60 BodyTalk Fundamentals

Getting familiar with the charts.

Photo credit: Charlotte Nielsen
 Chapter 4: BodyTalk Procedures 61

Chapter 4
BodyTalk Procedures

Overview Learning Objectives

In this chapter the student is exposed to the standardized Upon completion of Chapter 4: BodyTalk Procedures, students
procedures used by the BodyTalk practitioner to find the items will be able to:
and their details that will create the formula to be tapped out.
The relationship between asking the questions and intuition is 1. Name and identify the main components of the BodyTalk
highlighted. The remainder of the chapter focuses on the terms Protocol and Exploring Procedure charts.
found on the Procedures chart, what they mean and how to use
them, plus a few additional terms, in the questioning process. 2. Appreciate both the need for standardization and when to
deviate from the standard.

3. Understand the difference between revealing a formula and

Chapter Outline building a formula.

63 BodyTalk Procedures 4. Explore the needs and benefits of writing down formulas.
64 Standardization
64 BodyTalk Formulas 5. Understand the importance of asking clearly phrased questions.
64 Writing Down the Formula
65 Asking the Questions 6. List and describe the various boxes of the BodyTalk Exploring
66 Commencement Box Procedure and their contents.
66 Item Box
66 More Specific 7. Use the appropriate terms for navigating the Protocol and
67 Orientation Box Procedure.
69 Definition Box
71 Flow Chart 8. Know what to do if the tapped out formula is still a priority.
72 Link Box
72 Implementation Box 9. Follow the steps for revealing the next formula and ending a
74 Further session.
74 Backing Out
76 Further Exploring 10. State three questions that can be asked post-session.
76 Tapping Longer or Downloading
76 Forward/Backward
77 Revealing the Next Formula
77 End Session
80 Chapter Summary

Key Terms
BodyTalk formulas
pre-set links
sub-chakra
62 BodyTalk Fundamentals

Chapter 4
BodyTalk Procedures
 Chapter 4: BodyTalk Procedures 63

BodyTalk Procedures
At the back of this manual you will find two tear-out charts. The second chart is the Basic Exploring Procedure chart
which provides the methodology for navigating the Protocol
One is the Basic BodyTalk Protocol chart containing all the to find the techniques or “items” in the formula that will
techniques that are taught in the BodyTalk Fundamentals be tapped out. Explaining the terms that are used on the
course. The chapters following this one contain the Exploring Procedure chart is the focus of this chapter.
information you will need to understand the goals and
implementation of these techniques. The Protocol represents
the left-brain knowledge that needs to be memorized and
eventually needs to become second nature.

For convenience of referring to different parts of the

Protocol chart, the center column is known as the “spine,”
the component parts are the “bubbles” and the boxes that
extend laterally, via connecting lines on either side of the
spine, are known as “side-boxes.”

Five Elements

Five Senses

Consciousness

Side Box

Birth
Environmental
General
Vivaxis

Matrixes
Bubble
Spine
Further Exploring
Commencement
Item
Link
Implementation
Orientation
Reciprocals Definition
Further is applied to all the
sections to further investigate
parts of that section.

BodyGenics

Basic BodyTalk Protocol Chart template Basic BodyTalk Exploring Procedure Chart template
64 BodyTalk Fundamentals

Standardization BodyTalk Formulas

The procedures have been standardized to a large extent In BodyTalk sessions, when the practitioner is working in
to make sure that all BodyTalk students are provided with the zone, we are not so much building a formula as we
the same foundation in moving around the Protocol chart. are revealing what the next possibility is. The importance
Following the standard way of asking the questions will help of this difference is in the focus of the practitioner. The
bring the beginning BodyTalk student into the energetic practitioner is not responsible for making up the links
field of the BodyTalk matrix and all of the benefits that that will eventually be tapped out. The practitioner is a
come with that connection. trained observer who, using intuition, discovers the next
combination of techniques that need to be brought into
However, the nature of some of the techniques dictates awareness that will refocus the possibilities to a new one.
that departures from the standard procedures are necessary. The process is like taking a flashlight to find an existing
Logical deviations have been noted wherever possible in the alternative formula in a darkened room and shining it on
examples throughout the textbook. However, listing all the each item of the sequence from the beginning to the end.
variations and divergences from the standardized approach This affects the terminology used when talking about
is impossible. Do not be distraught if the examples in the formulas. Formulas are revealed, exposed, brought to light,
manual and the formulas that you come up with in sessions uncovered, made known, etc.
do not always follow the procedures 100% of the time. The
spirit of following the procedures is what matters. The formulas can be quite simple, consisting of single
techniques that have internal pre-set links or connections
to tap out (basically everything on the Protocol chart except
for Organs, Endocrines, Body Parts and Chakras – these
need a second item linked to them). Or they can become
complex, involving several techniques that need to be tapped
out all at the same time. The beginning student usually finds
that the formulas become more complex as they themselves
become more familiar and comfortable with the techniques
and procedures.

Writing Down the Formula

When the formulas become more complex, students often
Using the Protocol Chart during class. Photo credit: Charlotte Nielsen begin to worry if they will be able to remember all the items
when the time comes to tap them out.
Once the standardized procedures have been learned and
practiced for a while, you will notice that in sessions the First, remember that you are not building a formula, but
next bit of information for the formula will “pop up” revealing one that already exists. By observing each item as
spontaneously. These pop-ups are an indication that your it comes up, you have already imprinted it energetically into
right and left brain functions are beginning to work together focus. Once the item has been brought into focus, it exists
at the subconscious level – you are working in the zone. Your until the formula is complete and is tapped out. This can
left brain has memorized the structure and is processing only happen, however, as long as you know the techniques
it faster than you can ask the questions consciously. This of the Protocol chart by heart.
situation, ideally, is the goal. You will then use your Yes/No
responses to confirm that you are focusing on the correct
items for the formula and their details.

BodyTalk formulas - the basis of the BodyTalk session which is a set of pre-set links - aspects of a technique that are already predetermined
items linked together that is then tapped out. connections.
 Chapter 4: BodyTalk Procedures 65

If you are still in the process of learning the Protocol and

Procedures charts, writing down the items as they come up Example 4.1
may be beneficial. This engages a different part of the brain Is Section 1 a priority? Yes
to learn the material and does not interfere with working
in the zone (remember that being in the zone requires both Are Details on Section 1 a priority? Yes
the right and left functions of the brain to interface). You Is More Specific on Section 1 a priority? Yes
may also find that any stress caused by worrying about your
memory will dissipate! Is E.G.B. a priority? Yes
Further More Specific on E.G.B. a priority? Yes
Many advanced BodyTalk practitioners write down their
formulas as part of their record keeping procedures in their Is SB a priority? No
clinical practices. Is Switching a priority? No

Asking the Questions Is Cortices a priority? Yes

And so on.
Note: When we talk about “asking questions,”
there is nothing or no one giving us any answers Once the concept of asking for priority has been firmly
– even though it appears as if we are receiving established in the mind, then stating the whole question
answers from somewhere. We are using the each time is not absolutely necessary. At that time the
Protocol chart as a guide for our own intuition questions can be shortened with the understanding that
to scan the field of information relating to the priority is assumed.
client. We are simply using the terminology of
“asking” as a convenience. The apparent Yes/No
responses are also just a convenience to give us a Example 4.2
physical representation of our intuited responses. Section 1? Yes

Finding priorities is a basic principle of BodyTalk that Details? Yes

distinguishes it from other health care modalities. For More Specific? Yes
this reason, when first learning how to reveal a BodyTalk
formula, the most effective approach is to ask the questions EGB? Yes
in full to find out what the priority is. This approach is Further More Specific? Yes
useful in re-patterning the thought processes away from the
concept of establishing a diagnosis. SB? No
Switching? No
Cortices? Yes
And so on.
Remember that you are not building
a formula, but revealing one that During the learning process, asking every question on the
already exists. Procedure chart separately and waiting for the intuitive
Yes/No confirmation is important. This is particularly
pertinent in the Item Box. Do not make the mistake of
running questions together as this may cause some confusion
or preclude you from getting to one of the later questions.
For example, if you were to ask “are Details More Specific
a priority?” and got a No response, where would you go
from there? How would you get to Orientation? This can
be avoided by separating out the questions and getting a
response at each step.
66 BodyTalk Fundamentals

Commencement Item
Permissions Details
Sections • More Specific
• Orientation
• Definition

Commencement Box Item Box

This is where the BodyTalk session begins. There are two An item can be one of the sections, it can be one of the
options in this box: Permissions and Sections. (Note that bubbles in a section, or it can be one of the selections in
Permissions also shows up on the Protocol chart. These two a side-box. Once you have arrived at an item, the next
Permissions are the same – it is what links the two charts question is “Are Details a priority?”
together.)
Details provide further information to fully describe what
The first question to ask at the commencement of a session needs to be focused on. If you get a Yes to “Are Details
is “Are Permissions a priority?” a priority?” you will need to explore the three options
available: More Specific, Orientation, and Definition. Let
If the answer is Yes, it means that there is an issue with us define each of these terms.
permissions that needs to be addressed before the session
can go any further. The procedure to follow in this case will More Specific
be addressed in the next chapter.
More Specific does not have its own box as Orientation or
If the answer is No, you may go to the next question which Definition do. It depends primarily on the practitioner’s
is “Are Sections a priority?” If the answer to this is Yes, you own background and knowledge of how to break down
go straight to the sections of the Protocol chart where you anatomical and conceptual aspects of the Protocol chart
will look for your first priority item for the formula. You and the bodymind, although the appendices contain some
do this by asking “Is Section 1 a priority? Is Section 2 a charts that can be referenced.
priority? Is Section 4 a priority?” (Note that in the BodyTalk
Foundations course, there are no techniques taught within The question “Is More Specific a priority?” is intended to
Section 3, so it is not necessary to include this section in break the structure of an item down into its component
the questioning process.) parts. So if the item is anatomical in nature, you go to the
smaller structures of the anatomy; if the item is conceptual,
The Commencement Box leads you to either clearing you go to the smaller structures of that concept.
Permissions or moving on to finding the first item in
a formula. You have most likely misread your Yes/No
responses if you get No to “Are Sections a priority?” and
need to back up to reconfirm if Permissions are a priority
or if Sections are a priority.
 Chapter 4: BodyTalk Procedures 67

As examples:
Orientation
• If the item is Section 1 of the Protocol chart, this is a
concept that can be broken down into the bubbles that Time
make up its structure – E.G.B., Organs, Endocrines, Body Person
Parts, and Energies. If you then get taken to Organs, this Place
can be broken down under Further More Specific into the Object
individual organs that are listed in the side-box – lungs, Activity
heart, liver, gall bladder, and so on. Let us say you get Event
taken to stomach and Further More Specific is a priority. Animal
The stomach is an anatomical part of the bodymind that Plant
can be broken down into its component parts – fundus, Work
pyloric sphincter, mucous lining, cells, and so on. In some Money
cases, you may be taken into deeper and deeper structures Emotions
right down to the molecular aspect of cellular organelles and
quantum aspects of atoms. (The manual for the Lymphatic
Drainage and Applied Anatomy and Physiology course has Orientation Box
lists that are very useful for the advanced student for gaining
this level of anatomical specificity.) When you arrive at Orientation under Details, you
automatically move to the Orientation Box part of the
• Chakras within the Energies bubble are conceptual parts Exploring Procedure chart. The Orientation Box contains
of the bodymind (that is they are not visible upon dissection a list of external environmental factors that any item in a
of the body). If Further More Specific is a priority, they formula can be oriented to in order to gain more information
are broken down into their smaller structures which are and insight into that item.
the sub-chakras. For other concepts, such as meridians
and environmental factors, you will depend on your own If an Organ, Endocrine or Body Part is oriented to something
knowledge, or the knowledge of the client, to break them in the environment, it indicates that the client has belief
down into their smaller parts. A belief system, such as “it is systems (usually subconscious) about that environmental
safe to love,” may need to be broken down more specifically factor that are generating emotional reactions. These
with its wording to “it is safe to love my husband” or “it is emotional reactions, in turn, affect the highlighted part of
not safe to love women.” the body. For example, the item is the liver and it is being
oriented to an action. The action turns out to be filing
Example 4.3 memos at work. This means a belief around the act of filing
memos is triggering an emotional charge that is affecting the
Is Heart chakra a priority? Yes
liver. There could be an additional orientation to an external
Are Details on Heart chakra a priority? Yes emotion – perhaps, for example, the boss’s anger – that
would contribute even more information.
More Specific? Yes
(Break down the concept of the Heart chakra into its The categories listed in the Orientation Box are useful
component parts.) starting points for gathering this type of detail about an
Sub-chakra 1? No item. The following is a breakdown of those categories to
provide you with further questions to ask in narrowing down
Sub-chakra 2? Yes the specific data. Once you are comfortable in working
Further More Specific on sub-chakra 2 a priority? No in the zone, you will find that much of this information
will come to you as intuitive pop-ups. But until then, here
Further Details on sub-chakra 2 a priority? No are some suggested subcategories to help you with your
The item is sub-chakra 2 of the Heart chakra. detective work.

sub-chakra - each chakra has aspects of the 7 main chakras inherent

within it. These aspects are called sub-chakras.
68 BodyTalk Fundamentals

Time: actual time – past, present, future, year, month, Plant: real plant, artificial plant, big, small, in the house, in
day of the week, date, specific time of day; conceptual the yard, at work, in the neighborhood, the rainforests, in
time – not enough time, time is running out, having the the wild, planted domestically, tree, shrub, flowering, herbs,
time of one’s life. roots, fruits, vegetables.

Person: self, family member, friend, acquaintance, co- Work: career, paid work, volunteer work, community
worker, stranger, political or religious figure, particular work, spiritual work, housework, yard work, homework
group of people. – anything the client considers work, whether paid or not.

Place: country, city, home, work, recreation, place of Money: finances, retirement plan, social security, debt,
worship, neighborhood, outside, inside, specific room, social making money, saving it, losing it, spending it, loaning it,
environment (e.g., clubs, PTA, friends’ homes). having or not having enough.

Object: is an extension of Place as it may be necessary to Emotions: this is sensitivity to someone else’s emotions.
identify an object on the scene. The client will often be able Start with the basic ones stemming from the Chinese 5
to help you with the search. You may need to ask additional Elements – joy/sadness, worry, grief, fear, and anger – or
questions such as “An object on the person? Yes. The ask for any variation or combination of these.
wedding ring? Yes.” Or “In the office? Yes. The computer?
Yes.” Or “Outside? Yes. The car? Yes.” In the end, how you got to the information required, does
not matter; what matters is that you got it. So, for example,
Activity: is something that is done over time, more than if you got an item in the formula “oriented to the microwave
once. Examples would be the action of washing dishes, oven at work,” you could have gotten there through the
driving a car, going to sleep, parenting, writing, exercising, subcategory of Place, Object, or Work. The main thing is
talking, listening. This is also often an extension of Place to keep asking “Further Orientation?” until you have all the
where you first find out where the activity occurs. details required from the Orientation Box.

Event: is something that happened once. Examples would The Orientation Box also appears on the Protocol chart
be an accident, the job termination, a rape, the telling of a under Environment and Active Memory as these types of
lie, turning 50 years old. It is helpful to start out by asking external factors are built specifically into those techniques.
if you are looking for a past, present, or future event. If in
the past, you may want to narrow it down to recent past or
distant past. It might be necessary to find the year, month, or
even day on which the event happened. If it is present, then
it is something that the client is currently experiencing. If in
the future it is often something the person is anticipating or
worrying about, for example, starting a new job, moving to
a new home, a change in the family, an upcoming trip, etc.

Animal: own pet (can be current pet or deceased pet),

somebody else’s pet, a species of animal, domestic or wild,
animal spirit guide.
 Chapter 4: BodyTalk Procedures 69

Example 4.4 Definition

(Assume you have “liver” as the item.) Physiology
Are Details on the liver a priority? Yes
Emotions
Other Systems
Is More Specific a priority? No
Is Orientation a priority? Yes
(Go to the Orientation Box.) Definition Box
Time? No As soon as you arrive at Definition under Details, you
Person? Yes move directly to the Definition Box in the Exploring
Procedure chart. A definition narrows the focus of an item
Further on person? Yes or the link between two items so that the brain will know
Husband? No exactly which aspect to balance. We are basically defining
something internal to the item, or defining the relationship
Teenage daughter? Yes between two items, that is contributing to the breakdown
Further on teenage daughter? No in communication within the bodymind that the formula
is addressing.
(Before you can leave the Orientation Box, you need to ask…)
Further Orientation of the liver oriented to the teenage When the definition is on a single item such as an Organ,
daughter a priority? Yes Endocrine or Body Part, we are focusing on the internal
environment of that item. In other words, of all the internal
Time? No
functions that the particular part of the body does, we would
Person? No be looking for the specific one which needs to be addressed.
For example, if there is a physiology definition on the
Place? No
pancreas, it would be a choice between the production of
Object? Yes digestive enzymes or the production of hormones to regulate
blood sugar levels – those are the two main functions of the
Further on object? Yes
pancreas. If it was the latter, further Definition, Physiology
Is it an object on the teenage daughter? Yes would take you to either the production of insulin or
glucagon. Another example: the definition on the pancreas
Cell phone? Yes
may be an emotion. Upon further questioning, you find it is
Further on cell phone? No the emotion of worry – and that would then be the client’s
own internal worry affecting their pancreas.
(Before you can leave the Orientation Box, you need to ask…)
Further Orientation of the liver oriented to the teenage When the definition is on the link between two items in
daughter and her cell phone a priority? No the formula, you are highlighting a specific aspect of the
Further Details? No
relationship between the two. This applies mainly to links
between Organs, Endocrines and Body Parts. For example,
The item, then, is the liver oriented to the teenage daughter the linking of the liver and pancreas may involve repair and
and her cell phone.
balancing of aspects relating to Western physiology such as
sugar metabolism. Alternatively, it could be a straight energy
Note: Once you have been taken to the link along the lines of Chinese physiology. Or it could be an
Orientation Box, you do not need to ask for emotional link to harmonize the anger from the liver and
further details until you have found your first the worry of the pancreas. Establishing a definition on the
descriptor. In the example, you needed to know link will clarify for the brain which of these possibilities to
that it was a person you were looking for before focus on and balance.
more information could potentially be gathered.
70 BodyTalk Fundamentals

There are three categories of definitions found in the Definitions on a link require a slight deviation from
Definition Box – Physiology, Emotions, and Other Systems. the regular line of questioning. If you note that the link
In the Advanced Procedure chart, the Definition Box consists of two Organs, Endocrines or Body Parts (or a
expands to include a few more types of definitions. combination), you will need to clarify if the definition is
on the last item or on the relationship between the last two
Physiology: refers to a Western understanding of the items – as many relationships involve Western or Oriental
functions of the body part being defined. How specific and physiology that can be highlighted through Definition.
deep you go into physiology definitions will be determined (Definitions on links will come up only if you have the
by your own knowledge and background training. The required knowledge. The manual for Traditional Chinese
appendices have some charts that give you some information Medicine for BodyTalkers is a useful reference.)
on physiology that you can access during sessions. (The
manual for the Lymphatic Drainage and Applied Anatomy Example 4.5 Definition of an item
and Physiology course is very useful for providing a quick
reference to Western physiology definitions of all body parts (Assume you have liver as the first item.)
down to the cellular and quantum levels.) Are Details on the liver a priority? Yes

Emotions: the same basic emotions found under Orientation More Specific? No
are the ones we explore under Definition – joy/sadness,
Orientation? No
worry, grief, fear and anger – or a variation or combination
of these. When an emotion is used as a definition, it is Is Definition on the liver a priority? Yes
highlighting the person’s or body part’s own emotion
(Go to the Definition Box.)
which is affecting the item. For example, “the liver defined
by anger” is making the brain focus on the internal anger Physiology? Yes
found in the liver. Another example would be “liver linked
(Find the function to focus on.)
to pancreas, defined by Western physiology of sugar
metabolism, further defined by anger” indicating that the Toxin removal? No
client’s own anger is triggering the sugar swings and needs to
Fat digestion? Yes
be taken into consideration when balancing the relationship
between the liver and the pancreas. Further on fat digestion? No

Other Systems: refers to non-traditional Western medicine (Before you can leave the Definition Box, you need to ask…)
perspectives, indigenous systems of understanding the Further Definition on the liver defined by fat digestion a
body or other philosophical perspectives altogether. This priority? Yes
is how any specific knowledge and skills held by the Physiology? No
BodyTalk practitioner can be utilized. For example, if the
practitioner is trained in psychology, Acupuncture, Reiki, Emotions? Yes
Ayurvedic concepts, Herbalism, Aromatherapy, Shamanism, Further on emotions? Yes
mathematics, or computer technology, this information can
be drawn upon to define something from a totally different Joy? No
point-of-view. As an example, the heart defined under Sadness? No
Shamanism might represent courage or bravery of the Bear;
or defined under Herbology, the heart might symbolize the Worry? Yes
frequency of the Bleeding Heart plant. (The manual for Further on worry? No
Traditional Chinese Medicine for BodyTalkers contains
useful definitions from this “Other Systems” perspective.) (Before you can leave the Definition Box, you need to ask…)
Further Definition on the liver defined by fat digestion and
worry a priority? No
Further Details on the liver defined by fat digestion and
worry a priority? No
The item is the liver defined by Western physiology of fat
digestion and worry.
 Chapter 4: BodyTalk Procedures 71

Example 4.6 Definition of a link

(Assume you have liver linked to pancreas as the first two items.) Physiology? Yes
Are Details on pancreas a priority? Yes (Find the functional relationship between the liver and the
pancreas.)
More Specific? No
Sugar metabolism? Yes
Orientation? No
Further on sugar metabolism? No
Is Definition a priority? Yes
(Before you can leave the Definition Box, you need to ask…)
(Since there is both an organ and an endocrine in the link, you need
to find out…) Further Definition on the liver to pancreas link defined by
sugar metabolism a priority? No
On the item pancreas? No
Further Details on the pancreas a priority? No
On the liver to pancreas link? Yes
The focus is on the relationship of the liver to pancreas
(Now go to the Definition Box to find out what type of definition involving sugar metabolism as the definition.
is required.)

In the rare event that you get “Details? Yes. More Specific?
No, Orientation? No, Definition? No”, it is assumed that
you have somehow misread the Yes/No response and you
need to back up and ask again.

Flow Chart
Take note of the following summary flow chart to help you
with moving through the Item Box.

Yes No No Yes
Details? More Specific? Orientation? Definition? Physiology
Emotions
No Yes Yes No Other Systems

Link?
Finding something specific Go to Back up,
Orientation Box ask again
72 BodyTalk Fundamentals

Link Implementation
If Yes, Tap Out
find another Item Hand Positions
Specific Tapping
If No, go to Breathing
Implementation

Link Box Implementation Box

When you get No to “Are Further Details a priority?” the Implementation indicates that there are no more items that
next question is “Is Link a priority?” If the response is Yes, are needed in the formula and tapping out the techniques
it refers to looking for another item from the Protocol chart involved is imminent. However, first you may need to satisfy
that needs to be linked to the first item, thus expanding a few practical requirements.
the formula.
There are four considerations under Implementation – Tap
If the response is No, you move on to asking “Is Out, Hand Positions, Specific Tapping, and Breathing.
Implementation a priority?” A Yes response to this question These are discussed next.
leads you to the Implementation Box. If the answer is No,
then you go to the Further Exploring part of the Procedure Tap Out: when you get Yes to Tap Out? it simply means that
chart to see what you may have missed. you have put together all the items and variations necessary
at this stage for a tapping out procedure to be performed.
The head and sternum are tapped out without having to
ask any further questions. Since even Hand Positions are
not a priority, it means it does not matter what you or the
client touches for focus during the tap out.

When you get No to Tap Out? it means you need to ask

whether any of the next three questions are a priority
before you can proceed to the tapping out stage.
 Chapter 4: BodyTalk Procedures 73

Hand Positions: sometimes determining who is touching Specific Tapping: it is standard protocol in BodyTalk to
what, or if sticky notes can be used as the focusing tool, or tap the head to activate a response from the brain and to
if a specific technique in the formula needs to be physically tap the sternum to ensure that the heart complex stores the
performed, is important. For example, the client may need information and any changes that came about. Occasionally,
to touch both the linking points in a formula consisting of one or more of the body parts indicated in the formula
the Base Chakra linked to the thymus, or the practitioner need to be tapped locally as well. This will be to “wake up”
may need to hold one point while the client holds the other. the particular part, to engage its consciousness or to ensure
When the formula has two or more complex techniques, the changes are stored locally. For example, if the formula
such as Active Memory linked to Switching, it may come consists of liver to small intestine and Specific Tapping
up that the hand positions and eye rolling of the Active comes up, you will have to ask if the liver needs to be singled
Memory technique needs to be done and the Switching out to be tapped or the small intestine. Let us say it is the
technique may be indicated by a sticky note placed over liver only, you then proceed to tap over the head, sternum
the Switching Reflex Points. If Hand Positions do not come and liver area.
up as a priority, as mentioned above, the practitioner may
place the client’s hands and their hands wherever they wish Occasionally, an area of the body that is not part of the
or use sticky notes if more convenient. formula may have to be tapped over, because we need its
attention in order for the formula to fully resolve itself.
In the beginning, in order to learn how to hold the focus
for the links in a more complex formula, going through all Breathing: is usually a reminder for the client to take deep
of the items and determining how to indicate them before breaths during the tapping out. The general rule of thumb
tapping out is a wise step – even if Hand Positions does not is two full breath cycles to help the brain locate and target
come up as a priority. For example, if the formula is Pancreas the corrections. The Essential General Balancing (E.G.B.)
Reflex Point linked to Switching linked to the lungs, and techniques have the deep breathing built into them for good
Hand Positions is not a priority, think about each item results. Breathing will come up under Implementation for
anyway and how it could be identified. Perhaps sticky notes other techniques if required.
could be used for indicating the two points used for the
Pancreas Reflex Point technique, the Switching technique Sometimes “Breathing” will come up as a priority for the
could be done for real, occupying both the client’s and the client to accentuate either the inhale – encouraging more
practitioner’s hands, and the lungs could also have sticky of a breathing in of life around this issue, or the exhale –
notes placed over them. encouraging more of a letting go around the issue, while
being tapped out.
Alternatively, you can focus strictly on the first item in the
formula as it was the first priority, or on what you consider Altering the breath alters states of consciousness and so this
the most complex technique in the formula and indicate part of the procedures can be very important to the client’s
everything else with a sticky note. For advanced students, processing of the formula.
the focus on all items can be held mentally. The only time
it matters is when “Are Hand Positions a priority?” comes
up as Yes. Then you need to determine exactly who touches
what and which technique needs to be executed.
74 BodyTalk Fundamentals

Further Backing Out

The concept of “further” is a very important part of the Once all of the information in one box has been gathered, the
procedures. The assumption is that the possibilities of line of questioning is reversed to move back to the previous
each line of questioning and each box in the Exploring box. For example, once all the orientation information has
Procedure chart will be exhausted before moving on to the been pulled together on an item, the questioning then goes:
next question or the next box by using the term “further.”

An example: if the item is the heart and you have to be Example 4.7
“More Specific,” you might get taken to the cells of the heart. Further Orientation (on the item) a priority? No
The next question would be “Further More Specific?” This
might take you to the nucleus of the cells. The next question Further Details (on the item with its orientations) a priority?
Yes
would be “Further More Specific?” and so on, until you got
No to “Further More Specific?” That would be the end of More Specific? No
that line of questioning.
Definition (on the item with its orientations) a priority? Yes
Another example: if you are in the Orientation Box and (Go to the Definition Box.)
you have just picked up that the family pet – the dog – is
Physiology? No
indicated, “Further about the dog a priority?” would let you
know if you need more information about the dog. Before Emotions? Yes
you could leave the Orientation Box, you would have to
Further on emotions? Yes
ask “Further Orientation a priority?” in order to know if
information from another subcategory was required. If Yes, Joy? No
perhaps the activity of walking the dog is pertinent. “Further
Sadness? Yes
Orientation?” might have you add an emotion – the joy of
walking the dog. Then if you get “Further Orientation? No,” Further on sadness? No
you would know that you do not need anything further from
(Before you can leave the Definition Box, you need to ask…)
this box. You could now go to the next question, which
would be “Further Details?” Further Definition (on the item with its orientations defined
by sadness) a priority? No
Further Details (on the item with its orientations and sadness)
a priority? No
Since you have no further details on this item, you now ask…)
Further Link? Yes
Continue to look for the next item in the formula.

This backing out concept also applies to moving through

the Protocol chart to find the next item. Always start your
exploration at the current place and level where you are.
 Chapter 4: BodyTalk Procedures 75

Example 4.8
(Assume you have arrived through Body Parts, General Body Tissues, Details on Section 4 a priority? Yes
“bone” for your first item.)
More Specific? Yes
Details on bone a priority? Yes
(Break down the concept of Section 4 into its bubbles.)
More Specific? Yes
Body Chemistry a priority? Yes
(Break down the anatomy of bone tissue.)
Further More Specific? Yes
Osteoclasts? No
(Break down the concept of Body Chemistry into its side-boxes.)
Osteoblasts? Yes
Microbes? No
Further More Specific? Yes
Toxins? Yes
(Go into the structures of the osteoblasts.)
Further More Specific on toxins? No
Nucleus? No
(This means you are not breaking down the concept of toxins. You
Ribosomes? Yes have found your complete item and need to determine if there are
any further details on that item.)
Further More Specific? No
Further Details on the Body Chemistry/toxins item? Yes
Further Details on the ribosomes in the osteoblasts a priority?
No Orientation? Yes
(You have found your complete item. The next question is…) Time? No
Link a priority? Yes Place? Yes
(You are in osteoblasts, so start at that level to look for your next Further on place? Yes
item.)
Work? Yes
To something else in the osteoblasts? No
Further on workplace? No
To something else in bone? Yes
(You now have the Body Chemistry/toxins item oriented to
Osteoclasts? Yes workplace. You still need to ask…)
Details on osteoclasts a priority? No Further Orientation of Body Chemistry/toxins oriented to
workplace a priority? No
(You have found your complete item.)
Further Details on Body Chemistry/toxins oriented to
Further Link? Yes workplace a priority? No

To something else in osteoclasts? No (You have your item complete with all of its details.)

(Now start backing out from the General Body Tissue box.) Further Link? No

General Body Tissues a priority? No Implementation a priority? Yes

General a priority? No (Go to the Implementation Box.)

Body Parts a priority? No Tap Out? Yes

Section 1 a priority? No Here we have “the ribosomes in osteoblasts linked to osteoclasts

linked to Body Chemistry for toxins oriented to the workplace”
Forward? Yes as the formula.

Section 2 a priority? No
Section 4 a priority? Yes
76 BodyTalk Fundamentals

Further Exploring Tapping Longer or Downloading

If you get stuck in your questioning, because everything After tapping out a formula, your first question would be “Is
comes up as a No – no further Details, no further Links and this formula still a priority?” If Yes, you need to determine
no Implementation – you need to ask if “Further Exploring” if that is because you need to tap longer or if there is a
is a priority. This section of the Procedure chart is like an Download time required. If you need to tap out longer,
escape hatch. It allows you to revisit any one of the boxes simply go back to the tapping and have the client breathe
to see if you have missed something or if something new another two deep breaths. Then recheck.
has come up to be considered.
If Downloading is the priority, then you need to pause and
An example might be that you need to go back and add allow time for the formula to be processed by the body. This
a definition somewhere, or that another item needs to be could occur after a powerful or complex link. Normally, you
added. Do not worry if this happens. Remember that your would wait for a minute and then ask “Downloading still
Yes/No responses are not 100% accurate at the beginning (or a priority?” and repeat until you get No.
ever!). You may have thought you interpreted the response to
“Further Definition?” as No, but it should have been Yes. So Forward/Backward
now you have to add the definition before you can tap out.
These terms are used to indicate which direction to move
“Commencement” is a common box to go to under Further within a side-box, within a section, and between sections
Exploring. This is because Permissions can come up as a of the Protocol chart, to find the next piece of information
priority part way through the formula. This usually means required. Forward is proceeding down the items in a side-
that a resistance has come up and needs to be acknowledged box (e.g., SB, Switching, Cortices, etc. is moving forward in
and dealt with before the rest of the formula can be found. the EGB side-box) or down the sections from the top of the
Sometimes, it is just as simple as the client having to go Protocol chart (e.g., Section 1, 2, 4). Backward is proceeding
to the bathroom before the session can continue! But it is up the side-box or sections (e.g., Switching, SB would be
more likely that there are veils of resistance that need to be backward from Cortices; Body Parts, Endocrines, Organs
addressed in order for the shifts to take place at a deeper would take you backwards from Energies of Section 1).
level. These types of issues will be addressed in the next
chapter. Note: backwards from Section 1 takes you to
Permissions (the top of the Protocol chart)
– which is another way of getting to veils of
resistance that need to be addressed – and
forwards from Section 4 takes you to Other
Modalities (the bottom of the chart).
 Chapter 4: BodyTalk Procedures 77

Revealing the Next Formula End Session

Once you have tapped out a formula and it is no longer If, after having finished tapping out a formula, you try to
a priority, you go on to find the next formula that will be go forward or backward in the Protocol and get No each
tapped out. Just because it is an easy starting place, you re-ask time, you ask “End Session?” If Yes, the session is complete.
if the first item of the previous formula is still a priority. It
could be that once the first item has been balanced, it needs There are some post-session questions you may ask at this
to be worked into the next level of balancing. If it is not the point. These are:
priority to start the next formula, you back your way out to
the spine of the Protocol chart and then use the forward/ 1. “Future BodyTalk session a priority?” The answer to this
backward concept to find where you need to go for the first is usually Yes. This implies one of three things:
item of the next formula.
• that a follow-up session is required to continue addressing
the specific issues that came up as priority during the session
Example 4.9 that just ended; or
(Assume the formula that was tapped out was pancreas to
thymus.) • these specific issues have been addressed and other issues
can be addressed in the future; or
Is the pancreas to thymus formula still a priority? No
Is pancreas still a priority? No • only general maintenance is required.

Are Endocrines a priority? No In each case, there are two ways of handling the consequences
Is Section 1 a priority? Yes of a Yes response. You could determine how many days
or weeks are needed before ideally scheduling the next
Details on Section 1 a priority? Yes session. The timing indicates the minimum time that will
More Specific? Yes be required for the shifts to ripple out and be completely
processed by the whole bodymind. Or you could simply
Forward from Endocrines? No allow the client to schedule their next appointment at their
Backward from Endocrines? Yes convenience and yours.

Are Organs a priority? Yes The client’s best interests lie in maintaining control over
his or her sessions; in fact it is their right and responsibility
Details on Organs a priority? Yes
to determine when they come back for more sessions. Just
More Specific? Yes because you have intuited that the ideal timing would be 2
weeks does not stop a client from making an appointment
Lungs? No
earlier or later than that.
Heart? No
Do not word questions at the end of a session like: “How
Liver? Yes long will it take for this treatment to take effect?” or “How
Further More Specific? No many days before the client observes a physical change?”
or “How many sessions will it take to clear this issue?”
Further Details on liver a priority? No These types of questions are out of the scope of practice
Link a priority? Yes for BodyTalkers. We do not make any diagnoses, nor do
we make any prognoses. One of the obvious reasons is
And so on to reveal the next formula that begins with the liver that the Yes/No responses are colored by the biases of the
as the first item.
practitioner and so any answer to this type of question will
be suspect. Determining when a follow-up session would
be appropriate, and telling the client that their symptoms
will be gone by a certain time are vastly different situations.
78 BodyTalk Fundamentals

2. “Specific practitioner a priority?” If No, you can

reschedule the client with yourself. If Yes, you may need to Example 4.10 Revealing a full formula
find out who is a better match for the client’s next session. Are Permissions a priority? No
Possibly, you are not the best practitioner to conduct the
follow-up session. This could be because a different skill set Are Sections a priority? Yes
or knowledge base is required for the client to move on to Section 1? No
the next stage of healing. In this case, you would refer the
client to another Certified BodyTalk Practitioner. Section 2? Yes
Are Details on Section 2 a priority? Yes
3. “Other Modality a priority?” Perhaps the client could
also benefit from the expertise of some other modality in More Specific? Yes
order to move forward in their healing process. Remember General Environment a priority? No
that BodyTalk can be a great benefit in supporting the
effectiveness of other forms of healing. Vivaxis a priority? Yes
Further More Specific? Yes
Birth? Yes
Further More Specific? No
Further Details on Birth Vivaxis a priority? Yes
Is Orientation of Birth Vivaxis a priority? Yes
Time? No
Person? No
(Continue through the box until you get to…)
Emotions? Yes

Using the Protocol Chart during class in Wiggensbach, Germany. Further emotions? Yes
Photo credit: Claudia Schembri-Heitmann
Joy? No
Sadness? No
Worry? No
Grief? Yes
Further with grief? No
Further Orientation of Birth Vivaxis oriented to grief a
priority? No
Further Details on the Birth Vivaxis oriented to grief a
priority? No
Link? Yes
To Vivaxis? No
To Section 2? No
 Chapter 4: BodyTalk Procedures 79

Example 4.10 Revealing a full formula (continued)

Forward? No Do the Birth Vivaxis technique? Yes
Backward? Yes Further Hand Positions? Yes
Is Section 1 a priority? Yes Client hold pituitary? No
Are Details on Section 1 a priority? Yes Practitioner hold pituitary? No
More Specific? Yes Use a sticky note on the pituitary? Yes
E.G.B. a priority? No Further Hand Positions? No
Organs a priority? No Tap Out? Yes
Endocrines a priority? Yes The formula being tapped out with the client standing for the
Birth Vivaxis technique and a sticky note over the pituitary
Further More Specific? Yes point is “Birth Vivaxis with an orientation to grief linked to the
pituitary gland defined by the production of growth hormone.”
Pineal? No
To continue after the tapping out procedure has been completed,
Pituitary? Yes the line of questioning would be as follows:

Further More Specific? No Is the formula still a priority? No

Further Details on the pituitary a priority? Yes Is Birth Vivaxis still a priority? No

Orientation? No Is Vivaxis a priority? No

Is Definition on the pituitary a priority? Yes Is Section 2 a priority? No

Physiology? Yes Forwards a priority? No

Production of hormones? Yes Backwards a priority? No

Further on the production of hormones? Yes End session? Yes

Production of oxytocin? No Future BodyTalk session a priority? Yes

Production of prolactin? No Specific time period a priority? Yes (Ask days, weeks…)

Production of growth hormone? Yes Specific practitioner a priority? No (Can be you or someone else.)

Further on the production of growth hormone? No Other modality a priority? No

Further Definition on the pituitary defined by production of

growth hormone a priority? No
Further Details on the pituitary defined by production of growth
hormone a priority? No
Further Link? No
Implementation? Yes
Tap Out? No
Hand Positions a priority? Yes
80 BodyTalk Fundamentals

Chapter 4 Summary
BodyTalk Procedures

Chapter Summary
The Protocol and Procedure charts give the practitioner The Procedure is made up of the following terms:
an approach to learning how to reveal a formula. The
Protocol chart represents the left-brain knowledge about An Item is any single aspect of the Protocol chart that may
the techniques and areas of the bodymind that may become or may not need further information about it, in order to
items in the formula. The Procedure chart represents the more fully develop the idea or story about why it is a priority.
method in which the questions are asked in order to move
about the Protocol chart and to find all the information Details are the options of types of information that need
required for an item. to be gathered on an Item. The Details are broken down
into three types of information.
In order to be able to work more effectively in the “zone,”
you need to memorize the Protocol and Procedure charts – More Specific means looking more closely at the Item and
which is a left-brained activity. Once this becomes second refining it. If it is an anatomical structure like the heart,
nature, the right brained intuitive function will be more and More Specific information is needed, you would ask
apparent. Soon the answers will begin to “pop up” quicker about the structures that make up the heart. If the Item is
than you can ask each individual question. more conceptual in nature like a belief system, one would
look more closely at the belief system to find the specific
The Yes/No response will then be used to simply confirm wording of the belief.
the items and their details.
Orientation means that the Item is in relationship with
Items addressed together are called a formula. The something in the external environment. You need to find
practitioner is a trained observer who, using intuition, the environmental factor that the Item is oriented towards.
discovers or reveals the next combination of techniques that
need to be brought into awareness for balancing. Definition means finding something internal to the Item
that needs to be focused on.
 Chapter 4: BodyTalk Procedures 81

The categories of Definitions are:

Physiology – the focus is on an internal function of the Breathing - means it is important for the client to breathe
Item from a Western perspective. This will be based on deeply during the Tap Out.
information the practitioner has available to him/her.
Forward/Backward are terms used to indicate which
Emotions – the focus is on the Item’s internal emotion(s). direction to move within a side-box, within a section, and
between sections of the Protocol chart, to find the next piece
Other System – the focus is on looking at the Item from of information required.
another perspective, other than Western. This will depend
on what other information or skills the practitioner has If, after having finished tapping out a formula, you try to
available to draw upon. For instance, the item may need go forward or backward in the Protocol and get No each
to be perceived from a Chinese Five Element perspective. time, you ask “End Session?” If Yes, the session is complete
and you may ask the three post-session questions: Future
Sometimes defining the link between two Items – especially BodyTalk session a priority? Specific practitioner a priority?
if the Items are Organs, Endocrines or Body Parts is Other Modality a priority?
necessary. The basic emotions are joy, sadness, worry, grief,
fear, and anger. Test Your Knowledge
The term Further is used to exhaust all possibilities in a line 1. The BodyTalk Protocol chart contains _______ that are
of questioning before moving on to the next question. Once taught in the foundational course.
an Item has all of its Details, the next question is whether
there is a Link. A link takes you to another Item from the 2. The Exploring Procedure chart helps you to ______ the
Protocol chart. protocol chart.

If you can not move forward or backward and if you can not 3. When you arrive at an item in the protocol (e.g. Thyroid),
end the session and all questions come up as “No,” you can what is the the next question?
go to the Further Exploring section of the chart to discover
what you have missed and need to revisit. 4. If after tapping out heart to lungs, you ask: “is heart to
lungs still a priority?” and the answer is “Yes,” what are the
Implementation means all of the Items and their Details two possible reasons it might still be a priority?
have been determined and the formula is complete.
5. True or False? Once you have an item with all of its details,
The possibilities under Implementation are: you go straight to the Implementation Box.

Tap Out – this involves tapping over the head and sternum,
which engages the balancing process.

Hand Positions – this will come up if you need to determine

whose hands go where, where to place sticky notes, or which
technique to physically perform.

Specific Tapping - means another area of the body besides

the head and sternum also needs to be tapped.

If the formula is still a priority after tapping out, you may

need to tap longer or wait for some downloading time.