(Also known as “Tapping” – and no, you don’t need special shoes to do it!) and why I wish everyone would do it.
image from nz.yahoo.com
EFT is an amazing easy and quick technique that everyone needs to learn and use to help navigate life’s ups, downs, twists and turns. It has been proven to reduce cortisol levels by up to 24% in one session. Elevated cortisol levels have been shown to contribute to both physical and psychological problems,including fatigue, weakened immunity, anxiety, depression, digestive and metabolic problems. When performed with a trained practitioner, it has been shown to be extremely effective for anxiety, depression, phobias and PTSD. Eft has also been shown to affect gene expression, proving that we are not prisoners of the genes we have inherited. I love EFT because it is highly effective with fast results in a short amount of time, with the only side effect being a sense of empowerment and relief from the issue being tapped on.
My first introduction to emotional freedom technique was with an online webinar. I found it fascinating and it made sense. EFT is often referred to as “Tapping” because it involves tapping with the ends of one or two fingers at certain points called meridian endpoints. Similar to acupuncture each point is associated with an energy system within the body. I was totally convinced a few summers ago when I applied it to my nephew’s fear of moths. I was staying with my sister and her family at a beach house on Cape Cod. The poor guy was petrified of those pesky annoying insects. Knowing that I have always been into “alternative” modalities, my sister asked me if I had any ideas to help with the situation. Reaching deep into my bag of tricks, I suggested that maybe we could try tapping. So, tap we did. I only knew the most basic things about it from my extremely limited knowledge of EFT but the results were amazing. He was amazingly receptive and a natural. Within several minutes, he was making his own set up statements and dialogue. Shortly after we tapped, there was a moth in between the windows. I pointed it out to him and he calmly started tapping and saying “moths can’t hurt me, I’m bigger than them, they are more afraid of me than I am of them, I am safe……” I have to say, I was amazed (and SO grateful). My sister asked me what happens if it stops working? And I told her “we tap again!” It was in that moment; I knew I HAD to be properly trained in this and ended up at the EFT Universe. Two years later, I became an EFT Intermediate Practitioner. Since then, I have used EFT to heal post-traumatic stress syndrome from a surgery experience that I could NOT get beyond. I had tried therapy and even the prescription drugs that they assured me were only to up my serotonin levels from the trauma. Nothing worked, I couldn’t stop the constant thoughts and anger about what happened. The drugs only made me gain weight did nothing to break the horrible thoughts and anger. It was during one of the training sessions for certification that I was chosen to work with Dawson Church, the godfather of EFT. It was there that I was finally able to make a break thru and be free from the compulsive thoughts I was prisoner of. This took maybe twenty minutes. I have used EFT for pain, frustrations, and fears and just about everything. This past year it had literally been a life saver. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2019. The time between receiving the biopsy results and finally seeing an oncologist felt like an eternity. It was during this time that I tapped every day, often several times a day about my fear, frustrations and anger of being told I had cancer. I also tapped on my denial that this was really happening. Tapping became my best friend. I remember sitting in the oncologist’s appointment tapping the entire time. The physician’s assistant was very interested in what I was doing and finally asked me about it. I told her that it was eft and it was the only thing that was keeping me from bolting out the door and being able to listen to what I needed to hear and make an informed decision. Even though tapping can be calming, there were many times this past year that my anger, frustration and fears would get the best of me and I would have exhausting crying fits full of rage. The growth for me was to allow myself to have them, REALLY get it all out and be done with it. These periods were like a summer storm where it would be pouring rain for five minutes and before you knew it the sun was shining aging! I am one of those people who is always looking for the silver lining and opportunity in the challenges that life throws us. Like everyone there have been so many. I believe that my experience with cancer and knowledge of tapping is a win, win and I look forward to using it to help others.
Next week you will hear from my discussion with Steven Gottleib, empowerment coach and the tapping expert for You Can Thrive. Also, Steven is one of YCT!'s high caliber practitioners who offers 1:1 appointments to members, so call the office today to book you session with him! We recommend it to everyone!