David Berceli turned a couple of overwhelming constraints into a revolutionary way to help people heal from trauma.
As a trauma specialist, David had learned how to help people in a one-on-one setting, using talking as therapy.
But here he was in one war-torn country after another, tasked with creating programs to help hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people traumatized by war and famine. How could he possibly scale talk therapy to meet that need?
And as the lead instructor, how could David work effectively with people who didn't speak his language?
And that's how TRE (Tension, stress, and trauma Releasing Exercises) was born.
If you've ever watched a nature special about African predators and prey, you may recall a scene where a gazelle narrowly escapes from a lion and then, a safe distance away, shakes for a few seconds up to half an hour.
What's going on?
The gazelle is processing the stress of their brush with death so that it doesn't get locked into the tissues of the body as trauma.
Shaking, shivering, and tremoring are all natural and completely organic processes that mammals use to recover from stressful events. But humans, with the unique gift of being able to override our nature, can repress the tremoring impulse through tight muscular armoring.
And stress stuck in the body does a body no good, whether the symptoms are “just” tight muscles and the concomitant aches and pains, compromised posture, and eventual chronic conditions; or acute post-traumatic stress (PTS).
One day in Lebanon, David was in a bomb shelter during a bombardment, and noticed that the young children were shaking in fright, while the adults were not. When he asked an adult about this, he was told, “We hold back the shaking so we don't frighten the children.”
This impulse to maintain control is the thing that can lock trauma into the body, such that no amount of talking therapy could possibly unlock it.
When David began teaching people how to tremor involuntarily, he soon noticed that long-standing traumas were now releasing their grip. People were able to return to their lives, to their relationships, to their joys and passions.
Our bodies are designed to give up control when faced with overwhelming situations. We're not defective, doomed to suffer endless repetitions of historical trauma, whether war or accident or violence or childhood abuse. The body contains its own healing powers, and all we have to do is allow them to activate.
We have to say yes to the impulse to freedom rather than trying to fight against it.
In our conversation, David and I talk about the biology of trauma and trauma recovery. We explore his work, and how anyone can benefit from the simple exercises that David teaches.
Enjoy!
Links
David Berceli's YouTube Channel
Shake It Off Naturally, by David Berceli, PhD
And here's a photo of the long beans I harvested this morning:
Looking for Transformational Change?
You know how when you discovered plant-based eating, you basically went, “Holy shit, how come the entire healthcare system isn't totally embracing this as one of the most powerful keys to disease prevention and reversal!”?
That's how I feel now about a psychological approach to transformational change called “Memory Reconsolidation.” Few psychologists have heard about it, and when they do hear the radical transformations it can bring about in a very short time, they're often skeptical to the point of disbelief.
But I've added Memory Reconsolidation work to my own coaching, and can attest to its amazing efficacy. So much so, that I'm devoting the next year to mastering it, studying with the best clinicians and teachers in the world, and then introducing it into health coaching through my trainings.
Right now, I want to triple my coaching practice to get more and more opportunities to do this work. And I'm lowering my fees – a lot – to make it easier for people to work with me.
If you're interested in working with me (and willing to commit to a minimum of 2 months), click the link below to open the form in a new browser tab and I'll get back to you within 3 business days.
Yes, I'm interested in Memory Reconsolidation Coaching.
You CAN Change Other People!
Well, that's what Peter Bregman and I claim in our provocative book of that title.
What we really mean is, you can help the people around you make behavioral changes in their own best interests. If you think you're powerless to help people change, it's because you've been going about it the wrong way.
Discover our straightforward, replicable process here: You Can Change Other People.
Audiobook: Use the Weight to Lose the Weight
Listen to Josh LaJaunie and me narrate our latest audiobook, about how to start moving when you're obese.
It's $10, and Josh and I split it evenly 🙂
Tip Jar
This podcast is not underwritten by advertising, so I can experience complete editorial autonomy without worrying about pissing off the person paying the bills. Instead, I pay the bills, with your help. It's free for those who can't afford to pay, and supported by those who can. You can contribute to the growth and improvement of the podcast by clicking the “Support on Patreon” or “Donate” buttons on the right to help out.
Music
The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.
It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.
You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.
Gratitudes
Thanks to Plant Yourself podcast patrons – Kim Harrison – Lynn McLellan – Brittany Porter – Dominic Marro – Barbara Whitney – Tammy Black – Amy Good – Amanda Hatherly – Mary Jane Wheeler – Ellen Kennelly – Melissa Cobb – Rachel Behrens – Tina Scharf – Tina Ahern – Jen Vilkinofsky – David Byczek – Michele X – Elspeth Feldman – Leah Stolar – Allan Kristensen – Colleen Peck – Michele Landry – Jozina – Sara Durkacs – Kelly Cameron – Janet Selby – Claire Adams – Tom Fronczak – Jeannette Benham – Gila Lacerte – David Donohue – Blair Seibert – Doron Avizov – Gio and Carolyn Argentati – Jodi Friesner – Mischa Rosen – Michael Worobiec – AvIvA Lael – Alicia Lemus – Val Linnemann – Nick Harper – Bandana Chawla – Molly Levine – The Inscrutable Harry R – Susan Laverty the Panda Vegan – Craig Covic – Adam Scharf – Karen Bury – Heather Morgan – Nigel Davies – Marian Blum – Teresa Kopel – Julian Watkins – Brid O'Connell – Shannon Herschman – Linda Ayotte – Holm Hedegaard – Isa Tousignant – Connie Haneline – Erin Greer – Alicia Davis – Heather O'Connor – Carollynne Jensen – Sheri Orlekoski of Plant Powered for Health – Karen Smith – Scott Mirani – Karen and Joe Crabtree – Kirby Burton – Theresa Carrell – Kevin Macaulay – Elizabeth Rothschild – Ann Jesse – Sheryl Dwyer – Jenny Hazelton – Peter W Evans – Dennis Bird – Darby Kelly – Lori Fanney – Linnea Lundquist – Emily Iaconelli – Levi Wallach – Rosamonde McAtee – Dan Pokorney – Stephen Leinin – Patty DeMartino – Mike and Donna Kartz – Deanne Bishop – Bilberry Elf – Marjorie Lewis – Tricia Adams – Nancy Sheldon – Lindsey Bashore – Gunn Marit Hagen – Tracey Gulledge – Lara Hedin – Meg from Mamasezz – Stacey Stokes – Ben Savage – Michael K – David Hughes -Coni Rodgers – Claire England – Sally Robertson – Parham Ganchi – Amy Dailey – Brian Tourville – Mark Jeffrey Johnson – Josie Dempsey – Caryn Schmitt – Pamela Hayden – Emily Perryman – Allison Corbett – Richard Stone – Lauren Vaught of Edible Musings – Erin Hastey – Sean Owens – Sagar Naik – Erika Piedra – Danielle Roberts – Michael Leuchten – Sarah Johnson – Katharine Floyd – Meryl Fury – for your generous support of the podcast.
Disclosure
This post may contain amazon affiliate links. I may receive compensation from your actions on such links. It don't cost you a dime, tho.
