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Shake Up Your Life 2023 – Shake your way to a healthy digestion.

Personal reflections for Shake 3 

Shake your way to a healthy digestion.

Tension affects my body in many ways, and one of the ways it hits me is definitely in my plumbing: When I’m anxious I can’t go; when I’m upset and especially when I’m angry, I often wind up having to go more often and the experience is…well, unpleasant in a number of ways. Hardly surprising, to my mind, given that our whole system is involved in how we ‘digest’ ideas and experiences that we encounter from day to day.

It doesn’t have to be this way, though. I’ve found that doing a shake to give my body a chance to release the stresses caused by the different kinds of upset, whether I talk things through or not during or after, supports that the physical discomfort is much reduced and my body follows its natural rhythms for digesting that support my having a sense of wellness.

The benefits to how my thought processes change to be more open to possibilities and, when I am feeling less beleaguered and threatened, more willing to be compassionate towards the circumstances of others are also invaluable. Over time, the experience that I can find a way through for myself that also supports others in what they want to create for themselves without feeling deprived in the process has helped me to develop greater resilience. I now believe that there is nothing that can happen that I cannot break down into manageable parts so that I can still create experiences that are valuable to me and those around me. I have also learned that I don’t have to let someone else’s inability to digest their own circumstances create similar digestive difficulties for me. 

What have you noticed about how tension and upset affects your body? How do you care for yourself when these symptoms show up? What have you learned from finding more self-supportive ways to bring yourself to the other side of apparent crises? 

If you don’t do TRE yet and if you are wanting to find out more about it, why not get in touch with us? We love sharing about TRE and other things that we do and we’re open to having a conversation with you to see if it is something that you could bring in to enrich your life with.

Email us at: tre4life@klarheit.rocks

Or drop us a text or Whatsapp at: +65 8754 0842

Disclaimer!

All the terms used in these posts are based on our personal experience and understanding. Given the nature, capacity and conditioning of our body and mind, change is something we need to be open to. So these posts about what each shake is about are merely suggestions and are, if anything for you, perhaps a great starting point. By no means are they meant to be a quick fix or solution to anyone’s situation.

 

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TRE Shake Up Your Life 2023

Starting now, we want to make a greater effort to share what TRE means to us and when we do TRE to support ourselves with living life the way we want to. We find that doing TRE helps us in so many ways because, simply by carrying less tension, we have more capacity to create the experiences we want to. We particularly love that TRE is something our bodies were designed to do for helping us discharge stress in an effective way so that we can be more resilient, confident and optimistic as we go about making each day meaningful. 

With starting this series of Shake Up Your Life 2023 posts, we want to share a deck of posters that we have created for ourselves – reminders, if you will – that there are many opportunities for us to practice TRE and improve our experience of our bodies and our lives, to create new possibilities for ourselves by bringing ourselves into a more ideal state of being. While we will share what these phrases and ideas mean to us, as well as how we found the ones that we posted useful for us in the given week, we would love to hear what our little creation brings up for you. What did they open up for you? Did they get you started on a kind of creative streak like they did for us and snowball?

If you already do TRE, we invite you to share your thoughts with us about the little posters we have created: do you find TRE helpful to you in the way that we share? Is there a particular way you do TRE – perhaps in the space set up, or with particular preparatory exercises, or props you find most supportive to help you past the blockages – that helps you move and feel alive in a different way?

If you don’t do TRE yet and if you are wanting to find out more about it, why not get in touch with us? We love sharing about TRE and other things that we do and we’re open to having a conversation with you to see if it is something that you could bring in to enrich your life with. 

Email us at: tre4life@klarheit.rocks

Or drop us a text or Whatsapp at: +65 8754 0842

Disclaimer!

All the terms used in these posts are based on our personal experience and understanding. Given the nature, capacity and conditioning of our body and mind, change is something we need to be open to. So these posts about what each shake is about are merely suggestions and are, if anything for you, perhaps a great starting point. By no means are they meant to be a quick fix or solution to anyone’s situation.

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Starting Your TRE Journey

Making the most of TRE® once you’ve learned it

Once you’ve had a session to learn the basics of TRE® – the exercises, how to access your tremor, how to stop tremoring, remembering to integrate the work done – then the next thing you would want to do would be to learn how to develop your practice so that it becomes more effective for you over time. Some beginners, having acquired the basics and experienced the tremor in their legs (these larger muscle groups are easier to activate and so an easy access point to begin the journey) think: Oh, that’s all there is to it! 

While TRE® can still work to help you discharge stress when used that way, giving yourself time to find out how to get the tremors going in other parts of your body can help with releasing tension being held in other areas of the body. This, of course, can support the relieving of pain in more parts of the body since we store stress everywhere and often in the upper parts of the body – working long hours at the computer gives me a lot of neck and shoulder stress, not to mention jaw stress when I’ve been clenching my teeth a lot due to frustration.

In fact, on one of the Facebook Live videos I’ve done recently, jaw tension definitely showed up during my shake to be worked through, which was hilarious because I was simultaneously trying to articulate what was happening in my shake. A tremoring jaw and talking are not a complementary combination! To counter my insistence on preventing the tremor in my jaw so I could talk, my TRE® mechanism had me yawning throughout the session so that those tense muscles in my jaw could get the stretch they needed. The shake will find a way to get the job – or in my case, the jaw – done!

Anyhow, here are some questions you might have as a beginner on the TRE® journey, and I will do my best to address them as objectively as possible. As with all these posts that have to do with answering questions, if there are any questions you have which I haven’t addressed, please do give me feedback and I will make sure I plan and do a post to address them. 

How many sessions do I need to learn TRE®?

For the basics, one session can be enough.

The exercises which help you access your tremor are simple and easy to remember. If you need, there are some providers and trainers who have put up videos of the exercises, even variations of them, so that you can follow these if you need more repetitions to be able to do them all unguided. 

What’s the point of attending a series with a group?

To feel safe as you explore and become confident, for positive affirmation on a new journey, for expanding your ideas of what is possible and for limbic resonance. 

In a nutshell, the more comfortable and confident you are with practicing TRE®, the more you’ll be able to trust and relax into the process each time you practice. The more relaxed you are, the more your body is able to induce the tremors it needs in order that you can have more effective tension release. For growing that comfort and that confidence, having a season with a group is a way to get monitored shakes with a certified TRE® Provider who is trained to keep you safe as well as to support your familiarity with how to use interventions at a much more affordable rate than having 1-on-1 sessions.

A main purpose of these sessions is to have a safe space to explore and experiment with this new modality and to get help, if you need to, if something about your experience puzzles you in the process. For many who are new to TRE®, simply experiencing how their bodies can and want to move is an education in itself, and it is always important for us to be with positively affirming groups who can share the wonder of the adventure with us. The more positive reinforcement we have through positive experiences, through being reassured that however weird our tremors are as they emerge that they are also wonderful, the more confident and willing we can become to exploring where else we can take ourselves with TRE®.

Another benefit of attending groups is that there is an opportunity for people who practice together to observe each other’s shakes. In the community, we speak jokingly about the idea of ‘shake envy’ where observing a kind of tremor someone else has makes us want to have an experience of that kind of tremor ourselves. I once provided a session for a beginner who, on her second TRE® session, told me that she experienced a tremor in her eyes because she could feel how her pupils were rapidly dilating and contracting! Man, but did I have a huge dose of shake envy that day! We can experience tremors all over, wherever we store tension, wherever there is tissue to respond, and tremors can take on all kinds of magnitudes, intensities and movements. Sometimes all that keeps us from accessing tremors that are different from ‘usual’ is to observe that it is possible for someone else because the recognition that it can be done is an effective key to help us open our minds and to become aware that we have been subconsciously holding back from allowing a tremor because we thought it couldn’t or even shouldn’t be done a particular way. 

What can sometimes happen in a group that is exciting is when there’s limbic resonance. It’s hard to have that happen all by yourself; you’ll need to be practicing with at least one other person for that to have a chance of happening. The more familiar a group is with shaking regularly together and the more openness and trust develops in a group, the more it stands a chance of happening that the members of the group finds that certain movements they experience are similar or perhaps a certain emotion emerges for everyone during a session. Even without that, the pre- and post- session sharing can create a lot of resonance and a great feeling of camaraderie and companionship – we all come together because we want to be well, to release pent up stress, to cope with situations, to heal… – and knowing that we are not alone can be augment our emotional resources tremendously. 

So, what’s the point of 1-to-1 sessions with a provider?

More personalised support, especially for those who already acknowledge that they have something they would like to work through more intensely with TRE®.

The deeper the journey we have the intention to explore, the more our systems need for us to feel safe so that we can find the courage within ourselves to do what might be very intimidating or challenging to some parts of our psyche. Those who have residual or unresolved trauma from childhood or incidents earlier in their lives can sometimes find their TRE® journeys to have a particular intensity in the way the tremors emerge or the kinds of emotions that they experience before, during or after a shake, or, in some cases, survival responses can also show up which might lead to feelings of being overwhelmed. In such cases, to have our journeys witnessed by a caring, non-judgemental observer who is able to help us feel more safe because we know that their primary reason for being there is to focus on us and to remind us that we are safe can be invaluable. It can help us access the great amount of courage that we need to be open to allowing these sometimes scary  or painful parts of our psyches to emerge to be seen, addressed and healed.  

For most, simply knowing you’re tremoring as part of a group can be an intervention in itself. When we consciously know that we have to share the attention of the provider, we automatically self-regulate. However, there are some people who have a much stronger reaction to the TRE® process and, for these in particular, to have a period of personalised attention is more necessary. 

If I do TRE® with a group, do I still need to make time to do TRE® on my own?

Personal preference rules the day; an awareness of ‘public’ versus ‘private’ space might create different experiences.

Of course, a benefit of attending a regular group is that there is already a regular interval that you’re practicing TRE®, so you don’t have to do solo practice unless you want to. Many, once they become familiar with TRE® and how using it works for them, sometimes choose to also have times when they do TRE® alone:

  • We are usually different people when we are with a group to when we are by ourselves, no matter how much trust and bonding we may feel with the group in question. For this reason, some people find it beneficial to make time to have a group practice and to do a solo practice regularly so that they can reap the benefits of both.  
  • Some find that more frequent practice of TRE® is more supportive for where they are, so a regular group provides a baseline stable practice and they fit in another solo practice mid-way to take care of discharging stress that has built up by the mid-week interval. 
  • It is also a benefit of TRE® that, really, that all we need is our bodies. It can be done anywhere at any time so long as we feel safe enough to allow ourselves to access our tremors. For this reason, it can be used to help us release tension in a more ad hoc sort of fashion when we need it. Like before a big presentation, or after a tense conversation with someone, or when we’ve found ourselves getting triggered by some thing incidental. Personally, I find that sometimes just a few minutes of TRE® help me feel more grounded, more present, and more clear-headed about something which I might find stressful or agitating. 

The choice of how often and with whom is, in other words, a very personal one and is usually tailored by the individual to meet their own needs. Some of us need a regular appointment set by an external entity to help us stay regular in our practice. Some of us prefer a more social environment and feel safer with a group. Some of us go through phases, even, of wanting to shake more often because life happens. 

How often do I need to practice TRE® anyway, with or without a group or provision?

For beginners, a getting-to-know-you regular practice is ideal.

For beginners who are just starting to develop their relationships with their bodies with TRE®, a regular practice can be helpful, simply to familiarize. Once or twice a week is great; do take time off in between to allow for an integration of what TRE® is helping your body to process. The clearing and integration can go on for a few days, which is why some people find that a day or two after doing TRE®, they might feel more emotional, or perhaps feel more thirsty or tired, or even that they have differently vivid dreams. Some might even become more achy in some parts because, chances are, those are the parts that they were subconsciously not allowing to tremor: when you’ve spent most of your life not allowing yourself to tremor, chances are, you’ll need a little time to change that habit. 

Also, when you do TRE®, you’re not just practicing how to allow, regulate and integrate your shake. You’re also practicing observing your body: What’s tremoring today, what’s not tremoring today, what feels like it would like to start tremoring, how much tremoring is feeling like enough for this session, how changing my breathing or taking time to stretch or having more breaks affects my shake… The more you practice watching and listening to your body, the more your body will start communicating with you so that eventually you’ll know when your body really needs to shake something off, and how to regulate your shake for different occasions. 

Until that internal communication becomes more clear, you might want to set a timer for each practice you do on your own (say, 15 minutes, max) and set yourself a target for how many breaks you’ll take to just stretch out and lie still while you notice how your shake is going. Explore. Grow. And if you feel uncertain, find someone to ask. 

Most importantly, whatever I or anyone else has to say on the matter: the TRE® journey is about your relationship with your body and the whole system that includes your mind, your emotions, your habituated tendencies, and anything else that you have stored in there. For that reason, you are the boss of your own journey and how you want that to progress. Taking time to find a Provider you feel gives you the support you need can be helpful – chances are, you’ll find that different Providers and the way they hold space will help you discover different things about yourself. Or simply taking the time to do a few minutes of TRE® every couple of days to get familiar because that’s what you’re comfortable with for a start.

As with any relationship, the more attention you put in, the more astute a sense you will develop for what suits and what doesn’t suit your needs. 

Shake Yourself FREE to Live Whole, Well and Fully

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What is TRE®?

 

What is TRE® and
how does it work?

In a nutshell, the TRE® process involves doing a set of exercises designed by Dr. David Berceli which target primarily the psoas muscle. The objective is to induce this muscle to tremor, initially by use of a combination of tiring and stretching the muscles in the target area, and then by using postures which introduce an element of instability. However, once a neurogenic tremor is accessed – this means the tremor is involuntary and not induced by conscious manipulation of the muscles – and the body becomes familiar with accessing it, the exercises are not necessary for bringing on the tremors. Practitioners are able to start and stop tremoring on their own.

Allowing the body to tremor is the means by which the body’s accumulated and stored stress – sometimes over years, particularly if there has been a traumatic experience in the practitioner’s part – can be discharged. 

How does TRE® affect the system?

Physiologically, there can be both a release of muscle tension as well as a release of any stored naturally produced stress chemicals and hormones. This is why for many, the experience can create an experience of looseness and openness in the body, a feeling of being more physically relaxed after a session. The reduction of stress chemicals in the body can also promote better sleep. For assisting with flushing out whatever the TRE® session has helped release, all practitioners are advised to drink plenty of water after a session. 

Mentally, many report feeling more grounded and aware of being present in their bodies (as opposed to having their minds mulling on the past or darting around about future issues) because in the process of experiencing the tremors, practitioners are guided to notice what is happening in their bodies, how the way they adjust their positions and use interventions can cause a change in their tremor experience and allow more parts of their bodies to experience tremoring. This groundedness can have an effect of helping people feel generally more calm, and helps create a better awareness around distinguishing being focused and being distracted.  

There can also be a discharge of emotional stress during a TRE® session. Emotions which have been suppressed may be experienced during a shake though this varies from person to person, because individuals may also choose to regulate their experience by taking more breaks during their shake. The opportunity provided by the TRE® session to experience and be aware of these emotions when they emerge without the usual loaded trigger present can be very powerful for reconnecting with emotions as well as for allowing them to be expressed in a controlled and manageable fashion. 

The possibility of suppressed emotions emerging is one of the reasons why beginners are encouraged to go through a period of supervised TRE® shakes in a group or 1-on-1 with a certified provider. The provider is there to provide support to ensure that the practitioner feels safe during the TRE® session, learns how to regulate their shake so that they can create a more optimum TRE® experience for themselves. 

Dr. David Berceli

Scientist and Innovator who discovered the stress-discharging qualities of the tremor mechanism and who designed the exercises so that anyone can access the mechanism to improve their well-being.

An All-In-One Reset

A TRE® tremor session provides an opportunity for a physical, mental and emotional reset that helps us feel refreshed and restored to ourselves. For some, this ‘back to neutral’ state helps them access internal resources that were previously obstructed by stored stress, so that they can be more resilient in general.

Every Body Tremors Differently

And that is why we wanted to create different possibilities for exploration so that you can find the way to support your tremor and stress-discharging journey in the way that is the most supportive for you.

This is important to us because YOU are the greatest and most important intervention for all of your experiences.

Should anyone NOT practice TRE®?

For safety’s sake – after all, your safety is our #1 priority – here are some situations where, if you have not done TRE® before, you might want to wait before starting or to make sure that you are undertaking your TRE® experience with a provider to help you practice TRE® safely.

Post-Surgery

If you have had surgery recently, particularly abdominal surgery, you are advised to not start doing TRE® until either 6 months after OR your consulting doctor has given you the go-ahead to resume normal activities.

Immediately after an Accident

Though TRE® can be used to shake off the stresses of having had an accident, if you have been injured, you might want to proceed slowly and cautiously, paying great attention to which parts of your body are ready to discharge stress and tension.

If you are not sure or simply want more support, have a provider present for your shake.

If you are pregnant

Though there are TRE® practitioners who DO tremor during their pregnancies with no ill-effects, if you have never done TRE® before and do not have a baseline understanding of how your body responds to the experience, you are advised to wait until the baby is born before beginning your TRE® journey.

If you’re ready to start your TRE® journey, here are some things you might want to have on hand.

A Yoga or Exercise Mat

As the basic TRE® position requires you to lie down on the floor (see featured image), the mat is to provide you some cushioning. You may also use a futon or mattress if you have that available, though we do not recommend that you shake on an elevated plane (like on your bed) until you have enough experience with TRE® to know how to regulate your tremors and keep yourself safe from falling off mid-shake. 

Water

We usually encourage practitioners to have some water immediately after the TRE® tremor session and integration are completed, to provide resource for flushing the body.

A Small Hand Towel

Though props are not generally necessary, a small hand towel can be used for a number of simple self-interventions during a TRE® session, so having one on hand can be helpful and provide more options for managing your experience. 

What’s Next?

As with all somatic modalities and most other learning, the best way to get to know better what TRE® is and how it works is to get an experience of it. Every body is different and responds differently to TRE®, so come and discover the mystery that is you.
If you are a beginner, you can search for a START  session or a Beginner-Friendly TRE4Life GROUP session. Alternatively, if you would prefer some 1-on-1 attention because your own knowledge of your personal history makes you prefer to have a more private arrangement to begin your TRE® journey until you have a handle on how it affects your system – or if you simply have more questions that our FAQ page doesn’t help you with yet – get in touch with us!

 

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