TRE® (Tension, Stress, and Trauma Releasing Exercises) is a simple, evidence-informed method designed to help the body release stored tension, stress, and trauma. By moving through a set of seven gentle exercises, TRE® activates a natural tremoring or “shaking” reflex, allowing the nervous system to restore balance and regulate itself after stressful or traumatic experiences.

How TRE® Works

Humans, like other mammals, respond to perceived threats through instinctual fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses. Animals naturally release the energy of a traumatic event through involuntary tremors, which prevents long-term trauma. As humans, however, we are often socialized to suppress these natural responses, relying instead on logic and mental processing.

When this energy is not discharged, tension can remain trapped in the body, leaving the nervous system in a heightened state of arousal long after the threat has passed. This can lead to:

• Chronic stress

• Muscle tension or pain

• Sleep disturbances

• Emotional dysregulation

• Fatigue

• Autoimmune or other physical symptoms

TRE® works by activating the body’s natural tremoring mechanism, releasing stress and restoring the nervous system to a parasympathetic “rest and digest” state, promoting deep relaxation, healing, and balance.

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The Science Behind TRE®

During stress, the sympathetic nervous system prepares the body to survive perceived danger. When threats pass but energy remains trapped, physical and emotional symptoms may emerge. TRE® allows this energy to safely discharge, helping the body return to a regulated state.

Peter Levine, founder of Somatic Experiencing, highlights in Waking the Tiger that tremoring is an instinctual healing response observed in animals and shamanic traditions. By allowing neurogenic tremors, the body naturally resolves the physiological effects of trauma without the mind needing to consciously process the event.

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What to Expect in a TRE® Session

• Relax and allow your body to guide the process – no mental processing of trauma is required.

• Guided support – I remain beside you during the tremoring, helping you notice sensations while the body releases tension.

• Safe and non-invasive – TRE® allows the mind to step back while the body unwinds naturally.

• Rebalance and rejuvenation – the nervous system restores itself, and you leave the session feeling relaxed, refreshed, and more grounded.

TRE® can be beneficial on its own or combined with psychotherapy to amplify healing. Guided by a trauma-aware therapist, this method can provide lasting relief from stress, trauma, and tension while supporting emotional, mental, and physical wellness.