Foundations: Use Ancient Healing Ways to Supercharge Your Energy Practices
How did your ancestors heal themselves, no matter what they were going through, when, or where they lived? They may have used practices in remarkably similar ways to other people around the planet. And many of those practices are still widely used today.
Even with the vast variety of global cultures, languages, and customs, people are not so different from one another. When we are hurting or celebrating, we express sacred words, sounds, movements, and breath. Sometimes alone, sometimes with small groups, and sometimes as a larger collective.
These practices stand the test of time around the world for a simple reason. They work! They bring comfort, joy, meaning, and connection in good times and in tough times. You too can benefit from universal healing practices that work. Try one for the first time, or switch up what you are already doing. And combine energy practices with other ancient healing ways to supercharge your life.
Sound is a supreme healer.
Whether made by the human body, instruments, wind, animals, or water, rhythmic vibrations striking our ears can soothe and uplift our spirits. Ancestors created sound with bone, drum, rock. They also chanted and sang. You can start with your own voice, and hum while you work with an energy practice. Follow along with the 9-gamut procedure, which has humming or singing as one of the steps. Use the 9 gamut in between two rounds of tapping with energy psychology practices. You can also use sound as you work on chakras. Some traditions designate precise sounds for each chakra. You can also see what sounds the body creates naturally as the chakras spin in alignment.
Movement connects to embodiment.
Movement is life. Whether subtle or expansive, when you move your body, you communicate present moment experience. Ancient people moved as a group in circles, spirals, and swayed to a common beat. Healing spirits were called forth through trance dance. Many energy medicine techniques feature movement. Here’s a video of Donna Eden explaining the exercise, Connecting Heaven and Earth for balance between upper and lower body. And a video from Prune Harris showing the exercise Bringing Down the Flames, to reduce anger and stress, while promoting relaxation. The Cross Crawl is another simple exercise which creates communication between both sides of the body. It helps with confusion and clumsiness. These movements stretch and activate your meridians, biofield, muscles, and promote healthy circulation of vital fluids. You can also tap using energy psychology, while swaying or walking, sending a rhythm of vitality throughout your body. Dancing freestyle or with a well-known pattern, can open your heart and activate your “joy circuits”, energy flows that jump around, brightening your being.
Breath is both physical and spiritual, bringing essence into form.
People use breath for healing at all stages of life. Breathing is measured, counted, synchronized, or held for different purposes. The exercise of Breathing into Balance helps with grounding and brain/body integration. It uses specific breath and tapping combinations to unlock patterns of misalignment. You can use deliberate breathing patterns for all your energy practices. For instance, a longer exhale than inhale creates greater relaxation and focus. Expand and contract your belly with each breath for a deeper experience no matter which energy practice you are using.
Words have power.
They can create, destroy, reveal, and conceal. Our ancestors used words to bless and to curse. Be careful how you use your words, aloud and in your own mind. Be choosy and specific when you write a tapping script. You are rewriting personal history, and establishing new patterns. Your mind and body are listening. You can get some ideas about how to choose your words for tapping in this blog. Many energy practice systems use words as change agents, as with Logosynthesis, Ask and Receive, Healing from the Body Level Up, and Be Set Free Fast. Words matter. Create what you want in the here and now, as if it is yours. Plain and simple. You can include common prayers, or write your own with your energy practices. Design healing words when working with the chakras and when clearing or setting an intention in your auric field.
Community practices around the world...
...may appear unique and exotic. Different groups of people bring their own culture, flair, flavor, history, and traditions for healing. They may wear special clothes, in sacred locations, at appointed times of day, or with the changing seasons. The continuous thread running throughout humanity’s ability to heal is people joining together. Community can create dynamic harmony, shared purpose, and common vision. Learn lessons by following practices handed down from the ancients, and from your ancestors. Notice who you are around, by happenstance, or on purpose. In person or remote. Find your people. And follow your heart. You may be surprised by what comes along as you heal yourself. Combine energy practices with ancient healing ways to better your life. Supercharge your days ahead using energy practices along with sound, movement, breath, words, and blessed others.
Want to learn more?
Are you new to energy psychology and want to learn more? Consider meeting others in the field by joining ACEP. Members can meet up through local and regional group meetings. You can also collaborate on meaningful projects through ACEP’s committees.
Get trained in energy practices like EFT or TFT. Check out ACEP's training catalogue.
Learn simple, self-help methods using three types energy psychology techniques in the Resources for Resilience webpage. Learn calm breathing with these instructions and video.
If you or someone you know needs extra support, you can find an energy psychology practitioner in ACEP’s directory.
Author
Lori Chortkoff Hops, PhD, DCEP is a licensed psychologist in Westlake Village, California, USA. She is certified in Comprehensive Energy Psychology and Logosynthesis. Lori is a past ACEP president and Reiki master. Learn more about Lori at www.drlorihops.com. Lori teaches online intuition classes and consultation. Check out her podcast Healing Tips from the Heart: Helpers, Healers and Guides.
Photo by Caleb Toranzo on Unsplash
