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Trauma Releasing Exercises
This book explains many aspects of the trauma recovery process in uncomplicated language and uses basic concepts for the non-professional. It includes the ground-breaking, Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE). These exercises elicit mild psychogenic tremors that release deep chronic tension in the body and assist the individual in the trauma healing process.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 29, 2014
Leading trauma expert, Dr. David Bercelli, provides a really thorough analysis of how pervasive trauma really is to all aspects of our societies: family life, schooling, community clubs, our work environments and our national identities.
He also identifies the belief systems and preconceptions that keep us from accepting that trauma will, at some point in time, affect us all, and, how this belief unfortunately inhibits our acceptance and readiness to be open to adopting preventative measures, systems and treatment programs to help minimize and correct the negative legacy and devastating impact that trauma leaves in our communities, often making the lives of so many so unnecessarily unbearable.
As Dr. Bercelli notes, "Every person who experiences trauma suffers from some symptoms of PTSD – it is a simply a matter of degrees that separates them.”
While an individuals background, age, mental health, prior trauma history and support structure all contribute to their likely resilience to severe stress and trauma, ultimately, this is something that will, and does, impact us all; whether it’s a direct traumatic event that we or a family member experience, one that we encounter vicariously through the media, a national disaster, our work, or because our teachers, community leaders or employers have been traumatized and are unconsciously creating a culture and environment that perpetuates this.
So what is the solution? Dr. Bercelli outlines this clearly while providing a detailed description of how trauma affects our bodymind dynamic at a biological, physiological, hormonal, physical, behavioral and neurological level.
Just having this greater awareness of trauma and its unconscious impact on us provides a greater level of understanding and compassion for so many people around us. Yet, the solutions offered by Dr. Bercelli in this book offer something far more concrete with specific trauma recovery and assessment programs that can be used by organizations, corporations and communities, together with the actual Trauma Release Exercises (TRE™) which can provide a simple, natural healing and trauma recovery solution for the individual or any group.
Initially, it might appear from reading this book that the degree of trauma that currently exists in our world means we are species doomed to ever increasing levels of disconnection, emotional numbing, spiritual pain and acts of uncontrollable aggression, possibly to the point of inevitable self-destruction. However, trauma, it turns out is the very opportunity we need for self-realization and evolution.
When resolved in a healthy way, trauma actually helps us learn how to adapt to life threatening situations by making us stronger, wiser and better able to deal with future threats. Initially our response may well be one of overwhelm, hopelessness and immeasurable emotional pain, causing us to hide in terror at the fragility, precariousness and vulnerability of our existence.
Yet, when we can successfully engage the body and minds natural methods for healing after trauma, moving the body out of contraction and into relaxation, the nervous system from disassociation or hyper alertness, and the mind from reaction to reflection, then we can achieve the normal sense of inner peace, release feelings of rage, revenge or hatred that keep us stuck in the trauma, and ultimately gain the benefit that comes from our biological imperative to let-go so that we can move forward into the future without being robbed of our present. As Dr. Bercelli notes, “ Maybe trauma is the universe’s way of helping humanity to develop and mature as a wiser, more compassionate species.”
He also identifies the belief systems and preconceptions that keep us from accepting that trauma will, at some point in time, affect us all, and, how this belief unfortunately inhibits our acceptance and readiness to be open to adopting preventative measures, systems and treatment programs to help minimize and correct the negative legacy and devastating impact that trauma leaves in our communities, often making the lives of so many so unnecessarily unbearable.
As Dr. Bercelli notes, "Every person who experiences trauma suffers from some symptoms of PTSD – it is a simply a matter of degrees that separates them.”
While an individuals background, age, mental health, prior trauma history and support structure all contribute to their likely resilience to severe stress and trauma, ultimately, this is something that will, and does, impact us all; whether it’s a direct traumatic event that we or a family member experience, one that we encounter vicariously through the media, a national disaster, our work, or because our teachers, community leaders or employers have been traumatized and are unconsciously creating a culture and environment that perpetuates this.
So what is the solution? Dr. Bercelli outlines this clearly while providing a detailed description of how trauma affects our bodymind dynamic at a biological, physiological, hormonal, physical, behavioral and neurological level.
Just having this greater awareness of trauma and its unconscious impact on us provides a greater level of understanding and compassion for so many people around us. Yet, the solutions offered by Dr. Bercelli in this book offer something far more concrete with specific trauma recovery and assessment programs that can be used by organizations, corporations and communities, together with the actual Trauma Release Exercises (TRE™) which can provide a simple, natural healing and trauma recovery solution for the individual or any group.
Initially, it might appear from reading this book that the degree of trauma that currently exists in our world means we are species doomed to ever increasing levels of disconnection, emotional numbing, spiritual pain and acts of uncontrollable aggression, possibly to the point of inevitable self-destruction. However, trauma, it turns out is the very opportunity we need for self-realization and evolution.
When resolved in a healthy way, trauma actually helps us learn how to adapt to life threatening situations by making us stronger, wiser and better able to deal with future threats. Initially our response may well be one of overwhelm, hopelessness and immeasurable emotional pain, causing us to hide in terror at the fragility, precariousness and vulnerability of our existence.
Yet, when we can successfully engage the body and minds natural methods for healing after trauma, moving the body out of contraction and into relaxation, the nervous system from disassociation or hyper alertness, and the mind from reaction to reflection, then we can achieve the normal sense of inner peace, release feelings of rage, revenge or hatred that keep us stuck in the trauma, and ultimately gain the benefit that comes from our biological imperative to let-go so that we can move forward into the future without being robbed of our present. As Dr. Bercelli notes, “ Maybe trauma is the universe’s way of helping humanity to develop and mature as a wiser, more compassionate species.”
September 8, 2012
Dr. Berceli was a professor of mine while in undergrad and he frequently taught principles and exercises from this text during our courses. This book is a fantastic tool and teaches some ground-breaking techniques for stress-release, whether due to trauma or simply due to the stress of everyday life. Dr. Berceli is one of the top experts in trauma intervention and I really think his idea are revolutionary.
July 3, 2015
Fascinating! Completely worthwhile for any yoga teachers, massage therapists, and healers who are interested in helping people release their trauma. Can't wait to practice the TRE exercises myself!!
September 14, 2019
I am very grateful to my therapist for giving this book to me.
Over the past few weeks I have been working through the TRE method with my therapist, and I was also able to read this book so I could take the exercises home with me. Dr. Berceli's TRE has really been life changing for me and my anxiety. And all I can really do is suggest that everyone give this small booklet a try. Even if you would say that you have not experienced trauma in your life, I would still say that the releasing part of the exercises can help all to manage stress in your life better.
We all hold tension in our bodies, and this method could help you. Granted I'm no medical professional so obviously take what I say with a grain of salt. But this method has really helped me to manage my anxiety better. It helps to ground me in a way that I have not been able to until now.
In the end I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads. Give it a try!
Over the past few weeks I have been working through the TRE method with my therapist, and I was also able to read this book so I could take the exercises home with me. Dr. Berceli's TRE has really been life changing for me and my anxiety. And all I can really do is suggest that everyone give this small booklet a try. Even if you would say that you have not experienced trauma in your life, I would still say that the releasing part of the exercises can help all to manage stress in your life better.
We all hold tension in our bodies, and this method could help you. Granted I'm no medical professional so obviously take what I say with a grain of salt. But this method has really helped me to manage my anxiety better. It helps to ground me in a way that I have not been able to until now.
In the end I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads. Give it a try!
January 4, 2019
An effective movement-based therapy for trauma recovery. Some of the exercises might not be safe for all (I felt some movements were not appropriate without properly warming the body in advance or for those with joint instability), but a skilled clinician or yoga teacher could adapt those particular movements to be safe for the individual.
March 31, 2014
A fantastic way to relieve stress and feel better. The exercises are simple, effective and powerful. You can teach yourself. I found these exercises provided immediate, lasting relief. You won't believe what your body can do to heal itself until you try this.
January 29, 2019
Even though the book has some interesting facts, author's comments and experiences with trauma, actually it has little about TRE. Maybe that is all there is about TRE, but then the book shouldn't be named TRE.
March 26, 2008
Quick read with a lot of great info on PTSD and the chronic tension that comes with it with specific exercises.
August 20, 2014
Ground breaking techniques and adivce
Fantastic book for personal or professional use in the way trauma should be approached and healed. I highly recommend for everyone!
Fantastic book for personal or professional use in the way trauma should be approached and healed. I highly recommend for everyone!
April 10, 2016
A fascinating look at the mind-body connection in trauma. It is certainly worth a trying.
October 2, 2020
It’s a book that explains things about trauma I already new. It’s like a condensed version of the Body Keeps the Score.
I think it would’ve been better to simply go to a training in person to learn the exercises. 90% of the book summarizes what trauma is and the last 10% goes over the exercises.
Could have been a pamphlet. I don’t mean to sound harsh, it was just disappointing how a book titled “trauma releasing exercises” barely touches on the actual interventions until the last few pages of the book, if you could call this a book.
I think it would’ve been better to simply go to a training in person to learn the exercises. 90% of the book summarizes what trauma is and the last 10% goes over the exercises.
Could have been a pamphlet. I don’t mean to sound harsh, it was just disappointing how a book titled “trauma releasing exercises” barely touches on the actual interventions until the last few pages of the book, if you could call this a book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 12, 2024Luotan menetelmään, mutta tämä kirja ei ole erityisen kiinnostava, vaan amerikkalainen ja keskittyy pelkästää hyvin isoihin traumoihin, jolloin arkipäiväisempi elämänkolhujen hoito/käsittely tärinällä jää kokonaan pimentoon. Löytyy myös suomeksi, joten siksi kiinnostuneille suositeltava, jos enkku ei tunnu omalta lukukieleltä.
June 13, 2020
Wat een fijn boek om beter te leren begrijpen hoe een lijf spanning opbouwt en hoe je deze kunt verminderen!
De oefeningen maakten in mijn geval wel erg veel los, dus dat was heftig. Maar ongetwijfeld nuttig!
De oefeningen maakten in mijn geval wel erg veel los, dus dat was heftig. Maar ongetwijfeld nuttig!
April 16, 2022
Fantastic book on TRE
I would recommend this book to anyone suffering with any form of trauma. I have been practising TRE for the last few months and the positive impact it has had on my psychology and physiology is nothing short of revolutonary❤🕉❤
I would recommend this book to anyone suffering with any form of trauma. I have been practising TRE for the last few months and the positive impact it has had on my psychology and physiology is nothing short of revolutonary❤🕉❤
May 29, 2017
Short, to the point and educating. 5 stars!
August 14, 2025
Been working through the exercises in the back of the book and have found anxiety relief and diaphragm relaxation.
June 19, 2019
Exercises
I liked that it was in layman terms. I can't wait to see how the exercises will work, but the narrative and th examples given in the book give you hope.
I liked that it was in layman terms. I can't wait to see how the exercises will work, but the narrative and th examples given in the book give you hope.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews