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

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.

“I hope this conversation empowers people to feel that they have new knowledge, insight, and develop more confidence instead of cause more worry and fear that people are doing things wrong.” – Dr. Kyla Pearce

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“Invitational cueing can sometimes be hard to process for someone depending on the cognitive impacts of their TBI, so I always suggest a blend of the two: agency and simplicity.” – Dr. Kyla Pearce

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]

Learn more about LoveYourBrain’s certification-level yoga teacher trainings, resources, and research-backed holistic health programs for TBI/concussion at www.loveyourbrain.com.

• LoveYourBrain Yoga for Traumatic Brain Injury Training – Level 1 & Level 2: 20hr online training for yoga teachers, yoga therapists and people in the brain injury community
• LoveYourBrain Yoga for Health Professionals Training: 20hr online training for clinicians

Links Mentioned:

• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Learn more about the LoveYourBrain Foundation
• 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

“Let this be a collaborative process where you are the best judge of your body and what you need in the moment and I will offer some ways of supporting the mind-body connection…we are in this together.” – Dr. Kyla Pearce