Ep. 131 | Dana 2023 Polyvagal Practices: Anchoring the Self in Safety

[Summary] Deb Dana's “Polyvagal Practices: Anchoring the Self in Safety” is a guide to understanding and utilizing Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory in daily life. The book uses the metaphor of an autonomic ladder—with ventral (safe), sympathetic (mobilized), and dorsal (collapsed) states—to explain how the nervous system responds to safety and danger. It offers various exercises, including mapping and continuum exercises, to increase awareness of one's autonomic state and build self-regulation skills. The ultimate goal is to strengthen connection to a ventral state of safety and foster healthier relationships with oneself and others. The text also emphasizes the importance of recognizing and responding to the autonomic nervous system's continuous communication.