TAT for Beginners #4: The Steps of Tapas Acupressure Technique

Now that you've learned what TAT is, the TAT pose, and how to set your intention and begin your very first TAT session, it's time to learn the nine steps of Tapas Acupressure Technique.

To perform each step, hold the TAT pose, and focus on the statements in the step, one at a time. Focus on each statement for a minute, or until you feel like you're done. You can tell you're done if you don't feel engaged with the problem you're treating anymore, you sigh, you feel energy releasing, your attention wanders, or you feel intuitively that you're done with that step.

1. Problem. Focus lightly on what you want to treat. It can be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. You don't have to relive anything or get deeply into the problem or event. Just know what it is. Then, hold the TAT pose and focus on the statement, "This happened."

2. Opposite of the problem. You don't need to believe this statement. Just entertain the thought as you focus on: "This happened, it's over, and I'm okay. I can relax now."

3. Places. Every traumatic event, negative thought or belief, hurt feeling, etc, is stored somewhere. It may be inside or outside the body, or even in other people. You don't need to know where the problem is stored. Just intend to heal those places as you focus on: "All the places in my mind, body and life where this has been stored are healing now."

4. Origins. Origins are anything, from any time and place, that made the problem exist. Again, you don't need to know what they are. Intend to heal them as you focus on: "All the origins of this are healing now."

5. Forgiveness. Forgiving others involved in the problem doesn't mean you condone what they did! It's more to keep them from using up your energy as you harbor anger toward them. Intend to heal and forgive yourself and others by focusing on each of these statements:

"I apologize to everyone I hurt related to this and wish them love, happiness and peace."

"I forgive everyone who hurt me related to this and wish them love, happiness and peace."

"I forgive everyone I blamed for this, including myself, and wish us love, happiness and peace."

6. Parts. Sometimes, even though you think you want to be healed, part of your body, spirit or subconscious mind is holding onto the problem you're treating. Intend to heal these parts and help them let go of their attachment to it by focusing on: "All the parts of me that got something from this are healing now."

7. Leftovers. If you still feel pieces of the problem hanging on, focus on: "Whatever's left about this is healing now."

Then, repeat the first two steps and see if anything else related to the problem surfaces. If something comes up, do TAT on that. The first two steps are usually enough for this.

8. Choosing. Visualize the positive outcome you want for this healing. Even describe it aloud to become more involved in the healing process. As you visualize the outcome you desire, focus on: "I choose this."

9. Integration. There are three parts to this step, which will integrate the healing into your body, mind and spirit.

First, focus on: "This healing is completely integrated now."

Next, move the hand that is in front of your face to the back of your head, and vice versa. Then, focus on the above statement again.

Finally, cup your hands around your ears, and focus on the statement a third time.

That's it! If you like, you can thank whatever you believe did the healing for you if anything--God, the universe, divine love, etc.

Otherwise, that's all you have to do! Remember to keep your TAT work to a maximum of 20 minutes per day in the pose, and to drink six to eight glasses of water on days when you do TAT.

All the best on your healing journey!