Jin Shin Do®
Bodymind Acupressure®
“Jin Shin Do” means “The Way of the Compassionate Spirit.” Jin Shin Do® Bodymind Acupressure® uses gentle yet deep finger pressure on specific acu-points and verbal Body Focusing techniques, to help release "armoring" or chronic tension, balance the "Qi" or energy, and improve vitality. This clothes-on method helps relieve stress- and trauma- related problems. A unique synthesis of a traditional Japanese acupressure technique, classic Chinese acu-theory, Taoist philosophy, Qigong (breathing and exercise techniques), Reichian segmental theory and principles of Ericksonian psychotherapy, Jin Shin Do® Bodymind Acupressure® was originated by Iona Marsaa Teeguarden.
What a Session is Like
The client remains clothed and lies on his or her back on a massage table, while the JSD acupressurist holds combinations of acu-points. The client determines the depth of the pressure. The experience is generally that sensitivity at the points is soon replaced by a pleasurable feeling of release. The work is characterized by non-invasiveness, safety in touch, and a sense of wonder and synchronicity. The client may share feelings or emotions that surface during the release of tension and stress - or just relax, perhaps falling into a deep and refreshing sleep.
A typical session is one to one and a half hours. The JSD acupressurist evaluates the tension pattern through point palpation and pulse reading, then holds successive "local points" in tense or painful areas together with related "distal points," which help the tension to release more easily, deeply and pleasantly. Points are held approximately one to three minutes.
The session concludes with a Jin Shin Do® Neck and Shoulder Release and a foot massage or points on the feet for grounding. Afterwards, clients typically feel relaxed and rejuvenated. Generally there is significantly less tension, and this response tends to extend after further sessions.
During a series of sessions, bodymind awareness increases while 'armoring' or chronic muscular tension is progressively released in the head, neck, shoulders, chest, diaphragm, abdominal and pelvic segments, and in the back, arms and legs.
One reason why "rings of armoring" develop in these segments is that a common reaction to stress or trauma is to hold feelings back with muscular tension. The involved muscles become rigid as fascial adhesions develop, and the flow of energy through the meridians is inhibited. The pressure on particular points helps the client to get a felt body sense of the tension, so that s/he can let the defensive function relax. The acupressurist may suggest that the client focus on tense or sore points and be open to feelings, words or images which may come up. If the tension was a defensive response to trauma and repressed feelings arise as it releases, the client is then helped to return to comfortable feelings. This in-body experience is the opposite of analyzing. As many clients say of things they had known from verbal psychotherapy, "It's so different to feel it in my body!"