Tension Release Exercises (TRE)

TRE® (Tension, Stress and Trauma Releasing Exercises) is an innovative series of simple exercises which assist the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma by inducing a gentle muscular shaking response. This natural response generally feels pleasant and soothing, and after doing TRE many people report feelings of peace and well being.

TRE was developed by Dr. David Berceli, Ph.D. while he was working as a trauma therapist in the Middle East and in Africa.

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TRE® is based on the concept that in stressful or traumatic situations our body is genetically encoded to contract to protect itself. After the stressful situation is over, we are supposed to release such contractions and come back to an optimal state of balance and relaxation. However, the way that the body releases is through tremoring and shaking (similarly to what we feel building up in our body when we are nervous, afraid or excited) and, since we are conditioned to believe that shaking is a sign of weakness or disease, we tend to unconsciously inhibit this healing response. By doing TRE we reactivate this natural releasing mechanism with often immediate and profound results. People report sleeping better, getting rid of pain and aches, the healing of sciatica, a lessening of anxiety and depression, feeling calmer and less reactive, and a release of deep chronic tension.

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The TRE exercises work the legs, tiring them and creating a trembling response, which begins in the legs and often spreads throughout the body. This gentle shaking is actually the nervous system’s way of discharging long-held tension or unconscious muscle contraction to restore the body to wholeness. The tremors release tension all over the body and in particular in the Psoas muscle, the main muscle of Fight or Flight. Since the Psoas contracts every time something scary or unpleasant happens, it tends to be tight in everybody.

TRE is suitable for people of all ages and levels of fitness as the exercises can be modified to accommodate anybody’s needs.

Originally developed for sufferers of trauma, over the past few decades, TRE is becoming an increasingly popular way to also deal with the stressors of everyday life. TRE is taught and practiced in over 35 countries worldwide.

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Since the muscular shaking mechanism TRE® triggers is part of our natural behavior as humans, everyone can benefit from TRE. This shaking increases the resilience of the body because it causes deep relaxation that naturally reduces stress levels. It can release emotions ranging from mild upset to severe anxiety whether it is caused by work stress, excessive worry, conflict in relationships, physical stresses or traumas from accidents.

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Whether you are a parent/spouse who would like more patience with your family, a victim of violence or accident, a soldier suffering with PTSD, or simply a person who wants to become more resilient and just feel better about life, you can benefit from TRE.

 

Reported Benefits Include:

• Less worry and anxiety

• Reduced symptoms of PTSD

• More energy and endurance

• Improved marital relationships

• Less workplace stress

• Better sleep

• Less relationship conflict

• Reduced muscle and back pain

• Increased flexibility

• Greater emotional resilience

• Decreased symptoms of vicarious trauma

• Healing of old injuries

• Lessened anxiety surrounding serious illness

• Relief from chronic medical conditions

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TRE was developed by David Berceli, Ph.D., an international expert in trauma intervention and conflict resolution, and the energetic and creative founder and CEO of Trauma Recovery Services. For more than two decades he has provided trauma relief workshops and recovery programs, living and working extensively in Israel, Palestine, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Yemen, Egypt and Lebanon. A core concept in Dr. Berceli’s work is that trauma recovery offers unique possibilities for individual transformation.

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Republished from TRE- TRE California, http://trecalifornia.com/about-tre/#tab-id-1

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