Finding the Flow

Putting a new discipline to the test

Recently I took part in a 5-day practitioner seminar introducing Jin Shin Jyutsu, a Japanese “art” of bringing the body’s energy into balance. It was organized in Asheville by my friend Beth Molaro, and brought together students and practitioners from all over the Southeast -- all of whom had questions, ideas and enthusiasm to share. The instructor, Lynne Pflueger, set aside practice sessions three times each day for us to learn some of the myriad techniques for bringing physical, emotional and mental states of disharmony into balance. Needless to say, by the end of the seminar my mind was chock-full of information and I was energized!

---

That’s why it surprised me when I began coming down with a serious cold less than a day later. I probably caught it from the friend I stayed with in Asheville, who ended up sick in bed most of the time I was there. (I got to practice Jin Shin Jyutsu on her, as well as Reflexology.) As my symptoms progressed from sore throat to headache, sinus congestion and fatigue, I realized this was a great opportunity to test Jin Shin Jyutsu on myself!

Jin Shin Jyutsu (JSJ) makes use of the idea of meridians and acupressure points outlined in Traditional Chinese Medicine: specifically, JSJ has identified 26 sets of gateway points, called Safety Energy Locks, that help regulate the flow of energy (Qi or “Chi”) through the body. Gently touching two or more of these points in prescribed sequences can bring dramatic changes in physical health and attitude.

So, it’s the middle of the night and I can hardly breathe. I lie on my back and put one hand on my shoulder. The other hand reaches up to hold each of the first hand’s fingers in turn, waiting until I feel a vibration, like a pulse. I move the top hand to a point on my face that aids in sinus drainage. From there I move my hand to a point along my upper back. Whoosh! Air comes flooding into my lungs, and I can breathe in and out -- through my nose! -- with ease. I finish the rest of the sequence (JSJ calls it a “flow”) and sleep soundly the rest of the night.

---

Back to health in record time

For the next two days I rested, mainly so I wouldn’t pass on my germs to anyone, and practiced JSJ at intervals. By the third morning I was back in top shape, ready to take the dogs for a long hike in the woods. Without the energy medicine to help bring my body into balance, it’s likely I would have been achy, sneezy and miserable for a week.

If you’d like to find out more about Jin Shin Jyutsu, send me an email at <reikidancing@gmail.com>. I’m going to need lots of practice to learn all the “flows,” and welcome volunteers to take part. [As with Reiki, participants remain fully clothed throughout the session.]

And remember, Reiki and Reflexology are available six days a week at locations in Toco Hills and Decatur. Call 404-406-5204 to make an appointment. With so many ways to help keep our bodies in harmony, why stay in dis-ease?