Feeling scrambled? Try this.

Sarah Murphy • June 14, 2023


When your energy feels scrambled you can bring yourself back to balance by practicing the Breathing into Balance Technique. It is based on Roger Callahan's Collarbone Breathing technique, modified by Phil Mollon.


This simple body-based technique helps restore left-right balance and allows you to feel more clear and connected. Practice the technique right now by watching the video below and following along. The next time you are feeling scrambled, remember to try collarbone breathing. You can also download written instructions in EnglishSpanish, and Portuguese.



How it works.


To do the Breathing into Balance Technique, cross your hands over your chest with your fingers under your collarbones. Breathe halfway in and hold, then breathe all the way in and hold; breathe halfway out and hold, then breathe all the way out and hold. 

Then repeat the breathing sequence, this time with your knuckles under your collarbones. Go ahead and give it a try and see how you feel! 


Why it works.


By using energy techniques like  Breathing into Balance  (modified Collarbone Breathing), you help your energy system to rebalance. This allows you to get un-stuck quickly and easily. There are a few things happening in this deceptively simple technique. 



By crossing our arms over our midline, we are sending neurons across the corpus callosum. That helps us feel grounded. By placing our hands across our chest with hands under collarbones, we are activating our meridian system ― particularly the K-27 point, which helps reduce anxiety. By breathing slowly, we are slowing our brainwaves, which helps us relax. 

This technique is also helpful when you feel confused or disorganized.


More techniques to use when you are feeling scrambled.


If you found Collarbone Breathing helpful, here are a couple more tools you can use when you feel scrambled: the Brain Balancer, also called the "9-gamut"; and the Cross Crawl


All the videos and techniques in our "Try This" series were created by ACEP's Humanitarian Committee to help people heal by spreading the word about the powerful effects of energy psychology techniques. We invite you to help by sharing this information!



Need Help from a Professional?


Many people are looking for holistic ways to let go of anger and other upsetting emotions. ACEP is a nonprofit, 501c3 dedicated to the research, education, and sharing of energy psychology.  Check out the ACEP practitioner directory to find a certified ACEP therapist in your area or online.




Author:  Sarah Murphy, LPC


Sarah Murphy is a licensed professional counselor and coach in private practice. She is on the board of and serves as communications committee chair for ACEP and staff therapist for Unite for HER. She specializes in energy psychology, including EFT, as well as mindfulness and hypnotherapy. 



Video Resources Provided by the ACEP Humanitarian Committee


The mission of the ACEP Humanitarian Committee is to develop and implement humanitarian projects that alleviate emotional distress caused by catastrophic natural and man-made events around the globe. We do this by encouraging and assisting ACEP members in developing humanitarian projects that utilize recognized energy psychology and other modalities that meet ACEP’s standards and guidelines. Learn more here.



Photo by Crawford Jolly on Unsplash


By Lori Chortkoff Hops, PhD, DCEP July 23, 2025
Life is filled with opportunities to make changes, sometimes by design, and more often by circumstances we don’t anticipate. Either way, you are more likely to harness positive lasting change when your mind and actions are in harmony. And you’ll feel less conflict within yourself.  First, set your intention, which is a conscious idea for a desired outcome. Then, with the power of energy practices, you can level up your manifestation skills by being crystal clear on the desired results. Sound good? Let’s dive in.
By Ramona K. Clifton, LCSW July 17, 2025
During the height of the covid-19 pandemic, mental health challenges skyrocketed. Anxiety, depression, and stress increased worldwide. In Japan, researchers studied whether Thought Field Therapy (TFT)—an energy-based tapping method—could offer relief in a world suddenly locked down and emotionally overwhelmed . 
A person is tying a shoe with a string
By Sarah Murphy, LPC July 7, 2025
If you’re feeling stuck and want to learn a safe mind-body technique to help, you’re in the right place. This blog teaches you an easy tool you can use right now to get un-stuck.
More Posts