Intentional Shaking

When animals are threatened, they flood their system with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that give them the energy and strength to respond to threats. Sometimes, these hormones can also cause the body to shake spontaneously in Neurogenic Tremors.

In the book Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky explains that zebras and other animals know how to dissipate stress by simply shaking it off. Once they release the excess hormones, they can move on with their lives with less chance on long-term effects.

If you notice your body beginning to shake or tremble after a stressful event, try to find a safe and comfortable place to let your body release the tension naturally. This simple act of surrender can have powerful healing effects on your relationship with your intuition, so it learns to trust you and return to its instinctual actions.

To learn more about Intentional Shaking, watch this video from Irene Lyon, or read a book like:

Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine

The Body Keeps Score, Basel Van der Kolk