Meditation Library

Led by Kyla Pearce

In this practice, we’ll explore how a sense of purpose can be an anchor during times of change. We’ll cultivate a gentleness towards what’s happening in our body, mind, and heart so that we can more clearly see what motivates us to show up for ourselves and others as life unfolds. By exploring what matters to us, we can learn to meet challenge with greater balance and more fully appreciate what brings us joy.

Kyla (she/her) serves as the Senior Director of Programs and Research, overseeing the design, implementation, and evaluation of LoveYourBrain programs on a large scale. By turning inward through mindfulness, Kyla believes we learn to be with our whole selves with greater compassion, which is fundamental to wellbeing and inspiring positive social change. Kyla has blended her expertise as a yoga and mindfulness teacher and practitioner, researcher, and advocate to develop evidence-based, TBI-centered yoga and meditation curricula, which she trains yoga teachers and clinicians to deliver in clinical, community, and online settings.

Led by RJ Lisander

This guided meditation uses mindfulness and breath to soothe anxiety, especially during activating times. After brain injury it is common for our sympathetic nervous system - our fight or flight response - to be more easily activated. This serves a purpose when we are in danger, but when this part of us is overactive it means we can feel more stressed and anxious. In this meditation we will soothe these feelings and remember that we are okay.

Having had two TBIs RJ (she/her) understands the challenges and effects of recent and long-term injury. I have worked hard to overcome many of these challenges, yet it wasn't until I found LoveYourBrain that all the pieces fell into place. I am honored and humbled to share this program and witness the growth of each practitioner.

Why LYB: I'm always inspired by the resilience of the human spirit. We can achieve more than we may think with practice, patience and kindness to self and others. I see this in every individual and every class with whom I am lucky enough to spend time on the mat.

Superhero: My hero is always the person who took a risk, tried something new, pushed a boundary for growth (both personal and communal).

Resources: I founded Lotus Seed Lifestyles to offer a space to work with individuals, non-profits, and community groups to offer yoga and meditation as paths to recovery and personal improvement. You can learn more about what I do through my website, www.lotusseedlifestyles.com.

Led by Jivana Heyman

In this meditation, we’ll practice mindfulness and acceptance of our thoughts. Our mind is often hard to turn off. So rather than trying to stop your thoughts, this practice guides you to notice and even celebrate them with the word ‘yes.’ In doing so, we cultivate greater awareness of our thoughts, without judgment, and anchor into the present moment.

Jivana Heyman (he/him) is the founder and director of Accessible Yoga, an organization dedicated to increasing access to the yoga teachings and supporting yoga teachers. He’s the author of the books: Accessible Yoga: Poses and Practices for Every Body; Yoga Revolution: Building a Practice of Courage & Compassion; and a new book, The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga: Best Practices for Sharing Yoga with Every Body. His books, classes, and trainings offer support to yoga teachers and yoga therapists in finding ways to bring creativity and collaboration into their teaching while still respecting the ancient yoga tradition. More info at jivanaheyman.com

Led by RJ Lisander

This meditation uses visualization to cultivate feelings of connection. Often after brain injury we can feel disconnected - from ourselves and the people around us. This is normal because so much can change. Through this practice we’ll focus on imaging the people we love as a way to remind ourselves that we belong and there is a community to support us. With community, we are stronger and have greater ability to move forward.

Having had two TBIs RJ (she/her) understands the challenges and effects of recent and long-term injury. I have worked hard to overcome many of these challenges, yet it wasn't until I found LoveYourBrain that all the pieces fell into place. I am honored and humbled to share this program and witness the growth of each practitioner.

Why LYB: I'm always inspired by the resilience of the human spirit. We can achieve more than we may think with practice, patience and kindness to self and others. I see this in every individual and every class with whom I am lucky enough to spend time on the mat.

Superhero: My hero is always the person who took a risk, tried something new, pushed a boundary for growth (both personal and communal).

Resources: I founded Lotus Seed Lifestyles to offer a space to work with individuals, non-profits, and community groups to offer yoga and meditation as paths to recovery and personal improvement. You can learn more about what I do through my website, www.lotusseedlifestyles.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.