Thanks to a beautiful soul of a friend, checked out TRE taught by Nkem Ndefo, certified TRE trainer from LA. Having had another yoga friend talk about a yoga instructor who incorporates this technique into her yoga teaching, I found this workshop to be very interesting. I have a tendency to compare all forms of exercise to yoga and so here I was analyzing each exercise vis-a-vis yoga… yet again – prisoner of my own habits lol…

All the exercise presented,  were in my mind, essentially series of extracted yogic poses; and the breathing technique was, to me,  very familiar as one of many pranayama techniques available in yoga traditions.  I am always amazed by the wisdom passed down from our fore-bearers…here presented as modern medicine breakthrough. For those needing modern medicine evidence based theory to be convinced, this is developed by a doctor with yes, MD behind his name – so … there’s that validation if not for your own experience in this experiment.

I can see how TRE appeals to many for it’s very Western presentation.  The very practically minded is easily sold on the idea as this method gets the job done fast for PTDS and to lesser degree any level of stress/tension.

1.  again, it’s practical and efficient;

2. appears to be an Effective fix;

3.  Easy and simple;  anyone can do it.

4.  Medical not spiritual; not Eastern and foreign or exotic.

5.  No stories nor tales; just gets the job done without the personal narrative or profound transformation – none required.

There’s no poetry, mystery/mysticism or alchemy … no emotions nor artistry… Rather, just like going to the hospital for a procedure, as a medical self-care exercise, it appears to be effective do at home or any place (BR at workplace was mentioned) technique.  To me, if there’s relief to the suffering, it’s all good. That’s what matters – to put an end to suffering and misery of any kind. Brings back the joy in life.

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Releasing the jaw?  Yes, that’s Lion’s pose:)  None of the emotional, mindful or spiritual stuff or the abstracts to distract you if you want just very no-non-sense way of releasing tension.  We are lucky but some just can’t afford the more gradual healing process… Very straight forward, efficient, simple and accessible.  While the verdict is still out, most important to many, you get the relief you need in a jiffy like a car getting a tuneup.  It’s all about the body and our nervous system… Very Western and perfect for someone looking for a relatively simple and efficient self-care method. Nkem is knowledgeable and a lovely teacher – her background as a RN and Midwife gives her the great range of experience to bring this technique to so many people in need. I was thrilled to get to experience the tremors that I had been so curious about … human body is truly something to marvel at!  To some who have been repressing so much tension and holds that’s gotten into tight knots, the release is uncontrollable – and because of it, some break into giggles and laughs… and let me tell you, nothing is more of a release than laughter:)  Anything pent up will release with laughter… so that’s why I try to find comedy in any situation.

Personally, I cannot do TRE alone for there’s so much joy to be had from yoga practice  – I just love wisdom that’s been passed down from the ancient times and I love the beauty of it…and I am especially in love with its poetry ( just the naming of the poses is a poetry in motion –  “from child’s pose into a puppy pose then into down dog, up dog, Chaturanga Dandasana into cobra… I mean it’s like a fun game – a rhythm of incarnations – okay, I admit sometimes it’s not quite poetic when I lack strength and fall in my face 🙁 To me, incorporated into a yoga practice, TRE would be the perfect prescription for addressing stubborn tension and stress in our bodies while allowing our mind to come to that still-point through yoga’s meditative practice.  With a little artistry and creativity, TRE’s “science” based method, interwoven into the “art” and “spiritual” aspect of yoga.. that would be the melding of the best of two worlds.  Kind of like carefully folding the foamy meringue (another technique)  into creamy nectar-like batter base (yoga:)  to make the best “angel” cake! “Bundt” to feel so light:)

I respect any form of healing modalities that give people relief – to cite some examples: Reiki; Accupuncture; Hypnotherapy; Harmonic Resonance Therapy; Accupressure; Hoʻoponopono; Somatic; Ayurvedic medicine … & the list goes on  …We have so many tools available to us but yoga… to me is all encompassing and powerful especially combined with any of the alternatives (& did you notice?  Thanks to Mari-sensei, Aromatherapy is my love:)

We can liberate ourselves from the struggles and suffering – in body, mind and spirit.  I embrace all those in the healing profession.  Thank you for a very educational workshop Nkem!  Highly recommended:)

Should you be in LA and interested in TRE from a qualified teacher, contact

Nkem Ndefo, RN, CNM

Level 2 TRE Practioner

nkem@trelosangles.com