Inviting More Tremors

For Experienced Practitioners Only

The following techniques are for people who have:

• Practiced TRE regularly for several months
• Developed solid self-regulation skills
• Found that their tremors have become mild or limited
• Built genuine trust with the tremor mechanism

If you are new to TRE, focus on the foundational skills first: reading your body's signals, stopping tremors, and containment. Return here when your practice has matured.

When to Consider Going Deeper

After consistent practice, some practitioners find that:

• Tremors become gentler or more limited
• The same positions no longer produce the same activation
• Practice feels comfortable but perhaps too comfortable
• There is a sense that deeper layers are available

This can indicate that your nervous system has processed significant surface tension and may be ready for deeper work. It can also indicate that your practice needs variation.

Before Inviting More

Honest self-assessment:

Question	Consider Carefully
Are your self-regulation skills truly solid?	You should be able to stop tremors reliably and quickly
Do you generally stay within your window of tolerance?	Sessions should leave you feeling regulated, not depleted
Have you been practicing for at least 3-6 months?	Time builds capacity and trust
Is your life relatively stable right now?	External stress reduces capacity for internal exploration
Do you have support available if needed?	A provider, therapist, or trusted person who understands the work

If you answered no to any of these, continue with foundational practice. There is no hurry.

Position Variations

Expanding the Basic Tremor Position

Allow knees to fall wider:

• Let your knees drop further apart than usual
• This creates more exposure in the pelvis and may intensify tremors
• Move gradually and notice the effect

Move feet further from pelvis:

• Position your feet further away from your body
• This increases the stretch and often increases activation

Different foot positions:

• Try soles of feet together at different distances
• Try feet flat on floor, knees falling open
• Notice which positions invite different responses

Alternative Body Positions

Tremoring on your belly:

• Lie face down with head turned to one side
• Arms can rest by your sides or under your forehead
• Tremors may arise in the legs, back, or shoulders

Tremoring on your side:

• Lie on one side with knees bent
• May access different held patterns
• Try both sides and notice differences

Different arm positions:

• Arms overhead (creates more exposure)
• Arms out to sides
• Hands on belly or chest
• Each position may invite different responses

Pre-Fatiguing Different Muscle Groups

If your tremors are predictably limited to certain areas:

For more thigh activation:

• Hold the wall sit longer (work up to 2-3 minutes)
• Add more repetitions of squats or lunges before the sequence

For upper body activation:

• Add gentle arm exercises before tremoring
• Try tremoring after yoga or stretching that involves the upper body

For core activation:

• Spend more time in the psoas stretch
• Add gentle core engagement before lying down

Working with Stuck Areas

If certain body areas never tremor:

Gentle attention:

• During tremoring, bring soft awareness to the area
• Do not force or will it to tremor
• Simply notice it with curiosity

Breath direction:

• Imagine breath moving into those areas
• Breathe "into" the place that feels stuck

Light touch:

• Gently place your hands on areas that do not tremor
• The warmth and attention may invite release

Position changes:

• Try positions that specifically engage those areas
• See Alternative Positions for more ideas

Working with Emotional Material

Proceed with Care

Working intentionally with emotional material increases intensity. Have strong self-regulation in place, particularly containment strategies. Consider working with a provider or therapist for this level of exploration. Review the guidance on emotional release and working with memories.

Gentle Emotional Opening

Before practice:

• Briefly bring to mind something mildly challenging (not your deepest trauma)
• Notice where you feel it in your body
• Begin tremoring with gentle awareness of those sensations

During practice:

• If an emotion or memory arises, you can choose to stay with it rather than immediately backing off
• Use pendulation: spend a little time with the activation, then return to neutral or pleasant sensations
• Titrate: work with small doses, not overwhelming floods

Pendulation Practice

Pendulation moves between activation and resource:

1. Resource: Feel something pleasant, safe, or neutral in your body
2. Activation: Gently touch into something slightly activating
3. Resource: Return to the pleasant sensation
4. Repeat: Move back and forth, gradually building capacity

This builds tolerance for activation while maintaining containment.

Safety Considerations

Always Maintain Your Brake

Even when inviting more, never abandon your self-regulation skills. The goal is to expand your capacity gradually, not to overwhelm yourself. If at any point you move outside your window of tolerance, immediately return to containment and slowing techniques.

When Not to Invite More

Do not attempt to increase intensity if:

Situation	Why to Avoid
Recent stressful life event	Your capacity is already taxed
Feeling generally dysregulated	You need stabilisation, not exploration
Not enough time for integration	Deeper work requires more recovery time
Practicing alone without support available	Have backup if you need it
Something feels off or uncertain	Trust your instincts

Red Flags During Deeper Work

Stop immediately and return to foundational regulation if you experience:

• Dissociation or feeling far away
• Flashbacks or intrusive memories
• Panic or terror
• Loss of sense of control
• Physical pain
• Strong urge to stop

These indicate you have exceeded your current capacity. This is information, not failure. Reduce intensity next time. See Reading Body Signals for more on recognising these signs.

The Goal Is Not Maximum Intensity

Keep Perspective

The goal is not to tremor the most or release the most. The goal is to work within your capacity, building that capacity over time, in a sustainable and integrated way.

Deeper is not always better. Some of the most profound healing happens at moderate intensity over time. The nervous system changes through consistent, well-regulated practice, not through pushing limits.

Integration for Deeper Work

When you do deeper work:

• Allow more rest time afterward (see After Your Practice)
• Be gentle with yourself for the next day or two
• Notice any delayed effects (dreams, emotions, sensations)
• Journal about your experience
• Consider a longer gap before your next session (see Building a Practice)

Working with a Provider

For deeper exploration, consider working with a certified TRE provider or trauma-informed therapist:

• They can observe your tremors and identify patterns you cannot see
• They can suggest specific modifications for your body
• They can help you work with what emerges
• They provide co-regulation for challenging material
• They guide integration between sessions

There is no shame in needing support for deeper work. In fact, seeking appropriate support is itself a form of self-regulation and wisdom. See Working with Providers for guidance on finding the right support.

Patience with the Process

Deepening TRE practice is a gradual process. The nervous system cannot be rushed. It will reveal what it is ready to reveal when the conditions are right.

Your job is to:

• Create consistent, safe conditions
• Maintain solid self-regulation
• Trust the timing of your own system
• Seek support when appropriate

The depth will come in its own time.