Shake it like Mike
and learn TRE®
Discover your gateway to managing stress and finding inner peace through releasing tension, stress and trauma with Trauma Release Exercises (TRE®).
Are you tired of carrying the weight of past experiences on your shoulders? Do you wish to break free from the patterns of behaviour that have been holding you back? Are you looking for a natural and healthy way to deal with daily stress? Then maybe it is time to learn TRE® and transform your life!
Keen to learn more?
What are Trauma Release Exercises?
TRE® is a revolutionary and natural modality that makes use of your body's innate ability to heal and release accumulated stress, tension and trauma. Developed by Dr. David Berceli, this gentle and accessible method focuses on releasing stuck tension stored deep within your muscles, promoting relaxation, and restoring emotional balance by resetting your nervous system and natural protective reflexes.
Why choose to work with me in East London?
As an experienced and Certified TRE® Provider and facilitator, I understand that everyone's journey is unique. I am dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing space for you to explore this transformative practice. I take pride in being warm, friendly, and approachable, ensuring you feel comfortable throughout the process.
Whether at my home in East London or from the comfort of your home, either in-person or via a video call, I like to create a space where you can rediscover inner peace and embark on a path to conscious embodiment and self-discovery. Whether you're new to TRE® or seeking ongoing support, I tailor my approach to meet your individual needs.
Join me, and together, we'll embark on a journey of post-traumatic growth and renewal. Take the first step towards a lighter, brighter future by booking your TRE® session today. Remember, a healthy, regulated nervous system is within reach, and I’ll be there to guide you every step of the way in your process.
The Benefits of TRE®:
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Stress Relief: In today's fast-paced world, stress can build up and take a toll on our wellbeing. TRE® helps you let go of that tension, leaving you feeling lighter and more at ease.
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Trauma Release: Whether you've experienced a recent event or have unresolved past traumas, TRE® gently guides your body towards releasing trauma without retraumatising you.
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Improved Sleep: Many of my clients report better sleep patterns after practicing TRE®, as it calms the nervous system and promotes relaxation.
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Anxiety Reduction: TRE® can be a valuable tool in managing anxiety, allowing you to regain control over your emotions and responses.
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Enhanced Resilience: By releasing stored tension, you'll find yourself better equipped to handle life's challenges and setbacks.
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Increased Self-Awareness: TRE® helps you reconnect with your body, fostering a deeper understanding of yourself and your emotions.
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Holistic Healing: Unlike other therapies, TRE® addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of trauma, promoting a holistic approach to healing.
Contact me now to begin your transformation with TRE® in East London. Your wellbeing is my top priority, and I can't wait to accompany you on this incredible transformative exploration.
To understand more, please read the FAQ's on TRE® on my blog.
“Talking therapy wasn’t helping as much as I’d hoped. Mike’s manner is gentle and calm and the TRE® was introduced really slowly, putting no pressure on my body. I’ve let go of some emotions – and in one session even laughed.” - Mark J.
TRE® is a safe, natural process to re-boot overprotective reflexes.
Traditionally, treating symptoms of chronic stress, tension and trauma have involved talking therapies and medication. However, this approach is not easily accessible to all, and there is mounting evidence to support the use of TRE® as a highly effective, complementary approach.
The TRE® technique, created in the 1980s by Dr David Berceli, is based on the fundamental idea, backed by recent research, that stress, tension and trauma are both psychological and physical.
With a background in both psychotherapy and therapeutic bodywork, Berceli was able to develop a sequence of seven simple exercises, that activate the body’s natural urge to shake or tremor to release stress. When this shaking/tremor mechanism is triggered – in a safe, controlled environment – it has multiple positive effects on the body, including:
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calming and balancing the nervous system
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helping the body to release muscular tension
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releasing complex trauma histories
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bringing the body back into a state of balance (homeostasis)
Over time (sometimes in less than three months) the physiology of the entire body can be returned to balance, and the immune system returns to normal functioning, with benefits including:
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improved sleep
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better focus and concentration
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feeling more relaxed and calm
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relief from long-standing physical pain
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greater emotional resilience
After initial training, TRE® is designed to be a self-help tool that can be used independently, as and when needed in daily life, to support and promote personal health and wellness.
The exercises can also be adapted to meet the specific needs of each individual, depending on flexibility and physical health – making them accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
How Does TRE® Work?
Stress, tension and trauma are first experienced by our nervous system – and then expressed through our bodies and minds.
They are our body’s automatic response to any action or situation that places extra physical or psychological demands on us, that could disturb our balance, such as:
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new or unexpected events
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things we feel we have no control over
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situations that threaten our feeling of self
When we experience anything that appears to threaten our wellbeing, this automatic survival mechanism kicks in. It instantly creates physical changes in our body, including the production of stress hormones, triggering the ‘fight or flight’ or ‘freeze’ response.
This stress response is the body’s natural reaction to keep us on high alert, motivated and safe, until the ‘danger’ has passed. It’s a healthy reaction that can, at times, be essential for our survival – helping us to push through challenging, intense or scary situations.
Our bodies typically return to a relaxed, resting state after the stress response has done its job, without any lasting negative effects. However, there are times when our stress response is repeatedly activated – or persists over extended periods – and we can get stuck in a permanent state of ‘fight or flight’ or ‘freeze’. When this charge is not released, it is stored in the body in the muscles and fascia – as a body memory. It can become toxic, causing a wide range of physical and mental health issues.
TRE® is a simple and highly effective tool that can help the body to naturally release this charge – to reset the nervous system and return the body to a state of balance. As a result, it reduces many issues linked to a stressed nervous system, including anxiety, sleep problems, depression, ADHD, and poor emotional regulation.
Shaking/tremoring can release long-held tension patterns and promote new feelings of connection and ease. It is a novel stimulus to the central nervous system. New stimuli, approached with safety and curiosity, can support learning and growth.
The psychology of trauma is complex, yet the physiology is relatively simple. In trauma old parts of the brain are fixed in defence cascades of ‘fight-or-flight’ or ‘freeze’.
TRE® is a safe, natural process to re-boot overprotective reflexes.
The technique involves three main steps:
First, a series of simple exercises are performed as a physical warm-up. These mildly stress and stretch the body’s muscles and prepare the body to activate its natural shaking/tremor mechanism. While this is typically a natural process, it is one that we often resist and have been socialised to stop, which is why our bodies have been unable to discharge any built-up stress naturally.
Once activated, the gentle shaking/tremoring/vibrating begins deep in the body, moving to the legs, and eventually reverberating up along the spine, releasing tension from the base of the spine to the top of the head which occurs due to the stimulation of the vagus nerve. These are called neurogenic muscle tremors and are the body’s natural way of shaking off the effects brought about by stress and trauma, which can often be seen in animals too.
The shaking can trigger physical or emotional release, which (unlike situations of overwhelm) can be self-regulated. Through TRE® sessions, we have control over the intensity and can moderate when, where and how much we release at any given time.
Finally, it is important to rest, to allow the mind and body to settle and integrate any emotions that have arisen. This allows the brain to establish a new neural pattern related to relaxation. Endorphins (natural pain relief hormones) are released and restore the natural state of balance.
With practice, the muscle shaking/tremors can be activated spontaneously without the need to perform the exercises.
What Are the Benefits of TRE®?
In addition to helping the body release deeply held trauma, TRE® can also be used to relieve stress, lower anxiety, build resilience and reduce feelings of overwhelm. It restores and supports physical, mental and emotional health.
The wide range of reported benefits include:
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less worry and anxiety
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reduced symptoms of PTSD
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more energy and stamina/endurance
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less relationship conflict/improved relationships
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improved sleep and natural states of rest
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reduced muscle aches and pains, including relief from migraines, headache, back pain
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better circulation
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increased flexibility
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more balanced mood, including reduced feelings of anger, fear, doubt, rage and anxiety increased feelings of love, generosity, openness and caring
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greater emotional resilience
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improved autoimmune conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, arthritis and fibromyalgia
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relief from many inflammatory illnesses, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
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release of deeply buried emotional/physical trauma
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a healthier body and mind awareness
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improved sense of feeling focused, confident and grounded
As well as helping the body to naturally balance the nervous system, TRE® also has the potential to help with digestive issues, blood pressure irregularities, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and much more.
Additionally, TRE® has been shown to achieve positive results in a short period of time. In just 10-15 minutes, a few times a week, it is possible to completely release dysfunctional patterns, behaviours and ways of being that have become deeply entrenched over time.
TRE® has the potential to help with digestive issues, blood pressure irregularities, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and much more.
Who Can Benefit From TRE®?
The shaking/tremor mechanism activated by this technique is part of our natural behaviour as humans, and therefore everyone can access and benefit from it. It’s the body’s most natural, organic way of releasing pent-up ‘fight or flight’ or ‘freeze’ energy and bringing the body back to homeostasis or balance.
TRE® has been used effectively in many countries around the world, benefitting thousands of people suffering from anything from day-to-day anxieties, addictions and chronic medical conditions, to severe symptoms of PTSD.
Is TRE® Safe?
TRE® is considered to be as safe and effective as any other exercise-based, stress-release practice (such as yoga and tai chi), for most people. However, it is not currently advisable to use it as a substitute for trauma recovery procedures of a medical or psychological nature.
Anyone with of the following diagnoses:
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bipolar conditions
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borderline personality disorder
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epilepsy
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manic/depressive
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psychosis
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schizophrenia
should find a Certified TRE® Provider who has the appropriate psychiatric training.
Anyone who is pregnant or has complex health needs is advised to check with a medical professional before attempting to practice the exercises.
Used in combination with talking therapies and/or medication, TRE® is shown to be safe, and to have a significant impact on healing the body and mind, restoring overall wellbeing.
What Are the Benefits of Using TRE® With Teenagers and Young Adults?
Most teenagers and young adults have a lot to cope with as they navigate modern life. Some common causes of stress, tension and trauma include:
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the challenges of social media
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study and exam pressures
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hormonal and brain changes
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family problems
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romantic relationships
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bullying
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peer pressure
Additionally, many young people spend excessive amounts of time on their phones or other devices, which means their bodies are less active, and therefore less able to discharge the increasing levels of daily stress through natural mechanisms.
The human body can only cope with so much pressure before physical, mental and emotional signs and symptoms begin to develop.
TRE® is an amazing additional tool to use with teenagers and young adults, as it:
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is a process that doesn’t require talking about events, feelings or issues, which young people can find hard to do. As a no-talking technique, TRE® frees them from the expectation of having to recall/relive uncomfortable situations or to access memories of traumatic events they have tried to numb/avoid
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can be used effectively as a complementary practice, to support and enhance other treatment approaches
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encourages unity and openness between group members, and can be a helpful tool for interpersonal, group and family communication
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stimulates the nervous system, optimising the control of muscles, which can help young people feel reconnected with their body
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is flexible and can be learned/practised in a group, family or one-on-one setting
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becomes an empowering life skill that young people can use independently in their daily lives, to support and promote their own physical, mental and emotional health
Studies have shown that after just a few sessions, most young people feel confident in using the practice and can incorporate it into a weekly, self-care routine. In this way, they can regularly identify and release tensions before they become much larger problems.
They are also able to see/feel positive changes in a relatively short space of time – such as feeling less anxious, getting better sleep and having a more balanced mood – which can act as a great incentive for them to keep it up.