Applying the Vagal Brake

THE POLYVAGAL THEORY
SYTAR 2014
Lynn Hughes, D.O. RYT-500
Robin Rothenberg, E-RYT
500, CYTh
WHY SHOULD I BE FAMILIAR WITH
THIS STUFF AS A YOGA THERAPIST?
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The nervous system is wired to assess the
potential risk in the environment. This could
be physical, psychological, real or imagined.
**From here flows the propensity towards
approach and avoidance on all kosha levels.
How we perceive our internal and external
world is real to our body and brain as
mediated through the nervous system.
If we perceive safety…then the more
advanced systems inhibit and modulate the
Visceral states color our
perceptions and therefore our
“world”
GENES AND STRESS
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Mild to moderate stress orients our brain to
learn and become more “plastic”.
In this environment, genes turn on proteins
which can create new connections or
strengthen previous connections between
neurons (the cells of the nervous system). This
is what learning looks like at a cellular level.
High levels of stress can inhibit or disrupt the
brain’s integrative capacity (right and left as
well as up and down).
End organ effects
of the Sympathetic
and
Parasympathetic
nervous systems
From: Sapolsky. Why Zebras
Don’t Get Ulcers.
A MORE NUANCED WAY TO LOOK
AT STRESS
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In the past, the emphasis has been on the
fight and flight system of the sympathetic
nervous system (SNS).
Stephen Porges proposed a theory backed by
much research that stress vulnerability may be
better viewed as withdrawal of the newest
part of the rest and digest system or the
parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).
The PNS tone (vagal tone) prior to the
challenge may define stress vulnerability.
POLYVAGAL COMPONENTS from Peter Levine (In an Unspoken Voice)
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These
systems
evolved
in sequence.
They also
THREE
BASIC
NEURAL
ENERGY
develop in that order in each of us.
SUBSYSTEMS: OVERVIEW
The two oldest systems we will discuss
evolved in very different times. There was no
time to “think” about the tiger between you
and your cave. You needed to ACT to survive.
Because survival was at stake, the “cost” to
the body and psyche in using this powerful
chemistry was not relevant.
The newest system (our vagal brake) gives us
THE VAGUS AKA THE WANDERER
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THREE NEURAL ENERGY
SUBSYSTEMS IN THE POLYVAGAL
The oldest more reptilian
system is comprised
THEORY
of the unmyelinated branches of the vagus
nerve (PNS). Lots of below the diaphragm
targets for these nerves.
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In the middle is the sympathetic nervous
system (SNS) with fight or flight and its
connection to the hormone system. This is
where the HPA (hypothalamus-pituitaryadrenal) axis is predominantly impacted.
The Social Engagement System (SES) is found
IT SOMETIMES WORKS AS A LAST RESORT
OUR OLDEST SYSTEM
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The major nerve of the PNS is the vagus nerve.
It has branches that underlie our oldest and
our newest neural energy systems.
The oldest system underlies the primitive
defense of immobilization such as freeze,
feigning death, behavioral shut down, and is
shared with most vertebrates. In trauma, this
may be expressed as dissociation.
It originates from an area of the brainstem
called the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.
DON’T THINK…RUN!
THE SNS SANDWICH
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Between the old (unmyelinated vagus/PNS)
and new (myelinated vagus/PNS/vagal brake)
is the SNS energy of fight or flight.
Associated with increased metabolic activity
and increasing cardiac output.
Main influence on cardiac pacemaker. If it was
unopposed by our vagal brake, our heart rates
would be much faster and unsustainable.
Think of the complexity and physiologic cost of
over activation and/or prolonged activation of
LET’S DANCE!
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT SYSTEM
MYLENATED VAGUS SYSTEM
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This brain-face-heart connection begins to
“wire up” in the third trimester. It is measured
through heart rate variability linked to exhale
(PNS) and inhale (SNS). The more variability,
the more resilience because your brake has
more range/gradations.
It allows for social gaze and controls a number
of important muscle groups: facial expression,
middle ear (extracts human voice from
background sounds), ingestion and sucking,
FROM GOOGLE IMAGES
LET’S REVIEW
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We evolved with increasing control of the
heart via the myelinated mammal vagal
system.
It developed in parallel with increased neural
regulation of the facial muscles.
Decrease in vagal tone (weak or floppy brake)
disinhibits the older two systems. This is often
studied by measuring heart rate variability
(HRV) between inhale and exhale.
Greater HRV indicates a more flexible and
YOGA
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Strengthens the myelinated vagus (see
bibliography) building resilience so that we
can increasingly handle life’s ups and downs
without resorting to full on fight/flight or
freeze/dissociation when it is not needed.
Studies show the positive impact of yoga on
various measures of health and well being e.g.
heart rate variability and other autonomic
measures as well as measures of emotional
stability, mood, problem solving, pain,
immune function, and multiple other health
A FEW PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
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If people are afraid, or if pain (emotional or
physical) is overwhelming, they can’t learn.
Start there. As safe and comfortable as
possible. Practice modulating YOUR SES and
they will tap into that resonance. In essence,
they are “borrowing” your vagal brake.
In trauma, too much eye contact can feel
dangerous. Sitting in a circle may be
overwhelming. Keep eyes open initially. We
are working to unlink immobility and fear
through moving even a little.
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IN LIGHT OF THIS...ASK YOURSELF
What might be the consequences
A depressed mother of:
on the development of
her infant’s social engagement system?
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Parents on their phones instead of interacting
with their children?
Social media where face to face contact is
minimized and emotional volatility goes
unchecked (and is often rewarded)?
The profound lack of movement and physical
play in our modern world?
SOMETIMES LIKE THIS
AND SOMETIMES LIKE THIS….
BREATHE!!
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Fosha, D. Siegel, D. Solomon, M. editors. The
Healing Power of Emotion: Affective
Neuroscience, Development and Clinical
Practice. W.W. Norton. New York. 2009.
Hanson, R. and Mendius, R. Buddha’s Brain.
New Harbinger. Oakland, CA. 2009.
Lazaridou, A. Philbrook, P. Tzika, A. Yoga and
Mindfulness as Therapeutic Interventions for
Stroke Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review.
Evidence-Based Complementary and
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Siegel, D.J. Mindsight: The New Science of
Personal Transformation. The Random House
Pub. Group. New York. 2010.
Siegel, D.J. and Harziwell, M. Parenting From
The Inside Out. Penguin Books. 2003.
**Streeter, C.C. Gerbarg, P.L. Saper, R.B.
Ciraulo, D.A. Brown, R.P. Effects of Yoga on the
Autonomic Nervous System, Gammaaminobutyric-acid and allostasis in epilepsy,
depression, and post- traumatic stress

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