

The Tap
I like the soft tapping or finger drumming on my forehead, temples, and head – right around to the back. I often do three firm taps on my throat too, with two fingers, to clear my throat chakra. And open-palm tapping a few times over my heart as I think of positive affirmations for the day.
TAPPING THEORY
Tapping exercises are easy and effective methods to overcome any challenging situation as a way to calm down quickly, relieve stress, or to prepare yourself for a positive day. It is referred to as EFT – Emotional Freedom Technique – a combination of acupuncture without the syringe and psychological rhythmic soothing. Tapping has been shown to reduce stress, lower cortisol levels, improve sleep, reduce anxiety, relieve pain, increase productivity, and more – says The Tapping Solution website.
It is simple, suitable for any age (and even for pets), and it works faster than other techniques. The Tapping Solution website says a study of 260,000 participants of a tapping meditation, the average reported reduction of anxiety was 41% in just 9 minutes.
It began in the 1980s when psychologist Roger Callahan combined Chinese medicine with psychology principles. Tapping is based on the 12 major meridian points of the body, according to Chinese medicine, that focuses on the Yin and Yang groups – Yin: lung, heart, pericardium, spleen, kidney, and liver – Yang: large intestine, small intestine, triple burner, stomach, bladder, and gall bladder. Callahan called it TFT – Thought Field Therapy. His student, Gary Craig, refined the technique in the 1990s, referring to it as EFT.
Recently, three siblings, Nick, Alex, and Jessica Ortner mainstreamed the tapping techniques, demonstrated in their 2013 book The Tapping Solution: A Revolutionary System for Stress-Free Living, and their subsequent books. Another reference book is Tapping Into Ultimate Success: How to Overcome Any Obstacle and Skyrocket Your Results (2013) by Jack Canfield and Pamela Bruner.
TAPPING PRACTICE
Tapping can be performed on any part of the body. To start tapping, finger tap (with the tips of your fingers) very gently on the body – usually the top of the head, eyebrows, side of the eyes, under the eyes, under the nose, on the chin, on the collarbone, under the arm, on the back of the hands, and side of the hands. It can be done by yourself daily, hourly, or as needed – 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes – it’s up to you.
Tapping can be done with the tips of the fingers, or length of the fingers, or even the palm of the hand. Use one finger, two fingers, four fingers … and tap repetitively. You don’t need to move your fingers too far away from your body – keep the movements small and gentle, but firm. Tap fast, tap slow.
You can think of a negative emotion and tap it out, or think of something positive and tap it in. Or just tap to soothe yourself – listen to music or sit in silence or meditate. There are meditation videos available for tapping exercises if you want further guidance.
Sometimes, messages or visions may come to you, which might help to solve challenges – like a light bulb moment.
TAPPING SIMILARITIES
Different approaches are all okay. You can also tap your foot to music – again, it is the rhythm and repetition that are the beneficial factors. Toe tapping, knee slapping, thigh slapping, stomach patting, heart drumming, etc. – they all form a similar function.
TAPPING NEGATIVES
Tapping fingers on a desk may be a sign of impatience and agitation, so be observant to the person’s body language cues and signs.
Tapping therapy does not include tapping on a keyboard or tapping a phone screen! Tap on your body for best results, or on a desk or table top or object for secondary results.
TAPPING CAVEAT
Tapping does not necessarily address core issues.
QUOTES
“Keep on listening and tapping your feet.” – Count Basie
“Tapping is a powerful tool that can truly heal, allowing forgiveness, love, and acceptance into your life, particularly when used along with affirmations.” – Louise Hay
“Tapping therapy is absolutely brilliant. Stephen Gately from Boyzone, God rest his soul, told me about it. It’s just a little tap that focuses the mind away from that wave of panic and adrenalin that shoots into your body.” – Michael Ball
TESTIMONIALS
VIDEO: TAPPING TECHNIQUES
DISCLAIMER: This website’s author does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician or psychologist, either directly or indirectly. Therefore, information provided here is not intended to replace readers’ existing or other medical, psychological, financial, or legal advice. The author’s intent is to offer general information to help readers in their quest for emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing, guidance towards self-empowerment, and/or for entertainment purposes only. Rainy Day Healing and Martina Nicolls shall not be held accountable for any loss which may arise from any readers’ reliance and implementation of any information provided. For information on courses and personal consultations, see TERMS AND CONDITIONS.