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Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science: Lisa Kimble Brings TRE to the Fascia Research Congress

When Lisa Kimble stepped into the French Quarter hotel hosting the Fascia Research Congress in New Orleans, she carried with her not just years of experience in TRE (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises) and bodywork, but a mission to bridge the gap between cutting-edge fascia research and neurogenic healing. What unfolded over those transformative days represents a pivotal moment in the integration of trauma-informed somatic practices with mainstream scientific understanding.

The Fascia Research Congress, held every two to three years, has become a unique gathering where scientists, doctors, and therapists collaborate as equals—a refreshing departure from typical medical conferences. This year's event focused intensively on the autonomic nervous system and its intricate relationship with fascia, bringing together luminaries like Robert Schleip, Stephen Porges, and Gil Hedley. For Lisa, returning to present after previous attendances, this congress offered the perfect platform to introduce the fascia community to the profound healing potential of neurogenic tremoring.

1. Groundbreaking Fascia-Nervous System Research Revealed

The congress opened with Robert Schleip, often called the "Godfather of fascia research," delivering findings that validated what many somatic practitioners have long observed intuitively. His presentation outlined the constant dynamic interaction between fascia, the autonomic nervous system, and immune regulation—a trinity that fundamentally shapes our experience of stress and trauma.

Perhaps most striking was the revelation of a 48-hour lag between acute stress activation and subsequent changes in fascia mobility. This research finding offers practitioners a crucial window of understanding: the body doesn't immediately stiffen after trauma; instead, there's a two-day process during which fascial tissues progressively lose mobility. For trauma-informed practitioners, this knowledge reframes post-traumatic care and highlights the importance of early intervention. Additionally, Schleip presented evidence that depression correlates with increased epimysial thickness—the fascial covering around muscles—providing a tangible, measurable connection between mental health and tissue health.

The implications extend further into PTSD territory, where research confirms that post-traumatic stress influences myofascial pain sensitivity. These findings aren't merely academic; they validate the lived experiences of trauma survivors and offer bodyworkers and therapists scientific backing for the somatic approaches they've been implementing. The potent influence of the vagus nerve on systemic inflammation, another key point in Schleip's presentation, underscores why vagal regulation techniques have become central to trauma recovery work.

2. Gil Hedley's Unprecedented Vagus Nerve Dissection

One of the most emotionally powerful moments of the congress came from anatomist Gil Hedley, who presented something never before accomplished: a complete dissection of the vagus nerve in its entirety. What made this work even more profound was that the donor was a friend of Hedley's, lending a deeply personal and reverent quality to the presentation.

Hedley's meticulous work revealed the extraordinary complexity of the vagus nerve, with fibers so intricate that even he couldn't trace them all. His findings challenged some common assumptions in bodywork circles, particularly regarding vagal activation through external manipulation. While many practitioners focus on physical techniques to "activate" the vagus, Hedley's anatomical evidence suggests a different priority: the vagus nerve is embedded deep within fatty pockets and fascial layers, making direct physical access limited. Instead, Hedley emphasized sounding—humming, sighing, chanting, and vocal expression—as the most effective means of vagal stimulation through vibration.

This insight aligns beautifully with indigenous practices worldwide that have long centered vocal healing. The anatomical revelation that the trigeminal, glossopharyngeal, and vagus nerves all sit together in one fascial sheet further emphasizes the interconnected nature of cranial nerve function and the holistic nature of nervous system regulation.

3. The Historic Moment: 100 Bodies Tremoring Together

Lisa's presentation itself became one of the congress highlights, offering attendees something rare at scientific conferences: direct somatic experience. Working alongside Professor Werner Klingler, a neuroanesthesiologist who lent additional credibility to the session, Lisa had a full hour to introduce TRE to approximately 100 bodyworkers, therapists, dancers, and scientists.

The session began with Klingler explaining the tremoring that occurs when patients emerge from anesthesia—a freeze-thaw response that medical staff sometimes misinterpret. This framing from an anesthesiologist immediately normalized neurogenic tremoring within a medical context, creating safety for what would follow. Lisa then demonstrated psoas release techniques on a volunteer, who spontaneously began tremoring during the self-release process—a powerful, unscripted demonstration of the body's innate capacity for self-regulation.

Then came the remarkable moment: the entire room lay down to experience TRE for themselves. With assistance from colleagues, Lisa guided everyone through the seven exercises, and within minutes, 100 bodies were tremoring together. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with participants approaching Lisa afterward expressing amazement—"What was that? That's the coolest thing I've ever felt!" Multiple attendees told her they had been waiting the entire congress for something like this, an experiential practice that embodied all the theory they'd been absorbing.

4. Consciousness, Energy, and the Evolution of Fascia Understanding

Beyond the practical demonstrations and research findings, the congress signaled a profound philosophical shift in how the scientific community views fascia. Conversations with anatomist John Sharkey from Dublin touched on topics that would have seemed fringe just years ago: consciousness, soul consciousness, and the electromagnetic properties of fascia.

Scientists are now openly discussing how collagen fibers hold light and energy, asking fundamental questions about where consciousness resides and how it moves through the body. These discussions included the concept that we are all connected through our fascia—a spiritual understanding now being explored through scientific language. Multiple sessions involved 200 participants placing hands on hearts, connecting energetically through their fascia, culminating in a final gathering where all 500 congress attendees engaged in this collective practice.

This integration of spiritual and scientific perspectives represents a maturation of the field. There's even discussion about renaming "fascia" to better capture the tissue's role as what some are calling "the tissue of the soul." While no consensus has emerged on a new name, the conversation itself indicates how far beyond mere structural analysis the field has moved.

5. Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Trauma Therapy: The Sami Yoiking Tradition

Lisa's work increasingly bridges indigenous healing practices with contemporary somatic approaches. Her recent journey to Kiruna in northern Sweden to study with Sami shamanic practitioners revealed the power of yoiking—a vocal tradition central to Sami culture. In this practice, every human has their own unique healing song, and the work of a lifetime is to discover and develop this personal vocal medicine.

The practice aligns perfectly with what fascia research and vagal nerve anatomy now confirm: sounding, vocal expression, and vibration are among the most powerful tools for nervous system regulation. The Sami understanding that repressed voice contributes to illness mirrors the observations of trauma therapists working with clients who have learned to suppress their authentic expression.

Lisa's upcoming programs will integrate yoiking principles with TRE, craniosacral work, and polyvagal theory, creating what she calls "The Human Algorithm." This five-week series will teach participants to find their healing voice while engaging in somatic practices—a synthesis of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge neuroscience. The emphasis on vocal work addresses what Lisa identifies as one of humanity's biggest problems: we don't sound enough, we don't use our voices, we remain in patterns of repression that the body holds as fascial tension and nervous system dysregulation.

6. New Directions in Bodywork: From Deep Tissue to Gentle Presence

The congress also brought significant updates to best practices in bodywork, particularly regarding deep tissue massage and trigger point therapy. Research presented by Barbara Cunningham challenged conventional approaches, revealing that trigger points can cause muscle weakness without atrophy, are associated with autonomic dysfunction, and can create proprioceptive disturbances even when not actively causing pain.

Rather than the aggressive pushing into trigger points that characterized earlier massage approaches, Cunningham advocated for gentle pulling away of tissue—essentially a form of cupping without tools. This approach avoids creating additional pain and potential periosteal damage when working near bone. The shift reflects a broader evolution in bodywork toward gentler, more collaborative approaches that work with the nervous system rather than overriding it.

Similarly, presentations on conditions like lipedema emphasized the need for practitioners to work with extreme sensitivity, barely touching inflamed tissue rather than applying traditional deep pressure. The overarching message: listen to the tissue, respect pain thresholds, and recognize that healing doesn't require force. This philosophy aligns perfectly with TRE's principle that the body knows how to heal itself when given the right conditions and gentle facilitation.

Conclusion: A New Era of Integrated Healing

Lisa Kimble's experience at the Fascia Research Congress represents more than one practitioner's successful presentation. It signals a broader convergence happening across healing disciplines: ancient wisdom is being validated by neuroscience, scientists are embracing questions of consciousness and energy, and experiential practices are gaining recognition alongside research findings.

The sight of 100 people tremoring together—scientists, doctors, bodyworkers, and therapists experiencing their own nervous system's capacity for self-regulation—encapsulates this moment of integration. As Lisa prepares her upcoming webinars and workshops, she's not just teaching techniques; she's participating in a cultural shift toward honoring both the wisdom of indigenous practices and the insights of modern research.

For those of us in the trauma healing field, this convergence offers validation, community, and exciting new directions. Whether through the vibration of yoiking, the release of neurogenic tremoring, or the emerging understanding of fascia as a living, conscious system, we're witnessing the emergence of truly holistic approaches to healing—approaches that honor the complexity, wisdom, and resilience of the human body.

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