Episode 22- Polyvagal Theory and Yoga for Trauma with Dr Arielle Schwartz

Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) Podcast- A Polyvagal Theory Informed Therapy

Welcome to episode 22. I have the utmost pleasure of speaking with Dr Arielle Schwartz,
a licensed clinical psychologist located in Boulder, CO. Arielle offers training for therapists, maintains a private practice, and has passions for the outdoors, yoga, and writing. She is the developer of Resilience-Informed Therapy which applies research on trauma recovery to form a strength-based, trauma treatment model that includes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic (body-centered) psychology, mindfulness-based therapies, and time-tested relational psychotherapy. Arielle has authored a number of books, but today we are focusing our discussion on her work connecting Polyvagal Theory with yoga practice.
Some of the topics or points you will hear in our discussion include:

• Arielle's collaboration with Dr Porges
• Applied Polyvagal Theory and Yoga Course available via the Polyvagal Institute
• Arielle's personal experience with the iLs Focus System
• Neuromodulation and yoga practice
• "Less is More" the gentle input of yoga- felt sense of opening up and softening
• Cervical tightness and forward positioning due to looking down at devices and screen time- impact vagal tone
• Polyvagal speaks of the importance of co-regulation with a safe other but we need to be connected to our body...yoga provides that connection
• Trauma and stress often create less flexible thinking- yoga facilitates flexibility in the body that fosters flexibility in the mind
• Trauma and related conditions such as POTS and Dysautonomia- how yoga can help
• Researcher- Jo Miller - facia release and vagal tone
• Learn about the importance of our facial system connecting all internal organs, immune and endocrine systems
• Psoas muscle= fight/flight muscle - often holds tension from trauma
• Therapeutic yoga for trauma- release and unwind held defensive tension with safety
• Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery: Applying the Principles of Polyvagal Theory for Self-Discovery, Embodied Healing, and Meaningful Change
• New book by Arielle EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology: Interventions to Enhance Embodiment in Trauma Treatment

I hope everyone enjoyed this lovely discussion with Arielle. I feel even more inspired to hit the mat!
To find out more about Arielle's work I will include links to her website in the show notes and our Safe and Sound Protocol Podcast FB page. You can find a link to order her book Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery: Applying the Principles of Polyvagal Theory for Self-Discovery, Embodied Healing, and Meaningful Change on the Safe and Sound Protocol FB page too.
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Link to Arielle's Website- https://drarielleschwartz.com/
Breathe slow and low,
Joanne
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