Speak with me and one of my Yoga Therapy clients to learn about how Yoga Therapy is used to support individuals with an acquired brain injury. We will be at the poster presentation on Thursday, March 14th, between 3 and 4pm.

Yoga is a 5000+ year old practice that originated in India. Traditionally, individuals participated in Yoga for the maintenance of good health. When an individual experienced the onset of symptoms that impacted their ability to participate in their activities of normal living, they participated in Yoga Therapy. Yoga Therapy is a customized and prescribed application of yogic tools to empower an individual in their healing journey. An individual with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may experience physical, physiological, cognitive, emotional and behavioural symptoms that may impact their ability to function in their meaningful activities. These symptoms are viewed and categorized through a Yoga Therapy lens that helps to guide treatment. A Yoga Therapy model is used where the therapist aims to understand the symptoms and their causes. Yogic tools are then carefully selected, to facilitate the person toward their self-identified goals. The tools of Yoga are vast and include some of the following; postures, conscious breathing, meditation, sound, intention setting, visualization, oil application, yoga nidra and props. The Yoga Therapist customizes a Yoga Therapy practice for the unique needs of the individual, changing and progressing the tools as the person progresses. The person is given a home practice that they can do safely and independently or with the help of a care provider. As a result of individualized Yoga Therapy programs, objective and subjective improvements have been reported in the areas of flexibility, strength, motor control, balance, coordination, body awareness, pain management, emotion regulation, energy levels, mental focus, sleep, impulse control and breath control. The Yoga Therapist works collaboratively with the individual’s multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to complement treatment being provided.Yoga Therapists complete 800+ hours of training and are certified by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). IAYT publishes ongoing research in the field of Yoga Therapy where articles can be found supporting yogic tools in addressing symptoms experienced after brain injury. Yoga Therapy is a holistic and complementary treatment option that has been reported to improve symptoms and quality of life in individuals who have sustained a traumatic brain injury.

Yoga Therapy: A Holistic and Complementary Treatment for Individuals with a Traumatic Brain Injury