The Touch and Breathe (TAB) is a very interesting variation of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) (and of TFT – Thought Field Therapy) developed by psychologist, Dr. John Diepold. It involves lightly touching and holding each comfort spot as you say your Reminder Phrase, rather than tapping on it. It is just as effective as the standard tapping used in EFT.
I find that people who prefer a more leisurely, thoughtful, somewhat meditative approach when doing EFT, may prefer this variation, while those of a more active temperament, or people who feel agitated, or need to move rapidly and “get out the energy,” or people who may be depressed and need the stimulation that they may get from tapping, will often prefer the standard tapping method, which you can learn in the How to Do EFT: A Step-by-Step Guide, if you don’t already know the method.
How to Use TAB
While saying the Set-Up phrase “Even though I….etc.,” lightly touch the karate chop spot with two fingers, holding them there while you repeat the Set-Up phrase three times.
At each Comfort Spot, as you do your rounds of EFT, place your fingers lightly on each spot and hold them there as you say your phrase. Then, with your fingers still in place, take an easy relaxed moderately deep breath before proceeding to the next Comfort spot.
An example of TAB in action would be:
Place and hold one or two fingers on the Inner Eye Spot while saying, or thinking, (for example) “I have this fear of heights,” after which, with fingers still in place, you take a deep easy breath.
Continue this process through all of your rounds of tapping, including if you are doing the EFT Choices Trio. (Learn more about this in The Power of Personal Choice in EFT eBook)
IMPORTANT NOTE: The easy breath should never be too deep and it should never be strained. It should be comfortable and peaceful in its effect.
That’s all there is to using the Touch and Breathe technique with EFT. You may want to experiment with it.
EFT Master, Dr. Patricia Carrington
