Creating Positive Affirmations with Your Senses

By Ruth Stern, MA

Many years ago, I learned some of the principles of NLP
(Neuro-Linguistic-Programming) – a psychology of how we understand and
perceive information. One principle involves the use of sensory modalities
which includes visual, auditory and kinesthetic. All of us learn and filter information with our senses. When I began using this with clients, I noticed that the more I utilized statements that included all their senses; I observed a significant difference in how they were feeling. Certain clients would close their eyes as I said the words with pictures and images – this would be the visual modality; or they would nod in agreement with a very deep calm smile; as if it were really sinking in – this would be an auditory modality; Or some clients would state how wonderful it felt to hear positive reframes- this would be a kinesthetic modality. Their physical appearance literally changed as if they were in a blissful meditative state.

The following article describes how to apply your senses into the practice of EFT and create positive affirmations/reframes. With the following example; we always start out with the presenting problem and tap on the negative feelings associated with the problem.

After releasing; we can make room to invite the positive re-frame.

Example: You have a fear to make presentations to large groups. First rate
your fear.

How high is your fear on the scale of 0-10?

Karate Chop – Even though I’m afraid to speak in front of large groups, I deeply and Completely accept myself

Even though I have never been confident to speak, I accept all of me anyway.

Even though I’m so scared to speak, I accept who I am and how I feel

Eyebrow – This fear of speaking

Side of the Eye – This fear to speak

Under the Eye – I don’t think I can do it

Under the Nose – This strong fear

Chin – It’s overwhelming for me

Collarbone – This fear of what they’ll think

Under the arm – This fear

Top of the Head – This fear

Take a breath and rate your fear.

Proceed with a few more rounds of EFT on this fear. When you’ve dropped a few points or feel some relief; you can begin to introduce the positive statements.

Start by asking yourself:

1. What do I want instead of this fear?

Your response might be:

I want to feel confident

I want to be over this fear

Next use the sensory modalities to create more positive responses:

Fill in the following:

I want to feel ____empowered_______________

I want to see or visualize myself looking smart and proud___

I want to say to myself __I really can do this________________

I choose __calm__________________

I release___this burden_________________

I deserve___to release this now_________________

You have now created your positive round of tapping! Starting with the eyebrow point..

EB – I want to feel confident

SE – I want to be free of this fear

UE – I want to feel empowered

UN – I want to see myself looking smart and proud

CH – I can do this

CB – I choose calm

UA – I am releasing this burden

Head – I deserve to release this fear now

* Note: There certainly can be tail-enders here (see Gary’s article on tail-enders on emofree.com) – Tail-enders are doubts or our negative voices that come up. An example might be: “But I can’t picture myself looking confident”- This is a response that you would tap on – all tail enders need to be addressed otherwise your progress will be sabotaged.

I use this simple and easy approach to teach clients how to create positive affirmations on their own. Using the sensory modalities also deepens the positive reframes in a very powerful way.