Janine Fafard, a dedicated Soul Mentor and creator of “Tapping into Soul,” has spent over 30 years guiding individuals to reconnect with their inner selves for peace and fulfillment. Certified in yoga, energy psychology, and various bodywork techniques, she developed a transformative inner therapeutic practice which was called for many years “Cellular Memory” then “Soul Surrender Healing” until it became “Tapping into Soul” some 15 years ago. Through workshops, private sessions, and conferences, Janine empowers others to heal holistically. Her ongoing contributions to energy medicine include memberships in ISSSEEM, ACEP, EFTUniverse and AHEFT. Currently planning to offer training and working on her book, Janine’s passion lies in helping individuals rediscover themselves for healing and happiness. MysticMag finds out more.
Your journey from almost becoming an astronaut to embracing the inner universe and becoming a soul mentor is fascinating. What led to this very unusual transformation?
From a very young age, gazing at the stars, the full moon, I felt this deep pull. I really am like ET with that longing to ‘go home’. Even now just talking about it brings tears to my eyes. Growing up, I was an avid reader, delving into fairy tales, astronomy, geography, science fiction and so much more. Even as a child, I’d tell people, “Can’t you see? We’re just a tiny dot in space. What brought us here? We’re not alone.” But many dismissed me as crazy, unable to grasp my thoughts. I was both scientific and metaphysical, a bit of an odd mix, really.
Along the way, I stumbled upon Carlos Castaneda’s books in 1974. They became my guiding light for a decade. I’d wander, seeking a teacher, thinking I’d find one in a hidden place but she was right here in Montreal, an opera singer. She became my mentor, introducing me to energy work, yoga, meditation, and healing techniques. It’s almost 40 years ago now, and back then, all of this was hush-hush. But it fascinated me.
I never envisioned working in this field, but life guided me here. You’re wondering why I became a soul mentor? Early on, I realized that home resides within the soul, not in any physical place. Sure, I yearned to explore the cosmos, but I found it far more intriguing to explore what lies within. That’s why I shy away from the term “coach.” I saw myself more as someone helping others connect deeply with themselves, guiding them to their core so they could find their own healing and direction.
Your approach emphasizes connecting with one’s true self for inner peace and fulfillment. How do you facilitate this connection with individuals facing diverse challenges, such as anxiety, depression, or personal dissatisfaction?
When people reach out to me with their concerns—be it anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, or a myriad of other issues—I don’t zero in on the specific problem. Everything, you see, is interconnected. Whether it’s financial struggles, physical pain, emotional turmoil, or relationship woes, I don’t dwell on the problem itself. Instead, I ask a few questions. It’s different from classical psychology—I gather snippets, like dropping little white stones to find the way out of a vast forest. I pull at a thread.
You see, your conscious mind only steers about 5% of your life; the remaining 95% is under the sway of your subconscious. And that subconscious is programmed before you turn eight, as modern science now confirms—a fact understood by yogis for eons. What I’ve honed over 30 years is a way to breach the barrier between the conscious and subconscious. I deceive the conscious mind, guiding individuals into the subconscious. There, their soul guides them to the precise point where their energy got stuck—it’s all about energy, particularly this emotion-laden energy.
Many come with stories—abuse, hardships—but I redirect them. Yes, those stories are important, but they don’t reveal what truly matters—the imprint on that little boy or girl within. The reality is what happened to that energy. I’ve become adept at uncovering these energy blockages, a skill that’s rather unique. Each person requires a tailored approach; intuition guides me here, as no single technique applies universally. It’s about opening doors to their true, powerful selves—a boundless entity with access to the entire universe.
We’ve lost touch with this ability, forgotten who we truly are. Even back in 1991, when I stumbled upon developing my methods, I’ve been telling people that I help them remember themselves. I teach what I need to learn the most—it’s a conscious endeavor. I’ve always emphasized that no one is superior; I just happen to have knowledge in a specific area. It’s about reconnecting with my own past, my own essence, and helping others do the same.
“Tapping into Soul” seems to be a core element of your healing practice. Could you elaborate on how this practice evolved and its impact on individuals seeking self-healing?
At the beginning, about 15 years ago, I struggled to name my work. I used to call it cellular memory, but explaining it to people back then, over 30 years ago, was tough. Even mentioning it could change DNA had people thinking I was nuts. Then, I attended an ISSSEEM conference—the International Society for the Study of Subtle Energy and Energy Medicine in the States. I gave a little presentation, feeling like a loner from my corner in Costa Rica (though I’m Canadian and live here). I initially named it Soul Surrender Healing, but folks misunderstood, thinking they had to surrender their soul to me. That wasn’t it at all. Surrender, letting go of the past, is crucial for healing in any tradition.
Around 15 years ago, I learned about tapping, studied it, and saw its potential to speed up my work. Tapping, or the Emotional Freedom Technique, was gaining traction. I realized tapping aligned with what I did—it’s about diving into your soul. In one presentation at ISSSEEM, a director attended and I shared a notion: altering the word “divine” by shifting the “e (energy)”, we get “dive in”. Diving into yourself is connecting with the divine within.
Years ago, at another conference, maybe 12 or 15 years back, I met Dr. Bruce Lipton. I hailed him as my hero for scientifically validating what I was saying for years — that beliefs are pivotal. Unearthing energy blocks, which are automatically tied to false beliefs, leads to astonishing energy releases. I shared a story with Dr. Lipton about my teacher, who, after four years of studying with her, stressed that the most important work was to go after the beliefs. We both shared and laughed at the fact that it took us 20 years to fully grasp that message.
Now, people often ask if my work relates to hypnosis. Frankly, I’ve never studied it, so I can’t say. My teacher never believed in labeling, and I echo that sentiment. I’ve never been fond of labeling conditions because I’ve seen individuals branded with bipolar disorder or depression when my understanding of these issues vastly differs.
You asked how I help people connect? Here’s a quick insight: Everyone fixates on stress. For a while, my website was “Stressful to Soulful,” and it remains a program I conduct. But stress isn’t external—it’s your internal response to external factors. It’s fight or flight, but for a child facing trauma, they can’t fight or flee. They freeze and fly out. Few delve into this aspect—I call it freezing and flying out, where trauma prompts someone to energetically leave their body. Whether they’re 20 or 80, I consistently find this energy in hiding. When we reunite and release that trapped energy, it’s astonishing to witness the transformation in that person.
With your extensive experience in yoga, energy psychology, and facilitating workshops globally, what key insights or techniques have you found universally effective in helping people reconnect with their inner strength?
For over 30 years, one thing I’ve stressed is the fundamental importance of learning to breathe correctly. There’s a current trend with various advanced breathing techniques, but most people overlook the basics of everyday breathing. It’s incredibly crucial. Surprisingly, about 80% of heart, digestive, and back problems relate to incorrect breathing. Once individuals master proper breathing, they often move away from anxious or depressed states. However, many perceive it as too simple and tend to disregard it. Yet, if you delve into the roots of Buddhism, yoga, or the teachings of great masters like those from Kashmir, you’ll find a common emphasis on breathing.
There’s this story about a French academic who sought teachings from a master in Kashmir. He anticipated elaborate rituals, meditations, or visualizations, but the master simply directed him to observe his breath. She conveyed that observing one’s breath could lead to an ecstatic state and constant bliss. This simple practice is what I’ve been advocating for so long. People struggle to grasp how something so straightforward can connect them with their essence.
Yes, I use tapping techniques, but sometimes, I don’t even need it. When I discovered tapping 15 years ago, I saw it as a tool to expedite the process—a means to unearth the roots of issues. It’s like weeding a garden—you can’t just snip the head, you need to dig deep to get the root. Similarly, tapping aids in uncovering those roots, but I don’t point them out to the individual; I let them discover and uproot it themselves.
Your commitment to community service and organizing healing art trips in Costa Rica is inspiring. How do these cultural experiences and gatherings contribute to the soul connection process for individuals attending your workshops and circles?
It’s essential for me to make the teachings as accessible as possible, whether it’s a small workshop with locals who have limited knowledge of energy. I aim to empower everyone to recognize their innate ability to heal. Years ago, when I first arrived in Costa Rica, I tried to gather people for spiritual purposes and yoga, but it was ahead of its time. About a decade ago, there was a sudden surge in yoga’s popularity, with countless retreats and yoga centers emerging worldwide. For me, though, I found solace in being secluded in the heart of the country. In the last three years, I’ve concentrated more on the Spanish-speaking population, but now, reconnecting with the English-speaking community excites me.
I conduct small workshops, especially with older individuals, focusing on teaching them basic practices to alleviate not only physical but also emotional pain. Starting with physical pain often helps them grasp the broader concepts. I used to organize tours many years ago, guiding healers from various places, but it became too intricate, especially when people didn’t perceive Costa Rica as a hub for this kind of energy work. In America ,many usually think of places like Mexico, Guatemala or Peru for spiritual journeys. The potent energy of this country remains somewhat concealed, but it’s gradually emerging; patience is key.
If you would like to find out more about Janine Fafard, please visit https://www.janinefafard.com/
