Research Category: Yoga & Mindfulness for Concussion, TBI, Stroke and Neurological Conditions
Best Practices for Adapting and Delivering Community-Based Yoga for People with Traumatic Brain Injury
First study identifying evidence-informed best practices for adapting and delivering community-based yoga for people with traumatic brain injury
Journal: International Journal of Yoga Therapy
Year: 2020
Authors: Nirali Chauhan, Shilo Zeller, Kyla Z. Donnelly
As evidence continues to support yoga as a complementary therapy for traumatic brain injury (TBI), improving access to safe, community-based programming has become increasingly important. However, little research has examined how yoga should be adapted to meet the unique cognitive, physical, sensory, and emotional needs of people living with TBI.
This study explored the experiences of LoveYourBrain Yoga teachers across the United States and Canada to identify best practices for adapting and delivering yoga for people with TBI. Through surveys of trained instructors, researchers identified practical recommendations for teaching, studio environments, curriculum delivery, and instructor training that can inform the design of accessible, trauma-informed yoga programs for people with brain injury.
Summary
Key Findings
✔ Six best practices were identified for adapting yoga for people with TBI
✔ Three best practices were identified for delivering community-based yoga programs
✔ 89% of teachers found the LoveYourBrain curriculum manual very or extremely helpful
✔ 78% of teachers felt very or extremely prepared to teach adapted yoga after completing the LoveYourBrain training
✔ Teachers emphasized the importance of creating safe, inclusive, and flexible learning environments
✔ Findings provide practical recommendations for improving accessibility and quality of community-based rehabilitation programs.
Study Details
Cross-sectional mixed-methods study
Online survey of LoveYourBrain Yoga teachers
86 instructors from the United States and Canada
Teachers had completed the 18-hour LoveYourBrain Yoga training
Quantitative survey data combined with qualitative analysis of teachers' experiences
Examined adaptations for yoga instruction, meditation, breathing practices, group discussion, teacher training, and program delivery.
Impact and Conclusions
The study produces practical recommendations for delivering accessible yoga to people living with traumatic brain injury in community settings. Effective adaptations included using slow, simple, and repeated instruction; creating emotionally and physically safe spaces; modifying movements involving the head and neck; demonstrating poses visually; incorporating supportive props; and adapting the studio environment to reduce sensory overload.
The study also highlighted important strategies for successful program delivery, including balancing a structured curriculum with flexibility, providing ongoing mentorship for instructors, and creating supportive environments that promote participation and community connection. Together, these findings offer a framework for organizations, rehabilitation providers, and yoga instructors seeking to safely expand access to holistic, community-based rehabilitation after brain injury.
What this means for you
This study provides practical guidance for making yoga more accessible, inclusive, and effective for people living with traumatic brain injury. It demonstrates that thoughtful adaptations to teaching style, environment, and program delivery can help ensure community-based yoga is safe, welcoming, and responsive to the diverse needs of people with brain injury.
Frequently Asked
Questions
-
People living with brain injury often experience cognitive, sensory, vestibular, and physical challenges that can make traditional yoga classes difficult to access. This study identified several adaptations that improve accessibility, including slower pacing, simple one-step instructions, repeated cues, pose demonstrations, supportive props, and modifications that minimize strain on the head and neck.
-
According to the teachers in this study, TBI-informed yoga extends beyond physical adaptations. It also includes creating a psychologically safe and cognitively accessible environment through simple language, encouraging personal choice, fostering community, and reducing sensory stimulation through quieter, lower-light environments.
-
Yes. Only about one-third of instructors had previous experience teaching people with traumatic brain injury before completing the LoveYourBrain training. After the 18-hour training, 78% reported feeling very or extremely prepared to teach adapted yoga, suggesting that comprehensive education, mentorship, and ongoing support can successfully prepare yoga teachers to work with this community.Yes. Only about one-third of instructors had previous experience teaching people with traumatic brain injury before completing the LoveYourBrain training. After the 18-hour training, 78% reported feeling very or extremely prepared to teach adapted yoga, suggesting that comprehensive education, mentorship, and ongoing support can successfully prepare yoga teachers to work with this community.
-
Rather than testing whether yoga works, this study focused on how to deliver yoga safely and effectively for people with traumatic brain injury. The findings provide rehabilitation providers, community organizations, and yoga instructors with practical recommendations for implementing high-quality, accessible programs that support long-term rehabilitation and community participation.
LoveYourBrain programs based on this study
Related Studies
LoveYourBrain Mindset: Feasibility, Acceptability, Usability, and Effectiveness
