LIHUE — You don’t have to be grieving a loved one to attend Friday’s Emotional Freedom Workshop at Kauai Hospice. Anyone who is feeling any kind of emotional pressure, oppressive stress, or intense pain can benefit from the workshop, said
LIHUE — You don’t have to be grieving a loved one to attend Friday’s Emotional Freedom Workshop at Kauai Hospice.
Anyone who is feeling any kind of emotional pressure, oppressive stress, or intense pain can benefit from the workshop, said Linda Farr, emotional freedom facilitator and island resident.
Technically, though, the annual event is the Hospice’s Valentine Support Meetup for those who grieve, said Jeffrey Pears, bereavement care coordinator.
“It’s open to the entire community and it’s for anyone who has had or has ever experienced a loss,” Pears said.
For the past three years, Farr has led the Valentine’s Day workshop. She teaches the emotional freedom tapping technique, or EFT, commonly called tapping. The practice combines focused wording with tapping near nine basic end points of your energy meridians with your fingertips.
“EFT is being used extensively and successfully across the U.S. with combat veterans coming back from war who are suffering from post traumatic stress,” Pears said. “There’s something to be said about that.”
Farr said the practice, when done consistently, reprograms the body.
“It’s calming down your fight or flight system, and relaxing and teaching the body another response to that stimuli,” Farr said. “It changes the body’s patterning and it’s exciting that you can do that so easily.”
Throughout the workshops, Farr uses intention setting to focus students and show them how to calm their emotions and train their minds to be calm.
“Usually it’s our inner thoughts that are taking energy from us and if we intend to slow down and relax, usually we do,” Farr said. “Our intentions are so powerful. “
You don’t have to be an expert in EFT to join the group on Friday, the event is open to anyone and Farr will bring newbie tappers up to speed on the technique.
“Some people are afraid of change and I find if people really give it a shot, they’re usually quite surprised that it can be so effective, starting with physical or emotional trauma,” she said.
It’s easier when you’re working with someone who can reassure you that you’re doing the process effectively, Farr explained.
“The process is effective, but it kind of undermines their success when they’re worried about doing it wrong,” Farr said.
The Emotional Freedom Workshop will be at Kauai Hospice from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Info: 245-7277
