TRE Certification & the Healing that came with it

An unexpected journey of healing, self-discovery, and learning to trust my body again.

I found TRE unexpectedly. Or maybe I should say TRE found me.

I had recently joined a new yoga studio that was offering a free week of classes over the holidays. After enjoying the classes, I took advantage of their locals’ special and signed up for an entire year at 50% off. It was a stressful season at work, and I found myself drawn to the slower, more restorative practices.

Towards the end of the season, I got injured and could no longer participate in many of the physical activities I loved. Instead of focusing on strength and flexibility, I was looking for ways to heal. I began exploring some of the studio’s other offerings, including yoga Nidra, breathwork, sound healing, and TRE® (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises). These weren’t classes I would normally have attended, but they were included in my membership, and I was willing to try just about anything that might help me recover.

An Introduction to Trauma Work

I had never heard of TRE before, and when the instructor explained how our bodies could naturally shake and tremor through a series of gentle exercises, I was skeptical. I couldn’t believe my body would simply start shaking, but to my surprise, it did. After attending numerous classes, I had never witnessed someone who wasn’t able to access this natural response. I was fascinated and wanted to understand how it worked.

Trauma work was also completely new to me. I had never considered myself someone who had experienced trauma, associating it primarily with major, life-altering events. What interested me most was learning about the brain-body connection, neuroplasticity, and how our nervous systems adapt to stress and experience. I was intrigued by the possibility that practices like TRE could help us develop new responses to stress and support healing beyond traditional physical rehabilitation.

From Curiosity to Certification

My growing curiosity led me to enroll in the first module of TRE certification training. I wasn’t necessarily looking for another professional certification, but I wanted to understand the practice more deeply and explore how it might complement my work as an adventure guide, yoga instructor, and coach.

What began as an opportunity to learn something new became a commitment of more than a year and $4,000. The certification involved training modules, personal practice, supervised sessions, and learning to facilitate TRE safely with individuals and groups.

The Healing That Came With It

My injury had forced me to slow down and reconsider my relationship with my body. I was accustomed to pushing myself physically, working toward goals, and trusting my body to carry me through challenging experiences. Suddenly, recovery required patience, uncertainty, and learning to accept limitations I couldn’t simply train my way through.

Through TRE training and personal practice, I began exploring a different approach to healing. Rather than focusing on what my body could accomplish, I was learning to pay attention to what I was experiencing. I became more aware of my responses to stress, the relationship between physical sensations and emotions, and the difference between managing difficult experiences and allowing myself to process them.

Over time, I began to recognize that healing wasn’t simply about regaining strength and returning to the activities I loved. It was also about rebuilding trust in my body, developing greater self-awareness, and recognizing patterns I hadn’t previously considered. TRE became an unexpected part of that journey, alongside my physical rehabilitation and other personal healing practices.

More Than a Certification

After more than a year of training, practice, and supervision, I became a Certified TRE Provider. While I was proud of the accomplishment, the most meaningful part wasn’t the certificate itself, but the personal growth and healing that happened along the way. Looking back, I never imagined that joining a yoga studio to unwind after work would become part of my recovery and eventually lead me in a new professional direction. The experience reinforced something I’ve come to appreciate through adventure, education, wellness, and coaching: growth often happens in unexpected ways, especially when we’re willing to explore something unfamiliar.

Now, I want to share TRE with the world, starting with my local community. I see tremendous potential for this practice in schools, hospitals, and ski resorts, as well as among outdoor professionals, first responders, and anyone navigating the stresses and challenges of everyday life. Whether it’s students, healthcare workers, athletes recovering from injuries, or people working through difficult experiences, I believe there is a real need for accessible tools that support stress management, nervous system regulation, and overall well-being.

Through ACE CoLab, I’m excited to offer TRE workshops and individual sessions, with the goal of partnering with local organizations to make the practice more accessible. What began as an unexpected part of my own healing journey has become something I’m passionate about sharing with others.

Explore TRE with ACE CoLab

Curious about TRE and how it might support your own well-being? Learn more about TRE® (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises), explore upcoming TRE workshops and events, or read more about TRE and related wellness practices on the ACE CoLab blog.

Whether you’re interested in experiencing TRE for yourself or exploring opportunities to bring it to your organization or community, I’d love to connect!