"Michael Allison's warmth and caring, and his ability to connect through this material is a testament to him embodying what he teaches. The teaching style was excellent, clear and engaging and there were just the right amount of repetition, reinforcement and interactive exercises to have this material sink in on a deep level. This class has been transformative to me and the way I practice, and I hope to the patients/clients with whom I work."
--Beth Kurland, Ph.D.
Course Timing
Live Zoom sessions meet every other Thursday from 1:00-2:30 PM Eastern Time.
The next cohort of The Play Zone Pro begins with self-paced content on October 2, 2025. The first live online session is October 9, 2025.
October 2 - Module 1: Self-paced
October 9 - Module 2: Live session
October 16- Module 3: Self-paced
October 23- Module 4: Live session
October 30 - Module 5: Self-paced
November 6 - Module 6: Live session
November 13 - Module 7: Self-paced
November 20 - Module 8: Live session
Course Description
Learn more about The Play Zone methodology and offerings here: The Play Zone
When we feel safe, our body is in a physiological state supporting health, growth and restoration (i.e. homeostasis). But when we feel unsafe, our body is interrupting homeostasis and enters survival mode, where we begin expending resources to attack, defend or escape, or start freezing and shutting down to conserve what resources we have left.
Through this course, students will learn how these adaptive survival responses are triggered autonomically, and how the Polyvagal Theory can act as a guide to their own body-mind connection.
Led by Michael Allison, this certificate course is designed for wellness and performance coaches of all kinds, and demonstrates how an understanding of the nervous system can empower us in all that we do.
Each student will focus on their self awareness and self-care, to become more accessible and present, and in turn, assist their clients on the pathway to health, wellness, and performance. This is the essence of becoming a Polyvagal-informed Coach and optimizing our human experience.
Payment Information
This course costs $999. Students can pay the full fee at registration or in three-month installments. Other payment plan options may be available upon request. Students will have access to the course for 365 days from the date of the first live session.
Course Requirements
There are no pre-requisites for this course.
You have the option to earn 18 hours of CE credit provided by the National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC).
*If you plan on earning CE credit for completing this course, 100% live attendance OR complete viewing of the recordings of live classes is required.
Course Format
Course Framework
This is a hybrid course of live (6 hours) and self-paced (20 hours) instruction, plus one case study and a final exam. Self-paced content includes recorded discussions with Dr. Stephen Porges.
The four live 90-minute sessions are scheduled every other week over an 8-week period, with self-paced assignments in between. In the live sessions, Michael is accompanied by PVI Course Partner Mattie Shisko.
Live sessions are held every other Thursday 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM ET; all sessions are recorded and available if missed.
Recommended Audience
Course Outcomes
Through this Certificate Course, you will:
• Develop a deep understanding of PVT that you can apply directly to your work, how you show up, what you do, and how you are received so that you can optimize the growth and development of those you are working with.
• Construct a comprehensive framework grounded in PVT that will support and organize all of the other tools and strategies you implement in your work.
• Cultivate resources, tools, practices and strategies aligned directly with your unique discipline that you can employ on-demand for yourself and those you are leading.
• Become part of an integrated community of other coaches, leaders, wellness practitioners, performers and enthusiasts who are Polyvagal-aligned and continue to evolve, share ideas and collaborate on your professional journey.
• Gain wisdom, experience and an embodied understanding so that you can feel confident in applying Polyvagal Theory and the methodology of The Play Zone in all aspects of your work.
• Learn how to regain control of your physiology to optimize your wellness, performance, longevity, adaptability and improve the quality of your relationships in every role that you play.
• Build daily habits, lifestyle practices, inner resources and relationships that help you become an effective co-regulator.
Learn more about this course and the methodology here: The Play Zone
You will receive a Play Zone Pro Certificate upon finishing this course.
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What is the attendance policy for a course?Live/Hybrid courses: While specific course policies may vary, we typically allow one absence for a live or hybrid course and require watching the recording and/or sometimes submitting a reflection for the missed session. If a participant is absent for more than the permissible number of live sessions, they may no longer be eligible to receive their certificate. Self-paced courses: Attendance does not apply to self-paced courses as they are designed to be consumed when the student is willing and able to take the course. All material is pre-recorded content, reading, or individual assignments. Please note that if you are enrolled in a course that offers CEs (continuing education credits) and you have opted to earn them, specific attendance policies apply and must be adhered to in order for you to remain eligible to earn CEs at the end of the course. Contact us for details if you are unsure of the attendance policy for your particular course!
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How and where are live sessions held?Live sessions are held online via Zoom. You will find your course Zoom link inside the course content on our Learning Platform once you enroll; email reminders with the Zoom link are sent to enrolled students. While having your camera on is not required, you are invited to turn your camera on during your live course session; this allows you to share in co-regulation with other learners and to build a sense of community.
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What if I am unable to attend a live session?We upload recordings of our live course sessions to our Learning Platform within 72 hours for you to view. (Please see the attendance policy above.)
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How can I tell what time the live session will be in my local time zone?To convert live course session meeting times to your local timezone, please use a conversion website like this.
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Where can I find the course material?PVI uses a Learning Platform (LMS) called Thinkific. Upon enrolling in a course, you will receive an email invite to access the course in Thinkific. This is where you'll find all of the course materials, links, and class community.
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Is this course accredited?PVI is the founding home of Polyvagal Theory, and we believe our courses offer the most accurate and up to date content about Polyvagal Theory and its many applications. There is no accrediting body for this type of curriculum. Our course descriptions will list any continuing education credits (CEs/ CEUs) or other professional benefits that might be available for the course (along with any applicable restrictions). If CEs are not listed for a particular course, then none are available.
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How do I reset my password to the PVI Learning Platform?You can reset your password by going to https://pvi.thinkific.com/users/sign_in and clicking the “Forgot Password?” link. You will then enter the email address you used when creating your account to receive a one-time password reset link. Use the instructions in that email to complete your password reset. If you have any other technical questions, feel free to reach out to us at info@polyvagal.org.
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Is there closed captioning?Yes. Most of our pre-recorded course content is hosted on a platform that offers closed captioning. If you come across a video that does not have closed captioning, please send us a message at info@polyvagal.org and we will be glad to assist you.
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In which currency are your prices listed in?Our prices are listed in USD (United States Dollars). Your credit card or bank statement will likely reflect the price in your local currency.
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Will I be charged sales tax?If you are located in the US or Canada, you will be charged sales tax on the cost of your course.
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Are there scholarships available?Yes, PVI offers scholarships for all of our courses on a rolling basis. You can apply for a scholarship at https://forms.gle/vvfQdyAtw3k79LpM9.
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Are there group discounts?Yes. For groups of five or more participants, a 15% discount is available for each participant. Please contact us at info@polyvagal.org to inquire and to enroll as a group!
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What is your refund policy?We are proud to offer a 30 day Money Back Guarantee for all of our courses (from date of purchase for self-paced courses and from date of first live session for live courses). Please reach out to us at info@polyvagal.org if you'd like to inquire about a refund.
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Can I purchase a gift certificate for PVI courses?Give the gift of learning! Yes, Polyvagal Institute offers digital gift certificates that arrive by email, and can be used towards any of our courses. Gift certificates are a simple way to share polyvagal insight and knowledge that stems from a better understanding of the human experience. Purchase a gift certificate now!
INSTRUCTOR(S)
Michael Allison
Michael Allison has partnered with Polyvagal Institute in developing education and coaching around his unique application of Polyvagal Theory to performance. The Play Zone provides a paradigm shifting methodology to optimize control of our performance through skillful and conscious control of our physiology, and is endorsed by Polyvagal Institute and Dr. Porges. Michael consults with professional, collegiate and high performing coaches, teams, organizations, athletes and performers in a variety of disciplines, as well as executive coaches, business leaders and corporate teams. He is a Health & Performance Coach, Personal Trainer, Medical Exercise Specialist, Post Rehab Specialist and Certified Oxygen Advantage Breathwork Instructor. He is the author of SMARTER Coaching, a certificated behavior change course accredited by the American Council on Exercise. In addition, Michael is a certificated ILS Safe & Sound Provider / Remote Provider and Focus System Training Provider. With more than 25 years of experience in the fitness & wellness industry, he is the founder (1999) and co-owner of Physical Focus Inc. in Santa Barbara, California and leads a team of personal trainers, fitness instructors, health coaches, nutritionists and bodyworkers. Most importantly, Michael is a husband of 22+ years to his wife Jamie, a teacher-librarian, and father of two beautiful daughters, Kate (21) and Samantha (17).
Email: michael@theplayzone.com
Website: www.theplayzone.com
Meet Michael in this video: https://player.vimeo.com/video/734571050
Michael Allison
