Learn with Michael

When we feel safe, our body is in a physiological state supporting health, growth and restoration (i.e. homeostasis). But when we feel unsafe, our body is interrupting homeostasis and enters survival mode, where we begin expending resources to attack, defend or escape, or start freezing and shutting down to conserve what resources we have left. Through this course, students will learn how these adaptive survival responses are triggered autonomically, and how the Polyvagal Theory can act as a guide to their own body-mind connection.
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Michael Allison and Stephen Porges
PLAY ZONE PRO
Included in this course
Deep Dive on Polyvagal Theory

Develop a deep understanding of PVT that you can apply directly to your work, how you show up, what you do, and how you are received so that you can optimize the growth and development of those you are working with.

Connection to Community

Become part of an integrated community of other coaches, leaders, wellness practitioners, performers and enthusiasts who are Polyvagal-aligned and continue to evolve, share ideas and collaborate on your professional journey.

Understand Your Physiology

Cultivate resources, tools, practices and strategies aligned directly with your unique discipline that you can employ on-demand for yourself and those you are leading.

Learn More About The Play Zone

Course Timing

Live Zoom sessions meet every other Thursday from 1:00-2:30 PM Eastern Time.

The next cohort of The Play Zone Pro begins with self-paced content on October 2, 2025.

  • October 2 - Module 1:  Self-paced
  • October 9 - Module 2:  Live session
  • October 16- Module 3:  Self-paced
  • October 23- Module 4: Live session
  • October 30 - Module 5:  Self-paced
  • November 6 - Module 6:  Live session
  • November 13 - Module 7: Self-paced
  • November 20 - Module 8: Live session

Course Description

Led by Michael Allison, this certificate course is designed for wellness and performance coaches of all kinds, and demonstrates how an understanding of the nervous system can empower us in all that we do. 


Each student will focus on their self awareness and self-care, to become more accessible and present, and in turn, assist their clients on the pathway to health, wellness, and performance. This is the essence of becoming a Polyvagal-Informed Coach and optimizing our human experience. 


There are no pre-requisites for this course. 


You have the option to earn 18 hours of CE credit provided by the National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC). 

*If you plan on earning CE credit for completing this course, 100% live attendance OR complete viewing of the recordings of live classes is required.

Course Framework

This is a hybrid course of live (6 hours) and self-paced (20 hours) instruction, plus one case study and a final exam. Self-paced content includes recorded discussions with Dr. Stephen Porges. 


The four live 90-minute sessions are scheduled every other week over an 8-week period, with self-paced assignments in between. In the live sessions, Michael is accompanied by PVI Course Partner Mattie Shisko. 

Pricing options

Explain how different pricing options might be valuable to different segments of your audience.

Bundle includes:

In purchasing the course Play Zone Pro: A Polyvagal-Informed Certificate for Wellness and Performance Coaches - Cohort 13, you will also have access to bonus content and videos from all past cohorts. Cohort 13 will begin October 2nd, 2025.

Extra Details

This is Cohort 13 of Play Zone Pro

  • This course is for body-based teachers, clinicians, coaches, teachers, athletic coaches, personal trainers, health and life coaches, executive coaches, performance coaches.

  • You will receive a Play Zone Pro Certificate upon finishing this course.

  • There are no pre-requisites for this course.

Instructor(s)

Performance Consultant, Educator, & Author Michael Allison

Michael Allison is a globally recognized performance consultant, educator, and author who specializes in applying Polyvagal Theory to enhance health, resilience, and performance. He has trained hundreds of consultants and coaches as Play Zone Pros©, a methodology endorsed by Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. Michael's expertise is sought by elite professionals across major sports organizations, including MLB, NBA, ATP, WTA, FIFA, ITF, NCAA, and others. As a contributing author for Psychology Today, he explores the physiological, psychological, and social challenges of performing in high-stakes environments in his platform titled "The Pressure Paradox." Michael is a speaker and educational partner with the Polyvagal Institute, where he is recognized as a leading expert on its flagship course. He is the co-author of "Polyvagal Parenting" (New Harbinger, 2026) and has contributed to multiple books in the Norton Professional Series, including co-authoring "Empathy to Compassion: A Two-Step Physiological Process" with Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. Additionally, he is a featured speaker at major global conferences, including Oxford University’s Master Series, The Polyvagal Institute's International Gathering, Global Exchange Conference, and Psychological Safety Day. His work bridges neuroscience and performance to help individuals and teams thrive under pressure. Email Address: [email protected] Website: www.theplayzone.net

Voice, Performance and Speaking Coach Mathilde Shisko

For more than 25 years Mathilde has been a leading voice, performance and speaking coach based in Vancouver, Canada. Mathilde combines science, art, mindfulness and play, to help her clients realize their full vocal potential. She believes “when our voices are truly connected to our intention, our voice is clear, impactful and potent.” At her personal coaching studio, My Voice Coach, she coaches “anyone who needs to be heard.” Her clients include prominent politicians, artists, philanthropists, TEDx Speakers, entrepreneurs, health care providers, leaders in business and coaches in many domains. She continues to work in Theatre, Film and Television as an actor and as an Adjunct Professor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in British Columbia, is the outgoing voice and senior instructor at the Vancouver Film School and continues to teach at Vancouver’s premier acting studio, McIlroy and Associates. She is the lead voice coach/consultant for international companies, providing group and individual coaching for those stepping into leadership roles or those wishing to find more ease and joy in their day to day communication with their teams and clients. She believes that VOICE truly is our vital natural resource for finding safety, connection and belonging. This has become her life’s work.

Social proof: reviews

5 star rating

Life changing experience

Giedre Plukiene

I loved this course, found it really useful firstly for my own personal development and performance, I feel equipped with better strength to continue my "pla...

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I loved this course, found it really useful firstly for my own personal development and performance, I feel equipped with better strength to continue my "play" in the times I want to quit or escape from the challenge:) . Having basic knowledge about PVT now, I would love to learn more and further on its application also in the area of team relationship and boundaries. Will look further for events and gatherings:) I appreciate not only the course itself, but the presence of community as well:). Thank you:)

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5 star rating

This course is a GAMECHANGER

Krista Resnick

I am beyond thrilled to have taken this course and learned the in's and out's of Polyvagal Theory. It has not only taken my coaching to a deeper level, but ...

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I am beyond thrilled to have taken this course and learned the in's and out's of Polyvagal Theory. It has not only taken my coaching to a deeper level, but it has also improved my life. I continue to rely on my rituals and practices to heal, grow, and expand my potential and 'aliveness.' I cannot recommend this course enough!

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5 star rating

Superb!

Vanessa Harding

Excellent course with very good, detailed content to help understand applying Polyvagal theory to performance in the play zone.

Excellent course with very good, detailed content to help understand applying Polyvagal theory to performance in the play zone.

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5 star rating

Play Zone Pro class

Rana Guzman

This class has given me the opportunity to listen and learn from other provider’s experiences, insights and knowledge. PVI Play Zone has put a lot of what I’...

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This class has given me the opportunity to listen and learn from other provider’s experiences, insights and knowledge. PVI Play Zone has put a lot of what I’ve learned in my journey into perspective and has heightened my understanding and approach going forward with my own clients.

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5 star rating

Great!

Audrey Hazekamp

Easy to understand and apply

Easy to understand and apply

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5 star rating

Informative and concise

Rana Guzman

Very informative and concise.

Very informative and concise.

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Frequently Asked Questions
Live/Hybrid courses: While specific course policies may vary, we typically allow one absence for a live or hybrid course and require watching the recording and/or sometimes submitting a reflection for the missed session. If a participant is absent for more than the permissible number of live sessions, they may no longer be eligible to receive their certificate. Self-paced courses: Attendance does not apply to self-paced courses as they are designed to be consumed when the student is willing and able to take the course. All material is pre-recorded content, reading, or individual assignments. Please note that if you are enrolled in a course that offers CEs (continuing education credits) and you have opted to earn them, specific attendance policies apply and must be adhered to in order for you to remain eligible to earn CEs at the end of the course. Contact us for details if you are unsure of the attendance policy for your particular course!
We upload recordings of our live course sessions to our Learning Platform within 72 hours for you to view. (Please see the attendance policy above.)
PVI uses a Learning Platform (LMS) called Thinkific. Upon enrolling in a course, you will receive an email invite to access the course in Thinkific. This is where you'll find all of the course materials, links, and class community.
You can reset your password by going to https://pvi.thinkific.com/users/sign_in and clicking the “Forgot Password?” link. You will then enter the email address you used when creating your account to receive a one-time password reset link. Use the instructions in that email to complete your password reset. If you have any other technical questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].
Our prices are listed in USD (United States Dollars). Your credit card or bank statement will likely reflect the price in your local currency.
Yes, PVI offers scholarships for all of our courses on a rolling basis. You can apply for a scholarship at https://forms.gle/vvfQdyAtw3k79LpM9.
We are proud to offer a 30 day Money Back Guarantee for all of our courses (from date of purchase for self-paced courses and from date of first live session for live courses). Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you'd like to inquire about a refund.
Live sessions are held online via Zoom. You will find your course Zoom link inside the course content on our Learning Platform once you enroll; email reminders with the Zoom link are sent to enrolled students. While having your camera on is not required, you are invited to turn your camera on during your live course session; this allows you to share in co-regulation with other learners and to build a sense of community.
To convert live course session meeting times to your local timezone, please use a conversion website like this.
PVI is the founding home of Polyvagal Theory, and we believe our courses offer the most accurate and up to date content about Polyvagal Theory and its many applications. There is no accrediting body for this type of curriculum. Our course descriptions will list any continuing education credits (CEs/ CEUs) or other professional benefits that might be available for the course (along with any applicable restrictions). If CEs are not listed for a particular course, then none are available.
Yes. Most of our pre-recorded course content is hosted on a platform that offers closed captioning. If you come across a video that does not have closed captioning, please send us a message at [email protected] and we will be glad to assist you.
If you are located in the US or Canada, you will be charged sales tax on the cost of your course.
Yes. For groups of five or more participants, a 15% discount is available for each participant. Please contact us at [email protected] to inquire and to enroll as a group!