter
LinkedIn: Todd McLaughlin
Native Yoga Blog 