Tension and Trauma Release Exercises®
Developed by Dr. David Berceli, TRE®: Tension and Trauma Release Exercises is a self-care tool to release acute and chronic stress. Via a series of mild exercises, participants are introduced to their own tremor process while learning to listen to internal cues to maintain feelings, comfort and control at all times. These exercises are accessible to everyone and can be modified to be effective even if dealing with physical or psychological limitations.
Through various life experiences, including everyday tensions to more serious accidents, illnesses or traumas, our bodies may not have fully restored themselves and cycle through old patterns of stress, anxiety and body tension. TRE was designed to be a self-directed tool to regulate and restore balance to the nervous system, creating freedom from nagging or disturbing emotional, mental and physical pain or tension. The premise is that all of us have this intrinsic, physical drive to release tension and find recovery from stress and/or trauma. TRE® activates an intrinsic reflex mechanism to recover from stress and trauma.
The movement of this reflex can manifest as a very subtle vibration to more active shaking. Throughout the TRE process, we stay tuned in to the present moment and regulate the pace of the practice to remain comfortable throughout. Because TRE is driven from our Central Nervous System, the shaking induces minimal emotional response.