Personal Development
Course on Polyvagal Theory
I'm very excited to have completed my Nervous System Regulation Course certified by the Polyvagal Institute, entitled:
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Vagus Nerve Stimulation:
Natural Neural Exercises to Enhance
Emotional & Physical Health
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November 2025
What are Polyvagal Theory and Somatic Exercises?
Polyvagal Theory (developed by Dr. Stephen Porges) explains how our nervous system responds to stress, safety, and connection through different “states” (fight or flight; shutdown; or, calm or social engagement).
Somatic work applies this understanding in practice by:
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Helping people notice body signals tied to different nervous system states.
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Using body-based tools (like breath, grounding, movement, touch, sound, etc.) to shift towards regulation and safety.
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Supporting the nervous system to spend more time in the calm or social engagement state, where healing and connection are easier.
So, Polyvagal Theory provides the scientific framework, and somatic work offers the practical techniques for regulation and healing.
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With thanks to Alexis Cruz Gomez and the PVI for use of this image
How does this body work compliment Reiki?
Somatic work and Reiki beautifully harmonize each other.
Somatic practices bring a body-based, nervous system–informed approach, while Reiki supports you on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels.
By helping your body and nervous system feel safe through gentle polyvagal-inspired exercises prior to Reiki - you are then in a very receptive state to surrender and receive Reiki Energy to nourish you on multiple levels.
I’ll also teach you these simple tools so that you can use the Somatic Exercises yourself between our Reiki sessions to support self-regulation and help your body learn to feel safe and open to receiving Energy during our sessions.