From Fog to Freedom: How Yoga Therapy Supports Concussion Recovery

You’ve followed the doctor’s orders. You’ve rested. Maybe you’ve tried physio, screens off, supplements, and you’re doing “everything right.”

But somehow, the fog hasn’t lifted.

Reading a page of a book takes all your energy. Lights and noise feel like an assault. You can’t quite find your footing — literally or emotionally. And it leaves you wondering: Will I ever feel normal again?

Post-concussion syndrome can linger far longer than expected. Even after the brain appears “healed” on scans, symptoms like headaches, dizziness, fatigue, mood swings, and brain fog can persist for months — sometimes years. These symptoms don’t just affect your brain; they affect your identity, your relationships, your confidence, and your joy.

And here’s what’s crucial to know:

These lingering symptoms are not your fault. They are signs that your nervous system is still overwhelmed and trying to recalibrate.

When you experience a concussion, your brain and body activate a powerful survival response. Your autonomic nervous system, which regulates heart rate, breathing, digestion, and emotional regulation, can become dysregulated — stuck in “fight, flight, or freeze” mode.

This chronic state of activation is exhausting. Your system stays on high alert, which makes it hard to rest, think clearly, or engage in everyday life without crashing.

That’s where yoga therapy comes in — not as a replacement for medical care, but as a powerful adjunct that helps settle the nervous system and support whole-person healing.

Yoga therapy offers more than just stretching or relaxation. It’s a targeted, trauma-sensitive, evidence-informed practice designed to help regulate your nervous system, support brain recovery, and restore your connection to yourself.

Here's how it works:

1. Breathwork to Calm the Brain

Scientific studies show that slow, intentional breathing reduces activation of the sympathetic nervous system (stress response) and increases parasympathetic activity (rest and repair).

Breathing techniques like extended exhale (e.g., inhale for 4, exhale for 6) stimulate the vagus nerve, promoting calm and cognitive clarity. Source: Porges et al., “The Polyvagal Theory,” and Lehrer et al., “Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia Biofeedback.”

2. Gentle Movement to Rewire Pathways

Concussions disrupt proprioception and coordination. Slow, repetitive movement patterns in yoga therapy help restore body-brain communication.

These movements increase neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to reorganize and heal. Source: Gage et al., “The Effects of Movement on Brain Function,” and NIH research on neuroplasticity and somatic awareness.

3. Mindfulness to Reduce Sensory Overload

Sensory sensitivity is common after concussion. Mindfulness practices — including guided relaxation and Yoga Nidra — have been shown to reduce the brain’s overreaction to stimuli and enhance emotional resilience.

Yoga Nidra activates alpha and theta brainwaves linked to deep rest and healing. Source: Kumar et al., “Effect of Yoga Nidra on Stress and EEG Activity,” and Harvard studies on mindfulness and neuroimaging.

The Plan: Add Yoga Therapy to Your Recovery Toolkit

Imagine...

• Waking up without a pounding head or crushing fatigue

• Going for a walk without dizziness

• Reading, laughing, moving — without fear of triggering symptoms

• Feeling more like yourself again — calm, clear, and confident

This is what’s possible when you address the root issue: a dysregulated nervous system. Yoga therapy gives your brain and body the tools they need to communicate, integrate, and heal.

Clients who’ve integrated yoga therapy into their recovery report:

Less brain fog, Fewer headaches and migraines, Improved balance and coordination, More energy and emotional stability, A deepened sense of hope and agency in their healing journey

One client said:

“I didn’t realize how disconnected I felt from my body until I felt connected again. It was like I got myself back.

Every day you wake up, still stuck in the fog, is another day of life not fully lived. But that doesn’t have to be your story.

You are not broken.

Your system just needs the right kind of support.

Adding yoga therapy to your healing plan could be the bridge between where you are now and the clarity, peace, and vitality you’re craving.

Healing after a concussion isn’t linear. But it is possible.

You deserve to feel safe in your body. To move without fear. To live with joy, not limitation.

If you’re ready to move from fog to freedom, there is hope.

And there is help.

Please email to connect and see how I can support you on your healing path!