Bilateral stimulation is one of the ways we can help orient ourselves to the present moment and support our nervous system to regulate and ground to create a deeper sense of safety within the body.

My favorite bilateral tool to use is called Tip Tap Fingers. This tool can be used to help create space in the mind from triggers and intrusive thoughts.

​This tool can also help us "keep our lids on" when we feel stressed or triggered. 

This bilateral brain game can be practiced in the following layers to continue to increase the mental challenge and help build more neuroplasticity in the brain.  These tools can help us build resilience and learn to stay checked in with our body for a sense of safety. 

​Tip Tap Fingers: 

• Begin by tapping the tips of each finger with your thumbs, in no particular order or speed. 
  • You can explore the difference between looking at the fingers when you tap versus closing the eyes or looking away as you tap. 
• Once that feels easy and comfortable, place your right thumb on your right index finger and your left thumb on your left pinky.
• Begin to tap each fingertip until you end up with the right thumb on the right pinky and left thumb on the left index finger. Continue tapping back and forth in both directions.
  • Check in with the breath during this to try to keep awareness of breath through the practice. 
• To increase the challenge, practice with eyes closed or hands out to the side to take out the visual input.
• The final layer of challenge is to place your hands behind your back while tapping. 
  • Continue to check in with awareness of breath and other body sensations during this practice. It is common to hold the breath or even start to tense the jaw or shoulders when we try to focus on learning something new and challenging.

This past week, I was interviewed by Hannah Levin of Heartfelt Wellbeing where I talk about the practical applications of this tools along with other Yoga for Trauma principles and practices. To see the full interview on Yoga for Trauma, you can click here. 

For more trauma-informed tools, my Ethics of Trauma-Informed Care training starts on April 29th! You can choose between a live version or self-paced version with lifetime access to the recording. Click here for more information and to reserve a spot today!