Why does TRE make people feel better?
The exercises activate a natural instinctual shaking mechanism, which causes the muscles and fascia to relax. Relaxing tense muscles and the fascia structure will reduce pressure on the spine, neck, shoulders and pelvis. When tension is released anywhere in the body, the brain registers a reduction in pain signals, producing new hormones that promotes healing and wellbeing.
Why does TRE seem to improve sleep?
The body intuitively knows how and when to put itself to sleep. Difficulty sleeping is simply a symptom that something is out of balance with the body. Sleeplessness is often the signal that stress, anxiety and tension are causing the “sleep mechanism” to not activate properly. Deep muscular relaxation, which TRE elicit, induces the body to activate the rest/digest, relaxation response of the parasympathetic nervous system that allows the body to sleep.
Why is TRE a revolutionary tool for everyday stress, anxiety or trauma?
These unique, yet simple, exercises activate an involuntary shaking in the muscles. Therefore, an individual does not use the conscious control of their body or brain that most relaxation techniques rely upon.
How is it used as a therapeutic tool to reduce anxiety, anger, stress, tension and post trauma symptoms?
It can be used as a therapeutic tool because these symptoms can be difficult to manage at times. They might seem overwhelming. The process of using this tool in a therapeutic context provides the TRE therapist with the ability to use the body as part of the stress reduction process without needing to have advanced degrees in psychotherapy.
How do people benefit from TRE practice?
Stress, anxiety and trauma are common events in people’s lives. We often experience stress on a daily level, either at home or at work. The body constantly responds to elevated levels of stress by contracting the muscles to ‘get through’ the problem. However, we seldom recognize these contractions until we experience pain, discomfort or illness. By practicing preventative techniques like TRE, we can prevent stress and tension levels from elevating to a point of chronic illness
Why can periodic TRE help reduce workplace conflict and facilitate cooperation?
Conflict is caused by stress and tension whether at work or home. People who are calm and relaxed do not experience much conflict. However, remaining in a place of calmness and relaxation is difficult because daily life challenges our relaxed state. TRE continually reduces the levels of daily stress and anxiety in the body that give the person access to a more relaxed state of mind. The combination of a relaxed body and relaxed mind can lead to a reduction of conflict in all areas of one’s life.
Many tension patterns and contractions are deep inside the body, often without our conscious awareness. TRE uncovers these less conscious but obvious tension patterns. The contractions release tension at this deeper level. When this occurs, the body takes on greater flexibility and resilience. Exercise, workouts and yoga will be easier and more effective now at building fitness and stamina. This increased awareness of a ‘deeper sense of self’ often extends itself into the realm of the ‘spiritual’ to which many people aspire. Once there is a deeper felt sense of oneself, there is a natural deeper sense of connection to others and the ‘universe’ or the ‘spiritual’
How much time is needed to do TRE?
TRE, like any other new method might require some time to get used to. Although the warm-up exercises are designed to be easy and simple to follow, for some, it might take a little practice. Once the exercises are learned and the shaking is activated a few times, the process will move much faster. We suggest that 15 minutes of the shaking/tremor release will be enough for one session. Although some have such a positive experience in this release process that they extend this time for much longer. While others with more tension caused by traumatic periods may need to start off with less shaking. Over time some TRE users have found that they do not need to do the full warm-up exercise process before they activate the shaking release.
What is the best way to learn TRE?
The best way to learn TRE is to attend a TRE Group or have a one-to-one session with a Certified TRE Provider in your area. In the session they will guide you through the exercises and support you with the experience of letting go so the body can tremor and shake. On our website we have a list of Groups and TRE Providers here in Scotland. If you are not geographically close to a TRE Provider then please download the ‘Stressless TRE’ App onto your phone and use that. Or you can purchase David Berceli’s book ‘Shake if off Naturally’ and that has the exercises in, as well as anecdotal evidence of how TRE is being used successfully around the world and some neuroscience behind the tremor mechanism.
How much time is needed to do TRE?
TRE, like any other new method might require some time to get used to. Although the warm-up exercises are designed to be easy and simple to follow, for some, it might take a little practice. Once the exercises are learned and the shaking is activated a few times, the process will move much faster. We suggest that 15 minutes of the shaking/tremor release will be enough for one session. Although some have such a positive experience in this release process that they extend this time for much longer. While others with more tension caused by traumatic periods may need to start off with less shaking. Over time some TRE users have found that they do not need to do the full warm-up exercise process before they activate the shaking release.
Can I use TRE to release stress/tension while watching TV?
Yes, in fact for many people allowing the mind to be distracted by another activity allows the body to release tension without any ego/mind/thought interference in the process. For others the process of focusing on the body can be helpful and healing. This is a personal decision based on individual preference.
How often should I practice TRE?
Once you have learned the TRE process and you are comfortable with the process you can do TRE everyday if you like. We recommend that you do TRE at least three times per week. However, even occasional use of TRE will be beneficial to reducing deeply held muscular tension.
What does strong or gentle shaking mean?
If the shaking is strong it is an indicator that the large muscles in the body are breaking up ‘iceberg-like’ tension in the muscles. These tension blockages create strong shaking until they break up and the energy can flow more easily. Finer movements are equally important in reworking our tension holding patterns. Beware of making judgments about the intensity of your shaking and what this all means. This process will ebb and flow with varying intensity and you need to trust the body is doing exactly what it needs to in order to release held tension
Does TRE cause emotions to surface?
Because TRE relaxes tightly held muscles and the overall body fascia, buried emotions can surface for some people during deep muscular relaxation. Others report no particular emotional feelings and just experience a physical shaking that leads to reduced stress. Both situations are perfect. Each session is unique. The body simply does what it needs to do. The goal is to allow this process to emerge naturally.
