the polyvagal theory of stephen porges
Stephen Porges is a distinguished professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in North Carolina and a former director of the Brain-Body Center in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Over the last 30 years, Porges’ research has greatly contributed to our understanding of the function of the autonomic neural system, the neural control of heart rate, and the connection between body and mind.
POLYVAGAL THEORY
“To switch effectively from defence to social engagement strategies, the nervous system must do two things:
(1) assess risk, and
(2) if the environment looks safe, inhibit the primitive defensive reactions to fight, flight or freeze.”
Stephen Porges
The Polyvagal Theory, introduced by Porges in 1994, describes how functionally distinct branches of the vagus nerve regulate the physical, mental and social responses in the human body. The Polyvagal Theory explains the mechanism of a wide range of psychophysiological reactions: from a feeling of social connection and equanimity, to fight or flight responses and defensive or safe immobilisation.
NEUROCEPTION
“By processing information from the environment through the senses, the nervous system continually evaluates risk. I have coined the term neuroception to describe how neural circuits
distinguish whether situations or people are safe, dangerous, or life-threatening. Because of our heritage as a species, neuroception takes place in primitive parts of the brain, without our conscious awareness.”
-- Stephen Porges
Stephen Porges and Yoga
In a recent journal article, a group of scientists and yoga therapists, including Porges himself and Marlysa Sullivan, who both were present at The Yoga Therapy Conference in Amsterdam 2019, proposed a link between the polyvagal theory and yoga philosophy, with specific reference to the three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas). Ancient yoga texts describe how interactions between the gunas are the root of various emotional states and how guna’s imbalance can cause suffering.
The article explains how top-down (attention and intention) and bottom-up (asana and breathing techniques) yoga practices affect the psychophysiological states, and provides an interesting parallel with the movements of the gunas. Yoga as such is seen as a neural exercise that foster adaptability, self-regulation and greater resilience to body, mind and environmental stress agents.
This explanatory model, where the neural circuits reflect the qualities of the gunas, translates an ancient wisdom into a scientific language, supporting yoga therapy integration into healthcare and research as a distinct profession.
THE YOGA THERAPY PERSPECTIVE
Yoga therapy has its own unique perspective on health and wellbeing that can be understood in modern language. It is important for yoga therapy to be provided within the context of its explanatory framework. When we don't do this, and we provide yoga through a biomedical lens, we break apart and potentially weaken the practices.
Understanding both the explanatory framework and unique perspective of yoga therapy, and how these translate into the modern neurophysiological language--such as through the polyvagal theory--helps the practice be understood for integration into healthcare and research contexts.
IN SHORT
FURTHER READING
Stephen Porges's homepage full of useful information and resources.
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HI, I AM Anneke
You are your own therapist, and I am here to support you!
As a sustainable life philosophy for health and wellbeing, yoga and meditation offers great tools.
I hope to inspire you improving your habits, find a state of optimal balance and live your happiest and healthiest life!
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