In a world that often prioritizes control and order, the natural processes of healing through movement and emotional release are often misunderstood. Richmond Heath, a physiotherapist and the founder of TRE Australia, is pioneering the understanding and acceptance of neurogenic or spontaneous movement, particularly through Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE). With a rich background in mental health, youth suicide prevention, and Aboriginal studies, Richmond brings a profound perspective on integrating trauma and grief into our lives.
If you are more of an auditory learner than a reader, tune into our enriching conversation on my podcast platform, Science of the Soul on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or click here.
What is TRE?
TRE, or Trauma Releasing Exercises, is a revolutionary approach that helps individuals release tension and stress through the body's natural neurogenic tremors.
By engaging in basic exercises that fatigue the muscles, TRE encourages shaking and trembling, allowing the body to release deep-seated tension and stress.
This process is not just a physical release but a profound emotional and psychological healing experience.
Shaking: A Natural Recovery Process
In many Western cultures, shaking is often misunderstood and stigmatized as a sign of panic or weakness. However, in various traditional cultures, shaking and trembling are recognized as natural and essential healing processes. For example, the Kalahari Bushmen and traditional Swahili midwives have long understood and utilized these natural responses to stress and trauma. This cultural wisdom emphasizes the importance of embracing our body's natural healing mechanisms.
The Western Obsession with Control
Western society places a high value on control, often neglecting the importance of surrendering and letting go. This cultural focus on control can hinder our emotional and physiological well-being. In contrast, allowing ourselves to surrender to the natural processes of shaking and trembling can lead to profound healing and recovery.
Integrating Trauma and Grief
Unlike some cultures that have rituals and practices to support the natural integration of trauma and grief, Western society often lacks such practices. Richmond highlights the importance of recognizing trauma and grief as natural parts of life that need to be expressed and integrated rather than suppressed or ignored.
Movement in Grief and Trauma
Grief and trauma are not solely emotional experiences; they also involve physical movements and physiological responses. The active process of grieving involves movement within the body, such as the diaphragm's involvement in crying. This showcases the importance of physical expression in emotional healing.
Psychedelic Experiences and Grief
Contemporary psychedelic literature has demonstrated to us that:
Psychedelics have been found to loosen the ego, allowing the body to reconnect with and move through unresolved grief and trauma. These experiences often result in spontaneous physical movements like shaking or adopting a fetal position, demonstrating the body's innate wisdom in processing emotional pain.
Grief as a Verb
Grieving is not a passive state; it is an active process involving movement and physical expression.
The act of crying, for instance, involves various muscles and highlights the need for physical release in emotional healing. Understanding grief as a verb underscores the importance of embracing the body's natural responses to emotional pain.
Laughter and Crying in TRE
During TRE sessions, both laughter and crying can serve as powerful physiological releases. These responses help discharge built-up tension and emotions, facilitating a deeper sense of healing and well-being. Although the physical processes of laughing and crying are similar, the context and meaning behind these expressions differ, each playing a crucial role in emotional release.
Embracing the Power of Movement
Richmond's work with TRE and his holistic approach to healing emphasize the importance of reconnecting with our bodies and embracing the natural processes of shaking, trembling, and physical movement.
Let us understand and accept these natural responses, so that we can foster a deeper sense of healing and well-being, integrating trauma and grief into our lives in a healthy and transformative way.
In a society that often prioritizes control and suppression, Richmond's pioneering work reminds us of the profound power of surrendering to our body's natural healing mechanisms. By embracing movement and physical expression, we can navigate the complexities of trauma and grief, ultimately leading to a more holistic and integrated sense of well-being.
Listen to the full podcast to join us as we weave through the landscape of grief and movement and uncover nuggets of insight together:
To reach Richmond and access his free courses and podcasts:
Free online TRE course
Free podcasts & presentations from Richmond
Contact Richmond
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