People are taught to be strong often at the expense of acknowledging what our bodies are holding onto. But what if the body already knew how to release what your mind can’t process? That’s the promise of TRE (Tension and Trauma Release Exercise), a practice that uses natural tremouring to unlock stored stress and emotional pain in a safe and guided environment. We sat down with Sarah Alturk AlTurkistani, a certified TRE practitioner and Motivational Speaker based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to talk about how shaking – yes, literally shaking – helped her heal years of tension, and why she’s on a mission to break the stigma on somatic healing in the Middle East.
Cosmopolitan ME: How do you navigate introducing TRE and somatic healing in communities where talking about trauma or “shaking it out” might feel uncomfortable or even taboo?
Sarah: I introduce TRE as “stress release through the body,” focusing on nervous-system regulation and scientific explanation rather than emotional language. Once people experience how natural and safe it feels, the stigma fades. I offer detailed theoretical and practical workshops that explain the science first.
Cosmopolitan ME: What led you to TRE in your own healing journey?
Sarah: As the Founder & CEO of LoCa Studios – and before that, a corporate professional, mother, and wife who trains daily – I carried a lot of adrenaline and tension in my body. My head and neck were constantly tight, and I tried every medical and alternative treatment possible.
While researching somatic approaches, I found TRE through the official website and started sessions with a certified provider. By the third session, my body was shaking naturally, and I felt deeply relaxed afterwards. That moment convinced me to study TRE deeply and become a practitioner.
Cosmopolitan ME: Was there a specific moment that made you realise your body was holding trauma your mind couldn’t process?
Sarah: During one early session, my body began to tremour on its own, releasing emotion without me trying to control it. I felt waves of energy and emotion move through me, followed by deep peace. That’s when I understood: my migraines and muscle tension weren’t just physical; they were emotional imprints my body had been holding for years.
Cosmopolitan ME: Part of healing is community. Tell us about a transformation you’ve witnessed in someone else who’s practised TRE?
I’ve worked with doctors, soldiers, psychologists, athletes, mothers, and professionals — people carrying both visible and hidden trauma. Through regular TRE practice, I’ve seen them sleep better, feel calmer, and reconnect with their bodies. Their anxiety drops, mood improves, body tension eases, and clarity returns.
I want them to know that their psychological and emotional well-being is essential to lead and serve effectively. Releasing doesn’t make you weak; it makes you free.
Cosmopolitan ME: What are your hopes for TRE in the Arab world?
Sarah: I’m truly happy to see where Saudi Arabia is heading with its focus on well-being, introducing alternative wellness practices and holistic solutions through initiatives like the AlUla Wellness Festival. I hope that one day TRE becomes part of this national movement: integrated into schools, the Saudi Olympic programs, and every organisation that values the mental and emotional well-being of its people.