Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE®) is a novel way to improve well-being. Stress, tension, and trauma are both psychological and physical. TRE® is effective in releasing the physical impact of tension and stress.
Originally developed to deal with traumatic experiences such as war, accidents and violence the practice is beneficial for everyone. Modern, fast-paced, technology enabled life accumulates chronic stress and tension in our bodies, which does not serve our overall health.
I attended a TRE® workshop to learn more about the therapy. I wanted to try something new to deal with stress. The one-day workshop was organised on a beautiful avocado farm in Tzaneen, Limpopo. In attendance was a small group of individuals from different walks of life. Some were experienced TRE® practitioners, others were first-timers like myself.
Workshop
Dr Erika Coertzen, an Integrative Medical Practitioner and a Certified TRE® Practitioner, started the workshop with the exercises themselves. We were first guided through a few deep-muscle stretches and then advised to lie on the yoga mats with our legs bent.
And there, after a while my legs started to tremble; shake and vibrate. Weird. Probably the most common thought amongst first-timers.
During the presentation that followed, we learned the theory behind TRE®.
David Berceli, an American Trauma Therapist, originally developed the TRE®. The method is based on his observations made at a war zone in Sudan.
Animals and children were always trembling after a scary threatening event while the adults seemed to have stiffened. The theory is that the tremor is our bodies’ natural way to recover, mastered by animals and young children. Adults in turn control their bodies from shaking, due to social pressure and pretense, and hence absorb the stress, tension, and trauma.
The tremor, a natural reflex mechanism, releases deep muscular patterns of stress, tension, and trauma, which is essential for recovery and resilience.
While stress forms part of everyday life TRE® should be practiced regularly, three times a week or so. Therapies focusing on the mind, such as counseling and psychotherapy, are important but do not release the damage caused within our bodies.
Traumatic events, continuous stress, and tension influence our psyche as well as the health of our muscles and cells. This in turn contributes to current lifestyle diseases, cancer for instance.
Those of us who were first-timers experienced the tremor in our legs only. The regular practitioners’ shaking moved over their waistline up to their shoulders and head even. – Apparently, the secret is in “letting go”.
After the first TRE® session we learned more about the method and had lunch. Thereafter we repeated the TRE® exercises. This time I understood better all “the stuff” I have accumulated in my body and the possible benefits of these releasing exercises. After another stretching and trembling session, we were lying still listening to ourselves. – I felt very relaxed and empowered in a method improving my mind-body connection that I could use at home too.
TRE® in a Nutshell:
- Developed by: Dr David Berceli, a trained psychologist and expert in both trauma work and international conflict resolution
- Fundamental idea: Stress, tension, and trauma are both psychological and physical
- Method: Series of innovative deep muscles exercises activating body’s natural reflex mechanism of trembling to release stress, tension, and trauma
- Application: TRE® can be used as “first aid therapy” e.g. dealing with large groups of people that have experienced natural disasters or soldiers in war zones prior to accessing psychotherapy. TRE® can be used in groups and individually to deal with various traumatic events or chronic stress.
- Benefits include: Improved quality of sleep; reduced headaches and migraines; reduced general anxiety; reduced chronic pain and stiffness related to old injuries; change in unhealthy habits such as emotional eating, addiction to stimulants; change in tendencies to “go blank” under stress etc.
- Popularity: Phenomenon all over the world
- Nearest TRE® Provider: There are many TRE® providers in South Africa and all over the world.
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Pauliina Mapatha has twenty years of experience in both the government and non-profit sectors and is a certified life coach. She established her own consultancy company in 2006 and has found her passion for supporting individuals and organisations with change, transformation and wellness.
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