Acupressure (Jin Shin Do)

Jin Shin Do (The way of the compassionate spirit) is a form of Japanese acupressure.
By the power of gentle touch, a physical, emotional, spiritual and mental balance is achieved creating a mind-body connection and a sense of balance.

It is believed that disease is a form of dis-ease and wellness isn’t an absence of dis-ease but is a general feeling of well-being, vitality and the ability to cope with stressors without compromising one’s well-being.
When the mind and the body work in harmony the presence of vitality can ward off illness.

What is Jin Shin Do?
“The way of the compassionate spirit”

Jin; ‘compassion’ unlocks the spirit within.
Symptoms of lack of ‘Jin’: increased criticism, insecurity and self-doubt creating a sense of powerlessness affecting the spirit at a core level.

Shin ‘spirit’ is located in the heart area and is the extension of creativity.
Shin ‘Tao’ or spirit in all it’s forms is found within creating joy and love expressed in smiles and laughter. Clarity of shin reflects a perception of ourselves from within. Spirit can be confused with ego and can create a sense of self preoccupation distorting perception.

Do ‘ the way’ which is ultimate reality, the universal clock and direction. The origin of heaven and earth, the absolute and unlimited.

How does it work?

Jin shin do is an acupressure technique releasing energy points along meridians (energy channels). It creates an awareness of the environment around us, to feel and hear the world. Through pressure point release, breathing and meditation a person can connect from within.

Through an acupressure session a person can
– Re-balance energetically
– Breathe opening up energy centers
– Relax and meditate more fully
– Self reflect
– Release emotions helping a person feel more centered
– Release physical tension known as armoring

Which emotions can be released?

Seven emotions can be released:
1- Anger: concentrating in the arms, shoulders and neck
2- Grief: is an emotion of letting go of something/someone who is lost to us
3- Fear: drains Ki (energy) affecting the bowels and lower extremities, as if energy is leaking out.
4- Worry: coagulates ki often paralysing a person and thus is unable to act.
5- reminiscence: is concentrated energy in the brain. Dreaming or wishing for the past, an untaken path making it impossible to live in the here and now.
6- Shock: hurts the spirit and disturbs the energy flow.
7- Hysteria: confuses the spirit and affects the flow of energy to the heart.

Circulation of energy through organs

1-3 am Liver
Symptoms related to the liver: insomnia, intellectual fatigue, a decrease in fighting spirit, bad memories, pessimism, lack of self-esteem,anger, and depression.

3-5am Lung
A means of communication with the outside. A feeling of being locked in by fear.
Symptoms related to the lung: fear of confrontation, poor self management, lack of self confidence, withdrawal, dependency, claustrophobia, and suppressed feelings.

5-7am Large Intestine
Symptoms related to the large intestine: obstinate, great need to convince, hypochondria and slight obsessiveness

7-9am Stomach
Symptoms related to the Stomach: spontaneous anger, from a powerful feeling to self deprivation, and fear of failure.

9-11am Spleen
Symptoms related to the spleen: deep sadness, deep pessimism, crushed childhood, despair/sorrow, and severe childhood trauma.

11am-1pm Heart
Symptoms of the heart: fear of abandonment, fear of not being loved, need to be loved, jealousy, distrust, fear of judgment, guilt, hatred and distress.

1-3pm Small Intestine
Symptoms of the small intestine: need for security and protection, pain in joints, great need to talk, and meticulous

3-5pm Bladder
Symptoms of the bladder: importance to control, emotional blackmail, guilt, obedience, submission and cyclical shyness

5-7pm Kidney
Symptoms of the kidney: fear, reactive fear, insecurity, deep-seated anger, a need to surpass oneself, generosity and a need to lead.

7-9pm Pericardium is connected to the heart

9-11pm Triple Warmer
Symptoms of the triple warmer: a need for shelter, fear of being judged, the need to receive and give.

11pm-1am Gall Bladder
Symptoms of the gall bladder: constant pre-occupation of material issues, stress, hypersensitivity, fear of conflict, separations are tough, and extreme punctuality.

What is it good for
Any imbalances created by life style, but the person must be prepared to greet the unknown.

What to expect
A Jin Shin Do session will include a consultation concerning what is going on in a person’s life. If the therapist feels that the person is not ready to accept a full mind-body release, a full body relaxation will be given instead.
An imbalance can manifest as tight muscles. As the therapist presses acupressure points, a release of tension will occur which may release a person’s emotions. If the person is not ready to unload at the time, muscles will tighten up again, but the person will feel a sense of full body relaxation. If the person is ready to release and unload many different emotions may erupt such as happiness, lightness, tears or anger.