Relax. You deserve it, it’s good for you, and it takes less time than you think.
It might seem obvious that you’d know when you’re stressed, but many of us spend so much time in an anxious state that we’ve forgotten what it feels like when our nervous systems are in balance—when we’re calm yet still alert and focused.
While a certain amount of stress in our lives is normal and even necessary, excessive stress can interfere with normal daily activities and take a toll on our personal lives and health. If left untreated, stress can develop into something chronic. This includes symptoms such as irritability, depression, anxiety, heart attack, stroke, nausea, and vomiting.
Today we invite you to try the ancient Japanese art of releasing tensions called Jin Shin Jyutsu that takes no more than 5 minutes and can be done just about anywhere.
To practice the art, it is important to understand that each of the fingers of our hand represents a different feeling or attitude.
To harmonize the life energy in the body, grasp the finger with the opposite hand, wrapping all the fingers and thumb around it. Hold each finger for one to two minutes. You will know it’s working when a pulsating sensation is felt.
To calm your mind, apply slight pressure in the center of the palm with the thumb of the opposite hand and hold for at least one minute. Practice this technique every day to stay calm and re-establish the balance within yourself.
To see these steps in action, check out the following video!
Why it works? Your nervous system runs through your entire body. Different nerve endings link to different organs and therefore the theory is that if you place pressure on certain areas, you can help to relax the entire nerve (linking to organs). The idea behind acupuncture and acupressure is similar. However, Jin Shin Jyutsu is perceived by its practitioners as more of an art form.
More about Jin Shin Jyutsu
Jin Shin Jyutsu is defined as the art of releasing tensions which are the causes for various symptoms in the body. The body is seen as containing several energy pathways (nerves) that feed life into all of our cells. When one or more of these paths become blocked, this damming effect may lead to discomfort or even pain. This blockage or stagnation will not only disrupt the local area but will continue and eventually disharmonize the complete path or paths of the energy flow.
Jin Shin Jyutsu is considered an art as opposed to a technique because a technique is a mechanical application, whereas an art is a skillful creation.
According to ancient written records from the Archives of the Imperial Palace in Japan, Jin Shin Jyutsu was widely known before the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Things – Japan, A.D. 712). Jin Shin Jyutsu was seen as an innate part of man’s wisdom – simplifying the complexities of existence – or the Art of Living.
Jin Shin Jyutsu was rediscovered by Master Jiro Murai early in the 20th century. His student, Mary Burmeister, brought the Art from Japan to America in the 1950’s, where it’s actively practiced even today.
