Day 4

TBI-friendly Meditation - LoveYourBrain Yoga for Brain Injury Mini Training

Welcome to Day 4 of the 5-day Yoga for Brain Injury Mini Training!

Today, try this TBI-friendly meditation practice: C.A.L.M., which stands for “Chest Arms Legs Mind.” Using a simple acronym helps with memory, and also orients attention to body parts with greater sensory input—your feet and hands—to enhance attention and mind-body connection. 

It also integrates three recommendations for offering TBI-friendly meditation:

• Because attention is often compromised in TBI, we recommend focused attention mindfulness meditation that gently orients attention continuously to breath, sensation, sound, or other anchors. This style can be more accessible than open monitoring meditation, where you’re aware of whatever is present without any specific point of focus, since this can leave more room for ruminating thoughts. 

• Give options for open or closed eyes, and give cues and time to adjust to light. For some people with TBI, keeping their eyes open helps to prevent dizziness and can support nervous system regulation, and for others, closing their eyes helps with attention regulation and can support nervous system regulation.

• Normalize not feeling anything. Cues like ‘Notice any sensation, or the absence of sensation in your shoulders…’ is inclusive for people whose injury impacted their awareness of sensation.

Today, post a response (in the comments or in your own IG feed--whatever is easiest!) to:

• Share a meditation you enjoy and how you could adapt it to make it more accessible for the TBI community. 

• Don’t forget to tag (and follow) @loveyourbrain, @yoga_international, and use #YogaforTBI!
  

Also, tap the link in our bio to check out a Yoga and Meditation for Brain Injury 7-hour yoga teacher training that @loveyourbrain teachers hosted for @yoga_international!