All posts filed under: How-to

What is EFT Tapping?

Tapping / EFT—short for Emotional Freedom Techniques—is a fast, easy-to-learn, and remarkably powerful  self-help technique that can be used (in a  nutshell!) to: relieve stress dispel negative emotions promote physical well-being Based on the ancient art of Chinese acupuncture — but with the big advantage of no needles — tapping is gentle and non-invasive and can be done alone or with a therapist. Using your fingertips to tap on certain key points in the upper body, you can tune into a particular issue that is troubling you (emotional or physical) to help release or resolve it. It often works surprisingly fast; sometimes it requires some persistence. But it is always worth trying!

The Tapping Points

There are eight key points used in EFT. They are points where the ending of a meridian is very near to the surface. (In addition—not pictured—there is also the “karate chop” point, between the base of the little finger and the beginning of the wrist, on the side of either hand. The Tapping Points EB Eyebrow SE Side of Eye UE Under Eye UN Under Nose CH Chin CB Collarbone UA Under Arm TH Top of Head Clockwise from top left:

If In Doubt…Tap Here!

Normally when I’m tapping, I like to use all nine key points and proceed in a leisurely manner. Sometimes, however, time or space are tight, and tapping on just one point can feel like a lifesaver. This was the case for me a couple of weeks ago. I had the pleasure, along with my fellow Holistic London practitioners, of manning our booth at the Mind Body Spirit Festival at Olympia. We were offering a free raffle and lots of information, and had a high level of footfall. It wasn’t the easiest time for me, however, as just days before my much-loved mother-in-law Joy had passed away, and my thoughts were with her and on her upcoming funeral, which I was helping my husband organize. (The photo below is me putting a brave face on it…)

Ranting & Venting

Sometimes it feels good to rant, vent, stomp, and let off steam. There’s a risk, though, that it can backfire and leave you feeling worse later. The good news is: you can have your cake and eat it too, provided you practice ranting-while-tapping (as opposed to “just-plain-ranting”). There’s a world of difference between the two. I’ve recently come up with a helpful analogy that I offer—albeit slightly cautiously—to my new clients. It’s a fundamentally un-lovely concept, I’m afraid. No beautiful rainbows and prancing unicorns here! Just a blocked toilet. And three words: “Tap the Crap.”

Tapping Positive Choices

I love this quote by Wayne Dyer: “With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself, or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow, or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.”