Becoming an Active Operator of Your Nervous System with Deborah Dana

In this podcast, Tami Simon converses with Deb Dana to offer listeners a practical understanding of Polyvagal Theory and how we can begin to decode the language of our body for better health and better relationships.
Tami and Deb also discuss the dorsal, sympathetic, and ventral states of our nervous system; the gifts of becoming “anchored in ventral”; neuroception, your nervous system’s way of taking in information to assess your safety; curiosity and the capacity for self-reflection; the importance of self-care; co-regulation as a biological imperative; why self-regulation is especially critical for therapists and other helping professionals; music and nature as healing resources; the practice of self-compassion as a means of “getting our anchor back”; and more.
Deb offers an excellent online training program called Finding Safety in Your Nervous System. You can get started today: bit.ly/3vZSZGf
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Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory by Deb Dana:
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Sounds True was founded in 1985 by Tami Simon with a clear mission: to disseminate spiritual wisdom. Since starting out as a project with one woman and her tape recorder, we have grown into a multimedia publishing company with more than 80 employees, a library of more than 1500 titles featuring some of the leading teachers and visionaries of our time, and an ever-expanding family of customers from across the world. In more than three decades of growth, change, and evolution, Sounds True has maintained its focus on its overriding purpose, as summed up in our Mission Statement.
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[@clairejohnson7809]

Becoming an “active operator” of my nervous system has had the greatest impact on my life so far. Breathwork has helped me the most in becoming more grounded and equaninimous to the changing external stresses.

[@somethingyousaid5059]

My nervous system finds your voice soothing.

[@sageabovethemoon21]

I struggle with severe panic, agoraphobia and GAD. I have been in therapy, made many changes to my diet and tried tapping. Nothing helps immensely but this polyvagal and the IF S are finally helping me to feel hope.

[@joedavis4150]

... All the wisest people of all times, have said two things... simplify, and look to Nature.

[@Sbannmarie]

Joe- well said

[@Sbannmarie]

Been learning from “sounds true” for decades. Thanks Tami.

[@thelondoners-lifeisart]

Heartfelt thanks for your wisdom and gentleness of presentation

[@viviannimue]

Absolutely wonderful and wise ...great questions and great answers from a woman with profound knowledge and a way to transport it in such an empathetic and authentic way. Thank you both so very much for giving this to so many people around the world

[@kpuliatch]

Much Gratitude for sharing your journeys with us in such a heart felt way

[@karelhoogendoorn]

Thank you for this beautiful conversation. I resonate completely with the information being transmitted and love the image of nervous systems feeling each other when meeting and the effects on therapy and the healing qualities of the healer. I always knew that a therapist, or healer, should have gone through all the clutter and debri him, or herself before being able to help someone. But seen from the perspective of the nervous system with all its modalities, something clicked even deeper. So thank you again Tammy and Deb ❤

[@counselorphil1658]

Thank You Deb for sharing ....and Thank You Tami for continuing to bring quality programming

[@hannavalenta6717]

This is beyond amazing. Deb Dana truly has an extraordinary nack of explaining the biology of feelings and nervous system states so that it becomes applicable to everyday life. For those of us that have suffered a lifetime, this is an invaluable gift! Thank you Deb! (And Stephen :) ).

[@bellakrinkle9381]

Actually, if we focus on our feelings after being awake an hour, or immediately upon waking, we can easily determine where our nervous system is. Feeling not happy, not connected to your feelings? You are in the Dorsal phase. On the other hand, feeling empowered, connected to yourself and your feelings? You are in the Ventral phase. The Sympathetic phase is always mixed. You maybe could get to the Ventral if you can somehow become engaged; or, if you get further detached from your feelings, you could move lower to the Dorsal phase. I truly feel that our state of mind, upon waking sets the Pace for our day. Sometimes we can move it; if we are experiencing a lot of stress, fear or unhappiness, we can get stuck days in the Dorsal state. Personally, I vacillate between Ventral and Sympathetic. It's always a positive reinforcement to know that my day is going to be productive.

[@leahrodriguez7459]

I am currently reading "Untethered Soul", which I was introduced to by ST. I feel like this is the scientific version of what Michael Singer teaches. Incredibly powerful information from both sources. Each piece provides me with opportunities to get to know myself better so that I can accept all parts of me with the intention of blending them all together so I can experience living as one whole, complete aspect of Divinity. Much Love and Respect for the sharing of such wisdom ❤️

[@Swaddle_Brow83]

This is absolutely fascinating to me.. I have a condition in my dorsal root ganglia that I'm currently trying to find answers to, and this information has given me insight and clarity into why I've felt that it may be caused by past trauma and that a key to my healing may lay in learning about my nervous system.. Thankyou SO much 🥺💜🙏

[@josecabral7701]

Hello, you could learn Feldenkrais. Jose', Portugal

[@Swaddle_Brow83]

@@josecabral7701 Wow! I have not heard of this before, Thankyou for telling me about it, after looking it up it definitely sounds like something that could be beneficial to me 💜

[@bellakrinkle9381]

Maybe more useful to understand the roots of your past trauma, if you want to move forward. How can your untangle your nervous system?

[@diegomonteirobatera]

This was awesome! I already loved Deb, but Tami surprised me. She went straight to the cut throat questions, and really got the most out of Deb. Freaking loved it!

[@mgmail7279]

Fab information and good questions! Love when you kept asking for practical tips we can use. Also, what a perfect ending line, Tami: "It's been a co-regulating delight."

[@anitastruthers1896]

Beautiful awareness of the nervous system alongside regulation, compassion, safety and flow. Thank you.

[@kathrynangela999]

Love the umbrella visual. It really works for me. Perfect illustration. Got the book to learn more. Thanks so much

[@benjamindsouza6736]

Thank you for sharing these pearls of wisdom!!! 🙏🙏🙏

[@mlissgay5054]

Thank you for your tireless work

[@joedavis4150]

... Among the best transformational tools are the entheogenic plants and fungi.

[@dianabythebeach]

Wonderful! Thank you!

[@nancygarrison6540]

Thank you so very much

[@pamkramerkohut3616]

You are a very insightful wise interviewer. It feels like you anticipate every question I am about to ask. Thank you so much! And happy New Year!

[@inspirationplace8762]

Couldn't agree more!! 👏

[@yukio_saito]

55:12 Thank you for sharing your insight. Fortunately, I'm practicing self-compassion so I keep doing it.

[@petsaimaitouzrar7615]

I try to understand it. Thanks ♥️

[@jmatoske]

What if I’m so disregulated that I can’t keep friends? Co-regulation is impossible without a healthy person to practice it with. You mentioned a lot about healing in community. What if I live in a place that is so hurtful, cold, and my medical and mental health needs aren’t being met? I’ve developed 4 stress related health issues since moving to Scottsdale. On top of being disabled from Trauma related health issues. I know the easy answer is move!. I’ve tried several places but I have chronic pain and I need to be in a hot dry place. Arizona ticked all the boxes. Until I moved to Scottsdale. Now I am constantly being triggered, emotionally spun out. After years and emotional healing work and lots of improvement, I now I’m experiencing intense symptoms I never have before.😩 I feel trapped and hopeless! I’m using all the emotional healing and self soothing tools I’ve heard of. Not working! I will try this but I don’t feel like I can get the most out of it without friends to practice with.

[@MichelJGrando]

This is unbeliveable. Thanks for sharing it

[@yvegriffiths9424]

Brilliant. Thankyou so much.

[@josecabral7701]

I may suggest also Feldenkrais Method.

[@djVania08]

What exactly? Do you have some practices to recommend?

[@michaelthompson6080]

I trust Orifiel to provide divine guidance towards improving humanity’s relationship with the environment, knowing he will show me the true feeling of source connection when we can become one with nature again.

[@JatinderSingh-oz1hx]

This is what is the highest form of meditation.

[@ghazikutbi3206]

Deb Dana ... Tami Simon 13:15 I have trusted the All Living who never dies, Praise be to Allah who does not have children of His own. Who has no partners in His Kingship. Whose allies are allies of His Greatness. And declare His Majesty over beings. This point of looking back at what happened to you and analyze it "with the eye of a spectator", that means it did not overwhelm you and you came out of the incident unharmed, I always refer that to the help of my creator who is protecting me even if I am not aware of what is heading towards me to harm or traumatize me. Actually this is one of the rarest times I hear somebody talking about the point you both discussed in this reference as some of the things happen to the shaped nervous system. I must say "Wow".

[@monicakochar]

The best!

[@landline516]

The patterns of fight, flight, freeze and fawn are the 4F defense responses to childhood Complex-PTSD. In a video by South Pacific Private entitled "Complex-PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving", @47:10 we can identify our primary survival response which can point us to strategies for healing.

[@bellakrinkle9381]

Ideally, we all desire a co-regulator. Many of us search many years looking for someone with whom to co-regulate. What do we do without one? Learn to reach our Ventral Self. Find your focus in life, and embrace it!

[@robinelliott5561]

Does anyone know how to calm down the limbic system that has been dysregulated during tapering off prescribed benzodiazapibes. I’m in a constant state of fight flight freeze

[@hnttakata713]

What about the physical aspects of the nervous system? I have a numbness in a section of my leg, which has not been able to be released using massage therapy or chiropractic. Is it an emotional or physical reaction due to an aspect of my nervous system?

[@noellecuisine8912]

Absolutely beautiful dance ❤

[@iolite2]

Do the moments you savor have to involve another regulated nervous system, like the cat or a person, or could it just be something like waking up and feeling comfortable in your bed?

[@monicakochar]

Can be anything that gives you that mushy nice feeling. I imagined being on my favourite sea shore having coffee.

[@sandybernier3050]

Respond instead of react! Communicate, often we are fast to jump to conclusions & quick to judge. This is the place where misunderstandings & misconceptions are born & can leave us feeling regret or embarrassment for overreacting. Even if you were right you can simply walk away if talking didn't work knowing you did the best you could.

[@oliverstpierre9017]

Amen

[@aayathvali507]

♥️♥️

[@noellecuisine8912]

❤

[@Merzui-kg8ds]

So much about mental health involves soliciting help from a sympathetic other. What if you do not have a sympathetic other?

[@MrSimonj1970]

15 ads is ridiculous!

[@EugeneKulinek]

How many years it will take that 10sec savering. Seems we are complacent with still mediocre solutions at best

[@naturelover1284]

so the reason you can't get the needed from people and family is because they are not in vagal...why don't they get a nuero functional disorder? especially when they are handing it on

[@joemanly9519]

I have no idea what you are talking about