So, Now What: Further Intimations on the Polyvagal System || By Chardin Bersto MA
Having sketched out the belief relationship to the polyvagal system we can begin to parse out how our body is responding to what we perceive our environment is presenting to us. A simple map is presented through ancient systems of the East, Chi Kung and Yoga.
The Vagus Nerve wanders down through the center of our body touching every organ and hormonal gland from the throat to the pelvis. The Pituitary Gland is in the center of the head and is considered the Master Gland of the hormonal system. It has neural relations with the Vagal center in the Hind Brain. They are termed the anterior and posterior center of the Vagus system and rule different functions of the body.
The anterior center influences the Heart and Lungs, the posterior influences the organs below the diaphragm and considered the survival responses, fight or flight. To help regulate the stress response it is important to stay close to your breathing patterns. Stress breathing is shallow and irregular. Because breath is ruled by the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) it is not readily available to our awareness.
If you notice you are overthinking anything it’s a good sign that your stress response is dominant. An exercise used by substance abuse protocols and a spiritual practice known as the Course in Miracles is the “Belief Inventory”. The instruction is to list 100 beliefs. Even this simple instruction will trigger a response because it seems so daunting.
Try this before the next blog. Make a list and notice what happens as you make the list, sensations, breath patterns, and thought patterns. Also, there is tendency to make a list predominantly of “negative” beliefs. Make sure the positive ones get listed. Negative beliefs will affect your mood. They are important to note, and they are the foundation of your stress response, but not to be dwelled upon.
Every cell in your body has receptor sites for all our emotional responses. If you have a patterned response to any particular trauma in your life, your cell membranes are proliferated with that particular receptor. There is a way to re-populate the cell membrane.
Have fun making your list.
Chardin is available to do phone consultation or Zoom to teach techniques to re-calibrate the Polyvagal System
720-849-6996
Chardin@abtherapeutics.net
About the Author: Chardin has been an Adjunct Practitioner at People House since 1998. He is the creator of Advanced Body Therapeutics (ABT). It is a new orientation of creating synergy in the body systems. ABT uses assessment tools from Osteopathic Theory, Chinese Five Element Theory, Applied Kinesiology, Yoga Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, and Structural Therapies to determine the relationship of the metabolic systems of the body as well as address common structural issues related to stress or trauma.
The goal in his body work is to create balance in the body and neutralize the polyvagal responses. In doing so, it reduces pain, calms emotion upset, and strengthens the immune system.
Chardin’s web address is www.abtherapeutics.net
