What is TRE

TRE (Trauma / Tension releasing exercises) are a series of seven exercises developed by Dr.David Berceli designed to evoked the body’s natural tremor mechanism. This is a mechanism we share with all mammals that is hard wired into our genetic makeup.

TRE (tension and trauma releasing exercises) is a wonderful tool to enable the body to let go of chronic stress and deeply held protective patterns. These simple exercises are designed to evoke the body’s inbuilt natural tremor mechanism. This reflex allows the body to shake naturally, providing a way to process and release deep tension, increase blood flow and rewire neural pathways.

By down-regulating protective states in our nervous system – mobilised states (fight/flight) and immobilised states (dissociation/freeze) - this reflex can access chronic deeply held tension and stuck, arrested energy leaving us feeling more connected.

TRE is designed to be a self-help tool, an embodiment practice that, once learned, can be used independently as needed throughout one’s life, thus continuously supporting and promoting calm and wellness. Since this bodily mechanism is built into our natural physiology, everyone responds to TRE. This shaking of the muscles increases the resilience in the body as it creates deep relaxation and naturally reduces stress levels. It can release emotions safely in a very gentle way, whether it is caused by PTSD, excessive worry, conflict in relationships, physical stresses or traumas from accidents.

TRE helps reset the ‘fuse box’, awake the nervous system, so we feel ourselves more open, able to connect and engage with the world and those around us. Trauma is not so much held in the narrative of our mind but in the narrative of our physiology. TRE is a safe and comfortable way to explore, and be curious as to what the body needs to say whilst being a present active observer.

"If the nervous system doesn't deactivate itself, the body continues to remain in a kind of short-circuited loop, with our brain continuing to believe it's still in danger and therefore commanding the body to maintain a state of readiness. Consequently, our muscles hold onto the excess charge. If they don't get an opportunity to release this charge, they create a chronic tension pattern within the body."

— Dr.David Berceli

Some core principles of TRE

  1. The tremor mechanism is activated in our old brain, sometimes referred to as the ‘lizard brain’ and is not in our conscious control.

  2. Through tremoring we reset the fight/flight/freeze adaptive survival responses of the body triggered by trauma or stress.

  3. The psychology of trauma can be overwhelming and complex. Releasing it from our physiology can be simple with TRE.

  4. TRE helps to build resilience enabling us to respond rather than react to our environment.

TRE® is a registered trademark with all intellectual rights belonging to TRE for All, Inc http://traumaprevention.com

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