Yoga Therapy and Polyvagal Theory: The Convergence of Traditional Wisdom and Contemporary Neuroscience for Self-Regulation and Resilience

Abstract

Yoga therapy is a newly emerging, self-regulating complementary and integrative healthcare (CIH) practice. It is growing in its professionalization, recognition and utilization with a demonstrated commitment to setting practice standards, educational and accreditation standards, and promoting research to support its efficacy for various populations and conditions. However, heterogeneity of practice, poor reporting standards, and lack of a broadly accepted understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms involved in yoga therapy limits the structuring of testable hypotheses and clinical applications. Current proposed frameworks of yoga-based practices focus on the integration of bottom-up neurophysiological and top-down neurocognitive mechanisms. In addition, it has been proposed that phenomenology and first person ethical inquiry can provide a lens through which yoga therapy is viewed as a process that contributes towards eudaimonic well-being in the experience of pain, illness or disability. In this article we build on these frameworks, and propose a model of yoga therapy that converges with Polyvagal Theory (PVT). PVT links the evolution of the autonomic nervous system to the emergence of prosocial behaviors and posits that the neural platforms supporting social behavior are involved in maintaining health, growth and restoration. This explanatory model which connects neurophysiological patterns of autonomic regulation and expression of emotional and social behavior, is increasingly utilized as a framework for understanding human behavior, stress and illness. Specifically, we describe how PVT can be conceptualized as a neurophysiological counterpart to the yogic concept of the gunas, or qualities of nature. Similar to the neural platforms described in PVT, the gunas provide the foundation from which behavioral, emotional and physical attributes emerge. We describe how these two different yet analogous frameworks—one based in neurophysiology and the other in an ancient wisdom tradition—highlight yoga therapy’s promotion of physical, mental and social wellbeing for self-regulation and resilience. This parallel between the neural platforms of PVT and the gunas of yoga is instrumental in creating a translational framework for yoga therapy to align with its philosophical foundations. Consequently, yoga therapy can operate as a distinct practice rather than fitting into an outside model for its utilization in research and clinical contexts.

Understanding mind–body disciplines: A pilot study of paced breathing and dynamic muscle contraction on autonomic nervous system reactivity

“…The powerful priming effect observed when combining cyclic respiration with muscle contraction supports the “bottom‐up” polyvagal theory proposed by Stephen Porges (Sullivan et al, ). This theory hypothesizes that autonomic regulation is possible through interoception (i.e., an awareness of the internal state of the body's systems) and self‐regulatory skills (Gard, Noggle, Park, Vago, & Wilson, ).…”

“…Recent focus on stress reduction and physiological resiliency has led to further interest in the autonomic nervous system's adaptation to stress. Many popular mind–body practices such as yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong have been shown to activate the parasympathetic nervous system (Goyal et al, ; Sullivan et al, ; Walther, Lacker, & Ehlert, ). Paced respiration and dynamic tension through rhythmic skeletal muscle contraction are two core components common to yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong; however, it remains unclear by which mechanisms these training disciplines activate the parasympathetic nervous system.…”

Traumatic stress and the autonomic brain‐gut connection in development: Polyvagal Theory as an integrative framework for psychosocial and gastrointestinal pathology

“…This includes a thorough assessment of psychosocial factors followed by psychological therapies such as relaxation training, dynamic psychotherapy, yoga, or a combination of these (Levy et al, 2006;Paul & Basude, 2016). The practice of yoga, with emphases on interoceptive and exteroceptive sensory-motor experience, has an intimate link with autonomic state regulation (Sullivan et al, 2018). There is growing evidence that yoga reduces PTSD symptoms (van der Kolk et al, 2014;Price et al, 2017) and may have benefits for treating functional GI disorders in adolescents and adults (for a systematic review see Schumann et al, 2016).…”

Yoga for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): Clinician experiences and qualitative perspectives from students and yoga instructors living with SLE

“…Yoga is proposed to offer methods for regulation and resilience through the integrated practice of yamas and niyamas (ethical/intentional principles), asana (physical exercises), pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation [30, 46]. The focus of yoga therapy on cultivating the connection to steadfast joy, eudaimonic well-being, meaning, and purpose highlights an important place for yoga therapy in caring for the ill client.…”

“…Mind-body therapies, including yoga, call for simultaneous attention to the body, breathing, attentional and affective regulation and cognition. Previous studies have shown patients utilizing mind-body therapies such as yoga, reported a shift in their experience of negative emotions as well as the development of self-regulatory skills in dealing with pain, emotional regulation and re-appraisal of life situations [30]. Studies indicate that elements of yoga (gentle movement, slow breathing, meditation, and guided imagery) may lead to mental relaxation and influence aspects of the parasympathetic nervous system associated with a body when at rest [31–36].…”