Today’s guest calls traumatic brain injury (TBI) “a silent epidemic”, describing a common yet complex injury that, for many, presents with chronic symptoms.

In this episode, host Rachel Land speaks with expert guest Dr. Kyla Pearce, Senior Director of Programs, Research & Operations for the LoveYourBrain Foundation – a national nonprofit that delivers evidence-based holistic health programs for the brain injury community.

Because individual experiences of TBI vary widely, it can be a daunting thing to work with as a yoga teacher. Dr. Pearce talks about the under-appreciated importance of social support and the delicate balance of giving students agency without creating overwhelm. She also offers best practices for movement and breath work, and discusses the power of visualization.

Listen in to learn how to use yoga as a healing modality for traumatic brain injuries.

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Show Notes:

Defining Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) [3:38]
Surprising causes of brain injury [5:28]
Common symptoms of brain injury [6:21]
The mission of the LoveYourBrain Foundation [12:45]
Evidence-based research outcomes [17:14]
Yoga for brain injury versus other trauma [19:29]
Challenges for yoga students with TBI (and their teachers) [24:50]
Balancing student agency and simplicity [33:23]
Suggested practices [39:57]
“Cognitive preparation” cueing [45:00]
Preferred meditation and breath work techniques [47:32]
How to know when students need up-regulation [55:23]
Summing up, final takeaways [58:18]

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Links Mentioned:

Watch this episode on YouTube
Learn more about LoveYourBrain’s certification-level yoga teacher trainings, resources, and research-backed holistic health programs for TBI/concussion
Learn more about LoveYourBrain Yoga for Traumatic Brain Injury, Level 1 & Level 2, 20-hr online training for yoga teachers, yoga therapists, and people in the brain injury community
Learn more about LoveYourBrain Yoga for Health Professionals, 20-hr online training for clinicians
Previous Yoga Medicine Podcast Episodes:
- Episode 47: Concussion Care with Dr. Daya Grant
- Episode 30: Trauma Informed Yoga with Dr. Ann Bortz
Yoga for Concussions Online Course with Dr. Daya Grant

You can learn more about this episode and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-147.

And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes, or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com.

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147 LoveYourBrain: Expert Insights on TBI with Kyla Pearce MPH, PhD, CBIS, E-RYT

Yoga Medicine