The nervous system speaks: Polyvagal Theory for business, sports and artistic coaching

This 2.5-hour experiential workshop explores the Social Engagement System (SES) not merely as a channel of communication, but as the evolutionary cornerstone of human connection, adaptability, and physiological well-being. Co-led by Michael Allison, a performance coach specializing in Autonomic Agility™, and Mathilde Shisko, a voice and communication expert, this session integrates neuroscience, vocal play, and Polyvagal Theory to offer a dynamic framework for cultivating regulation, resilience, and relational presence.

The SES emerged in mammals as a neural platform linking facial expression, vocal prosody, listening, and social reciprocity. Originating in the infant’s ability to suck, swallow, and breathe in coordination, this same system enables us to smile, speak, listen, and co-regulate with others throughout life. It underpins our ability to communicate safety or threat, to care for and bond, to play together, to collaborate around a shared goal, and to recover after challenge. When activated, the SES supports rhythmic heart rate, efficient breathing, and optimal energy use—moving us toward homeostasis and connection.

Participants will learn to intentionally engage this system using voice, breath, expression, sound, attention, and imagination—tools that activate the cranial nerves involved in the SES and allow us to shift our autonomic state in real time. Through guided practices, theory bursts and interactive vocal play, the session will introduce three essential autonomic capacities directly linked to our SES:

• Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA): the rhythmic variation in heart rate that occurs with the breath cycle, reflecting vagal regulation at rest and supporting calm mobilization and recovery.
• Vagal Efficiency (VE): the capacity to use the vagal brake to modulate heart rate quickly and efficiently during low-to-moderate challenges—supporting fluid transitions between activation and recovery without losing access to social engagement.
• Autonomic Agility™ (AA): the ability to move fluidly through states of connection and disconnection, mobilization and immobilization, without becoming stuck in patterns of protection.

The workshop culminates with the introduction of The Play Zone©—a state in which our voice, breath, facial expressions, body language, emotions, actions, and the essence of our intention
all align. This is where physiological safety and expressive freedom meet to elevate performance, deepen relational presence, and unlock our highest human potential.

Whether you work in performance, leadership, therapy, education, or the healing arts, this training offers a practical, embodied pathway for enhancing emotional intelligence, vocal presence, behavioral adaptability, and social connection—through the very system that evolved to keep us safe together.