community feature: love your brain
At LoveYourBrain teacher training (and at session one of the LYB series), we are asked who our superhero is.
This past weekend I attended the LYB teacher training. I shared that my superhero is Sabrina: she is a light in this world. She is kind, caring, and compassionate. She is smart, resilient, and has killer fashion sense. She is also healing from traumatic brain injury.
We have bonded over our shared experience and this woman inspires me daily with her positivity and strength.
love you, girl!
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.”
—Albert Schweitzer
Community has come to mean so much more to me than ever before this past year.
I used to pride myself on doing it all on my own. I told myself I didn’t need anyone. I liked to be the person others needed; I didn’t know how to accept support from others.
Don’t get me wrong, deep down I wanted to fit in, I wanted to be part a tribe, I wanted to trust others. I just didn’t know how.
When I experienced a traumatic brain injury in August 2018, my world changed. I wouldn’t have gotten through the aftermath without community: people who understood (or didn’t) and supported me in countless ways. I am so grateful to each person who showed up for me!
The Love Your Brain Foundation has been (and still is) a source of support, inspiration, and education while I navigate the healing process.
Photo credit: @zabelita
Believe
LoveYourBrain believes that yoga, mindfulness and community are essential in transforming the wellbeing of people impacted by TBI, including concussion. Here’s something else to believe in: large-scale studies have shown that LoveYourBrain’s Yoga program leads to significant improvement when healing from a TBI. Even caregivers who participate in the program benefit from the power of yoga, mindfulness, and community.
prevalence
Each year more than 3 million people in the US and Canada experience a TBI - including concussion. TBI can lead to ‘whole person challenges’ including cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments, and these challenges can often be life-long. This year, I’m supporting LoveYourBrain - the first and only nonprofit of its kind on a mission to empower people with TBI with mindfulness, yoga, and community.
Make the invisible visible
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often called an ‘invisible injury’, because while people may appear healed, they are in fact still dealing with ongoing challenges of their injury. Through education, awareness, and compassion, we have the power to change that. Join me for MindfulMarch in support of LoveYourBrain - together we can help those impacted by TBI - including concussion - feel seen, heard, and supported. This is especially important to me because I continue to struggle with the invisibleness of my injuries.
ways to support LoveYourBrain
Photo credit: @zabelita and Jessie Ray
Yoga at Helio Basin Brewing | March 21st
Get your flow on with me at this FREE yoga class at Helio Basin Brewing on Saturday, March 21st at 10AM, benefiting the Love Your Brain foundation. Please RSVP below to reserve your spot, and I can't wait to see you there!
Photo credit: Elizabeth Marie and Girl Squad Inc
Meditation challenge
Challenge accepted! In support of LoveYourBrain’s MindfulMarch, I’ll be participating in the 31-day Meditation Challenge. It’s easy to sign up, receive daily meditations by email, and be inspired to find greater peace all month long. Plus, all proceeds support LoveYourBrain’s evidence-based yoga program for people impacted by traumatic brain injury - including concussion. I challenge you to join me! Click the button to learn more.
The incredible teachers I spent the weekend training with to teach LoveYourBrain. So much strength, compassion, and kindness in this space!
donate
Your generous donations in MindfulMarch help people just like me develop resilience and transform their mindset. I believe LoveYourBrain can help the 3 million people expected to experience TBI in 2020 — will you join me in support?