In a world pulsating with stress and anxiety, the quest for inner tranquility becomes paramount. Sonia Pietruszka, the luminous force behind Tap to Shine Wellness, emerges as a beacon of hope in this labyrinth of emotional turbulence. As an EFTi Accredited, Certified Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Practitioner and Certified Energy Makeover Coach, she orchestrates transformative journeys towards emotional liberation and holistic well-being. Sonia’s journey into the realm of emotional healing began with a deep-seated curiosity about the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. With a fervent desire to understand the nuances of human emotions, she embarked on a quest that led her to the profound practice of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Under the tutelage of masters in the field, Sonia honed her skills, delving into the subtle energies that underpin our emotional landscapes. In this exclusive interview, we delve into the essence of Sonia’s work, exploring the profound impact of EFT and energy coaching on personal growth and emotional resilience. Join Mystic Mag as we embark on a journey of self-discovery and illumination with Sonia Pietruszka, the guiding light of Tap to Shine Wellness.
Can you share a pivotal moment or experience that inspired you to become an EFTi Accredited, Certified Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Practitioner and Certified Energy Makeover Coach?
I believe the primary catalyst for my transformation was Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). I strongly feel that EFT found me rather than the other way around, leading to a rather quick turnaround in my life, which coincided with the onset of the COVID pandemic. At that time, I was living in New York City with my then-husband. When lockdown orders were implemented, it significantly strained our relationship, which was already rocky. Such pressure either strengthens or breaks relationships, and unfortunately, ours belonged to the latter category. I understand that many people share a similar experience. For me, leaving the house for work used to feel like an escape, but with that option gone, I felt overwhelmed and suffocated by my own life.
One day, while browsing my email, I stumbled upon a message titled “Tapping for Overwhelm,” which seemed tailored to my needs. I had encountered EFT a couple of years prior but wasn’t receptive to it then. However, in my moment of desperation, I was willing to try anything. As I engaged in tapping along with videos, I noticed a shift in my feelings, though I couldn’t articulate it at first. Previously, I had been living with constant physical anxiety, feeling like I was walking on eggshells without realizing it. Through consistent practice, that feeling began to dissipate, prompting my curiosity about the process. I decided to verify whether it was genuine or merely a placebo effect by consulting Google Scholar, and I found the results reassuring. It was as if the universe recognized my newfound interest and nudged me forward.
I stumbled upon an online training session (due to COVID), and I found it immensely engaging. This led me to pursue certification in EFT, during which I started working with my own coach. Gradually, my life began to undergo a complete transformation. I went from being withdrawn with low self-esteem and confidence to rediscovering my spark. Now, I feel compelled to help others navigate similar struggles because nobody should endure such a state of being. I’ve transitioned from mere survival mode to actively participating in my own life, which marks a significant shift for me.
That, in essence, is what altered my course.
How do you tailor your approach to EFT and energy coaching to meet the unique needs of each client?
The concepts are intricately intertwined. When tailoring the sessions, it essentially boils down to meeting the individuals where they are and creating space for their needs. While this might seem obvious, many people, even in traditional therapy, fail to do so. Unfortunately, individuals often don’t receive the level of personalization they require. Since each person is unique, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Therefore, much of what I do involves following the client’s lead.
For instance, I may spend the entire session, which typically lasts around sixty minutes, solely focused on helping a client calm down and regulate their nervous system if that’s what they need at that moment. This approach respects their starting point, acknowledging that there’s no inherent good or bad; we simply use whatever they bring as our guiding information.
Conversely, another client may be eager to delve into deeper healing work right away, and that’s equally valid. The contrast between these scenarios highlights the beauty of individual differences and underscores the value of working one-on-one with a practitioner. This personalized approach differs significantly from tapping along with a general audience-oriented video on platforms like YouTube.
That said, I also have videos on YouTube, so I’m not discounting their value. They serve as excellent resources and starting points. However, for a deeper understanding of one’s specific needs, a personalized approach is necessary.
What type of services do you offer?
Primarily, I conduct coaching sessions via Zoom. Additionally, I host a monthly online EFT tapping workshop, which occurs on the last Wednesday of every month and is open to anyone. The workshop is priced lower to ensure accessibility for those who are curious or new to tapping. It’s a commitment-free way for them to experience it. Moreover, it offers additional support for veteran EFT practitioners if needed.
Occasionally, I also engage in speaking engagements and educational seminars. For instance, I collaborate with other practitioners or businesses in the wellness industry who may not yet incorporate EFT tapping into their practices. More recently, I’ve been actively seeking partnerships with companies and businesses interested in expanding their holistic offerings, particularly in employee welfare and wellness services.
I’ve heard from various sources that there’s a growing demand for alternatives to traditional wellness practices like yoga and meditation. Personally, I’ve experienced situations where traditional methods weren’t accessible or practical during busy workdays. I believe tapping can fill this gap effectively in the corporate world, providing a practical tool for managing stress and promoting well-being. This aspect is gaining momentum and is an area I’m focusing on.
As a Certified Energy Makeover Coach, how do you define the concept of “energy” in the context of wellness, and how does it influence our overall well-being?
Honestly, up until this point, and even now, I’m not satisfied with my definition. But I hadn’t attempted to distill it before, so thank you for prompting me to do so. I suppose I would start with the concept of “Energy plus motion equals emotion.” Or, if you prefer to reverse it, “emotion is energy in motion.” This provides us with a solid starting point.
Consider a scenario where you experience a few good days followed by a day where you feel down or in a funk for some reason. It’s common advice to hear, “Just go exercise or move your body to get the energy moving.” Similarly, with EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), we focus on releasing the emotions stuck in the body to restore energetic balance. Clinical studies have shown that this can impact immune function and overall health and well-being. So, in simple terms, when energy flows, we generally feel better.
Taking it a step further, let’s consider the vibration or frequency of emotions. Positive emotions like happiness, gratitude, and joy resonate at higher frequencies, while negative emotions like sadness, fear, and hopelessness resonate at lower frequencies. Elevating your energetic or emotional baseline, which is a significant aspect of energy makeover coaching, can greatly enhance your overall life satisfaction, mindset, and how you engage with the world.
At this point, these words, emotion and energy, seem somewhat interchangeable to me. But the ability to elevate one’s emotional state can profoundly impact various aspects of life. That’s how I’m currently conceptualizing it.
In your opinion, what sets your approach to wellness and coaching apart from others in the field?
I wasn’t exactly sure how to approach this because, as you mentioned, it could come off as boastful or overly objective. So, setting aside my personality and my own journey of emotional healing and growth, I believe what truly sets me apart—or rather, what I feel deeply called to do—is to assist clients in building and enhancing their confidence and emotional resilience.
Honestly, I think confidence is fundamental. Without it, how can you tackle anything? Consider this: the only humans in the world who are born with confidence are babies because they haven’t learned to doubt themselves yet. Even those individuals you perceive as incredibly confident likely had to cultivate it over time; it wasn’t innate. This is particularly crucial for women, unfortunately. Regardless of how perfect life may appear on social media, we’re all a work in progress.
The journey of personal growth and development is ongoing. Therefore, focusing on self-confidence is essential because it provides the resilience and empowerment needed to keep moving forward, one small step at a time, towards the life we desire. Essentially, I aim to be your biggest cheerleader, celebrating every small victory because those are the building blocks of the mountains we stand upon when we feel accomplished.
It’s easy to overlook the significance of these achievements, especially when there’s a tendency to quickly move on to the next goal without taking a moment to savor the present. From my observations, many individuals simply check off the box and move forward without truly appreciating their accomplishments.
For me, personal empowerment and the ability to make decisions without constantly seeking external validation have been transformative. I remember a time when I hesitated to act on my ideas until someone else confirmed their validity. I want to help people live life on their terms, free from the need for external approval.
