“If you're looking to enhance your game both on and off the court, Michael Allison's Play Zone is your ticket. The Play Zone is a scientifically-based approach to optimize performance by examining how stressors impact our nervous system. When we understand our body's unique reactions, we view our weaknesses through a lens of curiosity instead of criticism stimulating our strengths and development. Michael offers tangible tools to tune into your body's signals and bring yourself into a state of attuned focus and fierceness. After watching The Play Zone, you will have a new appreciation for your body and an understanding of how to harness your nervous system for optimal performance in whatever arena you choose to excel. “

Dr. Heather Abernethy
Dr. Heather Abernethy is an Anesthesiologist, a speaker and a writer who is passionate about helping people feel at home in their bodies and empowered to live their best life. She provides Craniosacral Therapy, Somatic Techniques, and Trauma Release Exercises®️

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“The Play Zone combines a rigorous understanding of Polyvagal Theory explained in simple terms with Michael’s wealth of experience helping clients perform on and off the court of tennis. When most organisations and consultants focus on pulling teams and people out of the threat zone, it is refreshing to learn how to access and stay in the Play Zone, where high performance naturally happens. In addition, I appreciated the glossary of terms that aids the understanding of the content, which is crafted carefully in an attractive series of PowerPoint presentations.”

Dr. Marcos Cajina
Founder and CEO Renewal
Nine-time recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award at IE B-School
Visiting Professor Physiology and Resilience, the EXMBA Brown University-IE programme. Play Zone PRO PV-Informed Certificated Coach

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Michael Allison’s unbridled curiosity into Dr Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, has led him to a revelatory investigation of how we optimize performance in “The Play Zone.”  Michael has an ability to make things “make sense” in a way that resounds with the listener. He is passionate about making a difference and titrates the work so it is never overwhelming, but welcoming. His thoughtful and detailed exploration in “The Play Zone” invites us to be the best we can be. It is illuminating, informative and intuitive and in my opinion, if you have to get up in front of people in any arena you need to do this course!

Mathilde Shisko, Voice Coach
Mattie works with individuals and clients from the following select organizations:

Federal Members of Parliament, Members of The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, North Vancouver Mayor's Office, The NOW Group, Earnscliffe Strategies, CUPE, ICBC, Ministry of Health British Columbia, Vancouver Film School, Andrew McIlroy and Associates, Play Zone PRO PV-Informed Certificated Coach

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“I completed Michael Allison’s course, The Play Zone. It is a truly remarkable and game changing course. Not only does Michael distill and teach the complexities and nuances of Polyvagal Theory in a readily understandable fashion, he also applies the concepts in a novel domain. His application of the theory in the realm of human performance is a groundbreaking paradigm that sets the foundation for all of us to perform at our best in any and all domains of life. Through the use of well considered and explained examples from top tennis players in the world, Michael clearly demonstrates how instrumental the understanding and application of Polyvagal Theory is to human performance and the critical importance of living a Polyvagal-informed life! I give Michael’s course my highest and most sincere recommendation!”

Darin Davidson, MD
Orthopaedic surgeon
Founder of Darin Davidson, MD Consulting
Integrating high performance skills for healthcare professionals, Play Zone PRO PV-Informed Certificated Coach

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“As a French mental coach for high level athletes, I was looking for a course relating to high performance and Polyvagal Theory in order to improve the quality of my work! Michael's course was definitely above my expectations! He's done an awesome job with his Play Zone - it's very easy to understand, full of examples in sports, and a perfect balance between theory and practice. I really enjoyed the different tools, videos, pdf’s, exercise sheets and I found his course very useful and helpful in my work! Plus, Michael has been easy to reach, open to discuss and exchange ideas about our practices! To sum up, I highly recommend the Play Zone course if you desire to create not only a big difference in those you coach, but also in your own life!”

Bruno Izaac
Mental Health Coach, Play Zone PRO PV-Informed Certificated Coach

“What a wonderful experience studying Polyvagal Theory in Performance. The instructor and cohort exhibited such welcome enthusiasm and intelligence in a supportive online learning environment. I am honored to be the first musician certified to bring this groundbreaking science into the world of drumming.”

Adam Gust
Adam is a professional drummer based in Los Angeles connecting rhythm, body, and mind, Play Zone PRO PV-Informed Certificated Coach

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“I found this course very informative and useful to how to use the Polyvagal Theory to athletes. It will combine perfectly with my experience of Attachment-based Therapy and Trauma. I found the PowerPoint presentation very useful as a visual of the difference between stares. I will certainly be enrolling in another of Michael's courses.”

Nicola Vanlint
Body-oriented Psychotherapist - Specialising in Injury Rehabilitation & Prevention | Championing Mental Health & Wellbeing in Sport

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“The Play Zone is s dynamic application of Dr. Porges Polyvaagl Theory to the world of Sports, and by extension, movement. While the course focuses on Tennis, this unique adaptation of Polyvagal Theory is relevant for anyone with a body who moves through the world. Michael Allison clearly and creatively explains the fundamentals of Polyvagal Theory with competitive tennis as a metaphor and as literal example. The Play Zone's examples of some of Tennis’ most memorable players and moments are clearly deconstructed as the physiological states that “precede” our emerging and pattered behaviors. Whether or not we play sports, this course will illuminate new possibilities for how we engage with challenges and celebrate our ability to embody and express our playfulness.”

Dr. Amber Elizabeth Gray
Licensed human rights psychotherapist, innovative movement artist, board certified dance/movement therapist, master trainer and educator, Continuum teacher, and public health professional.

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“This was an OUTSTANDING certificate course jam packed with video lessons, written material, and abundant resources organized in such a way as to optimize learning! This was truly an online course at its finest, with wonderful opportunities for live interactive sessions as well. I came in with a relatively strong background in polyvagal theory and yet found that I learned a ton, and learned it in such a way that I can now apply it more confidently in both my personal life and in my professional life as a therapist and wellness coach. 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. I couldn't wait to engage in new materials each week. 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.
Beth Kurland, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, mind-body wellness coach, Tedx speaker, and author of three award winning books: Dancing on The Tightrope: Transcending the Habits of Your Mind and Awakening to Your Fullest Life; The Transformative Power of Ten Minutes: An Eight Week Guide to Reducing Stress and Cultivating Well-Being; and Gifts of the Rain Puddle: Poems, Meditations and Reflections for the Mindful Soul.

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This has been an amazing course, not only for the content but also for the level of support and discussion of real-time applications of principles through regular meetup sessions.

The PLAY Zone PRO was the missing link in my polyvagal journey! As a singing teacher, performance coaching is a big part of what I do. Working with Michael and Mattie has been an absolute joy! The course has helped me a lot in understanding and translating polyvagal language from a place of trauma into the performance domain. It has also made me realize that a lot of things I already did intuitively are actually backed up by hard science. The course itself is a helpful mixture of video content and written articles. The questions and assignments at the end of every chapter help you stay on track. I would recommend every coach to take this course. We need more compassionate guides in this world. Free of shame and blame and working from a place of shared humanity. That is what the PLAY Zone is about!

The Play Zone Polyvagal Informed certificate course is a game changer. It provides a groundbreaking framework for understanding and optimizing our nervous system, so that we can live life fully, connected, and ready to thrive. Through a compelling blend of theoretical knowledge and practical exercises grounded in Polyvagal Theory, Michael Allison teaches tools to navigate internal physiological states with greater awareness and control. I’ve been studying the complexities of the Polyvagal Theory for over ten years and found that Michael Allison possesses a remarkable talent for unraveling intricate concepts with clarity and composure so that the material is easily understood and readily applicable to clients. With Allison’s guidance, even seasoned veterans can rediscover the practical elements of the Polyvagal Theory and learn how to maximize potential in the Play Zone.

The Play Zone course has been a game changer in how I now work with coaches, athletes and teams.

I absolutely LOVED this course. It gave me a deeper understanding of Polyvagal Theory and how it applies not only to every day life but to sport and even business interactions. Michael does an amazing job at connecting with the coaches in the cohort. It is a hands on, Q&A experience where you get to talk to him directly and ask questions about what you are learning in the curriculum on a weekly basis. I got way more out of this course than I anticipated and am excited to incorporate the PlayZone methodology into my coaching on entrepreneurs and athletes.

Holly Read

Mental Performance Coach for High Level Entrepreneurs and Athletes

The course has deepened my understanding of polyvagal theory and highlighted the importance of breathwork in shifting physiological states. It's also helped me introduce the playzone to high-performing clients who can channel their mobilising energy into a way that is helpful rather than detrimental.

Esther Raphael

Executive Coach PCC, PGCert, Polyvagal-Informed