The Polyvagal Theory in Yoga and Somatic Practice

Understand the nervous system behind your practice-and make more informed decisions about how you teach.

Why does a breathing exercise settle one person and unsettle another? How can you use the language of safety and regulation responsibly when the science remains debated?

The Polyvagal Theory in Yoga and Somatic Practice helps you connect autonomic physiology with thoughtful, person-centered practice. Whether you teach yoga, support clients, or want to deepen your own understanding, you'll build a foundation for evaluating claims and adapting what you do.

Inside, you'll learn to:

Understand the autonomic nervous system, vagus nerve, and interoception without needing a neuroscience background.

Explore neuroception, co-regulation, and defensive responses alongside the limits of these concepts.

Examine scientific criticisms of polyvagal theory and distinguish proposed explanations from established physiology.

Make informed choices about breathing, movement, meditation, grounding, and body awareness.

Design sessions with greater attention to pacing, consent, individual differences, and scope of practice.

Across 24 chapters organized into seven parts, the book combines foundational explanations, practical examples, chapter summaries, and annotated further reading. Dedicated discussions of the theory's critics help you approach popular claims with curiosity and care.

You'll develop a clearer understanding of what you can explain, what remains uncertain, and how that distinction can strengthen your teaching.

Build a more thoughtful foundation for your next class or session-order your copy today.