Clinical Evidence has shown that Mindfulness Meditation works and that there are significant benefits to incorporating such a practice into the treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). It is important to note that Mindfulness Meditation is helpful immediately post injury as well as throughout the entire recovery process.

"Teach Yourself to Meditate Mindfully", an article written by the Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) provides a step by step instruction that allows you to teach yourself how to meditate mindfully.

Follow these simple instructions for mindfulness meditation:

1. Choose a time of day when you are the most awake and alert. Sit upright on the floor or a chair, keeping the spine straight and maintaining a relaxed but erect posture so you do not get drowsy. Depending on your comfort, you can keep your eyes open or closed during this practice.
    
2. Now focus on your breathing, on the sensations it triggers throughout your body. Notice how your abdomen moves with each inhalation and exhalation.
    
3. Pay attention to the feelings in the tip of your nose, noticing the different sensations that arise with each breath.
    
4. When you notice that you have been distracted by unrelated thoughts or feelings that have arisen, simply return your focus to your breathing.
    
5. Try this for five to 10 minutes at a sitting, once or twice a day. As you feel more comfortable, you can increase the length of your practice sessions.

For more information on this DCOE series please click on the following link: Mindfulness

Join other survivors for a day of relaxation and fun at the BIAC Healthy Living Retreat for People with Brain Injury, on Friday, May 29th at Trinity College. Participate in workshops in Tai Chi, Art and Music Therapy, Yoga, Massage and Diet and Nutrition and enjoy a musical performance by Kate Callahan. At 4 pm, the film, The Music Never Stopped will be shown. Free to all who attend. Bring a lunch or buy a $10 box lunch. Ample, free parking available. Click here to register. For questions call 860-297-5188 or email Sarah at sarah.raskin@....

The sun is shining and the snow has melted! Join us this Saturday, May 2nd for our 6th Annual Tour of Lights Bike-a-thon. Both the 25 and 62 mile routes are beautiful as they ride past scenic lighthouses and Connecticut's coast. You can still register online or call 

860-219-0291. Onsite registration also is available for an additional fee. Take advantage of the savings and register TODAY! Questions? Contact Jenna Banaitis at jbanaitis@... or call 860-219-0291 x307.

Join BIAC and presenting sponsor Koskoff, Koskoff and Bieder on Friday, June 5th, for a great day of golf and to network with other local companies. This year, the tournament will be at Wintonbury Hills Golf Course in Bloomfield, CT, which was rated the #6 municipal golf course in the USA by Sports Illustrated's Golf.com. Register online, by mail or by calling 860-219-0291. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Christine Buhler at 860-219-0291 x306 or cbuhler@....

BIAC is excited to announce our 2015 partnership with the Travelers Championship Birdies for Charity program - a unique fundraising program to get excited about - and we need you to make it a success!

How can you help?

• Make a per birdie pledge or flat rate donation. It's easy to do! Please just complete the form or log onto the Birdies for Charity site to make your pledge/donation online.
• Lead a flock of supporters! Encourage friends and family members to make their pledges/donations, too! The more you raise, the more BIAC benefits!
• Share the link to the online donation page via email or social media; or print out the pledge form to make it easy for your colleagues to pledge their support. To make it even easier for them, offer to collect their pledge forms and mail them to CohnReznick, 350 Church Street, 12th Floor, Hartford, CT 06103.

Whichever way you choose, 100% of all donations goes to BIAC, plus a 15% match on the total money collected!

As a donor, you also can win great prizes! Guess the number of birdies made during the Travelers Championship. Prizes include a $1,500 cash gift card, a World Golf Hall of Fame Vacation package, and more!

For more information, please contact Christine at cbuhler@... or call 860-219-0291 x306.

Join other TBI and ABI survivors, family, friends and caregivers at Camp Harkness, 301 Great Neck Rd
Waterford, CT., for the 4th Annual Fun in the Sun BIAC/Project Genesis Picnic, Thursday, June 18th, 11:30 am - 3 pm. Free to attend and lunch is provided. To RSVP, or for questions, please call Vicki Grendier,

860-456-1698 x10. Hope to see you there!