Polyvagal Restorative Practices

KEY CONCEPTS

When we think about the integration of Restorative Practices with Polyvagal Theory, we begin to look diagnostically at the present moment nervous system state (neural platform) of the person we are trying to help- be it ourselves, or someone else- and come with an understanding of the needs of the nervous system in that particular state, because the pathways back from fight, flight, and shutdown are quite different. It is for this reason that we find a cookie-cutter approach to mindfulness unskillful. Instead, we differentiate interventions and practices based on their specific impacts on the nervous system, with awareness about whether someone is already mobilized, and therefore needs to move, or more shutdown, in which case bringing attention inward is contra-indicated. (In the next section, we’ll explore more deeply some principles of polyvagal-informed mindfulness practice. Sometimes very simple things, that we might dismiss, or step right over, have profound impact on nervous system state. For example, splashing cold water on your face initiates a ventral vagal response. So does singing. In the video, we explore a broad variety of these, as well as the nervous system needs that must to be addressed in coming out of each neural platform. This is a form of Polyvagal first aid.