Nervous System Studio · TRE® Practice
A gentle, body-led process that helps you discharge deep-held tension, stress and trauma — and return to a natural sense of calm.
The method
TRE® (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises) is a series of simple exercises developed by Dr David Berceli, PhD, that help the body release deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma.
The exercises safely activate a natural reflex of shaking or vibrating that releases muscular tension and calms the nervous system. When this reflex is invited in a safe environment, the body is encouraged to return to a state of balance.
TRE rests on a simple idea: stress and trauma are held in the body — and the body has an innate ability to let them go when it is given the right conditions.
Offerings
Why TRE
TRE supports the parasympathetic nervous system, helping the body shift out of fight-or-flight and into rest and restoration.
Because it works below the thinking mind, TRE helps the body let go of held trauma without you having to re-live or re-tell painful stories.
Regular practice calms chronic over-alertness, allowing the nervous system to settle and supporting deeper, more restful sleep.
The tremoring response interrupts anxiety patterns held in the body, creating a sense of space and ease.
Chronic tension in the hips, back, shoulders and jaw — often held as protective armour — begins to soften with consistent practice.
Once learned, TRE becomes a lifelong self-care tool you can use on your own to meet stress and emotion.
FAQ
Begin your journey
Start with a free 20-minute discovery call — no experience needed.
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What it is, how it works, and the practitioner who guides you.
01 · The method
TRE® stands for Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises — a series of exercises developed by Dr David Berceli, PhD, that help the body release deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma.
Unlike talk therapy, TRE works at a body level — below the thinking mind. You do not need to revisit painful memories or tell your story. The body itself does the work; TRE simply creates the conditions for it.
Stress, tension and trauma are not only mental experiences — they are held in the body, particularly in the deep muscles of the pelvis and spine. Over time this build-up affects our health, sleep, relationships and sense of wellbeing.
TRE is practised worldwide by individuals, therapists, aid workers, military veterans, athletes, and anyone seeking a deeper connection with their body and nervous system.
02 · Connective tissue
Fascia is a continuous web of connective tissue that runs through the whole body — surrounding muscles, organs, nerves and bones. Think of it as a full-body suit of living tissue that gives you shape and lets everything move together. When healthy and hydrated, fascia is soft, fluid and elastic.
Under chronic stress, tension or trauma, fascia can become dehydrated, thickened and restricted. This creates a body-wide pattern of holding that can contribute to chronic pain, limited movement, fatigue, emotional numbness and a sense of being “stuck”.
03 · The process
TRE activates the body's own tremoring reflex — a built-in mechanism that mammals use to discharge stress.
A sequence of seven gentle exercises lightly tires the leg and hip muscles — particularly the psoas — creating the conditions for the body's natural tremor reflex to switch on.
Once tremoring begins, you simply lie down, observe and allow. The shaking starts in the legs and hips and can move through the whole body. It is not a seizure — it is a gentle, natural response that you can stop at any time.
As tremoring continues, layers of muscular tension and held stress begin to soften. Many people feel warmth, calm and ease during and after — sometimes for days.
With guidance, most people learn to practise TRE safely at home. It becomes a lifelong tool — 20 to 30 minutes whenever your body needs to let go of built-up stress.
04 · Inside the body
Understanding what is happening inside helps you trust the process — and your body's wisdom.
Under stress, the sympathetic nervous system activates — releasing adrenaline and cortisol, tensing the muscles, and preparing us for fight, flight or freeze. This is a healthy survival response, but when it is never completed or discharged it can become chronic.
Neurogenic tremoring supports the parasympathetic nervous system — the rest-and-digest state. As the tremors move through the body, the nervous system can settle and return to a state of balance and safety.
Dr Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory describes how the vagus nerve — the longest cranial nerve — shapes our sense of safety, connection and calm. TRE supports the nervous system in moving out of survival states and into genuine rest and connection.
Sometimes called the “muscle of the soul”, the psoas is one of the deepest muscles in the body, connecting the spine to the legs. It reacts quickly in a threat response and often holds years of accumulated tension. TRE begins here and works outward.
05 · Young people
Young people carry stress in their bodies too — from school pressure and exams to changes at home, big feelings or difficult experiences. TRE gives them a gentle, body-based way to settle and feel safe again, without having to find the words.
Ages 7–13
Sessions are shorter and gentler, adapted to a child's age and attention span. I explain what is happening in simple, playful language, so children understand their body and feel in control the whole time.
Ages 14–18
The teenage years bring exams, sport, social pressure and big changes. TRE gives teens a respectful space to release tension, and a tool they can keep using on their own — with no need to talk about what they are going through.
For parents of children aged 7–13
Before I work with your child, you complete three TRE sessions of your own. That way you feel the tremoring for yourself — you'll know exactly what your child will experience, what is normal during and after a session, and how to support them at home. Children also feel safer when the adult beside them already knows and trusts the process.
06 · The practitioner
My name is Lorinda Duvenhage, and I am a certified TRE provider. From a young age I have had a deep desire to help people and support them through life's challenges. That passion led me to work where I can guide others toward healing, balance and greater wellbeing.
Through TRE, I help people reconnect with their bodies and safely release stress and tension. My approach is gentle and supportive, focused on creating a safe space where you can explore your body's natural ability to restore calm and resilience.
Whether you are navigating burnout, anxiety or trauma, or simply seeking a deeper connection with yourself, I am here to walk alongside you — at whatever pace feels right for your body.
Take the first step
A free 20-minute discovery call is available before you book your first session.
Get in touchWork with me
Every session brings together your body's own wisdom and a safe, skilled space. In person in Benoni, or online from anywhere.
Choose your path
Children & teens
Ages 7–13
Short, gentle sessions adapted to your child's age, with simple explanations throughout. Your child can pause or stop at any time.
Contact Lorinda for pricing
Ages 14–18
A private, respectful space for teens to release the stress of school, sport and growing up — and learn a tool they can use on their own. Parent or guardian consent is needed for under-18s.
Contact Lorinda for pricing
How it works
Send a booking request or WhatsApp message. We'll set up a free 20-minute call to answer your questions and check that TRE is right for you right now.
Your introduction is unhurried. We talk through your intentions, move through the exercises together, and you experience the tremor response in a safe, supported space.
The body keeps processing after each session. You'll get guidance on rest, hydration and gentle movement — and what to notice in the days that follow.
The goal is your independence. Once Lorinda confirms you're ready, you can use TRE at home as a lifelong tool for nervous system care.
Good to know
Reach out
Call or WhatsApp Lorinda directly, or send a booking request and she will reply personally.
Booking request
Share a few details. Your request opens in WhatsApp, ready to send to Lorinda.
Tap below to open WhatsApp with your message filled in, then press send. Prefer email? Copy the message and send it to tre.nervoussystemstudio@gmail.com.
Book a session
Pick a session, a day and a time. Your request goes to Lorinda on WhatsApp, and she will confirm your booking personally.