On January 29 we drove to Nova Friburgo, which is located 300 km from Rio de Janeiro in a very mountainous region.  Friburgo is a tourist destination, and very beautiful with 182,000 people living in the area.

It is also one of the areas most affected by the recent flooding in Brazil.  At the time that we arrived, there had been 421 people reported dead in Nova Friburgo and the area was struggling from the loss of life and property.

We were invited by the Robert Marinho Foundation in partnership with the Culture Secretary of Rio de Janeiro state.  It was their idea that we present to the local people and teach them TRE. When we arrived the local people were waiting for us with high expectations.  There were about 15 people at the presentation.

The first step was to listen to the people and to hear their story and how they were feeling in that moment.  We then spoke to them about TRE and explained how the process worked.

We started the group with the basic stretching exercises and into the TRE process created by Dr. David Berceli.  As the exercises and process progressed people were on the floor and began shaking. We guided them through the process, taking time with each person as needed for them to fully experience their shaking in the best way.

After the completing the TRE exercises, the group sat together in circle and shared their feelings and experiences.  All 15 people talked about the positive benefits the exercises gave them.  People talked of sensations of peace and tranquility. Some expressed feelings of deep agony before the process and serenity after.  We felt very moved to be able to give this group of people a way for them to relax within their bodies, and feel peace and tranquility after a time of so much pain.

We are very thankful to both organizations who provided us with the facilities to do the work, and especially to the 15 people who came and trusted us enough to learn the process.

Jayme Panerai Alves
Grace Wanderley de Barros Correia
Libertas Comunidade
www.libertas.com.br