Safe and Sound Protocol - A Pathway to Healing
An gentle way to jump-start your nervous system into healing mode.
So you feel calmer, more relaxed, and your body-mind can start to do what it's designed to do - heal from within.
The SSP is a research-based therapy showing significant results in just five days in the following areas:*
If you suffer from poor digestion, chronic stress or pain, or feel at times as if your brain is stuffed with cotton wool, your nervous system may be on hyperalert, sensing threat even when none is present.
The Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) is a therapeutic tool that has been developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, PhD, after more than 40 years of research into the autonomic nervous system.
Your autonomic nervous system comprises three circuits, and each circuit offers a different response depending on whether your nervous system is perceiving danger or safety:
1. Freeze response: Parasympathetic Nervous System (Dorsal Vagal Complex) - when your life is in danger and your body begins to shut down to escape the danger (as when a mouse is captured by a cat and its nervous system shuts down so it looks and feels "dead" - only to escape later when the cat loses interest).
2. Fight or flight response: Sympathetic Nervous System - when you are in danger and your nervous system goes on hyperalert. Your heart rate speeds up, your blood pressure goes up, your digestion shuts down, and adrenaline and cortisol flush through your system as your muscles tense to fight or flee. Your breathing becomes shallow and rapid, and you breathe through your mouth. It may be hard to breathe, and you may have the sensation of feeling squeezed and tight. This state can become chronic, and is known as the chronic stress response. Since pain is the brain's response to perceived danger, pain can become heightened, with resultant persistent chronic pain.
3. Rest and digest response: Social Engagement System, Parasympathetic Nervous System (Ventral Vagal Complex) - this is the newest branch of your nervous system (in evolutionary terms) - that only mammals possess. It controls your facial muscles, middle ear muscles, larynx (vocal cords), heart and lungs. When this branch is engaged, it acts as a brake to shut down the fight, flight and freeze responses.
The benefits of activating the social engagement system include:
The SSP is designed to activate the social engagement system and bring the body-mind into "rest, digest and healing" mode.
The system consists of specially filtered music, administered through headphones in a quiet setting, for one hour a day over the course of 5 consecutive days. The music gently stimulates the middle ear muscles and in doing so, moves the body, brain and nervous system into "rest and digest." The social engagement system downregulates the stress response and facilitates growth, health and restoration.
When you've completed your 5 days of the SSP, continue to support your nervous system with enjoyable activities such as yoga, meditation, dancing, singing, humming, chanting, playing music, being in nature, and other activities you enjoy. These activities will continue to support you in your path to healing.
You may wish to repeat the SSP several months after your first sessions, as additional support for healing. This may not be necessary, as benefits can be felt after only one 5-day treatment of 1 hour-long sessions.
So you feel calmer, more relaxed, and your body-mind can start to do what it's designed to do - heal from within.
The SSP is a research-based therapy showing significant results in just five days in the following areas:*
- Social and emotional difficulties
- Auditory sensitivities, including tinnitus
- Anxiety and trauma related challenges
- Inattention
- Stressors that impact social engagement
If you suffer from poor digestion, chronic stress or pain, or feel at times as if your brain is stuffed with cotton wool, your nervous system may be on hyperalert, sensing threat even when none is present.
The Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) is a therapeutic tool that has been developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, PhD, after more than 40 years of research into the autonomic nervous system.
Your autonomic nervous system comprises three circuits, and each circuit offers a different response depending on whether your nervous system is perceiving danger or safety:
1. Freeze response: Parasympathetic Nervous System (Dorsal Vagal Complex) - when your life is in danger and your body begins to shut down to escape the danger (as when a mouse is captured by a cat and its nervous system shuts down so it looks and feels "dead" - only to escape later when the cat loses interest).
2. Fight or flight response: Sympathetic Nervous System - when you are in danger and your nervous system goes on hyperalert. Your heart rate speeds up, your blood pressure goes up, your digestion shuts down, and adrenaline and cortisol flush through your system as your muscles tense to fight or flee. Your breathing becomes shallow and rapid, and you breathe through your mouth. It may be hard to breathe, and you may have the sensation of feeling squeezed and tight. This state can become chronic, and is known as the chronic stress response. Since pain is the brain's response to perceived danger, pain can become heightened, with resultant persistent chronic pain.
3. Rest and digest response: Social Engagement System, Parasympathetic Nervous System (Ventral Vagal Complex) - this is the newest branch of your nervous system (in evolutionary terms) - that only mammals possess. It controls your facial muscles, middle ear muscles, larynx (vocal cords), heart and lungs. When this branch is engaged, it acts as a brake to shut down the fight, flight and freeze responses.
The benefits of activating the social engagement system include:
- Decreased heart rate and blood pressure
- Improved digestion
- Reduced anxiety and/or depression
- Clearer thinking (better cognitive function)
- Better hearing and speech
- More enjoyable social interaction
- Less pain.
- May help with hearing issues, such as tinnitus.
The SSP is designed to activate the social engagement system and bring the body-mind into "rest, digest and healing" mode.
The system consists of specially filtered music, administered through headphones in a quiet setting, for one hour a day over the course of 5 consecutive days. The music gently stimulates the middle ear muscles and in doing so, moves the body, brain and nervous system into "rest and digest." The social engagement system downregulates the stress response and facilitates growth, health and restoration.
When you've completed your 5 days of the SSP, continue to support your nervous system with enjoyable activities such as yoga, meditation, dancing, singing, humming, chanting, playing music, being in nature, and other activities you enjoy. These activities will continue to support you in your path to healing.
You may wish to repeat the SSP several months after your first sessions, as additional support for healing. This may not be necessary, as benefits can be felt after only one 5-day treatment of 1 hour-long sessions.
Book your SSP sessions today - call me at 416-859-0585 or email info@yogaspiritus.com.
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Dr. Stephen Porges discusses his Safe & Sound Protocol
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Dr. Stephen Porges gives a brief explanation of his Polyvagal Theory.
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Deb Dana, LCSW, explains Polyvagal Theory simply and elegantly.
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Portals to Compassion with Dr. Stephen Porges - a deeper understanding of the Polyvagal Theory and the path to healing
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Pricing Schedule - Safe & Sound Protocol
First time using the SSP (in studio only):
Repeating the SSP (in studio only):
First time using the SSP (in studio only):
- 5 consecutive days (1 hour per day, 5 hours total) $180
Repeating the SSP (in studio only):
- 5 consecutive days (1 hour per day, 5 hours total) $100
Questions? Contact me to arrange a free 15-minute consultation.
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