Hands on Health
Tension/Trauma
Release Exercises
TRE exercises are used to activate specific muscles in the body afterwhich you lie on the floor with legs and feet positioned so as to release stress through tremoring and shaking.
David Berceli the founder of TRE became interested in the phenonema of shaking after watching children in a bomb shelter shaking with fear alongside adults 'holding on'
This phenomena of shaking following traumatic events can be witnessed in the animal world... it is part of the survival mode.. freeze shake release. According to Berceli, humans have socialized themselves away from this innate bodily response to trauma
Trauma occurs when the nervous system is overwhelmed by a single or series of events
The nervous system may start cycling in the fight/ flight response which can raise the heart beat, increase respiration, dilate the pupils, and cause sweating, dry mouth, digestive issues and muscle tension.
Alternatively the nervous may cycle in the freeze or dissociative response which can cause numbness, memory loss, immobility, a sense of disconnection, dreaminess, depression and lethargy.
Tension can also build up in the muscles as a result of ongoing life stresses.
According to Berceli ' humans are designed to experience, endure, survive and evolve from traumatic events... The experience creates a deeper sense of connectedness to life and stronger bonds of connectedness to others '
TRE gives the body the opportunity to release tension and trauma in a safe environment. Generally people feel a deep sense of calm and balance after doing TRE and may experience physical and emotional releases during and after sessions
TRE involves going through a group of exercises to activate specific muscle groups and then lying on the floor with the soles of the feet together and knees wide...very slowly the knees are raised and can facilitate shaking/ tremoring response
I trained as a TRE provider in Auckland in 2017 with treglobal.org. I have done TRE sessions with individuals, family groups and large groups.
The cost of sessions varies according to the number of participants but ranges from $50 for individual sessions to $12 for group sessions