Description

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Treat trauma holistically with the combined applications of yoga and polyvagal theory.

This book focuses on the intersection of polyvagal theory, yoga, and psychotherapy by weaving together the wisdom tradition of yoga with neuroscience, attachment theory, somatic psychology, and traumatology. The application of polyvagal theory allows practitioners to compassionately support growth by enhancing the health of the autonomic nervous system, while therapeutic yoga allows one to attend to the interrelationships between mind, emotions, physiology, and behavior.

Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga provides conscious breathing, vagal toning, mindful movement, and meditation practices that aid in rewiring the nervous system. Readers will discover how to help both clients and themselves cultivate a felt sense of ease during times of safety; enhance their capacity to handle challenges with equanimity; and reclaim their ability to recover from stress swiftly and efficiently. Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga offers practitioners a new and effective way to support clients who are stuck in a trauma response mode.

About the Author

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Arielle Schwartz, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, EMDR Therapy consultant, somatic psychotherapist, and certified yoga instructor with a private practice in Boulder, Colorado. She is the author of several books on trauma recovery, including EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology (Norton, 2018).

Praise For…

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This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of the power of somatic approaches to trauma healing. Drawing on the wisdom of yoga and the science of Polyvagal Theory, Dr. Arielle Schwartz offers practical tools and strategies to help clinicians guide their clients to release stress, rewire their nervous system, and find a sense of peace. This book will help you support yourself and others through the journey of trauma healing and recovery.


— Scott Lyons, PhD, holistic psychologist, mind–body medicine specialist, founder of The Embody Lab, and author of Addicted to Drama

In this beautifully articulated book, Arielle Schwartz leads the way into a deep and wide exploration of body wisdom. Her brilliance lies in her capacity to curate a path of consilience across three major disciplines:science, soma, and soul. Each chapter offers polyvagal-informed yoga practices that enable readers to bring her model to life.


— Jan Winhall, Polyvagal Institute, author of Treating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model

Trauma is a complex, multi-layered topic with a lot of interconnected pieces. It therefore makes sense that healing requires an integrative and multidisciplinary approach. Dr. Arielle Schwartz provides this—which is no easy thing. But, her real genius is presenting these ideas in a practical, actionable, and easy-to-follow way that gets results. A highly recommended read, and an important contribution to our field.


— Alex Howard, author of It’s Not Your Fault and creator of Therapeutic Coaching™