Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Recovery

Do you suffer from from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? I also have a TBI and understand how difficult it can be to learn new things.

I have personally tried — and found beneficial for my TBI recovery — the following activities and healing modalities I highly recommend.

—Dr. Bella Box

Dr. Box presents FROM HELL TO HEALTH, the story of her personal journey back from a mild traumatic brain injury. Presented to the 20th Annual Pacific Northwest & 39th Annual Medical Legal 2022 Brain Injury Conference. Dr. Box talks about the cumulative effects of her several brain concussions and the therapies she found most helpful for her own recovery.

Trauma-Informed Brain Sensitive Yoga

Dr. Box is certified to teach trauma-informed brain sensitive yoga. She has a particular yoga practice that facilitates stability.

Trauma-informed, brain-sensitive yoga is a gentle, nervous-system-aware approach to yoga that prioritizes safety, choice, and connection over performance or perfect poses. It can be especially helpful for people who experience stress, anxiety, overwhelm, disconnection, or trauma-related responses.

What does trauma-informed, brain-sensitive yoga look like?
  • Choice over instruction: Participants are invited to try movements, adapt them, keep their eyes open, or rest. There is no pressure to follow every cue.
  • Supporting the nervous system: Slow, optional movements and comfortable breathing can help people notice their current state without forcing relaxation or deep breathing.
  • Brain-sensitive movement: Simple, predictable movements, sensory awareness, rhythm, and grounding offer opportunities to practice attention, body awareness, and self-regulation.
  • Safety without pressure: No forced stillness, unexpected touch, required closed eyes, or insistence that everyone should feel calm. Rest and opting out are always valid.
Traumatic-Informed Brain Sensitive Yoga and Chair Yoga with Dr. Box

I invite you to join me for a gentle and restful yoga practice designed specifically for people who suffer from a traumatic brain injury, mild concussion and/or post traumatic brain disorder (PTSD) I am certified to teach this easy to learn form of healing known as traumatic-informed brain sensitive yoga.

The term trauma is commonly misused. People inaccurately designate depression, anxiety, being stressed out, headaches, lack of self-worth, memory difficulties, and vertigo as “trauma.” These transient feelings are known as small “t” traumas. These emotions come and go. Frequently the person will say, “I’m so stressed out” or “that person totally stressed me out today.”

Quite differently, true trauma or big “T” trauma renders the person riddled with continuous emotional and/or physical pain that doesn’t come and go. Frequently the person has difficulty differentiating between the initiating event with their current life circumstances.

People who are experiencing big “T” trauma are often in the closet because they experience so much shame.

I feel called to facilitate a safe space to move the body with this beautiful practice called traumatic-informed brain sensitive yoga.

Try traumatic-informed brain sensitive yoga and chair yoga lessons with Dr. Box via Zoom.

T’ai Chi Chih for TBI

In addition to the TIBS Yoga, Dr. Box recommends T’ai Chi Chih. Dr. Box is an accredited T’ai Chi Chih teacher and daily practitioner devoted to optimize health.

Tai Chi Chih (TCC) is a series of 19 gentle, flowing movements and one pose developed by Justin Stone in the 1970s. It is a moving meditation designed to circulate and balance chi (also spelled qi), often translated as “life energy.”

Unlike traditional Tai Chi, which has martial arts roots, Tai Chi Chih focuses on simplicity, relaxation, mindfulness, and the cultivation of inner energy.

Key principles of Tai Chi Chih
  • Gentle movement: Slow, soft, rhythmic movements that are accessible to many fitness levels.
  • Mindfulness: Paying attention to movement, balance, and bodily sensations.
  • Relaxation: Releasing unnecessary muscular tension without forcing the body.
  • Balance and grounding: Developing awareness of weight shifts and connection with the ground.
  • Moving meditation: Quieting mental activity through focused, repetitive movement.
Tai Chi Chih and trauma-informed practice

Tai Chi Chih may complement a trauma-informed, brain-sensitive wellness approach because its movements are generally predictable, low-impact, and adaptable. Participants can move at their own pace, keep their eyes open, take breaks, and choose what feels comfortable.

Potential benefits include improved balance, body awareness, stress management, and emotional well-being, although individual experiences vary and research specifically on Tai Chi Chih is limited.

Try beginning or advanced T’ai Chi Chih lessons with Dr. Box.

Nutrition for TBI

Dr. Box recommends dietary guidance to facilitate brain stability, including a modified ketogenic (keto) diet.

Effective, natural medicine solutions for TBI

Learn more about our recommended natural medicine solutions by clicking on the descriptions below or text Dr. Bella Box at 503-734-0955. Also consult your health care provider for instructions specific for you.

These health supplements are hand picked by Dr. Box and are available for purchase online from Fullscript.

Dr. Box is not affiliated with Fullscript and does not receive any profit from your purchases.

Order supplements through my Fullscript store.

TBI Recovery Questions

If you have any questions, text Dr. Bella Box at 503-734-0955.