Polyvagal Institute

Michael, I just finished the play zone course, and I want you to know that I wish I had done it sooner. I am a licensed psychotherapist who has recently been fascinated with the polyvagal theory. Also, personally, I started my running journey June of last year as a 55-year-old woman who didn't have any athletic background. In fact, I would do anything to avoid P.E. And in the Philippines, exercise was considered vanity and a distraction to completing education. Also, women in the Philippines don't run. Men do. I fell in love with running, to my surprise. Since I started the journey, I have been able to complete a full marathon and a 50k! And yesterday, for the first time, I did my long run (15 miles) applying the principles of the Play Zone. And it was MAGIC! No kidding! I finished my long run feeling good and not exhausted! I can't believe it. It's hard to believe that by creating/finding safety in your own body and in the environment through awareness of our bodily states, shifting the way we breathe, exercising your facial muscles, you'd be able to perform with less pain and discomfort. The principles of play zone are so applicable to day-to-day life. It's really hard to learn, be happy, and be satisfied with life when you don't feel safe and connected.