Yoga - Breathwork - Overcoming TBI & Depression - with Faysal Abi

Faysal Abi is an old friend of mine who I first met over five years ago in the Tenderloin area of San Francisco. We were both police officers working a beat. Faysal was an interesting dude to say the least, as I found he was one of the few who shared some of my same “woo-woo” interests, such as: essential oils, meditation/mindfulness, and yoga. Faysal was also much more spiritual and grounded than most police officers I had met. Faysal and I also shared a common bond as we were both “laterals,” officers from different agencies.

I lost touch with Faysal after he left San Francisco, and lateraled to another agency. About a year later, I heard he was in a bad car accident that forced him to quit police work altogether. He faced depression, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and numerous physical injuries. However, through his deep spiritual practices; breath work, bodywork, yoga and much more, Faysal recovered and reinvented himself. He tells an amazing story of what it was like to go through depression and come out the other side. He also has some hacks and recommendations for any listener that under goes the same trauma.

Faysal Abi has been doing yoga for over 15 years and teaching full time for the last six years. The guy does press handstands, what more do you want!?

Timeline:

4:58 - Type of Yoga Faysal practices and his methodology

8:30 - Root of anxiety

10:57 - How Faysal approaches new clients and their past injuries

11:15 - How Faysal intuition to heal others

13:56 - The breath and its importance

19:00 - Faysal’s intuition with me

22:30 - Look at the body as a system

25:07 - Faisal’s meditation practice

31:03 - Hacking chronic pain

35:19 - How Faysal was called into yoga

43:24 - Career ending injury, overcoming TBI, and depression

49:00 - “Growing hurts”

51:45 - The question I didn’t ask Faysal

54:42 - Faysal’s daily hacks or habits that he recommends for everyone

57:35 - Faisal’s top book recommendations

Show Notes:

Faysal Abi - @faysal_abi (on Instagram) — https://www.warriorwithinu.com

Recommended Books:

Dan Milman - Way of the Peaceful Warrior

https://www.amazon.com/Way-Peaceful-Warrior-Changes-Lives/dp/1932073205/ref=sr_1_1?crid=UCLHVZF2ULXN&keywords=dan+millman+way+of+the+peaceful+warrior&qid=1577910555&sprefix=dan+milman+way+of%2Caps%2C242&sr=8-1

Dan Milman - The Journeys of Socrates

https://www.amazon.com/Journeys-Socrates-Adventure-Dan-Millman/dp/0060833025/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3GMIAIPTC21EG&keywords=the+journey+of+socrates+by+dan+millman&qid=1577910595&sprefix=dan+millman+jou%2Caps%2C239&sr=8-1

Carlos Castaneda - The Journey to Ixtalan
https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Ixtlan-Lessons-Don-Juan/dp/0671732463/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2CPUNOYQT40TS&keywords=carlos+castaneda+journey+to+ixtlan&qid=1577910613&sprefix=carlos+las%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-1