{"podcast":{"title":"Yoga Medicine","slug":"yoga-medicine-4454020","podcast_index_feed_id":4454020,"rss_url":"https://yogamedicine.libsyn.com/rss","website_url":"https://YogaMedicine.com","image_url":"https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/a/5/d/8/a5d825074b82906740be95ea3302a6a1/Yoga_Medicine_Show_Art_1400.jpg","author":"Tiffany Cruikshank","episode_count":172,"summary":"This show was created to educate and empower yoga students and teachers to use yoga therapeutically to optimize experiences, communities and resilience. Our methods are based on a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology and the integration of modern science and research with traditional practices and experience. We believe research is just as precious as experience and we believe in the human potential for change and greatness. Our goal is to help you learn the owners manual of your unique body/mind and so we offer this as a free resource to anyone interested in optimizing their health and wellbeing. SUBSCRIBE TO YOGA MEDICINE ON iTUNES/APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3aWW3XO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE: https://YogaMedicine.com ——————————— CONNECT WITH US! ——————————— FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TiffanyCruikshankYoga INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/yoga_medicine TWITTER: https://twitter.com/yoga_medicine LINKEDIN: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/yoga-medicine PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/tiffanyyoga","last_synced_at":"2026-07-30T18:18:40.843274+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/yoga-medicine-4454020"},"episode":{"title":"Revisiting Polyvagal Theory: Expert Insights with Valerie Knopik, PhD","slug":"revisiting-polyvagal-theory-expert-insights-with-valerie-knopik-phd","published_at":"2026-05-07T09:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/yoga-medicine-4454020/revisiting-polyvagal-theory-expert-insights-with-valerie-knopik-phd","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/yoga-medicine-4454020","url":"https://yogamedicine.libsyn.com/revisiting-polyvagal-theory-expert-insights-with-valerie-knopik-phd","audio_url":"https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/yogamedicine/166_-_Revisiting_Polyvagal_Theory_Expert_Insights_with_Valerie_Knopik_PhD_-_Yoga_Medicine.mp3?dest-id=3094661","summary":"You have probably heard of the vagus nerve, and (whether you realize it or not) have been exposed to some of the concepts of Polyvagal Theory in yoga classes. In fact, we have discussed the theory in a previous episode of the podcast. In today's episode, host Rachel Land and Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist Valerie Knopik, PhD, revisit Polyvagal Theory and explore the latest scientific debate it has generated. They break down the original framework, the newer criticisms, and the ways scientific ideas evolve over time. The conversation stays grounded in real-world teaching, especially around stress response, breath, and the role of relationships in helping people feel safe enough to practice. It is a thoughtful reminder that research can shift while the practical value of awareness, connection, and regulation remains central to yoga. \"Science is never stagnant, and that's part of the beauty of science for me.\" — Valerie Knopik. — What You'll Learn: Vagus nerve roles in stress and relaxation response [3:24] Recent papers updating and challenging Polyvagal Theory (PVT) [4:41] The nature of the scientific method [7:12] Defining PVT [10:37] Summarizing the current controversy: over-simplification of dorsal vs ventral vagus [25:29] Other points of contention: dorsal vagal and trauma response, heart rate variability as a measure of vagal tone, clinical over-use [31:41] Relevance to yoga teaching and practice [37:11] The \"science of safety\" in yoga: Yoga Medicine Mental Health & Wellness Teacher Training [44:00] — Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube Mental Health & Wellness Yoga Teacher Training Yoga Medicine Podcast Research Roundup: Updates on Polyvagal Theory Porges SW. Polyvagal Theory: Current Status, Clinical Applications, and Future Directions. Clin Neuro…","meta_description":"You have probably heard of the vagus nerve, and (whether you realize it or not) have been exposed to some of the concepts of Polyvagal Theory in yoga clas…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3040,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/yoga-medicine-4454020/episodes/revisiting-polyvagal-theory-expert-insights-with-valerie-knopik-phd/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/yoga-medicine-4454020/revisiting-polyvagal-theory-expert-insights-with-valerie-knopik-phd.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}