By Carol Look, EFT Master
I have compiled a list of my favorite tapping tips that
have had a dramatic influence on my work and results with
clients. Use any that work for you, but I highly recommend
trying them all before you dismiss them, especially the
ultra simple ones.
1. Opposite Hand Tapping: When tapping
on yourself, use your non-dominant hand for a full day,
then switch back to your dominant hand, and back again the
next day. You could also alternate from round to round of
EFT. In my personal opinion, alternating in this way is
very helpful because it allows you to more fully integrate
the emotional material that you are working on. Of course,
we usually favor one side, tending to be right-handed or
left-handed, so making use of the "other" hand while
tapping through emotional conflicts helps to more fully
neutralize the issues. (For those of you who do telephone
sessions as either client or practitioner, switch the
phone from side to side regularly as well, so alternating
ears are "hearing.")
Here is another variation...Cross Over Tapping:Cross
your hands over each other when you tap---so your right
hand is tapping on your left side of your face and body,
and your left hand is tapping on the right...at the same
time. Also, consider tapping while in different positions.
Aren't you always sitting down while tapping? Try standing
up when usingEFT, try lying down, tap
while you are rolled over on your side. Notice if any new
material surfaces. Our bodies are brilliant, and have
stored so much information for us.
2. Argument Tapping: I love using this
process with clients in a group setting, because most
people find it surprising and amusing and seem to get
something of value out of it. When you are tapping, voice
both sides of an argument with another person around an
issue of self-esteem or conflict about yourself. For
instance, let's say your mother or father said you
"wouldn't amount to anything"...(or that "people like you
can't get wealthy"...or that "people like you are never
satisfied"...etc) Take both sides and argue the points
while you tap, alternating the sides with each consecutive
point. For instance, start with the karate chop point, and
say, Even though he said I was no good and wouldn't amount
to anything, I choose to accept myself now anyway... Then
move to the regular sequence of points and tap as if you
are arguing with another person as follows:
a. Eyebrow: You won't amount to
anything...
b. Side of Eye: Yes, I will...
c. Under Eye: No you won't...
d. Under Nose: Yes I will...
e. Chin: Don't be ridiculous...
f. Collarbone: I'm smart enough...
g. Under Arm: Who are you kidding?
h. Top of Head: I know I can do
it...
Be sure to follow how the argument is "looping" in your
memory, and vigorously argue both sides. This will help
chop down a lot of "trees in your forest." Proceed with
other similar arguments. TheArgument Tapping
technique is wonderful for the brain, for the emotional
release, and I expect that the absurdity of it all will
surface for many of you and feel quite relieving.
This is also useful for getting the tail-enders into
your tapping. The next variation of Argument
Tapping is to argue with yourself while
tapping. When you are tapping and saying something
positive, for instance, I know I have what it takes to
be successful...you might 'hear" a tail-ender that
says "No I don't!" Use whatever tail-enders that
come up for you in your current round of EFT.
So again, you are arguing, but this time with
yourself...it would sound like this:
a. Eyebrow:
I have what it takes to be successful...
b. Side of Eye:No
I don't...
c. Under Eye:
I am smart enough to figure this out...
d. Under Nose:No
I'm not!
e. Chin:
Yes I am!
f. Collarbone:No
I'm not...
g. Under Arm:
I accept my feelings...
h. Top of Head:I
appreciate who I am...
3. Refusal Tapping: When you are using
EFT, do one full round of Refusal Tapping to get over the
issue you have selected. We have all been told what to do,
controlled on a regular basis, influenced by others and
manipulated all our lives, and when trying to change, it
is very natural to experience an enormous amount of
emotional resistance. Part of us believes the change is
threatening to our survival. Try giving this part of you a
voice for a change, and feel the relief of saying No!
Don't be surprised when this technique speeds up the
change you were intending. (I highly recommend using this
Refusal Tapping technique is very helpful with chronic
illnesses.) Your round from the eyebrow point to the top
of the head would proceed as follows:
a. Eyebrow:
I refuse to give this
up...
b. Side of Eye:Don't even try to
make me...
c. Under Eye:
I am so happy I don't
have to get rid of this...
d. Under Nose:
I refuse to change...
e. Chin: You can't make me...
f. Collarbone: Ha ha, I'm keeping
this problem...
g. Under the Arm: You can't make me
get over this...
h. Top of the Head: I REFUSE TO LET
GO OF THIS ISSUE.
4. Look in the Mirror: While tapping
several rounds in a row, look into the mirror. This will
help you in several areas.
(a) This extra boost will encourage
you to absorb the positive affirmation of the setup
statement more fully(I deeply and completely love and
accept myself).
(b) It will help you when you need to
use visualization instead of regular tapping if you are in
a public place and don't feel free to tap on your face and
body. You will now have a picture and corresponding memory
of what you look like when you tap.
(c) This technique will allow you to
see the subtle changes that occur in muscle tone, color
and energy in your face and body as you tap. Definitely
make use of these clues.
5. Singing Affirmations (while you tap):
You may either sing the entire round from negative to
positive, or just use singing on the second round when you
are "installing" the positive statements. As usual, I do
the first round focusing on the "problem" and often switch
during a second round (before doing setup phrases again)
to more positive statements (such as Pat Carrington's
CHOICES), goals, and intentions. So during this second
round, sing your affirmations instead of speaking them.
This helps activate the right brain (which is why we use
humming in the 9-gamut procedure) and any time we are
doing something to promote balance between our two
hemispheres of the brain, we are moving towards emotional
and physical health.
6. Thank You Tapping: Do at least 3
rounds in a row while tapping on your "Thank You List."
See below:
a. Eyebrow: Thank you God (Spirit,
Universe, Higher Power, Source, Universal
Intelligence) for such an abundance of loving friends
in my life.
b. Side of Eye: Thank you God for
bringing me the perfect clients for my business.
c. Under the Eye:Thank you God for
resolving that disagreement so quickly.
d. Under the Nose:Thank you God for
bringing that wonderful miracle through me to my
client who was in pain.
e. Chin: Thank you God for my
vibrant health and energy.
f. Collarbone: Thank you God for all
the blessings I have in my life today.
g. Under Arm: Thank you God for
bringing me such peace in my life.
h. Top of the Head: Thank you God for
continued guidance and clarity on my path.
7. Guest Tapping: When you are tapping
at home alone, wouldn't you like some extra help? Choose
your favorite EFT practitioner, someone you want to give a
test run, or Gary Craig, and pretend he or she is tapping
for and with you. Picture it, feel it, hear their voice
(you might have this in your head from a class or some of
the videos). This will help those of you who don't think
you're good enough at tapping (even though you are...) and
opens up your treatment options tremendously. Allow your
intuition to choose someone. And don't be surprised when
the "guest tapper" comes up with profoundly brilliant
ideas!
8. Photo Tapping: Take out old family
photos and identify feelings, themes, incidents and
thoughts that were going on when the pictures were taken.
You might even take out your high school year book (since
High School seems to be so fraught with conflicted
feelings for many people...) and tap a few rounds while
you are looking at yourself. You may be shocked at how
effective this is for bringing up emotions you thought had
been "handled." Here are some options:
a. Look at yourself in the selected photo
objectively, and use words as if you are treating
someone else... Even though he
was feeling so vulnerable back then, he
has a good heart and meant well...Even though he was so scared back then,
he's
a great person and has really matured.
b. Use the first person singular...
Even though I was miserable during this time because
of that incident, I deeply and completely love and
accept myself...Even though I was feeling so sad
because of the rejection...Even though I was
confused...Even though I didn't realize I was such a
geek... J
c. Do the same for family members when you see
them in the photos: Even though he was
angry and said that hurtful thing to me...I deeply and
completely love and accept myself...Even though he was
drunk in that photo and I remember the fight we had, I
choose to release the pain of it now and accept both
of us.
9. Past Tense Tapping: After you have
completed 2-3 rounds on whatever issue you have chosen, do
a final round in the past tense, feeling what it would
feel like if you had completely gotten over the problem
(even if you haven't yet). Communicating to yourself this
way is very effective. Really FEEL the relief you feel now
that it is over!! This is critical.
a. Eyebrow:
I am so grateful I got
over this problem...
b. Side of Eye:I'm so relieved this
is over...
c. Under Eye:
I am so happy I am
free of this conflict...
d. Under Nose:It's about time I got
over that!
e. Chin:Finally, it is in my past
where it belongs...
f. Collarbone:At last, relief and
peace on this issue...
g. Under Arm:
I so appreciate all
the progress I have made...
h. Top of Head:Finally, I feel peace
from that problem.
10. "You" Tapping: While tapping on
one of your own issues, use the "second person singular"
over and over again. For example, setup statements at the
karate chop point would be: Even though you made a
mistake, you were trying to do it right and are allowed
not to be perfect...Even though you didn't mean to hurt
her, consider accepting all of you and your
feelings...Even though you don't want to forgive yourself,
try accepting your feelings anyway. Then tap the sequence
of points using "you" as the subject:
a. Eyebrow:
You made a mistake...
b. Side of Eye:So what?
c. Under Eye:You meant well...
d. Under the Nose:You are human...
e. Chin: You don't need to be
perfect...
f. Collarbone:You are lovable
anyway...
g. Under Arm:You are such a good
person...
h. Top of head:You are totally
lovable and worthy anyway.
And, FINALLY, a BONUS Tapping Tip...
Much gratitude to all my clients who have taught me how
to be a more effective tapper.
11. Kiss and Tap: Kiss someone you
love on all the face points and say I love you. Great for
kids! Great for lovers! Also, kiss yourself on the 5
finger points of both hands, the karate chop point on both
sides, the gamut spot, and any other spots you can reach.
J Do this very tenderly.
Carol Look
