Shaking meditation: The easiest way to release stress in five minutes

We all understand meditation differently. But most of us picture meditation as sitting quietly in one corner with back straight and feet grounded. But what we don’t picture is being in a position where our muscles start to tremble and our body shakes. However, this is exactly what happens in shaking meditation.

What is shaking meditation?


The practice is officially called TRE (trauma releasing exercises). You must be thinking that shaking is so active and deliberate, how can it qualify to be meditation?

Shaking is a process of warming up – the idea is to loosen up and shake out all the built-up tension in your mind and body. While most meditation techniques require you to be still and be aware of your body, shaking meditation is the act of letting go.

How shaking meditation works?


All mammals shake. If you have noticed, dogs tremble/shake right after they get up or when they face a new situation. By shaking, we literally shake off the old energy and tension as a way of resettling. We, humans also shake when our fight or flight impulses are activated, which means when we face a threat to our system or are in trauma. Shaking out is the easiest way to get rid of it.

By shaking your body for 15 minutes, you can calm your body after a long day. Shaking activates the parasympathetic nervous system and signals the brain to calm, relax and let go. Shaking also activates the lymphatic system of our body, which helps our body get rid of the toxins.

How to do shaking meditation?


There is no wrong way to shake. To try shaking meditation, stand with your feet hip-width apart and soften your knees and drop your shoulders. Begin shaking and feeling the bounce through your knees and let the vibration spread to your arms and shoulders. Try to shake your entire body with little trembles and full body shakes. You can even play some music if you want.

The right time and place to do shaking meditation

TRE is an active practice and thus is great for people who are unable to switch off while sitting still. Shaking mechanism can be great for people suffering from trauma, grief and even phobias. The involuntary shake is a burst of good news from the muscles directly to the central nervous system. The signals generated can create new pathways inside the brain. You can start the practice by doing it for five to 20 minutes in a day. As no equipment is needed, you can do it anytime anywhere…