THAWING THE FREEZE
The instant there is a "threat" to our safety, our sympathetic nervous system turns ON and thus begins our built in survival mechanisms. In rush chemicals like adrenaline and cortisol that shore us up physiologically to deal with the problem by either fighting the threat or fleeing from it. Once the threat is resolved our brain announces "danger over" and calm returns. But what happens when we can't fight and we can't flee? There is a third response. We immobilize, or freeze. That supercharge of energy does not get utilized thus the stress response cannot complete. So as a protection for future threats this energy downloads into the body. Ever have your foot on the gas full throttle and the brake at the same time? It's like that.
We've all experienced trauma, both Capital T Trauma and little t trauma. Anytime we could not complete a normal stress response the energy "froze" into our physiology. Frozen trauma creates more vulnerability to any future stress. Someone with frozen trauma energy will be more "on guard" or hyper vigilant. It's the body actually looking to finally discharge the freeze! So many people suffer from not only post traumatic stress, but panic disorder and generalized anxiety. A frozen residue of energy that remains trapped in our nervous systems can wreak havoc on not only our bodies but our spirits as well.
According to Dr. Robert Scaer prominent neurologist, trauma expert and author of The Trauma Spectrum, releasing the freeze is rarely accomplished with conventional talk therapy or even cognitive behavioral therapy.
That is why Dr. Scaer actually recommends EFT as a way to extinguish the memory. The reasons EFT works are because:
1) EFT is a mind-body technique.
The body or "felt sense" must be accessed.
The energetic disruption is in the procedural memory. The body has to be included because that is where the problem lies.
2) Unlike many cultures who use rituals to deal with trauma we don't. As a people we are very emotionally inhibited. There is a ritual to the EFT tapping routine and thus highly effective.
3) EFT shifts the healing power to the individual.
Trauma creates a sense of powerlessness. EFT turns on a sense of personal empowerment.
4) EFT helps the energy cross through the corpus callosum so that the left brain and the right brain become more fully integrated.
When I found my way to EFT nearly six years ago I was searching for something to help with anxiety. EFT worked and continues to work in my life and my passion is to help others with this wonderfully effective technique. If you haven't been to one of my workshops see "Events" below and consider attending one in the future. Please read a review here from someone who attended my last workshop.
Next week I travel to New York City to begin a certification training with Dr. Carol Look, EFT Master who is regarded as one of the best practitioners out there world wide. I am privileged to be one of 8 women accepted in her first EFT VIP mentoring/coaching program. I am more than excited! My personal goal is to continue to refine my skill as an EFT practitioner so that I can teach others how they can effectively
rid themselves of what ever it is that holds them back from emotional and physical and spiritual health.
By the way the 2012 EFT Summit begins May 7th. This is 10 successive days of live interviews of top EFT experts. You can learn about what it is and register to listen for free by clicking here.