Description
Life is stressful, anxiety provoking, and frequently traumatic. The result is that many of us are hurting, and often we are unaware of how deep our hurt runs.
The painful experiences we go through aren’t simply “over and done with” once we pass through them, however. They each leave their mark, etched deep into both the psyche and the body, affecting how well we function from this point onwards.
The Revolutionary Trauma Release Process shows, in simple language, the effects that stress, anxiety, and trauma have on our mental wellbeing and our physical health. We discover that trauma is par for the course in any life, but that even the most damaging events can become a pathway to a more fulfilling and meaningful experience.
The magic of the approach of David Berceli’s Trauma Release Process is that it can be utilized by anyone, any place on the planet, even when professional help is beyond the individual’s reach. A person can use the process either as a stand-alone stress reduction or trauma release process or in conjunction with other modalities. The exercises are versatile and can be used to affect a wide range of hyperarousal states such as anxiety, irritability, exaggerated, startle response, etc. These exercises can help to reestablish a person’s psychophysical homeostasis by relaxing body tension and returning them to an emotionally healthy place.
William Oster (verified owner) –
I have always been interested in self improvement. I quickly understood that Dr.Berceli’s process is not about another recycled self-help strategy but an easy physical exercise to rapidly and permanently release deep-seated the tension and worry that can come from trauma or from periods of overwhelming stress.
I was skeptical but open enough to try Dr. Berceli’s process after reading how he developed the exercises. Berceli, an ex monk, is a trauma expert. His laboratories were battle fields and war zone where he helped establish trauma relief programs for survivors of horrendous events and conditions such as war and genocide. While running Trauma Relief programs in the Middle East, Rwanda, and Bosnia, he observed in many cultures how people reacted physically to extreme trauma and the horrors of war yet how some recovered faster than others. In a nutshell, he was able to put together simple physical exercises to release the muscle tension that gets deeply imprinted in the body and mind at times of unbearable stress.
After learning that these physical exercises were developed for times of war and horrendous stress, I figured that they might work for ordinary stress overload and excessive worry. I did not have any trauma that I was aware of, but I have been a long-time worrier that probably comes from running a business. I was curious enough to give the exercises a shot. Bingo! After about four or five sessions, I cannot believe how much better I began to feel.
That was six months ago and positive results persist. My resting heart rate and blood pressure have dropped permanently. I am calmer. I sleep better, and I now finally understand the concept of feeling grounded–something that I thought was just new age psycho babble. I did Berceli’s exercises about twenty times over a two-month period. They take about twenty minutes per session; now I only do the exercise when I feel the need to or occasionally after my regular exercise routine. I am excited because the day to day grounding benefits have remained without the need for regular practice.
I would recommend also obtaining a video demo of the exercise if you want additional instructions for the exercises.
There is no reason not to be skeptical, but enjoy the book and give the exercises/process a shot. I believe the process can help with trauma recovery, but the exercises which are easy can help almost anyone develop more resiliency toward stress and worry. Remember to give the exercises a chance by doing them four or five times, and I hope others find the exercises as valuable as I have.
Bill Oster
Baltimore,Md
H.E. Pennypacker (verified owner) –
Building upon the insight that higher mammals discharge incurred trauma through tremoring or shaking (think of a National Geographic scene of a polar bear waking up after being shot with a tranquilizer dart), David Berceli has devised a series of exercises designed to induce bodily tremoring. The body thus releases the pent up trauma energies stored from our inability to tap into our own atrophied natural mechanisms to do just that.
One thinks of human bodily mechanisms frowned on or diminished by our culture to illustrate that “tremoring” is a natural instinct lost over time. Children often cry with deep, belly level sobbing and shaking which adults regularly hurry to quiet up. When one gets extremely nervous, due to some perceived threat, there is often a tremoring of the body and voice. But showing nervousness is often interpreted as a sign of weakness and to be overcome. After a serious accident, where one may not even be physically harmed, one may feel “shaky” and unstable, unfit to attend business as usual. Often, people feel the expectation to get back to normal ASAP.
What we have conditioned ourselves to do is shut off the intuitive, natural mechanisms designed within us to process trauma and danger from our minds and bodies.
Berceli’s thesis is that trauma is circuited by the defensive/protective minded “reptilian” part of our brain and branded into the psoas related muscles of our body, chiefly located in the lower back, abdominal, pelvis, and leg areas. (Perhaps the area of our body that once determined the fate of our survival in the face of physical threat.) This is the area of the body that Berceli stresses by his exercises to induce often very pronounced tremoring and shaking. The shaking clears the trauma imprint out of these “trauma muscles”.
I had previously read Peter Levine’s seminal book “Waking the Tiger” that reinforces much of Berceli’s theory. (Also consider much of the current research that validates that the body vividly stores our unprocessed experiences.) But where Levine establishes the theory, Berceli provides the pragmatic, hands on exercises to practice the theory in real life. (Would be very interesting to get Levine’s take on it.)
I am a middle-aged male who suffers from chronic anxiety and PTSD from extensive child abuse. With nothing to lose, I have embarked on giving the exercises a go. After several month’s practice, I am pleased that something good is going on. After doing the last culminating exercise of the set of seven exercises, I can sometimes shake for over 20 minutes and consequently feel very calm and relaxed.
I would suppose that what really needs to be done is some sort of research that can assess the results of the practice in as neutral and unbiased way as possible. But who can wait around for that? Try it and test it yourself! Even if it doesn’t entirely work, developing kick butt psoases may pay for the price of the book for many! 😉
My thumbs up to a low-cost resource to help mitigate cumulated trauma effects. By all means, for those with acute symptoms, seek out professional help and try out the many other “energy-medicine” techniques available (e.g. Emotional Freedom Technique, acupressure for emotions, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing etc.). But this may well be an important contribution to the arsenal in treating the PTSD symptoms rampant in our very violent world.
P.S. Go to his web site to obtain a DVD of the exercises for a real life demonstration. For an interesting interview try: […]
S. Mills (verified owner) –
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in trauma for the last 3 decades. This easy to read book helps us understand trauma more fully and gives us a hopeful perspective; but, MOST IMPORTANTLY it gives us something concert we can do to aid in our own self-healing.
This is a book that every therapist needs to read AND everyone who has been traumatized or who lives in chronic stress needs to read. Personally I think all of us living in today’s stressful world will benefit greatly from this book.
I believe everyone will benefit from the understanding of trauma that Dr. Berceli presents. He explains in easy to read language what happens to us physically, psychologically and spiritually in times of trauma and chronic stress.
Reading about Dr. Berceli’s journey that brought him to develop this process is most interesting also. He lived in Africa and the Middle East for many years and experienced his own trauma from the wars in those areas. How he writes about his journey and the people he knew and worked with in that part of the world is very touching.
Dr. Berceli writes that trauma has actually been important for human evolution. How he writes about trauma gives us a different perspective and an expanded understanding of trauma. He gives us a vision of hope for the healing of trauma and he shows us how trauma actually helps us evolve.
But; as I said before the most important part is the physical exercises. The book teaches us several simple physical exercises that release the tension held in the deep core of the body. From this release the body can find its natural path to physical and emotional healing.
I have had clients use these exercises in conjunction with traditional therapies and they are a tremendous aid. I have also taught these exercises to many people who use them as self-healing techniques without the benefit of traditional therapy. Over and over I hear very positive reports of how much these exercises help.
Personally these exercises have helped me tremendously as I cope with working with trauma survivors daily. Unexpectedly, I got a big physical healing from them also — these exercises are truly amazing!! The second time I did these exercises it “fixed” a chronic sciatic nerve problem I had in my left hip. As I got into the final exercise position I felt the sudden release of pressure on my sciatic nerve. I have been pain free since 2003 when I was first introduced to these exercises.
Personally and professionally I’m a believer in this revolutionary Trauma Release Process. I would say all therapist, 1st Responders and war veterans would greatly benefit from reading this book and learning these exercises.
I hope you will check it out for yourself.
Frank B. (verified owner) –
I have two military sons that have served in Bosnia and IRAQ. Both have returned with stong symptoms of PTSD but were unwilling to seek out professional pshychological help. They will not discuss their war time experiences with anyone. After hearing about Dr Berceli’s Trauma Release Process and learning that physical exercises were the key, not years of verbal dialogue with therapists, I immediately ordered books for my entire family. Although we have all benefitted greatly from the exercises it was the psychological improvement of both military sons that was absolutely astounding. Being soldiers, they had no problem doing the exercises and both saw improvements within weeks. What a miracle! They continue to do the exercises and are amazed at the results. I can not thank Dr. Berceli enough for bringing peace back into their lives.
Helena Guo M.D., Ph.D., LPC (verified owner) –
“I was in China when the earthquake that killed 700,000 people happened
in Sichuan, China May 12, 2008. I learned in my professional crisis
training that counseling is very limited in helping in situations of such
massive trauma. I felt that we needed an intervention that could be used not only with individuals or small groups but also for massive numbers of
traumatized people and a method not mainly depend on talking.
We decided to invite Dr. Berceli come to the earthquake area in Sept.
2008 for one month to teach TRE to the students and teachers. The comments of the people who attended Dr. Berceli TRE sessions were that TRE is the most effect method for us because it is simple, practical, and magical. Once you learn it, you will have an inner desire to use it when you feel stressed. You do not need much effort to do them. Many of the
participants felt it was the first time they felt relaxed and felt relief since the earthquake. From a professional point of view, I found it transcends culture and is therefore much more suited for international traumas than all other trauma treatment methods. It is non intrusive and is the only method I know that can be used very effectively for individual and massive traumatized populations. It can be used with both children and adults.
It is also for people who experience stress. In fact, it is a great stress relief technique. It is also excellent for mental health workers. It is a wonderful tool to help clients who have anxiety and have had traumatic experiences.
Helena Guo, M.D., Ph.D., LPC
Chief Clinical Officer, […]
Joan Wright (verified owner) –
As a clinical psychologist, I have been trained to believe that if we assist the client with changing the way that they think, they will change the way that they feel. In essence, the mind can be taught to control the stress and tension of the body. Dr. Berceli provides convincing theory to support the contention that this is not a viable first line intervention for those who have experienced significant stress or trauma. In these circumstances, the body freezes and the resulting physical tension prevents the emotional tension from being released, which maintains the negative thought patterns. Consequently, to attempt the release of physical tension by talking about it, is likely to be a very slow process. I was struck by the truth of this from my own experience with my clients who have suffered from chronic stress and/or trauma.
Dr. Berceli’s book offers a simple self-help solution. He has developed a set of physical exercises which release deep chronic tension from the body by creating a vibration in the body. I have been teaching the exercises to my clients and they are consistently reporting an increase in the relaxation response, deeper breathing, increased energy, better sleep, and significantly fewer negative thoughts. In essence, as they are thawing the physical tension, their thoughts are also thawing, thereby permitting easier access to rational thinking. They are healing their minds by first releasing the tension from their body. By using this intervention as the starting point with chronically stressed clients, I am noticing a significant decrease in the number of reported symptoms and an increase in feelings of well-being. It is a therapeutic short-cut to healing!
Don’t be fooled by the title of this book. You do not need to have experienced trauma to benefit from the technique. In fact, if you are stressed and no matter how many times you talk about it, the tension continues to be felt, these exercises are for you. In my experience, the sooner we take the time to learn and practice them, the more alive and healthier we will feel. Joan Wright, PhD Psych.
Rene M. Campagna (verified owner) –
I am using these exercises to relieve my own stress and “soft trauma” of adopting a child from Russia. I also am adapting these exercises for my son who is 6 years old.
I have done the TREs about 10 times for myself now and wow, can’t believe the relief I feel. It’s like an after massage “glow” that last for a couple of days until I do the next exercise. This is helping me be a better person and calmer parent.
I believe that my son also carries within his body the trauma of his early beginnings of being separated from his birthmother and being in an orphanage for 6 months. I am adapting the exercises to keep my son’s
attention. I am trying some creative ways to do this:
– naming the exercises “swaying tree”, “flamingo” “waterfall”
– adding tempo by counting by the days of the week/months, singing twinkle,twinkle, little star, reciting a bible verse;
-using 6 beads and a bowl to count down the exercises.
-using a visual timer on the last two (longest) exercises so he knows how much longer the exercise will be.
The first time I did these with my son, it was a bit chaotic because he didn’t know what to expect. The second time, he did start to tremor (we call it wiggling) a bit and said “wow, that feels really good.”
It wasn’t until the 3rd time that it all came together for him. His
tremors were very slight, but after about 10 minutes, he said “Mom, I
feel really tired.” That night he fell asleep in 10 minutes—usually takes him 45 minutes because of overarousal, and he slept through the whole night! He told me in the morning that he had a really happy dream during the night.
The fourth time I did the exercises, at the very end when he put his feet forward to finish the tremors, he fell asleep for 5 minutes. He was totally relaxed. We have done many therapies, but I have never seen that kind of result.
For about 24-36 hours after the exercises I can tell that he is much calmer and not as anxious or angry. We are doing the exercises every other day and I am hopefull that they will systematically heal the past and the affects will be long lasting. I am sure it will take some time and we will be doing tune ups after the more intense beginning phase.
When you think about trauma, it comes in so many forms that I believe these exercises have great potential of being adapted for adoptive parents and children.
Rene Campagna
Portland, Oregon
Phylis K. Stein (verified owner) –
Dear David
I got your books on the recommendation of Dr. Margaret Paul. I facilitate the Inner Bonding process ([…]) that she created and she recommended the exercises for someone with a severe trauma history whom I am helping. Since I am dealing with chronic pain and spasm associated with severe arthritis of the hips and spinal stenoisis, I was eager to try them myself. I have to say that I had experience with tremoring in bioenergetics and got very little out of that. I am LOVING the exercises though and cannot wait to find out what will happen next. ! I realized something last night though that I thought you might find entertaining which is why I wrote. I was flopping around on the floor and it reminded me of how it felt to have sex, bounced around so to speak. It has been over 3 years since my marriage ended so I have not done any of that. Anyway, I realized that sex does serve some of the same function, not just the orgasm, but the physical activity itself-tuning up the same sort of mechanism.
Also, my client is totally thrilled with the exercises. I do phone sessions with her, but she has a local therapist and she did her first trauma release session with her. Her therapist too is planning to use it with other clients.
Blessings to you. I am telling everyone about your work!
Phyllis
Johanna Maaghul (verified owner) –
I have read many books and tried for many years to understand the mechanics of trauma and its effect on us as a race, as families and as individuals. In a way that traces trauma to its roots and exposes why humans process it differently than other species, David Berceli shows us a new way to unlock the trauma that has been stored in our bodies and release it in the way it was naturally meant to be released.
Through an insightful overview of the history of trauma in our race along with the acknowledgement of the power of forgiveness, Berceli weaves together an insightful and radically new approach to trauma that involves an understanding of the historical, emotional and physical aspects of healing this condition that unknowingly grips so many.
An important thing to remember about this book is that when we think of trauma, many of us conjure up an image of sever trauma like war or natural disasters or other forms of violence. What I learned from reading this book and practicing its exercises is that trauma can actually take the form or more subtle stresses in our lives and when we experience these stresses over prolonged periods of time even these subtle stresses can immobilize us from living a more fulfilled and peaceful existence. I have found that when I go through times where I am practicing Berceli’s exercises, my entire experience of the day, even stressful events, is more manageable and I am better equipped to move through life in a more grounded and peaceful way.
Kathleen Sullivan (verified owner) –
I participated in a four-day TRE training in Canada last February. I chose to take the training because I suspected that TRE might be uniquely helpful for clients who are traumatized war veterans. I also participated because I hoped that the training would help me in my own ongoing recovery. I not disappointed.
Dr. Berceli shared that he originally developed a vested interest in finding more effective ways to recover from trauma because, as a priest, he served in a number of countries – particularly in South Africa – where he experienced direct effects of war-related trauma. As a survivor, he became dissatisfied with the end results of his own experience with a variety of trauma therapy interventions. As he continued his search for more effective interventions, he gradually developed TRE. When used properly, TRE helps trauma survivors to access, and then express, frozen physical trauma responses in their bodies, via induced muscular tremoring that helps their bodies to literally shake out pent-up stress energy stored in deeper muscles – particularly in the torso. It’s especially nice to teach to survivors because: 1) they can do it at home, 2) they end up being in control of the tremoring process, which increases their sense of empowerment, 3) TRE trains their brains to understand that when the body responds naturally to stress by tremoring, the body’s reaction does NOT mean that they are in danger.
After completing eight TRE group sessions during the four-day training, I noticed that my body was starting to tremor quite naturally. Whereas I’d been embarrassed in the past to let my body shake, due to my fear of being perceived as vulnerable, I was now more comfortable with the physical sensation of shaking. This was, in part, because I’d learned, during the training, that tremoring is my body’s way of naturally discharging stress energy. I also noticed that as I continued to honor my body’s need to shake and tremor when stressed, the stress didn’t seem to “stick” as it had in the past.
During our training, Dr. Berceli repeatedly expressed his concern that professionals need to be properly trained in TRE so that they not only recognize the trauma responses of flooding, freezing and dissociation in clients, but also that the professionals are able to recognize, and cope with, their own trauma responses.
If you want to learn more about TRE and future training sessions, go to Dr. Berceli’s website at […]
Kathleen Sullivan, LMSW
Chattanooga TN
[…]
Sophronie (verified owner) –
I have been aware of the flight/fight response in my body but didn’t find any system that worked long to help me deal with it. I had read Peter A. Levine’s book and tried his exercises, but as I am already very connected to my feelings and aware of my body’s reaction to them, his book didn’t help much. David’s book gives you a physical way to release this reaction. I had gained weight over many years due to job stress and family trauma. I’ve also gone through menopause which I consider a stress on the body. Most women who have gone through menopause know that it is very hard to lose weight afterwards. I performed the exercises in this book one time, in which I was able to induce the tremors. I felt relaxed and sleepy afterwards, but I didn’t expect to have any other particular benefit from the exercises. It was with great joy that within a week I found myself finally dropping below a weight threshold that I had not been able to get past for years- without doing anything new with regards to my diet or exercise routine. When I exercise regularly and eat less sugar/grains I start losing weight again. Winter weather makes it hard for me to motivate myself to get moving, but despite that my weight has remained stable. I haven’t chunked back up despite occasional indulgence in cinnamon rolls and buttered bread. I think I have recovered somewhat my natural metabolism that I had prior to traumatic stresses in my life.
I did find that after successfully inducing the tremors that one time that I couldn’t seem to exercise hard enough (that same week) to induce them again. Perhaps that one time was enough to release the energy in my body that had built up over years. Now that several months have passed, I plan to actually buy the book (originally borrowed from the library) and see if I can get some more benefit from performing the exercises again assuming that tension has had time built itself back up from the regular daily stressors of life. I highly recommend that everyone try the exercises in this book at least once. Perhaps you will be happily surprised like I was at the benefits that may result.
Fred Worth (verified owner) –
I have been dedicatedly working on my trauma for 20 years, long before the psychological community knew the serious affects of even the simplest trauma. I have worked through my issues but still had been parallyzed with immobility. In order to do most anything I had to fight through terrible dispare and anxiety. The stories in this book are interesting, but they are not the reason to buy this book. I paid for the exercises and I got my money’s worth and more.
I scanned through the exercises and I saw one which I immediately was drawn to. Has to do with allowing the lower leg to go into automatic spasms. I remembered doing that as a child and the monsters releasing their rage on me to stop it. I tried the exercise and felt immediate relief. Over the next two weeks whenever I felt dispare I would do the exercise and again felt the relief, which now seems to be permanent.
As a note, my trauma was early and prolonged. I am 60 years old and had felt immobilized since I was 3. (I was terrified of my parents.) I don’t say this to be maudlin, just to show the seriousness of what I experienced. Also, because of my long journey I am very knowledgable on healing techniques which may be why these exercises worked so well for me.
I also recommend books by Peter Levine
Waking the Tiger : Healing Trauma : The Innate Capacity to Transform Overwhelming Experiences
In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness
and on internal family systems (Parts work). This book gives a nice introduction to parts work: (Jay Early)
Self-Therapy: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Wholeness and Healing Your Inner Child Using IFS, A New, Cutting-Edge Psychotherapy
Over-Analysis (verified owner) –
The physical postures/exercises that form the core of the book work. They take time, but are effective. The book text itself is occasionally preachy, but overall very human and engaging. Cudos to Dr. Berceli.
Chamomilla (verified owner) –
Having read previous reviews and a little about TRP I decided to jump straight into part 2 which contains the excercises. They were easy to perform. I felt they had an effect and I will definitely do them regularly whenever I have time available without kids in the house.. ;). Experienced that the best results come when I’m able to do all the steps without being interrupted.
I read the first part also. Have to admit that I could have wished for it to be better organized and maybe with more examples from different people’s experiences with the techniques.
Will definitely recommend the book, especially because of the very easy to perform exercises. Still very new to this so haven’t tried it for as long as recommended (30 days).
SandandSea4Me (verified owner) –
Don’t be misled by the title of this book! The author’s website traumaprevention.com refers to the exercises as also “Tension Release Exercises”. I think they are valuable for anyone who has been under any kind of stress, and who hasn’t?
I’ve had to deal with many stressful situations over the years and apparently haven’t handled them so well emotionally, developing several chronic health conditions instead. Current medical thought is that many chronic illnesses are the product of retained tension caused by stressful situations. That retained tension then causes energy blockages that prevent the body from operating optimally. Judging from the results I’ve obtained from doing the exercises, I suspect they’re right.
Being intrigued by this concept, I opted to purchase and download the MP4 version of the DVD from the publisher’s website, so I can’t comment on the particulars of the book. However, I’ve been doing the exercises daily since the purchase, excluding a couple days after a medical procedure and found the results quite interesting and amazing!
A long as I can remember I’ve had a chronic problem with grinding my teeth (bruxism) and holding tension in my jaw. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I started doing these exercises. The first three times, I didn’t feel any affects. On the fifth time, I felt the mild tremors go up into my lower face and they seemed to concentrate there. After a few minutes, my lower jaw dropped down. It was then I realized the tension was released from the lower jaw line. There was such a difference afterwards that I could not clench my teeth and couldn’t even connect the lower teeth with the upper ones no matter how hard I tried. Less tension felt good but really awkward at first. After a few more exercise sessions the tremors targeted the upper jaw and it dropped down as well so the lower and upper jaws can now make contact. The awkward sensation is now gone but the tension-free change still takes some getting use to.
I enjoy mentally “observing” the tremors and find it quite interesting how they target areas in my body that have issues and they do it all on their own without my mental guidance. Since doing these exercises I am seeing some improvement in other chronic issues as well. In addition, once my body became conditioned into allowing the tremors, I’ve been able to reduce the amount of exercise or even forgo it and go right into the tremoring process. Kudos to Dr. Berceli!
Update: Thought I’d add one other major issue the exercises have “fixed”. One chronic health condition I had developed is called Sjogren’s Syndrome which is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks mucous membranes resulting in dry mouth, dry eyes etc… Since acquiring the condition, it had been very frustrating to not be able to shed tears whenever I felt strong emotions. There would be no relief after heightened emotions without being able to expel the tears (which happens to be how the body removes stress chemicals from the body). I’ve since gotten my tear production back which became very apparent while watching the movie Les Miserables with friends on Christmas day. During some of the real emotional parts I discovered copious tears streaming down my face. Now what a relief that is!
I highly recommend trying out these exercises and hope they’ll be just as beneficial for you as they’ve been for me.
sw (verified owner) –
I was not expecting these exercises to do anything for me. I had already been through “trauma processing” with a Somatic Experiencing therapist, and I’d experienced quite a bit of shaking in the past. I thought I was mainly done with processing.
Wow. An hour after starting on the exercises, I was very obviously going through much more deep processing than I’d been able to access until then. For the next few days I was going through that familiar process of more or less “throwing up” trauma. It was very intense.
But then, I actually started having some noticeable improvements –
1) Less Sensory Processing Disorder.
2) Can feel my digestive tract more, can feel things going into my stomach when I eat (related to polyvagal theory – trauma seems to disrupt sensation of the enteric nervous system)
3) Sense of calm
4) Somehow I really think that I had a memory of myself pre-trauma, that I connected for the first time with how that feels, which is surprising because I likely got trauma from the birth process (had really bad birth complications), so I never expected to be able to remember what I felt like before that. Maybe it was my imagination, but I could even sense the swishing noise of a mom’s heartbeat and the absence of breathing in the womb.
Anyway, it was very helpful and profound.
It just makes me think, if it was this intense for me even after so much prior processing, it might be intense for others who have not done that.
I strongly recommend looking into your methylation status before attempting trauma processing. Trauma seems to be related to neurotoxicity, and being undermethylated without enough myelin (methylation is involved in myelination) can make trauma processing extremely painful and perhaps dangerous. We are talking about actual chemicals here getting released during the process. Read about MTHFR and if possible get your genes tested with 23andme and look up your methylation genes from Amy Yasko’s SNPs.
kerry tichi (verified owner) –
I enjoyed this book and the background provided. It also provided the exercises necc. to start the tremors. i was successful the first time I tried it!
Nancy Witt (verified owner) –
Please see my review under Bercelli’s other book on Trauma Releasing Exercises for more of my thoughts. I bought both books, and the DVD and have found all of his materials to be very useful.
dw (verified owner) –
This makes so much sense. As a personal trainer and massage therapist this idea is the answer to a great work out
samar habibi (verified owner) –
Very easy read that gives a full explanation of why we tremor, how important it is, how we stop ourselves from actualizing this great self-healing, deeply ingrained process and what to do about it. I am much wiser from reading this book and of much better service to myself and my clients.
Catherine B. (verified owner) –
.. which I why I bought it.. on the advice of a therapist.
The exercises remind me of hatha yoga.. and unfortunately, I can be a bit lazy.
Yep, I haven’t actually done them all. Oh well!
I would highly recommend this book, though, as I know it helps war veterans deal with their ptsd symptoms.
J. Weir (verified owner) –
This gave a lot to think about, and I may give it a try. When I found this book I had just broken my leg so many of the recommendations had to wait. Still I was intrigued enough to pick out what seemed to apply to me, with bookmarks “for later”. In the meantime I have worked with other methods and have made progress. This might just make the other methods unnecessary and help my body feel better.
Ed (verified owner) –
Interesting to read how the mind works and how one’s thoughts affect everything. Bought this book with another book to go along with this subject.
zegoli (verified owner) –
After contextualizing stress, what it builds up and how important it is to come down again, the author presents some very some exercises to help discharge the overload the stress brought.
Initially, I practiced on a daily basis, now that they’ve become rather second nature to myself, I can let the discharge come nearly anywhere, even in public without making a fuss.
Whenever I feel too tense, I do them more formally when I get home, and come out brand new in about 20 pleasurable minutes.
Lapka (verified owner) –
Although the book talks a lot about abnormal, extreme trauma such as war trauma, devastation etc, the TRE exersices are very relaxing and helpful for everyone. I have been doing them for a month now every morning and with amazing results. I feel more relaxed and capable to deal with daily life’s small trauma’s.
Jeri Potter-Kullas (verified owner) –
I really like this book because it gives a way to deal with stress and how to get rid of the build up in our bodies. It is very helpful and very innovating.
William E. Gleason (verified owner) –
Tough time are not in your imagination and the solutions are not there either. The Revolutionary Traume Release Process is real and gets your attention and keeps it.
Pivo (verified owner) –
I did quite a bit of research on TRE before buying this book. When the book arrived, I devoured it in a very short time. The anecdotes are interesting and the principles / concepts are practical and relevant. As a Physical Therapist and a person who has experienced anxiety, I was a little skeptical at first. I would like to hear more about the science behind this approach but realize that the book is written for the lay person. I have done the exercises a couple of times and have seen some positive results. I am definitely hopeful and loom forward to continuing with the program. Definitely some nuggets of real value in the text prior to the exercises as well. I would recommend this book for sure.
nymph (verified owner) –
This book is a great introduction to trauma release, and how to activate the body’s endogenous methods of healing from trauma, stress, and other insults to our sense of inner peace and equilibrium. The author brings up relevant anecdotes from his own experiences abroad to show show trauma is something that affects all cultures, classes, and religions. Talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can help in many ways, but is almost never enough on its own to relieve what is fundamentally a neurophysiological congestion of energy.
Anette Laker (verified owner) –
After suffering from insomnia and Fibromyalgia syndrome for 19 years (among various other health problems), my life changed completely after 6 weeks of Trauma Release Exercises. I did this for pain relieve, but got much much more! Wow! What a wonderful discovery! I can recommend all doctors and therapists to take note of this very easy, but life changing process that they can recommend for their patients. Especially those with stress, anxiety or trauma related symptoms. Visit the TRE website to find a facilitator in your area.
Echo (verified owner) –
All I have to say is that these exercises do exactly what they say they will do. If you think it will trigger memories do it with a therapist or a trusted person but these exercises are great.
Roland Berard (verified owner) –
Trauma leaves its tracks in the body in the chronic tensions and posture.
This books explains trauma in an easy to understand way, and stresses the fact that trauma can be insidious over time, not just in one event.
The release process is through simple body exercises that help to release the tension. Takes some discipline over time but makes a lot of sense to me.
Pita (verified owner) –
David Berceli reveals great insight on the body and how we can learn to release years of compiled trauma/stress in our bodies, otherwise it lives in our bodies cultivating an unhealthy environment for our minds and overall physical well being.
Cecie McCaffery (verified owner) –
I wish there were more stars to click on for this book!!! Everyone: children to seniors, and most definitively Veterans should be taught this very effective method for dealing with stress and trauma. Whether it is everyday stress and anxiety or major trauma this is invaluable! It works and really is so simple to learn and do. I feel I have a tool always at hand to release my stress. The relaxation/calm after is amazing. David Berceli and this process is a gift to the world.
Maya (verified owner) –
This is a helpful addition to various approaches to dealing with trauma issues. I like it that it gives a series of exercises that people can work with on their own to help subdue symptoms caused by traumatic experiences.
Marcos S. Aranha (verified owner) –
I liked it very much. It’s a clear content, easy to retain and self explanatory. I start doing the exercises and it’s very confortable the body feeling and mind calmness afterwards. I really can’t tell if it releases the unconscious traumas, but it really make me feel better.
Star (verified owner) –
This process and book is changing my life. I highly encourage anyone to explore this book and process to get chronic pain relief, stress relief and to heal. David Berceli and his team do seminars all over the world. Blessings on your healing journey.
sherry Hilding (verified owner) –
Workshops with David Berceli better than book. Book very good.
Betty (verified owner) –
This process really works! I’m in recovery from Dissociative Identity Disorder, which of course implies severe, early trauma. Therapy in the main has been hugely destabilising for me, and I began to despair of whether I would ever be able to heal. This book changed it all. Within days of starting these exercises I noticed a huge freeing up of muscles in my back – I could suddenly do pilates exercises without the props I had always needed to do them. My flexibility improved rapidly, in a way that years of yoga hadn’t achieved. I have always had an extremely heightened startle response, and it felt like a miracle when I started to notice that I was no longer startling in situations where in the past I would have. I now have a fairly normal startle response, except when I’ve been triggered, something I didn’t think was even possible. I have begun to discover how cute mice are, now that my immediate reaction to something fast moving is no longer instant terror!
I found that I only needed to do the full series of exercises a few times then my body got the hang of them and I could just lie down on the floor with my feet flat on the floor and the tremors would begin, so it needn’t take up too much of your time. The shaking pattern has changed over the months I’ve been doing the exercises and it seems to be freeing up different areas over time. They have never brought up any past disturbing events for me, they seem to be an incredibly safe and gentle way to recover from trauma.
If we don’t address trauma in the body, we simply don’t see a reduction in many of the PTSD symptoms (many of which of course are in the body, which affects the mind too). Berceli’s work is so important in helping us to utilise the growing understanding that we have to heal trauma in the body as well as the mind.
I recommend combining Berceli’s TREs with Open Focus Training, another simple series of exercises that you can do on your own at home without needing to talk about what happened to you. See
The Open-Focus Brain: Harnessing the Power of Attention to Heal Mind and Body
for details on this. I am so thankful for these methods that enable us to heal, whether we have the funds for ongoing therapy or not.
Dr. Jeff McCombs, DC (verified owner) –
An amazing process that works every time I use it!
Dexlin (verified owner) –
I have had the honor of training with Dr. Bercelli at a workshop, integrating this method with yoga practice. This method is amazing, but you have to be open to it just like anything else. Movement is helpful in releasing emotional/traumatic issues stuck in our bodies. That being said, sometimes once we bring these things up, we need additional guidance from a counselor to finish dealing with an issue. Trauma and emotional distress can be complicated and highly individualized. There is always something to be learned from and to grow from any process.
Debra Smuts (verified owner) –
excellent information easily explained
bdhall (verified owner) –
I don’t understand the science behind this book, but I will say the exercises contained in this book are the most relaxing I have ever experienced.
victor siew kong ng (verified owner) –
thanks thanks thanks so ennlightening
deborah brandt (verified owner) –
I very much like this book. I feel it is a must read for everyone. Self empowerment is very much needed in this world. Grab it!!!
Elaine R (verified owner) –
I am a holistic pediatrician constantly seeking new modalities to help my patients. Dr Berceli needs a David Lynch Foundation to do for TRE what Mr. Lynch did for TM!! This practice has as much potential as TM to impact our mental and physical health!
Jun67 (verified owner) –
Doing these exercises provides immediate relief of trauma symptoms. The book itself is very nice with lots of insight and amazing stories. It might just change your life. I personally enjoyed the read. My complaint with the exercises is that they can be very exhausting and take a lot of time, so it can be hard to keep up with the program. They also don’t resolve long-standing trauma from childhood and related personality disturbances. Healing Developmental Trauma by Laurence Heller Ph.D. and Aline Lapierre Psy.D. is one book I would recommend reading for such issues.
Alisa (. (verified owner) –
When I first read through this book, I thought there was a lot of fluff and I just wanted him to get to the exercises so I could see if they worked. They were in a short section at the back of the book and looked unremarkable. But when I tried them wow! It was an amazing release and I have been using them ever since. I haven’t found something so simple and useful…maybe ever. I am re-reading the beginning now and understanding more and will hopefully take his training at some point.
Jamie Conrad (verified owner) –
I wasn’t so crazy about the written part; but I did the exercises and had one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I had no control over it; and I know a lot of emotions left my body… not just physical tension. I experienced tons of involuntary movement, but in addition, some crying/verbal reactions completely out of my control. I felt as if I were in a state of hypnosis. I was abused as a child and some in adult life so I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a release of those wounds. Amazing and something I think the world needs to know about.
ELM (verified owner) –
I went to medical school and never learned that the body had the capability to work in this way. The ideas and information in this book are truly cutting-edge and have the ability to transform our understanding of how the body works and the ways in which trauma and painful emotions can be resolved. This information has the potential to help many people. Highly recommended.
Nancy M. (verified owner) –
The reviewers who write that it doesn’t work for them could benefit from the assistance of a certified instructor, so their questions and complaints could be addressed by someone who is experienced in this practice. The exercises are not the practice, they only help someone trigger the body’s natural release mechanism. The book does not give enough information on exactly what this mechanism is and how and why particular muscles are involved. Because of my many years of dance training I had no difficulty learning how to turn on this mechanism in my body and I have no difficulty in turning it off. It is extremely beneficial to my physical and emotional state to do this practice daily.
AnotherCourtney (verified owner) –
Well this was interesting! I’ve heard about courses for front-line police in releasing tension/trauma, and heard about legs shaking out of control, but this tells you how to do it yourself! You just stretch and fatigue the heck out of your quads, then hold them in an angle on your back that makes them quiver anyway. But since they’re pre-fatigued now, they shake. It feels really good when I can relax enough to have the shaking go up my spine. All I know is energy is stuck there, I don’t need memories, I’d just like for things to flow. Is it the same effect as when animals initially wake up from their near death escape and quiver and shake for minutes after, then are fine? Time shall tell!
Judy Lovens (verified owner) –
Fascinating and timely
Michael S. Woody (verified owner) –
Everyone should read this.
Sharon Tanner (verified owner) –
I found out about this method in a conscious breathing class. I rushed home to find out more info. Fascinating research. I now do one of the exercises weekly to try to eliminate long held trauma. I do believe it works. I would really like to know how to release trauma in the neck also.
JTurk (verified owner) –
amazing technique. very therapeutic.
L. May (verified owner) –
I really think this has the potential to significantly change people and their relationships.
LadyD (verified owner) –
Interesting, wish it actually had more than a few pages of exercises, but valuable contribution. I don’t agree with the comments that the discussion of trauma is misplace or irrelevant – it is spot on.
Annika Schindler (verified owner) –
This changed my life! Though l highly recommend taking a course or learn it from an instructor as l did after reading it. You get so much from it!!!
Debra Guzman (verified owner) –
Bought for my daughter hoping it will help her
Islin Munisteri (verified owner) –
The only bad part was that I only implemented the exercises once.
Daryn Guarino (verified owner) –
The narrative gets a little repetitive as he (over)justifies his research and approach, but the concept is sound, if a bit strange. The idea is that your body can literally store stress and trauma for years, if not forever…it’s a little hard to wrap your head around. But as a sufferer of PTSD, I have found the exercises (actual exercises you do with your body and muscles, not just some desk based mind games) to be more helpful than I ever expected exercises to be. This book and these exercises are genuinely helping me heal. I would recommend this to your favorite PTSDer. It helped me shake off some mental BS, maybe it will help them, or you, too.
Sandy Allin (verified owner) –
I have attended TRE work, although not with Mr Berceli. His work is excellent, and this book is very informative, with lots of explanations about the many kinds of trauma. An excellent book for the layman.
Jennie Ose (verified owner) –
Really enjoying the actual exercises outlined in the book. The many chapters leading up to the exercises are interesting, but a bit overkill. It’s a short book, but could have been even shorter; I eventually ended up skipping right to the exercise section in the back.
Janet Townsend (verified owner) –
This book is very good explaining the why behind the how.
Zan C. (verified owner) –
Amazing book on healing trauma! Highly recommend!
Janet S. (verified owner) –
I have no idea what this is doing, but if I stop doing the exercises for more than a few days I wake up in the middle of the night with involuntary tremors in the same places these exercises focus on, so I assume it is doing something that my body needs.
Depape (verified owner) –
This book has some good information, and I found the exercises to provide some relief from my chronic anxiety. But the books was quite repetitive, mostly talking about traumatic situations that have happened to other people, which I found to provoke anxiety. At about the halfway point in the book, feeling that it was just going to be more of the same, I skipped to the chapter with the actual exercises.
Bunny78 (verified owner) –
Very interesting theory and the exercise do seem to work.
Granny (verified owner) –
Outstanding book with great information; arrived on time and in great condition
Sherri Davison (verified owner) –
I loved learning about the latest breakthroughs in Neuroscience and neurobiology. The personal empowerment that is inherent in TRE helped me heal in ways I never had after YEARS on personal therapy. Life changing!
Melissa A. Mcclain (verified owner) –
This is, in general, a great read for trauma and PTSD sufferers. I learned a lot about my own mental and physical reactions that I did not realize was related.
Thomas B. (verified owner) –
Good help for me.
Sherry P (verified owner) –
Amazing story! Easy read. Tough and effective exercises. An unexpected solution, yet very understandable. David shares his creative discovery in a convincing way.
Liquessence (verified owner) –
Dr. Berceli carefully and methodically explains trauma and his evolving understanding of trauma — how it can be healed and, eventually at the end of the book, how the tremors bring us back to our authentic self, a state of ease, clarity and a sense of belonging in the world.
After that section are the exercises.
The exercises are meant to bring some exhaustion to the muscles to help induce the tremors, which will release trauma.
I don’t have to do the exercises; I can go directly to the floor and the tremors start.
For me the tremors are a fantastic release. I feel clear, relaxed, and have a sense of unburdening when I am done. I enjoy the process.
Dr. Berceli makes it clear that everyone will have a different response to the trauma release process. He strongly recommends you contact a professional if you run into emotional content you can’t handle.
I’ve read some of the other reviews and I’ve no idea what people are talking about when they say the explanation of the process is this or that and not of value. I believe this section of the book hugely important to understanding trauma. Furthermore, it is extremely well written. I found all that information not only important, but enthralling reading.
I read a 5-star review by a medical doctor. His is the review to read if you are very new to the idea of the body/mind connection.
There is a way in which we can relax and accept the healing benefits of the trauma release process, or we can resist it. If you accept it, it is my belief you will find it very beneficial.
Dee (verified owner) –
Very interesting and the exercises produced a lot of good results. The entirety of the book was worth reading and, yes, for sure, the exercises do not take all that long, as others have said, and not bothering to read the bulk of the book, saves time. But, still, reading the front section might be very worth your time.
I’ve read a lot online and in books regarding PTSD, as well as info on personal development and psychology. And, LOL, at my age, I have a lot of friends who as the years have passed, continuously bend my ear regarding their woes and tribulations, including PTSD, medical problems, family woes and dramas, and issues they have with mental health. I’ve found taking the time to consider all perspectives help. : )
Natalie Foltz (verified owner) –
It is great to know these exercises to help release trapped trauma out of the nervous system. How about we focus on not getting traumatized in the first place.
Jonathan (verified owner) –
And others get stuck and never make it out? The invitation to ponder that question alone makes this book worth the purchase price.
Milo Saldivar (verified owner) –
My wife and I are Fitness trainers and these exercises work. We did these exercises with a group of clients. I was skeptical but that evening something happened to trigger some old trauma from my son passing away. I have held onto this for 6 years and these exercises helped me release years of trauma.
Ryan (verified owner) –
This book is two parts: the “why” comes first, then the “how.” I skipped the “why” and went straight to the “how.” I can go back and read more later if I want to, but the exercises alone are worth the cost of the book. They are simple and effective. Everyone can benefit from understanding this way to release tension and calm the body with gentle movements in about 20-30 minutes. Delivers instant fascination with the process. Good therapy.