As I work with clients, one of the go-to homework assignments that I give them is to tap the cortices. This is one of the fundamental BodyTalk techniques that I find very practical and effective.
The practicality of this technique is simple: you can use it pretty much anywhere, anytime you need it or feel you are in crisis. You can do it in the car, you can step out into a spare room, or even pretend you need to use the bathroom and do it there. All it takes is a couple of minutes, but it helps reset your whole nervous system whenever you need it.
What is BodyTalk Cortices Technique:
Tapping the cortices is a gentle technique where you lightly tap specific areas of your head, chest, and abdomen while breathing deeply. It’s a simple way to connect your three brains: head, heart, and gut — so they work together.
Understanding why tapping works doesn’t require a science degree. Tapping creates vibration, and the vibration penetrates your brain and your vagus nerve, helping them to, in a way, shake off the stress and realign in combination with deep breathing, bringing oxygen into your body and improving your blood and energy circulation.
The BodyTalk Cortices Technique is a practical way to help your brain work better together! It uses special hand positions on your head, some tapping on your head, heart, and stomach, and big deep breaths. This helps create a “bridge” between the two sides of your brain, making them talk to each other more easily. It can help you calm down when you feel overwhelmed, improve your focus and thinking, and help you feel stronger emotionally.
It also helps find and fix spots in your brain that might not be getting enough blood flow, which can help you feel better overall!
You might ask, “Why should I learn this?”
Well, first of all, because it is a powerful technique that will take you five seconds to learn. Isn’t it wonderful to be able to help yourself when some support is needed, and in between our sessions, this can be the best tool in your self-help box
And of course, because life is stressful, stress can disrupt how your brain communicates with your body. When your brain isn’t fully connected, it can cause brain fog, emotional reactivity, physical tension, and slow healing. Tapping the cortices is a quick, non-invasive way to reset your three brain system:
🧠 Head Brain – Thinks, plans, decides.
❤️ Heart Brain – Feels, connects, remembers.
💎 Gut Brain – Knows, protects, guides.
When head, heart, and gut work together, we live with clarity, presence, and balance.
How to Perform the BodyTalk Cortices Technique
- Start at the Base: Place one hand at the base of your skull, just above the neck. Use your other hand to gently tap on both sides of your head.
- Breathe and Bounce: As you breathe in, tap the sides of your head. While exhaling, create a gentle “bounce” motion, moving your hands upward along the sides of your head in a fluid motion.
- Repeat the Sequence: Continue this tapping and bouncing movement, gradually working your hands up through five positions, finishing just above your eyebrows.
- Finish with Heart and Gut: After completing the head sequence, tap your heart area and then your gut.
When to use it:
- Anytime you feel stressed, scattered, or emotionally stuck.
This technique can help you regain focus and clarity during overwhelming moments, allowing you to reset your emotional state. - When you notice yourself replaying old memories or wounds.
Utilizing this method can aid in releasing pent-up emotions associated with past events, enabling you to move forward more freely. - Before a challenging conversation or decision.
Engaging in this practice can ground you, enhancing your confidence and presence as you prepare to navigate difficult discussions. - As a daily practice to keep your mind and body in balance.
Incorporating this technique into your daily routine promotes overall wellness, helping you maintain a harmonious connection between your thoughts, feelings, and physical health.
What it does “behind the scenes”:
- Keeps the connection flowing between your brain and body.
- Calms the nervous system and reduces fight-or-flight-or-freeze responses.
- Improves focus, emotional balance, and clarity.
- Supports physical healing and wellbeing.
In short … tapping the cortices is a quick “reset button” for your whole system, helping you feel calmer, clearer, and more connected in body, mind, and heart. So you can carry on in your life successfully staying “on your bus!”
