A calm, step-by-step look at the tremor: what starts it, what it feels like, how you stay in control and what you may notice afterwards.
A few simple exercises tire the leg muscles, you lie down with your knees bent, and the body begins to shake on its own. The tremor is usually mild, starts in the legs and may spread to the hips and back. You can soften it or stop it at any moment.
A neurogenic tremor is involuntary shaking generated by the nervous system rather than by deliberate muscle effort. In TRE™ it is invited on purpose, in a safe setting, and kept within comfortable limits. It resembles the trembling many people feel after a fright or a big effort, once the danger has passed.
“Neurogenic” simply means “originating in the nervous system”. Many animals are observed to tremble after a threat has passed. TRE™ is built on the idea that humans share this reflex but often hold it back: we keep still, stay composed and carry on. In a session, you give the body permission to do what it would naturally do.
Before the tremor starts, you move through a short sequence of simple exercises that gently tire the leg and hip muscles. It is not a workout. You then lie on a mat with your knees bent and, guided by your provider, adjust the position of your legs until a small vibration begins on its own.
Before your first session you complete a consent form and tell your facilitator about any health conditions, so the practice fits you. You also learn how to stop the tremor, so you know you are in charge before anything starts.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat and a pillow or blanket. A session usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes, and only part of it is spent tremoring: especially at the beginning, tremor periods are kept short.
Most people feel a soft shaking or vibration that begins in the legs and may travel to the hips, back or arms. It can be rhythmic or irregular, strong or barely noticeable, and it often changes as you rest. It is not painful. It may feel strange at first; many people then find it restful.
Because you are not making the movement, it can feel as though the body has a mind of its own. That is normal. You may notice the tremor shifting from one leg to the other, or spreading into the pelvis and back, then fading and returning.
Emotions can surface too: tears, laughter or a wave of feeling, often without any story attached. You do not need to understand or explain it. You can let it pass, or pause the tremor and rest.
Yes. The tremor is self-regulated, so you decide how long it lasts. To soften it, bring your attention to your breath and the floor beneath you. To stop, straighten your legs and lie flat, or roll onto your side. The tremor settles within moments, and you can rest for as long as you like.
Learning to regulate the tremor is the real skill in TRE™. Your provider shows you how to pause it and start again, so that you stay well within what feels comfortable. There is no goal to reach and nothing to push through.
Less is more, especially at the beginning. Tremoring for too long can leave you tired or stirred up, which is why early sessions use short tremor periods and build slowly. Read Is TRE™ safe? to see who should check with a doctor first.
The legs and hips usually shake first because the TRE™ exercises tire those muscles, and because, in Dr David Berceli’s model, they hold much of the body’s protective bracing. The deep psoas muscle, which links the lower spine to the thigh bone, helps pull the body into a curl when it senses danger.
As you become familiar with the practice, the tremor may move more freely through the pelvis and back. Everyone’s pattern is different, and it can change from one session to the next. For the bigger picture of how stress, the psoas and vagal tone fit together, see the complete guide to somatic nervous system regulation and TRE™.
Most people feel calmer, looser and more grounded after tremoring. Some also feel tired or heavy, slightly sore, or more emotional for a day, and some have vivid dreams for a night or two. These effects are usually mild and short-lived. Drink water, rest, and keep your next practice shorter.
Many people sleep more deeply that night. If something feels like too much, stop practising and contact your facilitator: that conversation is part of learning the practice safely. After 3–4 guided sessions, most people practise on their own, with support whenever they need it. You can try it at an upcoming workshop or in a one-to-one session, and later learn to teach it through TRE™ certification.
No. It is a natural, self-regulated reflex that you can stop at any time, and you stay aware and in control throughout. If you have epilepsy or another seizure disorder, speak to your doctor before trying TRE™.
Learn with a certified provider first. Most people learn the practice in 3–4 guided sessions and then practise independently as a lifelong self-regulation tool.
No. You never need to talk about what happened. The body releases in its own way, and no story is needed.
Yes, with the right setup. Sessions run online via Zoom. Your facilitator needs to see your whole body on camera, and we ask for a trusted person nearby and a signed consent form. See how to prepare for an online session.
More questions? See the full TRE™ FAQ.
This article is general information, not medical advice. TRE™ is a self-help practice and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a doctor or mental health professional.
How stress, the psoas and vagal tone fit together, and how to learn TRE™.
What TRE™ can and cannot do, and when to speak to a professional first.
Two body-based approaches compared: who leads, how they work and how to choose.