Taming your inner guard dog through TRE®

At the beginning of May, I had the privilege of spending the weekend with a wonderful group trainees at the very beginning of their TRE® provider journey as I've decided to take the plunge and begin my TRE® mentor journey. The training run by Steve Haines from the TRE College was packed full of research and insight about our nervous system and how we support it through body-based practices such as TRE®.

I particularly loved the self-regulation metaphor of the 'inner guard dog' to explain how our threat detection centres can be constantly switched on and how to support them to find a place of calm through practices such as TRE®.

Imagine, a guard dog that is finely tuned to protect and serve. It barks to warn people nearby, when it hears a noise, when it feels activated generally and/or runs away and refuses even familiar people's approaches and support - it is essentially in constant fight-flight. This is great when we need protection but not when we are trying to sleep at night, get on with our work or talk to family and friends. In fact, when it is not barking too much, it is cowering in a corner and doesn't interact with anyone - it is dissociated.

Unless in film and TV, guard dogs don't talk and can't express the reasons for their actions and emotions. Getting them to talk about their experiences and feelings is not an option - they are stuck in their physical sensations and responses. What does work is soothing the guard dog through routine, repeated experiences of playing, coaxing, stroking and nourishing, often over a long period of time. These are all dimensions of TRE®. The shaking calms the 'inner guard dog' so that you are able to negotiate with it (self-regulation), giving a burst of good news for your nervous system.

Intrigued about how you could support your 'inner guard dog'? Why not have a look at how you can learn and practise TRE® below:

Current TRE® with Kate offer

These are all the ways that you can currently access TRE® with me:

Monthly workshops at We are Wellness - These 90 minute workshops (for up to 8 people) allow you to explore what TRE® is and immerse yourself in the practice. These workshops are perfect if you are experiencing TRE® for the first time, if you have previously practised but have had a break or are currently practising by yourself and would like someone to hold the space for you whilst you deepen your practice. You can book here.

Weekly one-to-one sessions at We are Wellness - These are currently on Thursdays and give you an opportunity to explore TRE® in supported and safe way that is truly focused on you. These sessions are perfect if you are reticent about joining a group straight away or really want to explore your responses to TRE® due to previous or current stresses and/or trauma. These can be booked here.

Weekly small group sessions on Wednesdays (9.30-10.30) at Slim Fit Life in Horsforth - Typically, these very friendly sessions involve 6 or fewer participants with a range of experience of TRE®. Individual attention is given within the group based on needs, for example whether someone is newer to TRE® or has been practising longer and is looking to explore interventions to change or deepen their tremoring. There is a community price of £10 per session and these can be booked directly with me by email: kate@trewithkate.co.uk. Please note: men also welcome on prior arrangement.

Also look out for:

• Free taster sessions - I've recently held a taster session day at We are Wellness, as well as group sessions at Slim Fit Life and W Fitness in the past. These sessions (individual or group) give you a perfect opportunity to see what TRE® is all about and meet me before making a financial commitment.
• Pop Ups - Over the next few months, I'll be looking to run some of these. They will be similar to the We are Wellness workshop structure. There is one at Café Yoga in Horsforth on Thursday, 3rd July.

Get in touch:

If you would like to know more about any of the above, please do not hesitate to get in touch or comment below and we can chat about how TRE® could help you.

Also, if you would like to chat about possible other collaborations, I'm always happy to do that too. Kate❤️