Jin Shin Jyutsu is an ancient Japanese healing art that focuses on balancing the body’s energy system to promote harmony and wellness. It is a gentle, hands-on practice aimed at releasing tensions that can accumulate and cause various physical and emotional symptoms. This system works on the premise that a subtle life force energy flows through the body in specific pathways, and maintaining this flow is paramount to health.
Defining the Art of Jin Shin Jyutsu
The art of Jin Shin Jyutsu (JSJ) was largely lost to time before its rediscovery in the early 20th century by Master Jiro Murai in Japan. After healing himself from a life-threatening illness through solitary meditation and applying specific hand postures, Murai dedicated his life to researching the ancient wisdom behind this practice. He gathered insights from sources like the Kojiki, an ancient Japanese text, to re-establish the system of energy pathways.
Master Murai’s dedicated student, Mary Burmeister, was responsible for bringing this knowledge to the West, starting in the 1950s, after years of study and correspondence. The name itself, Jin Shin Jyutsu, translates literally as “Art of the Creator through Compassionate Man,” reflecting its philosophical foundation. This practice offers a path to self-awareness and balance.
The Energy System and Safety Energy Locks
At the core of Jin Shin Jyutsu is the concept of a subtle, vital Life Energy that circulates throughout the body along pathways, similar to the meridians described in other Asian healing traditions. When this energy flows freely, it nourishes every cell, contributing to overall physical, mental, and emotional health. Stress, injury, poor diet, and environmental factors are believed to interfere with this circulation, causing blockages or stagnation.
Jin Shin Jyutsu identifies 26 specific points on each side of the body, known as Safety Energy Locks (SELs), which are concentrated spheres of energy. These SELs act as a kind of safety alarm system, locking up when the body is overused or abused to warn the individual of disharmony. When an SEL “locks,” it restricts the energy flow in its pathway, which can manifest as discomfort, tension, or illness in the body.
The purpose of working with these 26 points is to release the tension and congestion that has caused the lock, thereby allowing the energy to circulate properly again. Each SEL is assigned a number and is thought to have a unique meaning and function within the body’s entire energetic blueprint. By gently touching or holding these sites, practitioners and individuals aim to restore balance and harmony throughout the system.
Techniques for Self-Help and Practitioner Sessions
The physical execution of Jin Shin Jyutsu involves applying a gentle, light touch to specific points on the body, similar to acupressure but without deep pressure or rubbing. The hands are often described as acting like “jumper cables,” connecting and stimulating the energetic system. The goal is to hold two sites simultaneously until a release of tension is felt or the energetic pulses synchronize.
Self-help is a fundamental aspect of the practice, where individuals can apply the techniques to themselves at any time or location. A common and easily accessible self-help technique involves holding the fingers, as each finger corresponds to specific energy flows and emotional attitudes. For instance, the thumb is associated with worry and the index finger with fear, and gently holding one can help harmonize that specific attitude and its related energy.
In a professional session, a trained practitioner uses specific combinations of the 26 SELs based on the client’s needs and pulse assessment. These sequences of hand placements are known as “flows,” and they are designed to address particular energetic pathways and disharmonies. The client remains fully clothed, typically lying face-up, while the practitioner holds these points, often for several minutes each, to encourage the energy to move freely.
Reported Wellness Applications
People often seek out Jin Shin Jyutsu as a complementary approach to wellness, particularly for issues related to stress and emotional balance. Reported benefits frequently include a significant reduction in stress and a profound feeling of deep relaxation immediately following a session. This sense of calm is thought to help the body better manage its physiological and emotional responses to daily pressures.
The practice is also used to help with symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia. For example, it has been explored as a way to help cancer patients manage the side effects of conventional treatments like chemotherapy, including nausea and discomfort. Jin Shin Jyutsu is intended to work alongside, not replace, established medical treatments.