Thrive the Podcast
Are you surviving or thriving? Join me, Rebecca Kase, licensed psychotherapist, author, trauma expert, yoga instructor, and learn how to thrive in your life. I bring you expert knowledge along with my own lived experience of what it means to go from surviving to thriving. We’ll explore what it means to thrive in the face of challenges, how to apply psychology and neuroscience to building a resilient nervous system, and how to use the Thrive 5 to create your best life.
Thrive the Podcast
Polyvagal Theory
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Rebecca Kase
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Season 1
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Episode 15
Links to free resources:
Understanding the Nervous System free download:
https://kaseandco.com/resources-and-downloads/
Here is what was covered in this week’s episode:
- Polyvagal theory and it’s relationship with wellness and therapy.
- An introduction to Steven Porges, the developer of polyvagal theory, and his research on the vagus nerve and heart rate variability.
- Explanation of the vagus nerve, its functions, and how it affects physical and emotional health.
- The concept of the vagal paradox: the vagus nerve’s role in both health and potential danger (bradycardia).
- Polyvagal theory as a framework to understand the nervous system and its responses to safety and danger.
- Overview of the autonomic nervous system and its branches: sympathetic (mobilization) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) systems.
- Detailed explanation of the vagus nerve pathways: ventral vagal (safety and social engagement) and dorsal vagal (shutdown and immobilization).
- The fight, flight, freeze, and faint responses mediated by the vagus nerve.
- Importance of vagal tone and how it influences the body’s response to stress and relaxation.
- Techniques and activities to improve vagal tone: yoga, meditation, exercise, breath work, mindfulness, and maintaining healthy relationships.
Helpful Links:
Polyvagal-Informed EMDR: A Neuro-Informed Approach to Healing Book:
https://www.amazon.com/Polyvagal-Informed-EMDR-Neuro-Informed-Approach-Healing/dp/1324030313
The Applied Polyvagal Theory Flip Chart: A Psychoeducational Tool to Harness the Power of the Vagus Nerve for Emotional Balance, Self-Regulation, and Resilience:
https://www.amazon.com/Applied-Polyvagal-Theory-Chart-Psychoeducational/dp/1683737547
Webinar with Stephen Porges and Unyte: