Over the last decade, there has been enormous interest in the connection between yoga, stress regulation, trauma, and the nervous system. One framework that has become especially influential is Polyvagal Theory, or PVT. In this monthly dose, we’ll briefly explore what the theory proposes, what current science supports, where researchers disagree, and what this means for yoga teaching and practice. Whether or not every aspect of Polyvagal Theory ultimately holds up scientifically, the larger message remains powerful: our physiology, emotions, relationships, and environments are deeply interconnected. Yoga can offer practices that help people cultivate awareness, flexibility, grounding, and connection—and those capacities matter profoundly for well-being.

If you’d like to explore this topic in more depth, we invite you to check out the following Yoga Medicine® Podcast Episodes:

• 83: Research Roundup: Updates on Polyvagal Theory
• 166: Revisiting Polyvagal Theory

Research Articles:

• Porges SW. Polyvagal Theory: Current Status, Clinical Applications, and Future Directions. Clin Neuropsychiatry. 2025 Jun;22(3):169-184. doi: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20250301. PMID: 40735382; PMCID: PMC12302812. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12302812/
• Grossman P et al. Why The Polyvagal Theory Is Untenable: An international expert evaluation of the polyvagal theory and commentary upon Porges, S.W. (2025). Clin. Neuropsychiatry, 22(3), 169-184. Clin Neuropsychiatry. 2026 Feb;23(1):100-112. doi: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20260110. PMID: 41768017; PMCID: PMC12937499. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12937499/