Meditation Movement - LoveYourBrain

LoveYourBrain

Inspiring greater peace, acceptance, and happiness for people affected by brain injury is a big part of what we do. We’ve learned that meditation is one powerful way to help transform chaos into inner calm and frustration into joy. Meditation offers a variety of paths--from short to long, guidance to silence, imagery to mantras--so that everyone can find a practice that works for them. We are collaborating with brain injury survivors, yogis, and meditation teachers to share meditation practices that they have found to be healing. We hope this will ignite a movement to bring meditation and all of its benefits to the LYB community and beyond.

  • Cyclic Sighing

    Led by Tracey Meyers

    Cyclic sighing - also known as physiological sighing - is a breathing technique that you can use to reduce anxiety and stress.  It is a very easy technique and has been shown to be even more powerful than mindfulness meditation to reduce distress. By focusing on two conscious inhalations and then a longer conscious exhalation, cyclic sighing is a powerful tool that can create relief quickly in the nervous system after just a few cycles of breath

    Dr. Tracey Meyers has over 25  years of experience in the fields of clinical psychology and integrative medicine. She works as a clinician for a Lawyer Assistance Program providing psychotherapy and mindfulness and yoga programs to lawyers, judges, and legal firms and agencies along with a private practice including working with TBI survivors and their families. Previously, Tracey worked for the State of Connecticut Dept of Mental Health and Addiction Services as a clinical neuropsychologist working with clients with traumatic brain injury, providing neuropsychological assessment, group and individual psychotherapy, and positive behavioral support planning. She is the author of the book: Yin Yoga Therapy and Mental Health and has contributed several book chapters on yoga, addiction, and psychotherapy. She is an E-RYT 500-hour yoga teacher, certified yoga therapist, LYB teacher and Facilitator, MBSR instructor, and iRest and Breath-Body-Mind teacher.

    8 May 2024, 6:42 pm
  • Compassionate Breathing

    Led by Tracey Meyers

    This practice focuses on adding in a gentle focus on taking in love and compassion for ourselves and then extending it out to those who may need support in theirs lives.  This practice offers participants a chance to experience the powerful healing effect of self-compassion can help foster a sense of connection with others, joy, and resiliency and decrease negative emotions like anxiety and depression.

    Dr. Tracey Meyers has over 25  years of experience in the fields of clinical psychology and integrative medicine. She works as a clinician for a Lawyer Assistance Program providing psychotherapy and mindfulness and yoga programs to lawyers, judges, and legal firms and agencies along with a private practice including working with TBI survivors and their families. Previously, Tracey worked for the State of Connecticut Dept of Mental Health and Addiction Services as a clinical neuropsychologist working with clients with traumatic brain injury, providing neuropsychological assessment, group and individual psychotherapy, and positive behavioral support planning. She is the author of the book: Yin Yoga Therapy and Mental Health and has contributed several book chapters on yoga, addiction, and psychotherapy. She is an E-RYT 500-hour yoga teacher, certified yoga therapist, LYB teacher and Facilitator, MBSR instructor, and iRest and Breath-Body-Mind teacher.

    8 May 2024, 6:36 pm
  • 4-4-6-2 Breath Practice

    Led by Tracey Meyers

    The 4-4-6-2 practice is a breath-counting exercise that has shown to be useful when you need to calm down quickly when you are scared, panicky, or angry.  It involves a slow inhale, a gentle hold or pause at the top of the breath, and even longer exhale followed by a short hold or pause at the bottom of the breath before the next cycle.   Done standing or seated, the 4-4-6-2 practice can create a fresh start to the day by bringing balance, energy, and clarity into the body, breath, and mind

    Dr. Tracey Meyers has over 25  years of experience in the fields of clinical psychology and integrative medicine. She works as a clinician for a Lawyer Assistance Program providing psychotherapy and mindfulness and yoga programs to lawyers, judges, and legal firms and agencies along with a private practice including working with TBI survivors and their families. Previously, Tracey worked for the State of Connecticut Dept of Mental Health and Addiction Services as a clinical neuropsychologist working with clients with traumatic brain injury, providing neuropsychological assessment, group and individual psychotherapy, and positive behavioral support planning. She is the author of the book: Yin Yoga Therapy and Mental Health and has contributed several book chapters on yoga, addiction, and psychotherapy. She is an E-RYT 500-hour yoga teacher, certified yoga therapist, LYB teacher and Facilitator, MBSR instructor, and iRest and Breath-Body-Mind teacher.

    8 May 2024, 6:18 pm
  • Awareness of Breath

    Led by Tracey Meyers

    We all know the simple act of breathing can have a positive effect on us. Mindful breathing teaches core mindfulness by placing our attention on our breath and the sensations of breathing. Mindful breathing can result in a number of proven health benefits such as pain relief, stress, reduction, anxiety reduction, and less negative thinking.

    Dr. Tracey Meyers has over 25  years of experience in the fields of clinical psychology and integrative medicine. She works as a clinician for a Lawyer Assistance Program providing psychotherapy and mindfulness and yoga programs to lawyers, judges, and legal firms and agencies along with a private practice including working with TBI survivors and their families. Previously, Tracey worked for the State of Connecticut Dept of Mental Health and Addiction Services as a clinical neuropsychologist working with clients with traumatic brain injury, providing neuropsychological assessment, group and individual psychotherapy, and positive behavioral support planning. She is the author of the book: Yin Yoga Therapy and Mental Health and has contributed several book chapters on yoga, addiction, and psychotherapy. She is an E-RYT 500-hour yoga teacher, certified yoga therapist, LYB teacher and Facilitator, MBSR instructor, and iRest and Breath-Body-Mind teacher.

    8 May 2024, 6:14 pm
  • Coherent Breathing

    Led by Tracey Meyers

    Coherent breathing is a form of breathing that involves slowing the entire cycle of breath down to about 5 breaths per minute. Our natural tendency is to breathe at a rate of two to three seconds per inhale and exhale.  In coherent breathing, the goal is to extend the length of both the inhale and exhale to around 6 seconds.  By breathing in and out more slowly, the body begins to find calm, balance, and stability activating the vagus nerve that helps turn on our relaxation response and reduce stress, anxiety, and a slow down a racing heart.

    Dr. Tracey Meyers has over 25  years of experience in the fields of clinical psychology and integrative medicine. She works as a clinician for a Lawyer Assistance Program providing psychotherapy and mindfulness and yoga programs to lawyers, judges, and legal firms and agencies along with a private practice including working with TBI survivors and their families. Previously, Tracey worked for the State of Connecticut Dept of Mental Health and Addiction Services as a clinical neuropsychologist working with clients with traumatic brain injury, providing neuropsychological assessment, group and individual psychotherapy, and positive behavioral support planning. She is the author of the book: Yin Yoga Therapy and Mental Health and has contributed several book chapters on yoga, addiction, and psychotherapy. She is an E-RYT 500-hour yoga teacher, certified yoga therapist, LYB teacher and Facilitator, MBSR instructor, and iRest and Breath-Body-Mind teacher.

    8 May 2024, 6:06 pm
  • Titration for Resilience

    Led by Jenni Foltz

    Titration is a process that was discovered as scientists introduced two chemicals together and noticed it produced an explosive reaction. They found that they needed to introduce the smallest amount of each in order to keep the reaction contained and manageable. Similarly, within a therapeutic context, we work with difficult sensations in a slow, regulated way by only touching a small part of the discomfort. This way, we can discharge some of the discomfort and support greater integration. 

    In this meditation, we use our breath to slow down, and then direct our attention, to different places within our bodies. We’ll explore widening our attention to offer space to uncomfortable sensations, and shifting our attention around to a variety of places in our body to ‘notice and feel’ what else is present alongside the discomfort…at the same time.

    Jenni Foltz (she/her) is devoted to kindness, compassion, and fostering a deep sense of connection, inspiration and joy for herself and others. In her career she serves as a biodynamic craniosacral therapist, yoga teacher, and compassion-centered coach. Having traversed her own recovery from traumatic brain injury, she genuinely understands the importance of slowing down, deep listening and opening to one's inner resilience and health. At the same time, she feels it is essential to nurture creativity, playfulness, and joy. Her teaching and private practice are richly informed by her work with animals (horses & dogs), various dance, sound, singing, breath & movement practices, as well as meditation rooted in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Many of her clients are neurodivergent and may be recovering from concussions, traumatic brain injuries, or strokes. She also works with people who are feeling anxious, depressed, and sick of feeling out of sorts in their body.

    27 February 2023, 8:05 pm
  • Nourishing Sleep and Rest

    Led by Ramsay Pierce

    Set up for this practice in the most supportive and comfortable position you can be in. The body temperature may drop, so be sure to have a blanket or warm clothing. There is no physical movement necessary during the practice.

    During Yoga Nidra, we enter a state of complete physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. This is a sleep-based meditation technique used for effectively establishing new patterns in the mind and body and creating harmony. This is the first Yoga Nidra practice of the Mindset Program to promote rest and sleep.

    Ramsay (they/them) believes yoga and mindfulness are practices that allow us to see truth and come to know ourselves, and as we do, we are able to live with greater accountability and love. Ramsay is an RYT-500, and completed their 300 hour training with Michelle C. Johnson, focusing on the intersection of yoga and justice. They have specialized training in yoga for self-regulation and trauma, and are certified through the Integrative Amrit (I AM) Method as a yoga nidra instructor. They are a Certified Mindfulness Instructor, having trained with Rev. angel Kyodo williams and David Perrin. Ramsay also works to make yoga more accessible to individuals who've been affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI). Ramsay’s superhero is their Nisei grandmother, Sumiko Yeya Mansfield.

    30 January 2023, 7:44 pm
  • Weather Pattern of Thoughts

    Led by Bonnie Currie

    Mindfulness meditation helps us begin to cultivate awareness of, and to untangle from, habitual, conditioned and harmful thought patterns. The mindfulness teacher Pema Chodron, said “you are the sky, everything else is just the weather.”  Using the breath as an anchor for your attention, you will be invited to begin to notice, without judgment, the weather patterns of thoughts that float across the expansive sky of your mind. 

    Bonnie Currie (she/her) is the co-founder and owner of Lotus Yoga (www.lotusyogajax.com), a community based yoga collaborative in Jacksonville.  She has had extensive training in ashtanga and vinyasa yoga, adaptive and trauma informed yoga, healthy back yoga, insight meditation and mindfulness.  Bonnie is a certified facilitator of Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY-F) through the renowned Center for Trauma and Embodiment at the Justice Resource Institute in Brookline, Massachusetts, and facilitates yoga and mindfulness to individuals in recovery through Yoga 4 Change (www.y4c.org) and to individuals who have sustained traumatic brain injuries and their caregivers through the LoveYourBrain Foundation (www.loveyourbrain.com).  Her work (as well her own practice) - whether with individuals who have sustained physical and emotional traumas, those with eating disorders or physical limitations, or those simply seeking to cultivate insight and deepen their own practice, has taught her first-hand about the extraordinary healing potential that lives inside the practices of yoga and mindfulness.

    27 January 2023, 10:56 pm
  • Calm, Soothe, and Ground

    Led by Bonnie Currie

    In this meditation, explore three techniques to calm, soothe, and ground your nervous system.  This practice may be useful if you are feeling overwhelmed, depleted or reactive as a way to replenish your parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the nervous system that helps us rest and replenish.

    Bonnie Currie (she/her) is the co-founder and owner of Lotus Yoga (www.lotusyogajax.com), a community based yoga collaborative in Jacksonville.  She has had extensive training in ashtanga and vinyasa yoga, adaptive and trauma informed yoga, healthy back yoga, insight meditation and mindfulness.  Bonnie is a certified facilitator of Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY-F) through the renowned Center for Trauma and Embodiment at the Justice Resource Institute in Brookline, Massachusetts, and facilitates yoga and mindfulness to individuals in recovery through Yoga 4 Change (www.y4c.org) and to individuals who have sustained traumatic brain injuries and their caregivers through the LoveYourBrain Foundation (www.loveyourbrain.com).  Her work (as well her own practice) - whether with individuals who have sustained physical and emotional traumas, those with eating disorders or physical limitations, or those simply seeking to cultivate insight and deepen their own practice, has taught her first-hand about the extraordinary healing potential that lives inside the practices of yoga and mindfulness.

    27 January 2023, 9:29 pm
  • RAIN Meditation

    Led by Bonnie Currie

    RAIN (acronym for Recognize, Allow, Investigate and Nurture) is a mindfulness meditation technique that invites us to begin to untangle from the reactivity that often stems from difficult and challenging emotions by beginning to turn towards these emotions with friendliness, curiosity and care.  You are welcome to practice this meditation when you notice a rise of irritability, a critical inner voice or the squeeze of anxiety in your body.  This practice might also be useful as a means to meet chronic or habitual doubts and fears with a healing presence.  

    Bonnie Currie (she/her) is the co-founder and owner of Lotus Yoga (www.lotusyogajax.com), a community based yoga collaborative in Jacksonville.  She has had extensive training in ashtanga and vinyasa yoga, adaptive and trauma informed yoga, healthy back yoga, insight meditation and mindfulness.  Bonnie is a certified facilitator of Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY-F) through the renowned Center for Trauma and Embodiment at the Justice Resource Institute in Brookline, Massachusetts, and facilitates yoga and mindfulness to individuals in recovery through Yoga 4 Change (www.y4c.org) and to individuals who have sustained traumatic brain injuries and their caregivers through the LoveYourBrain Foundation (www.loveyourbrain.com).  Her work (as well her own practice) - whether with individuals who have sustained physical and emotional traumas, those with eating disorders or physical limitations, or those simply seeking to cultivate insight and deepen their own practice, has taught her first-hand about the extraordinary healing potential that lives inside the practices of yoga and mindfulness.

    27 January 2023, 9:17 pm
  • Compassion and Worthiness

    Led by Bonnie Currie

    Trauma, such as a brain injury, may leave someone feel stuck in feelings of unworthiness, irritability or shame.  In this guided Metta meditation, we explore cultivating a heartful, compassionate response to these challenging emotions through intentional offerings of kindness and strength as a means to help us reconnect to a felt sense of worthiness.

    Bonnie Currie (she/her) is the co-founder and owner of Lotus Yoga (www.lotusyogajax.com), a community based yoga collaborative in Jacksonville.  She has had extensive training in ashtanga and vinyasa yoga, adaptive and trauma informed yoga, healthy back yoga, insight meditation and mindfulness.  Bonnie is a certified facilitator of Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY-F) through the renowned Center for Trauma and Embodiment at the Justice Resource Institute in Brookline, Massachusetts, and facilitates yoga and mindfulness to individuals in recovery through Yoga 4 Change (www.y4c.org) and to individuals who have sustained traumatic brain injuries and their caregivers through the LoveYourBrain Foundation (www.loveyourbrain.com).  Her work (as well her own practice) - whether with individuals who have sustained physical and emotional traumas, those with eating disorders or physical limitations, or those simply seeking to cultivate insight and deepen their own practice, has taught her first-hand about the extraordinary healing potential that lives inside the practices of yoga and mindfulness.

    27 January 2023, 8:38 pm
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