Classes are free and designed to build community and foster resilience
for individuals with traumatic brain injury and their caregivers
Sarasota, Florida— Vermont-based non-profit, the LoveYourBrain Foundation (LYB), and local nonprofit, Dharma Footprint Project, have co-sponsored the its Yoga program in Sarasota in partnership with Pineapple Yoga + Cycling Studio. This studio joins a network of 22 partner studios and clinical affiliates across the US states and 3 Canadian provinces trained by LYB to offer this unprecedented program in an effort to make yoga accessible to the traumatic brain injury (TBI) community. TBIs are caused by an external blow to the head, resulting in disrupted brain function that can range from mild (concussion) to severe. Every year, more than 3 million occur in the US alone. LYB believes in the holistic and dynamic nature of yoga to meet the individual needs of each person with TBI, from wanting to rebuild strength and balance, to manage stress, and to find comfort in a community of people with shared experiences.
To develop their program, LoveYourBrain conducted and published four research studies on evidence-based practices of yoga for TBI. Their first study was done in partnership with Dartmouth to evaluate a yoga pilot program for this population. LYB used the positive results to inform its current program, a 6-week gentle yoga series offered for free for people with TBI and their caregivers. Each class integrates breathing exercises, gentle yoga, guided meditation, and facilitated group discussion designed to foster resilience. The classes also adapt yoga poses to prevent dizziness and headaches, use soft lighting and soothing sound, incorporate strategies to focus attention, and uses empowering TBI-related themes to guide the group discussion.
“I’ve improved massively in nearly every way since beginning LYB yoga — increased cognitive ability, increased attention, increased stamina, better memory, better and faster word-retrieval, ability to read longer before my brain shuts off, beginning to recover my analytical abilities, more patience, more positive thinking, less frequent and less severe symptoms (ringing in the ears, auditory sensitivity, problems with balance, inability to sleep, headaches, brain-fog (that strange feeling of being separated from the world that occurs after a TBI), depression, etc.” – LYB Yoga program participant in Denver, CO
“We are incredibly excited to offer LoveYourBrain Yoga to the brain injury community at Pineapple Yoga + Cycling Studio in Sarasota. It is all about creating a positive environment that helps people connect more deeply with themselves and others in similar situations.” —Adam Pearce, Co-Founder and Executive Director of LoveYourBrain
Pineapple Yoga + Cycling Studio, along with the Dharma Footprint Project will be hosting the LYB Yoga series for the first time since the pandemic, starting on Saturday January 8th, until February 12th. This is a free program available to all who have been affected by TBI/concussion in the SWFL community.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Claudia Baeza at the studio 941-210-3739 or email claudia@dharmafootprint.org.
To learn more about the LYB Yoga program and to register to attend, visit LoveYourBrain.
About LoveYourBrain
The mission of the LoveYourBrain Foundation is to improve the quality of life of people affected by traumatic brain injury and raise awareness about the importance of brain health. We envision a world where everyone affected by traumatic brain injury is connected to a compassionate community and empowered by resources to live a brain healthy lifestyle. LYB was started by brothers, Kevin and Adam Pearce, after Kevin sustained a TBI just shy of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Motivated by their experiences—Kevin as a TBI survivor and Adam as his caregiver—the two set out to inspire others affected by TBI to unite and support one another.
Kevin’s remarkable resilience inspired millions through the HBO documentary, The Crash Reel, which was produced in January 2013 by Oscar nominated Director, Lucy Walker. Through the making of the film, the Pearce family’s experience brought to light the significance and prevalence of TBI and the lack of options and resources for the TBI community. One of the organization’s primary areas of focus—yoga—is based on the growing science that regular yoga and meditation practice can transform wellbeing, including for people affected by TBI. LYB has three core programs: Yoga, Retreats, and Educational Curriculum.
About The Dharma Footprint Project
https://dharmafootprint.org/love-your-brain-yoga/
The Dharma Footprint Project is a non-profit organization that improves the quality of life and health of underserved and at risk communities in SWFL. Our collaborative and innovative approach to integrative healing helps solve many of the problems faced by those suffering from disease and fills an unmet need in our community. Millions of people in the United States struggle with life-altering physical & mental disease in isolation, causing unnecessary suffering and economic hardship which impacts generations. Our vision is to collaborate with other non-profits and leaders in the community to help bring the healing science of yoga to those that do not have access. Classes are offered as a complement to participants’ established medical care plans, therapies, and exercise programs and are not a replacement for medical care. It is offered as a holistic and integrative approach to wellness to enhance resilience, community and agency. All classes are offered on a donation basis or free of charge. Many of our programs are offered in partnership with other local nonprofits who serve the same constituents so the benefits can reach a broader audience at a reduced cost.