#polyvagaltheory

To me this feels like a wonderful example of nervous system co-regulation and mirror neurons in action. 💜

‘Co-regulation is defined as warm and responsive interactions that provide the support, coaching, and modeling children need to “understand, express, and modulate their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors” - (Murray et al. 2015, 14).’

‘…the human brain is peppered with mirror neurons and they activate in us exactly what we see in the other person: Their emotions, their movements, and even their intentions.’ - Daniel Goleman

Put simply, co-regulation is the way that the nervous system of one individual influences the nervous system of another. Whereas the mirror neurons are a type of brain cell, that help us learn and adapt through observing others and mirroring their actions.

Video credit: @jaymarigino @teamignite_athletictraining

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#shreemwellbeing #meditation #mindfulness #reiki #nlp #crystalhealing #efttapping #partswork #emotionalfreedomtechniques #energyhealing #holistichealing #somatichealing #emotionalhealing

#traumahealing #innerchildhealing

#energypsychology

#banstead #epsom #sutton #ashtead #surreyuk #selfawareness

#mirrorneurons #nervoussystem #nervoussystemregulation #coregulation #selfregulation #polyvagaltheory

ok okokok it's probably rude or weird to do this but - I just reread this fic I wrote. And... I forgot how much I love it.

Like I'm super super proud of it.

Stephen Porges’ polyvagal (pol-ee-vay-gul) theory has helped science solve what may be the greatest mystery of human nature: how can we be so super loving and caring one moment, yet so fearful, rageful, or shut down the next? The theory traces the hidden variable in our nature to an upgrade in the system that is the missing link between mind, heart, and body.

It turns out that our mammal ancestors evolved multiple branches of the vagal nerve (poly=many, vagal=of the vagus)—the calming part of our autonomic nervous system—along with related upgrades, to maintain higher degrees of social safety, connectedness, and cooperation in an ever-challenging world.

Our ability to use our big social brains critically depends on these upgrades calming the older autonomic systems that trigger the reptilian fight-flight-faint-freeze reflexes of stress and trauma. Porges’ theory also answers the age-old riddle of how the safety cues we get from hearing warm voices, seeing friendly faces, rhythmic breathing and speaking help our whole brain and body stay calm, communicative and cooperative, even in the face of vulnerability and danger.

And it finally explains how contemplative methods like yoga, meditation, prayer, symbolism, and movement help calm the human mind and body in ways that promote not just deep inner states of bliss, awe and flow, but also the fearless stillness and unwavering presence that maintain the highest human expressions of love—intimacy, childrearing, caregiving, and altruism.