Quick-Fix For Stress

According to Jin Shin Jyutsu, Inc., the purpose of Jin Shin Jyutsu is to release the tensions that cause various physical symptoms. The body contains energy pathways that feed life into all cells. When one or more of these paths become blocked, the damming effect can lead to discomfort or pain. Jin Shin Jyutsu, like acupuncture and acupressure, reharmonizes and balances the energy flows.

The acronym for remembering the attitudes associated with each finger is “Get rid of Worry FAST.” W is for Worry (thumb), F for Fear (index), A for Anger (middle), S for Sadness (ring), and T for Trying To (little).

For each attitude, there is a “quickie” hold and a longer sequence. The “quickie” hold involves holding one finger with the fingers of the other hand. For example, to hold the left thumb, wrap all four fingers of your right hand around your left thumb. The longer sequence is a combination of fingers that you hold one after the other. For example, the longer sequence for Worry is to hold the thumb, then hold the middle finger, then hold the little finger.

How long should you hold a finger? If you have plenty of time, hold each finger until you feel a pulse arrive in the finger. If a finger is already pulsing strongly when you first touch it, hold the finger until the pulse calms down. Another way to hold the fingers is simply to hold each finger for two or more breaths. You will find this very meditative and relaxing. Holding individual fingers and the finger mudras before falling asleep is an excellent practice.

The ten fingers are said to regulate 14,400 functions within the body. The different ways of holding the fingers influence the body on a variety of levels, but they are all effective. Choose a style that feels most comfortable and satisfying to you.

Worry: The “quickie” is to hold the thumb. The sequence is thumb, middle, little finger.

• Additional benefits: for depression, hate, obsession, anxiety, self-protection, to revitalize physical fatigue, for the back of the head, breathing, and digestive discomforts.

Fear: The “quickie” is to hold the index finger. The sequence is thumb, index, little finger.

• Additional benefits: for timidity, mental confusion, depression, perfectionism, criticism, frustration, digestive issues, elimination, wrist, elbow, and upper arm discomforts.

Anger: The “quickie” is to hold the middle finger. The sequence is little, ring, middle finger.

• Additional benefits: for feeling cowardly, irritable, indecisive, unstable, not alert, overly emotional, general fatigue, eye issues, forehead discomforts.

Sadness/Grief: The “quickie” is to hold the ring finger. The sequence is thumb, index, middle, ring finger.

• Additional benefits: for negative feelings, common sense, excess mucus, breathing, ear discomforts.

Trying To/Pretense (cover-up): The “quickie” is to hold the little finger. The sequence is little, ring finger.

• Additional benefits: for “crying on the inside and laughing on the outside,” feeling insecure, nervous, confused, issues of “why am I here,” calms nerves, aids bloating.

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