Polyvagal Institute serves as the founding home of Polyvagal Theory.
Launched in 2020, PVI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with Dr. Stephen Porges and Deb Dana as two of the founding members. Come take a course with us, attend an in-person or online event, and learn how and why safety, connection, and community are essential to the human experience.
Polyvagal Theory emphasizes the role the autonomic nervous system --especially the vagus nerve-- plays in regulating our health and behavior. Created and developed by Stephen Porges, PhD, the theory describes the physiological/psychological states which underlie our daily behavior as well as challenges related to our wellness and mental health. By applying Polyvagal Theory to our personal lives as well as to disciplines such as medicine, education, and management, we can understand how safety, co-regulation, and connection are paramount to a healthy human experience.