Trauma and Tension Release Exercises - TRE® - Single Session 1:1

Trauma and Tension Release Exercises – TRE® A revolutionary self healing practice.

Introduction

TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises) is a series of seven simple exercises designed to activate a natural tremoring reflex deep in the brain to release tension, stress and trauma from the body.
The tremors and other involuntary movements allow us to release long held tension patterns, stress and trauma from the body. This release allows the nervous system, which can get stuck in primitive survival strategies (commonly known as flight/flight/freeze), to reboot and balance.

Although relatively new to the UK, David Berceli’s TRE is used by thousands across the world for easy every day stress release, as well as being effective in helping with physical and mental health, chronic stress, tension, PTSD, and trauma. It has been widely used in the forces and with survivors of sexual abuse for the treatment of PTSD. I love TRE for it’s simplicity, organic nature, and for the immediate and cumulative benefits it can provide; and once you feel comfortable with the tremors, usually after just a few sessions, you can do it at home!

TRE® is a physical self-help practice that will support anybody who is stressed, has physical tension and help those with symptoms resulting from trauma feel better. TRE® helps people deal with the overwhelm of trauma or stress naturally.

Anyone can benefit from learning TRE®. Whether you have suffered from hard trauma, like a car accident, from years of soft trauma like emotional or mental abuse, or are simply looking for a way to rebalance from the normal stresses of everyday life – you can learn TRE® to enable release from stress and tension held in the body and mind.

You can have one session of TRE® or a number of sessions to ensure you can safely and easily practice at home on your own.

What is TRE®?

Human beings are mammals, and like our fury friends in the animal kingdom when we feel threatened (perceived or real) we enter primitive defence strategies to prepare us to fight or flee from a situation. Or if it’s just too much we disappear – commonly known as freeze or dissociation. Once the threat has passed mammals use an involuntary tremor reflex to disperse the huge amount of energy, charge and muscular tension required to mobilise an escape from the situation.
However as humans, our newer ‘primate’ brain with its logic and thinking has learnt to suppress this natural way to release – hence, unlike other mammals, we have stress and trauma. Instead our neurology and physiology gets stuck in fight/flight/freeze, pre-programmed to respond to situations as if our life is threatened in some way when actually we are safe.

TRE simply reconnects us to this deep primal release and allows us to trust in the wisdom of the body to let go. I’ve found it useful to normalise stress and trauma as a human condition – one that we all experience – and to know that it can and does get better. Did you know that when we are in flight, flight or freeze the non-essential systems of the body shut down? We don’t need our digestion, to reproduce, our immune system or to grow and repair when we feel threatened. We need energy to our muscles, to increase our heart beat and blood pressure, we need oxygen. Take a minute to consider all the health conditions linked to those systems that shut down, the pressure on the body to be in this state and the energy it takes to maintain it.
Learn to turn off the stress response and see what changes when you practice TRE!

The therapeutic muscle tremors evoked by the TRE® exercise process is a natural, internal, neuro-physiological response of the body to reduce its own stress and restore a sense of well-being. TRE® is a body based (somatic) process which, when done properly, through a Certified TRE® Provider can allow the individual to discharge tension from the body, which often does not require “revisiting the story”. (ie: verbally describing or talking about the traumatic experience).

TRE® is designed to be a self-help tool that once learned, can be used as needed, throughout one’s life, thereby continuously supporting and promoting personal health and wholeness.

Some of the first effects that women notice after doing TRE is that they feel more relaxed, at peace and in their body – present. It’s common to experience better sleep, have more energy, feel more resilient and better equipped to deal with daily life. Anxiety and depression can soften or lift. Reactions change, for the better.

As those ‘non essential systems’ of the body switch back on, I often hear of positive changes in chronic fatique type symptoms, shifts in energy, emotional stability and digestive issues. I personally experienced a normal functioning gut and clear skin after 40 years of poor intestinal health due to childhood trauma. The benefits are cumulative and the more we practice the more we gain. The body knows how it needs to heal, we just need to trust in it and switch off the stress response.

How do I get involved with TRE?

People choose to learn TRE in a number of ways, and it depends on what works for you.
​I run beginners workshops in person bi-monthly. Once you have attended a workshop or learnt the exercises in a an individual session you may want to join the monthly ‘returner’ groups in person, just like you would a yoga or pilates class. It’s the perfect way to develop a personal practice and to ask questions if needed.

If you prefer individual session work or have a history of PTSD or complex trauma I would recommend one to one sessions. If you have complex/developmental trauma I advise a support structure including a talking therapy if you wish to practice TRE. Going slow with a supportive therapeutic relationships is key here.

If you have been shaking a while it’s useful to have additional sessions to assist the tremors in moving through the body.

Reported Benefits Include:

• Less Worry & Anxiety
• Reduces Symptoms of PTSD
• More Energy & Endurance
• Improved Marital Relationships
• Less Workplace Stress
• Better Sleep
• Less Relationship Conflict
• Reduced Muscle & Back Pain
• Increased Flexibility
• Greater Emotional Resiliency
• Decreases Symptoms of Vicarious Trauma
• Healing of Old Injuries
• Lessened Anxiety surrounding Serious Illness
• Relief from Chronic Medical Conditions

Please note:

TRE® is a safe and effective stress release technique for most people. The TRE process should not be used as a substitute for trauma recovery procedures of a medical or psychological nature. Individuals who have physical or psychological/psychiatric conditions that require strict regulation, individuals with fragile psychological defenses, a complex history of trauma or restricting physical or medical limitations should consult their medical practitioner or Nina prior to performing these exercises.

To find out more about how TRE® can support you please watch this video HERE.