As a certified TRE provider, this is something I hear a lot.
While it’s true that Yoga comes with many benefits, these aren’t the same as the benefits that TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises) can offer.
You may be happy with Yoga and feel better afterwards, both physically and mentally, but if you’re curious about what TRE could offer alongside your current practice, this post is for you!
Alternatively, if you’re trying to decide between Yoga and TRE, read on to find out more about their similarities and differences, and how to know which one is for you.
What's the difference between TRE and Yoga?
Yoga is a spiritual practice that aims to unite the body and mind. Rooted in ancient Indian philosophy, Yoga takes many forms but at its core, it involves moving through a series of carefully controlled poses or postures that can help develop and improve strength and flexibility. Yoga can also include breathwork and meditation.
When learning TRE you start with six warm-up exercises that are similar to Yoga stretches – but that's only the beginning.
We do that to arrive in the space and fatigue our muscles to make the actual TRE, the tremoring process, a wee bit easier.
After this warm-up (which you don't have to do once you are more experienced – so it will save you quite a bit of time!) the actual TRE process starts.
This means we are activating our natural and innate shaking reflex, also known as neurogenic tremors.
Neurogenic simply means ‘related to or caused by the nervous system’, i.e. a person trembling during TRE isn’t deliberately shaking (read more here: I don't need TRE – I shake when I'm dancing), but allowing their body to tremor naturally – a very innate sensation to release stress – you might have noticed that your knees were wobbly after receiving bad news or your hands were trembling before/while public speaking.
The purpose of these tremors is to release muscular tension while also balancing the nervous system. So TRE is a very natural and innate modality, it's in no way New Age-y or woo-woo (although, I generally like some woo-woo, too).
Yoga and TRE share several similarities.
Similarities between Yoga and TRE
Both work with our muscles
Both can be adapted to an individual’s physical capabilities/requirements
Both Yoga and TRE can help a person feel better physically and mentally
Both practices emphasise the connection between mind and body
However, there are some key differences between the two.
Differences between Yoga and TRE
There are many different types of Yoga and hundreds of poses that can be practised in any order. TRE isn't about poses at all, we are simply allowing our bodies to retrospectively release tension that has accumulated over years or even decades
In Yoga, you are encouraged to notice where you’re holding tension in your body whereas in TRE you simply allow it to be released
There is no spiritual component to TRE
And, crucially, of course, TRE involves invoking shaking or tremoring in the body!
Can I Do Both?
Of course!
There is really no reason why you can’t practise both Yoga and TRE. In fact, many people do and
I love teaching Yogis who think they know their bodies well – and then discover how TREmendously their bodies really are.
I will always remember the feedback I got from my client Rachel, who does Yoga every day and still felt an enormous difference after just a few TRE sessions.
"I do Yoga every morning and after a few TRE® sessions I felt so much freer in my hips, lower back and pelvis. I was releasing so much.
I also didn’t feel the usual sciatica type pain down my right leg and my lunges felt much more open. Moving around is just much easier, like everything’s been oiled.
Walking feels effortless like I am being propelled from the hips.
My body feels great!"
Rachel
TRE is also a very nice follow-on from Yoga as the muscles are already warmed-up and the tremors can appear easier.
What does TRE offer that Yoga can’t?
Adrienne of Yoga with Adrienne said in one of her newsletters:
“Through daily Yoga and breath practice,
we develop a deeper awareness of where
we are holding tension and trauma.”
That's a good start, I'd say, while adding:
"By practising TRE we can release the tension, stress and trauma we are holding in our bodies.
Isn't that what we want?
We want to get rid of the tension and trauma symptoms."
So while Yoga might help you identify where in your body you may be holding on to physical tension, unprocessed emotions or buried trauma, it won’t necessarily help you to address that.
TRE isn’t about consciously identifying trauma or tension in specific areas of our body. Rather, it’s about letting go and allowing your body to release it.
This can be beneficial for several reasons.
Not everyone wants to face up to and cognitively process or – even worse – relive past trauma.
You might have tried talking therapies and felt they didn’t help - or even made you feel worse.
You might – or might not – know that you’re holding trauma in your body but feel uncertain about how to actually do anything about it. Many people are reticent about ‘dragging up’ the past in order to feel better.
With TRE, none of that is necessary.
You don’t need to name the source of your stress, tension or trauma, or even be fully aware that it’s there. You simply need to engage in the Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises and let your body do what it was designed to do.
TRE is also ideal for those struggling with chronic pain, or living with unexplained physical ailments that don’t seem to improve no matter what they try.
Since tension is at the root of many types of physical discomfort, releasing it can help you feel better.
Plus, as TRE is a self-help tool, rather than a treatment, it is a more empowering option that you can use again and again whenever you need it, without relying on a particular medication, treatment or somebody to ‘fix’ you.
Are you ready to try TRE?
If you already practise Yoga and have been uncertain about the benefits of TRE, I hope this post has helped to explain the similarities and differences between the two, and the added benefits that TRE can offer.
If you’re ready to get started with TRE, as a certified TRE Provider I'd love you to know how TREmendously amazing your body is. I teach you TRE safely, this is empowering and will give you the confidence to trust your own body and its response before beginning to practise TRE on your own.
If you’d like to find out more about TRE before you begin, simply get in touch.
Or, if you prefer, you can book a free, no-obligation discovery call, giving you the opportunity to meet me and ask any questions before you start your TRE journey.
Whether you currently practise Yoga or not, I’d love to help you discover the power and benefits of TRE and how truly amazing your body is.
Natural. Innate. TREmendous.
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