Welcome to my first blog. Why am I writing it?

Over the last six years I have experienced a dramatic change in my life and the lives of others. I have helped many musicians, performers,sportsmen/women and students taking exams, deal with performance anxiety and I would like to share what I have learned.

My introduction to the 'Hippy' Zone

Just before Christmas a few yeas ago I sat on the stairs of my house talking to my sister on the phone. I was feeling sorry for myself as I had just injured my back coaching tennis and was unable to work for a week or two. She suggested I try this new tapping technique to lesson the pain.I have always been open to alternative ways of healing, however talking on the phone to my sister- who lives over 200 miles away- tapping various points on my head and body whilst focusing on the intense pain in my back, seemed bizarre to say the least.

Three days later with my back healed I was able to coach again. Inspired, I trained as an EFT practitioner.

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) helps with pain management, confidence and assertiveness, phobias and performance related issues. Some people describe EFT as a special gift and I would like to pass this gift onto you.

Is being nervous under presssure a sign of weakness?

Why do I ask the question? Because the more I work with musicians and performers I realise how many suffer and how much of a taboo subject performance anxiety is.In a very competetive world where suffering with nerves can be seen as a weakness, where performers are fearful even of talking about it in case they catch it, like a 'virus.'

With little help available (until now) and a reluctance to admit their fears, the result is a number of musicians and performers use beta blockers and alcohol to survive a performance.

Of course suffering with nerves isn't a sign of weakness. Wanting to do well, the pressure of a great opportunity, fearful of letting your self and others down. These emotions often trigger the body's 'fight or flight' system.

This is where EFT and myself can help. When the body is stressed and the nervous system is firing  off, common physical symptoms are: feeling sick, physical shaking and muddled thinking. Conventional ways of helping at this point often have little effect.

Simply tapping on certain acupuncture points on your body can calm the nervous system, help clear the mind, allowing you to focus on playing as well as you can.

The fear of being judged

A young violinist I worked with before her recital last year suffered from bow shakes, she was fearful of dropping the bow or it bouncing on the strings, just the thought of standing in front of a panel playing a solo terrified her. The emotions that would trigger the shakes were: the fear of being judged and letting herself, parents and teachers down.

We used tapping to neutralise the negative emotion and with her mind clear she was able to be calm, focussed and enjoy her recital.

Many musicians/performers grow up in an environment that gives another opportunity to fail e.g. taking grades, recitals, auditions and trials etc. It's no wonder with that build up of negative experiences over time some performers will struggle with their nerves.

Imagine there was a way to deal with that negative emotion, erase it, no matter how long you have  been struggling . . . would you try it?

Give it a go!

If you are open minded, find that nerves often get in the way when you are under pressure, try my free video: bit.lyLRShJm

I welcome feedback on my article, maybe, how you got on after watching my video and any suggestions of emotional issues/challenges you would like my to cover.