Jin Shin Self Care Experience

Follow Up on My Personal 16s Self Care Experience

2010-07-09T19:42:00.004-05:00

Week 12 ... Harmonize my 16s

I gifted myself with daily 16s Jin Shin self care on May 3 - 9, 2010.
May Jin Shin Bless & Support Your Healthy Lifestyle too!

Emotionally I noticed ...Day 1 - I started the week feeling calm, happy, buoyant, & optimistic shifting to feeling joy, excitement & gratitude after my 16s time out @ 7:30pm as I watched a movie..."The Secret". Most of the week before my self care, I was in a GOOD space of feeling happiness, confidence, optimistic, elated, inspired, calm, relaxed, pleased with my accomplishments & gratitude. Before self care on Day 3 - I also felt proud of myself for practicing acceptance when I was in a time crunch that would have stressed me out in the past. On Day 5 I teetered on the verge of stress a few times. Jin Shin @ my 16s that day knocked me out into oblivious numbness before bed. On Day 6 I backed myself into a corner looking on-line for a place to stay during a trip next week. I rode the fence between happiness or anxiety for a while that morning. By the evening I was just overwhelmed with sifting through all the info on-line as I decided where to book a room. Thank goodness that Jin Shin is a SUPER tool for clearing out that type of superficial irritability! It uplifted me into feeling curious & compassionate. Jin Shin before bed on days 2, 3, 4 & 7 shifted me into a detached space of being ready to shut down & sleep laced with gentle bliss on days 4 & 7.

Mentally I noticed ... On days 1, 2, 3, 4 & 7, I observed myself as being a mixture of calm, agile, alert, busy stream of thoughts, flexible, focused when needed, guided by Source, going with the flow, & awkwardly relaxed (day 7). On day 5 I was just spacey! On day 6, the frantic internet search day, my mind was constricted & stressed. Overall, after contacting my 16s, my mind became clear, peaceful, empty, calm, spacey (day 3), ready to "just BE".

Energetically I noticed ...During days 1, 2, 3 & 4 I felt grounded with strong core energy & varying degrees of being centered before self care. Day 2 my energy was vibrant until about 3:30 or 4pm, I suddenly felt sluggish & run down. Ear massage & breathing into my 1st 4 chakras picked up my energy. Day 6's internet search stress left my heart chakra feeling tight & poisoned. Day 7 my energy felt stuck above my waistline, until I arrived at the campground surrounded by trees & hearing the birds sing. My 16s transformations throughout the week consistently included each side of my body felt lighter, more expansive & dissolved then "flushed out" dense, heavy 2nd depth energy after I contacted 16 to 12 on that side of my body! This cleansing went deeper & deeper day by day. Amazing sensation!!! BL s/s 16 to 12 really clears out all the used up energy of the day for me! Day 5 especially cleared out the left side of my face & left eye. My day 6 16s tune up particularly erased the internet search stress from my heart chakra leaving it feeling healthy, open, Light & radiant.

Physically I noticed ...my body responded to 16s self care with muscle relaxation at my ribs, upper thoracic spine, neck, ankles, shoulders & hips to varying degrees on different days. Day one's relaxation was so pronounced that my body felt lop-sided especially at my neck/shoulder area after I had done the right side first! I balanced out after doing the left 16 to left 12. On day 7 my lungs felt more receptive to fresh Chi.

On 5 out of 7 days, I did my 16s self care just before bed. It helped me to let go of the day for a night of restful sleep. On days 1 & 6, I took time out for myself around 7 or 7:30pm.

Week 12 ... Harmonize your 16s

2010-07-04T13:46:00.003-05:00

May 3 - 9, 2010 ...... I gifted myself with daily 16s Jin Shin self care.

Please remember that the intention of this blog is self care. If you choose to begin the Jin Shin self care described in this blog, remember that it is NO substitute for medical care. Jin Shin is one of many tools to build your healthy lifestyle. It gives you an option that can help you support health naturally.

If you are on a path to changing your lifestyle habits to become healthier, be patient with yourself as you make new healthy habits. Diet & exercise are also important parts of good health. Consult your doctor before beginning this or any new health habits if you are pregnant or seriously ill.

Keeping a journal of my self care allows me to make specific notes about how each Jin Shin point helps me. I encourage you to start a journal as you begin or strengthen your self knowledge through this or whatever form of self care you choose. Making notes for yourself about how you are feeling emotionally, mentally, physically & energetically can help you truly live in your body. It can help you see how it all interconnects & affects your overall quality of life. Open your awareness to the big picture that is YOU.

Betsy Ruth Dayton has the following to say about point #16 in High Touch Jin Shin Workbook Two. "#16 is the foundation for all human physical activities. It supports our connection to the Earth and all of the actions that must be taken to live on the planet. A blocked #16 means we are stuck in fear & bondage, making it difficult to step forward. It locks up the skeletal and muscular systems. #16 clears the head and mind and warms cold feet."

Where is point #16?
Let your fingertips touch the space between your lateral (pinkie toe side) ankle & the tip of your heel. Basically it is behind your outer ankle. You are there!

This is the reflexology area for the ovaries on women or the testicles on men. Skip this week's self care if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.

Remember that the exact location of any Jin Shin point can vary depending on how each person holds stress & tension. For myself, I know when I am in the right spot because my fingertips feel like a key has just fit into a lock. All Jin Shin points have about a 3 inch diameter. Be patient with yourself as you learn to sense when you are in the right place. Trust that if you are close to it , you are helping your energy circulate more freely in your meridians.

What point helps release #16?
Reach for Jin Shin point #12 at the side of your neck (C4 area) about half way between your ear & the top of your shoulder. If you touch the ear lobe with your pinkie finger & the top of your shoulder with your thumb, your middle finger should land in the muscles at the middle & side of your neck. The right 12 is on the right side of your neck & the left 12 is on the left side of your neck.

Caution- if you have any injuries to your neck or degenerative conditions in your neck, you may wish to simply release your 16s by holding both 16s.

Technique- Use the index, middle & ring fingertips for touch at the points.Some people choose to use the palm of the hand. If you have a Reiki background this variation may feel more natural for you. If it causes you any pain or discomfort to reach for or touch these points, you can simply visualize whatever color of light you associate with healing as illuminating these points.Use your breath at your normal rate of breathing to help focus your attention on yourself & your well being! Trust that your energy will shift at whatever rate is best for you.

Touch- your right 16 with your left fingertips as you also touch your right 12 with your right fingertips. You may want to rest your right foot on your left knee as you touch these two points. Breath. Counting your exhales calls attention to the body's ability to let go of stress & tension. Next touch your left 16 with your right hand's fingertips as you also touch your left 12 with your left hand's fingertips. You may rest your left foot on your right knee as you do this. Give each side 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Breath. Focus on your breath. Whatever amount of time you choose or have for each point will be perfect for you. Choose the time of day that best fits into your schedule. Once a day is suggested. Two or 3 times a day is OK too. Pay attention to your needs.

Questions are welcome under comments if you need more details.

Week 11

2010-06-29T21:36:00.002-05:00

Monday April 26 - Sunday May 2, 2010

After 10 consecutive weeks, my intuition told me to slow down & let my body assimilate the changes that have been unfolding over the last 10 weeks. Form follows energy & sometimes form needs a little time to adjust to energetic changes. I was beginning to feel overloaded from the amount of positive changes I experienced. I realized that I began feeling off-kilter & too tightly wound about the time Mercury went retrograde on April 19....this feeling kept snowballing. Realizing the connection shifted me toward a better energetic state of being this week.

Jin Shin self care is about learning to listen to your body. It was time for me to listen to mine & take a week off from my # quickies self care regiment. I was in a healing crisis & needed bigger Jin Shin medicine. I gave myself a right Spleen Flow on 4 different days between April 23 & May 2. Also gave myself a right Diaphragm Flow 2 days, April 25 & 28. I treated myself to a right Gallbladder Flow on 4-26. Also received a wonderful Raindrop Therapy on 4-26. On May 3 also received a Hot Stone massage. Sometimes I need to let go & receive the quality of care I provide for my clients. After all giving & receiving are all part of the balance of nature. Same truth applies to bodyworkers. I am thankful for those practitioners who take care of me! I am also thankful for the blessings of participating in the 1st Saturday drum circle. May 2 drum circle certainly enhanced my well being! Thanks!

My new affirmations for that week were...
"I am grounded, centered & calm."
" I am lighthearted & playful."
Continuing to work with those intentions for myself as of this post along with some new & old affirmations. Feels good for those energies & intentions to be settling into my life!

Follow Up on My Personal 17s Self Care Experience

2010-06-16T12:33:00.003-05:00

Week 10 ... Harmonize my 17s
I gifted myself with daily 17s Jin Shin self care on April 19 - 25, 2010.
My life became too full to continue detailed posts about my results every day. I can't tell whether anyone out there is interested in my posts or not. If this helps ONE other person, it is worth my time to share. I continue to work with one of the 26 points every day for 7 days to teach myself about this beautiful healing art. I tell everyone who is curious about Jin Shin that the best way to learn about it is to practice it on yourself. I practice what I preach. For the previous post in week 9, I only summarized the highlights of my experience with point #18. All of my future posts will be a summary of my experiences.

May Jin Shin Bless & Support Your Healthy Lifestyle too!

As I worked with my 17s,
Emotionally I noticed ...
Day 1 - I went from feeling a little edgy, uneasy & irritated with myself about poor time use to feeling determined. Day 2 - Gratitude for how smooth the busy day has unfolded before & after self care! Day 3 - I was able to consciously choose tranquility over stress. As Wayne Dyer says, " There is no such thing as stress." I choose to create it in my mind or let it go. My 17s are helping me to choose carefully. Day 4 & 5 - I felt calm, happy, optimistic & Light during most of the time on those days. Jin Shin at my 17 left me feeling neutral & dazed on day 4. On day 5, my 17s left me feeling grounded in a deep sense of contentment. Day 6 - anxiety & stress flair ups due to events beyond my control dissolved into surrender, acceptance & peace after holding my 17s. Boy, Oh Boy was this ever a week of truly letting go of old preconditioned patterns of choosing stress. Day 7 - I enjoyed a day of feeling happy, Light & flexible.....17s just amplified my sense of relaxation.

Mentally I noticed ...
I went from feeling scattered, spacey, unfocused & distracted to feeling more settled & focused.
Day 3- I went from feeling mentally overloaded to having a clear mind after working with my 17s. Day 4 - Opportunity to make a new choice with feeling stressed again. Day 5 - Mentally "spacey" that morning. I felt focused & flexible after lunch for the rest of the day. Jin Shin 17s just helped my mind to totally relax at the end of the day. Good lessons this week on how tension & stress clogs up my mind. By the end of the week, I felt mentally playful, refreshed & relaxed!

Energetically I noticed ...
While holding my right 17, I noticed a gentle cascade of energy release down both sides of my neck. I feel more grounded & solid, less "floatie". Day 2 - "Good energy levels all day." Day 3 - I felt very open- hearted, yet my 5th depth meridians at my right forearm felt congested. During my 17s self care, I felt deep energy untangle at my brain stem & my right shoulder joint. Day 5 - Holding my 17's really cleaned out the used up energy of the day from my upper body! This was consistent during the rest of the week. 17s really helped to open & balance my heart chakra. No accident that the heart meridian runs through the 17s! By the end of the week, I also noticed that my 17s brought me a more subtle energy healing. They helped me to finally LET GO of old patterns of angry energy that I carried around for far too long. I have replaced it with the higher vibrational energies of forgiveness & love. I am thankful.

Physically I noticed ...
On day 1 as I held my right 17, my upper neck spontaneously adjusted. Sounded just like that Chiropractic "pop" in my head. As I held my left 17, the front of my neck muscles & throat relaxed. Both 17s relaxed & opened my chest. Day 2 - I felt my wrists & face relax along with my mid-back (posterior waistline). Day 3 - Again, I felt my c-1 & c-2 area realign & my chest felt more open & relaxed. Day 5 & 6 - I felt relaxation at my face, especially my jaws & eyes, neck, chest, arms & ribs & 23s at posterior waistline again. This week has also been a good lesson in how stress affects my body. Where do those cortisol & other stress hormones hit my body? When I let stress go, I certainly know where & how I feel different when I slow down enough to notice. Consider giving yourself the same gift of self awareness.

During most of the week, I did my 17s self care just before bed. It helped me to let go of the day on all levels for a good night of rest.

Week 10 ... Harmonize your 17s

2010-06-16T11:58:00.002-05:00

April 19 - 25, 2010 ...... I gifted myself with daily 17s Jin Shin self care.

Please remember that the intention of this blog is self care. If you choose to begin the Jin Shin self care described in this blog, remember that it is NO substitute for medical care. Jin Shin is a tool for your healthy lifestyle. It gives you an option that can help you stay as healthy as possible. If you are on a path to changing your lifestyle habits to become healthier, be patient with yourself as you make new healthy habits. Diet & exercise are also important parts of good health. Consult your doctor before beginning this or any new health habits if you are pregnant or seriously ill.

Keeping a journal of my self care allows me to make specific notes about how each Jin Shin point helps me. I encourage you to start a journal as you begin or strengthen your self knowledge through this or whatever form of self care you choose. Making notes for yourself about how you are feeling emotionally, mentally, physically & energetically can help you truly live in your body. It can help you see how it all interconnects & affects your overall quality of life. Open your eyes to the big picture that is YOU.

Betsy Ruth Dayton has the following to say about point #17 in High Touch Jin Shin Workbook Two. "#17 is the energy source for our nervous system. It releases the head when it is too full of useless information, causing us nervous tension. #17 controls the ankles, arms, underarms, and elbows."

Where is point #17?
Let your fingertips fall into the small, fleshy pad of muscles on the pinkie side of your hand between your pinkie & your wrist. You are there! Remember that the exact location of any Jin Shin point can vary depending on how each person holds stress & tension. For myself, I know when I am in the right spot because my fingertips feel like a key has just fit into a lock. All Jin Shin points have about a 3 inch diameter. Be patient with yourself as you learn to sense when you are in the right place. Trust that if you are close to it , you are helping your energy circulate more freely in your meridians.

What point helps release #17?
The simplest way to release 17 is to just touch each 17 one at a time. It does not matter if you begin with the right 17 or the left 17.
Technique- Use the index, middle & ring fingertips for touch at the points.
Some people choose to use the palm of the hand. If you have a Reiki background this variation may feel more natural for you. If it causes you any pain or discomfort to reach for or touch these points, you can simply visualize whatever color of light you associate with healing as illuminating these points.
Use your breath at your normal rate of breathing to help focus your attention on yourself & your well being! Trust that your energy will shift at whatever rate is best for you.
Touch- your right 17 with your left fingertips. Breath. Counting your exhales calls attention to the body's ability to let go of stress & tension. Next touch your left 17. Give each side 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Breath. Focus on your breath. Whatever amount of time you choose or have for each point will be perfect for you. Choose the time of day that best fits into your schedule. Once a day is suggested. Two or 3 times a day is OK too. Pay attention to your needs.

Questions are welcome under comments if you need more details.

Week 9 Begins

2010-04-19T09:02:00.002-05:00

Please remember that the intention of this blog is self care. If you choose to begin the Jin Shin self care described in this blog, remember that it is NO substitute for medical care. Jin Shin is a tool for your healthy lifestyle. It gives you an option that can help you stay as healthy as possible. If you are on a path to changing your lifestyle habits to become healthier, be patient with yourself as you make new healthy habits. Diet & exercise are also important parts of good health. Consult your doctor before beginning this or any new health habits if you are pregnant or seriously ill.

Keeping a journal of my self care allows me to make specific notes about how each Jin Shin point helps me. I encourage you to start a journal as you begin or strengthen your self knowledge through this or whatever form of self care you choose. Making notes for yourself about how you are feeling emotionally, mentally, physically & energetically can help you truly live in your body. It can help you see how it all interconnects & affects your overall quality of life. Open your eyes to the big picture that is YOU. If there are any teachers out there reading this blog, this could become an interesting writing assignment for students.

On April 12, 2010 I started working with my 18s for 7 days in a row.
Betsy Ruth Dayton has the following to say about point #18 in High Touch Jin Shin Workbook Two. "#18 governs the back of the head and releases #10 congestion, headaches at #4, and insomnia. Conflicting signals exist between what we feel or think and how we act. #18 seeks integration of body and personality."

Over the course of a week, I have consistently noticed energy & thus muscle tension release at the base of my skull (#4 area) after working with my 18s. Form follows energy! I believe that relates to two meridians in particular. Lung meridian ends near point #18. Lung meridian helps us let go of the past (along with its partner...large intestine meridian). The second is Liver meridian. Liver meridian is where we store all those things we are angry about & choose to cling to being angry. Liver meridian plays a big role in tension at the base of the skull...upper neck. Be alert for opportunities to let go of old anger issues as you work with your 18s this week!

Where is point #18?
Let your fingertips fall into the fleshy pad of muscles on the palm side of the base of your thumb. You are there! Do NOT work with point #18 if you are pregnant. It is too close to LI4, a labor stimulating point.

Remember that the exact location of any Jin Shin point can vary depending on how each person holds stress & tension. For myself, I know when I am in the right spot because my fingertips feel like a key has just fit into a lock. All Jin Shin points have about a 3 inch diameter. Be patient with yourself as you learn to sense when you are in the right place. Trust that if you are close to it , you are helping your energy circulate more freely in your meridians.

What point helps release #18?
The simplest way to release 18 is to just touch each 18 one at a time. It does not matter if you begin with the right 18 or the left 18.

Technique- Use the index, middle & ring fingertips for touch at the points. Some people choose to use the palm of the hand. If you have a Reiki background this variation may feel more natural for you. If it causes you any pain or discomfort to reach for or touch these points, you can simply visualize whatever color of light you associate with healing as illuminating these points. Use your breath at your normal rate of breathing to help focus your attention on yourself & your well being! Trust that your energy will shift at whatever rate is best for you.

Touch- your right 18 with your left fingertips. Breath. Counting your exhales calls attention to the body's ability to let go of stress & tension. Next touch your left 18 for 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Breath. Focus on your breath. Whatever amount of time you choose or have for each point will be perfect for you. Choose the time of day that best fits into your schedule. Once a day is suggested. Two or 3 times a day is OK too. Pay attention to your needs.

Questions are welcome under comments if you need more details.

#19 Day 7

2010-04-18T18:15:00.002-05:00

On Sunday April 11, 2010 a great night of sleep & sleeping in late recharged my energy. I am sure this was amplified by doing my Jin Shins self care before bed after that physically challenging day yesterday. This new day began with me in a rare playful mood. I am usually far to serious. I mostly floated in a nice state of acceptance that my day was perfect even though I didn't get much work done. Mentally, I floated through planting flowers in pots on my porch that morning. Ron & I had a good dose of laughing & joking that day! I let myself get very distracted with shopping for Tai Chi pants for 2 or 3 hours. After my shopping marathon I had a brief detour into anger for cutting into my walk time before the drum circle. That closed down my energy. Good to pay attention to such energy shifts & what causes them. Enchantment with the carpet of pink wildflowers & one large patch of violets at Garvin Park pulled me right out of being angry with myself. That 15 minute walk refreshed me! I enjoy every opportunity to get outside & walk! The drum circle opened my energy back up in a very good way. Physically, I just felt GOOD!

I changed up my 19s self care a little that night before bed. I touched my lateral (outside elbow) 19s for about 5 minutes. Then I touched my medial (inside elbow) 19s for about 2 minutes. After my 19s tune up, I just felt gratitude for the day! Mentally, I drifted into a state of deep relaxation. Good to stop thinking for a while. Gets the mind out of my body's way for my natural ability to stay in healthy balance. Energetically, I noticed some congestion at my upper sacrum & at the base of my skull. Those areas were tight because I spent 3 hours on the computer after the drum circle. Physically, I just felt sleepy & ready for bed after contacting my 19s.

#19 Day 6

2010-04-18T17:51:00.002-05:00

On Saturday April 10, 2010 I enjoyed a nice, busy day at my office. I felt happy & confident all day. Mentally, I was organized, focused & going with the flow all day. My core energy felt strong throughout the day. After I spent 3 hours volunteering at a local marathon expo after working with clients at my office for the day, my energy was a little run down. I was ready to STOP thinking. Emotionally, I was a little overloaded & just ready to chill out. My upper traps were tight. My left hip was starting to feel a little sore from doing deep, lunging archer stances during massages on a low table at the marathon expo. My feet were even tired!!! My first priority after the expo was dinner. Then I sat down to do my 19s Jin Shin self care.

I held my 19's for almost 20 minutes! Emotionally, I simply felt neutral. My mind was just BLANK, ready to shut down & rest. My energy had a heavy 2nd depth quality. I felt drained. Physically, I was sleepy. If one has pushed too hard to do too much, Jin Shin can pull the plug on the used up energy in a way that says "rest now, you must rest to recharge." It certainly did that for me that day. My upper traps were more relaxed. I added a few other Jin Shin point holds to relax my left hip. The next morning when I got out of bed, my left hip felt good! No second day soreness!

#19 Day 5

2010-04-18T11:03:00.002-05:00

On Friday April 9, 2010 I practiced Tai Chi Breath 9 - 12 times during a 15 minute slow period at a chair massage job. That simple act amazingly shifted my energy to a strong link with Spirit for the day. Mentally, I was focused in the present moment & smoothly going with the flow of my day all day! By the end of my work day I found myself in gratitude for how perfectly my day had unfolded. I was content. A sunset 20 minute walk at the river relaxed & energized me after work. By the time I sat down at home that evening to practice my 19s Jin Shin self care, I experienced that good kind of tired one feels at the end of a satisfying day of work. My right upper shoulder & the left mid part of my back was a little tight.

After contacting both 19s for 5 - 8 minutes, emotionally I drifted into a peaceful, mellow space. My mind relaxed into an open, clam state of being. Energetically, I felt cleansed! For part of my 19s time out, I felt like I was breathing energy in & out my solar plexus. By the end of my 19s tune up, the arches of my feet felt very open & relaxed. Physically, relaxation washed over my body, especially at my left mid-back. I was breathing deeper, especially at my lower left lung. I was hungry & ready for a late dinner.

#19 Day 4

2010-04-18T10:57:00.002-05:00

On Thursday April 8, 2010 I skipped my Jin Shin 19s self care. It was one of those busy, busy days that I just couldn't squeeze in 5 minutes for one more thing. Just the kind of day when Jin Shin should be the last thing I skip! I am human. Forgive myself & make sure I do it tomorrow.

#19 Day 3

2010-04-18T10:35:00.002-05:00

On Wednesday April 7, 2010 it was nice to wake up naturally with no alarm clock! I started my day with a 20 minute chakras meditation. This set the tone for a day of being very grounded & centered with my core energy feeling strong & stable. Mentally, I was relaxed, productive & flexible. Emotionally, I felt calm & happy...guided by my heart's Light for the day. I was in that detached space of taking nothing personally. Physically, my left mid-back (23) & right upper abdominal area (14) felt more relaxed today than they had for the last few days! There was only a slight downward pull & forward rotation to my right shoulder.

After my 19s Jin Shin self care, feeling good became even better! Same emotions as before 19s contact, plus an improved feeling of Lightness! My mind felt relaxed, clear & alert. Energetically, during my Jin Shin time out, I noticed energy clearing at the tops of both shoulders, along my neck, at the right side of my 3rd eye, & at my left mid-back (23). My aura felt refreshed. Physically,my right shoulder no longer felt pulled down. There was only a slight decrease in the way my right shoulder felt rotated forward. Both of my arms felt energized! My left mid-back was more relaxed (23 area).

#19 Day 2

2010-04-15T09:56:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday April 6, 2010, I took a break at about 3:30pm to contact my 19s for 36 exhales. This was about 4 minutes for me.

My morning had a very welcome busy start that day. I picked up my Mom's habit of seeing how much I can get done before I leave the house in the mornings. I almost ran myself late. Emotionally I briefly slipped into panic mode of GET GOING NOW. I was proud of myself for consciously letting that emotion wash over me & quickly return to feeling calm the rest of the day. After my 19s time out, my sense of calm deepened & serenity expanded from my 3rd eye area.

Mentally I felt agile, able to prioritize hour by hour calmly going with the flow of my day. After my 19s self care, I became more aware of how smoothly I flowed through my fast paced busy day with grace & ease.

Energetically, I observed how my brief stop on the morning stress (fear) train tweaked the energy at the right side of my face & right solar plexus area. Once I let go of the fear (stress/ anxiety), I soon returned to feeling very centered & grounded. Simply contacting my 19s for 36 exhales brought about some dynamic energy shifts that day! My root chakra felt more balanced. Energy opened up at my feet as well as at my left mid-back. My heart chakra felt more open too!

Physically, again referring to my morning round of mild stress/ anxiety, my shoulder muscles tensed up, along with the right side of my neck, right side of my abs above my right hip, my right hip & right leg. Why did this show up predominantly on the right side of my body? The right side represents the here & now. Most recent energy changes are reflected in the right side. Just an example of how form follows energy! Emotions = energy = physical changes. I had a very personal opportunity to observe this truth in my own body on 4-6-10. Left side represents stuff we have been carrying around longer. I invite you to pay attention to the physical changes in your body the next time an emotional shift unfolds for you.

After my my 19s self care, my shoulders rolled back. My chest relaxed. I felt my weight more evenly balanced on both feet as I stood still. Before, I had been unconsciously leaning to my right. My Jin Shin time out helped to clear out the residue of my brief morning visit with stress/ anxiety. The body needs a little help to let that tension go. Jin Shin is a great tool for doing just that!

Week 8 Begins

2010-04-12T09:27:00.003-05:00

Week 8 Begins

On April 5, 2010 I started working with my 19s for 7 days in a row.

Betsy Ruth Dayton has the following to say about point #19 in High Touch Jin Shin Workbook Two. "#19 is the still point of perfect balance. We learn to master our leadership skills. What we give out to the world and what we take from the world are in harmony in 19."
I have been challenged to improve my leadership skills during this week. How interesting.

Where is point #19?
Bend your elbows & let your fingertips fall into the fleshy pad of muscles just inside the lateral epicondyle of your humerus. This is not the big bony point at the tip of your elbow. It is the smaller bony point on the outside of your elbow. If you have ever had tennis elbow, you know exactly where this is! When your elbow is bent half way, your fingertips naturally fall into a little divot just inside this bony point called the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. You are there!

Remember that the exact location of any Jin Shin point can vary depending on how each person holds stress & tension. Point #19 actually has 3 variations. One is at the outside of the elbow. One is on the inside of the elbow. The 3rd is near the insertion of the biceps muscle. Avoid hard pressure at the 3rd variation. For myself, I know when I am in the right spot because my fingertips feel like a key has just fit into a lock. All Jin Shin points have about a 3 inch diameter. Be patient with yourself as you learn to sense when you are in the right place. Trust that if you are close to it , you are helping your energy circulate more freely in your meridians.

What point helps release #19?
The simplest way to release 19 is to just touch both 19's at the same time.

Technique- Use the index, middle & ring fingertips for touch at the points. Some people choose to use the palm of the hand. If you have a Reiki background this variation may feel more natural for you. If it causes you any pain or discomfort to reach for or touch these points, you can simply visualize whatever color of light you associate with healing as illuminating these points. Use your breath at your normal rate of breathing to help focus your attention on yourself & your well being! Trust that your energy will shift at whatever rate is best for you.

Touch- your right 19 & your left 19 for 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Breath. Focus on your breath. You only have one step for this week's Jin Shin self care practice!
Whatever amount of time you choose or have will be perfect for you. Choose the time of day that best fits into your schedule. Once a day is suggested. Two or 3 times a day is OK too. Pay attention to your needs.

Questions are welcome under comments if you need more details. If you choose to begin the Jin Shin self care described in this blog, remember that it is NO substitute for medical care. Jin Shin is a tool for your healthy lifestyle. It gives you a way to help yourself stay as healthy as you can. If you are on a path to changing your lifestyle habits to become healthier, be patient with yourself as you make new healthy habits. Diet & exercise are also important parts of good health. I have certainly been paying more attention to how the foods I choose to eat affect the way I feel! Keeping a journal of my self care allows me to make specific notes about how the above steps help me. I encourage you to start a journal as you start or strengthen your self knowledge through this or whatever form of self care you choose. Consult your doctor before beginning this or any new health habits if you are pregnant or seriously ill.

#20 Day 7

2010-04-11T22:04:00.002-05:00

On April 4, 2010 I had a great lazy day of spring cleaning on the porch, a walk blessed by a multitude of wildflowers in the woods, a visit with family & an early dinner with Ron. I slipped into a delightful, childlike state of wonderment as I stopped in my tracks to enjoy the wildflowers covering the forest floor. I enjoyed having a day to play!!!

Emotionally, I floated through my day feeling relaxed. After my 20s time out, I just felt neutral. The kind of neutral detachment one experiences in the space of pure Spirit! Sure feels good to be back where I belong!
Mentally, I felt free & lazy. After contacting my 20s to 16s, my mind was open & clear.
Energetically, my core energy was strong through-out the day. By the end of the day, I noticed an energetic fullness at my head. After being still with my 20s & 16s, I had a similar experience to the first couple of days of 20s self care. After working my right side points, the right side of my body felt like the energy had been flushed out. The same was true after working the 20 & 16 on my left.
Physically, I was in the middle of a sugar crash! I ate 2 big sugar cookies in the evening. Holiday junk food is too tempting sometimes. I felt like I had been wallowing in a reclining position too long. Just the sugar crash. After my 20s tune up, the fullness at my head was gone! My head felt like it was on straight again. Literally, my 2 upper cervical vertebra felt more aligned! My right jaw was relaxed! My right ankle was very open & relaxed. My breathing was deeper.

#20 Day 6

2010-04-11T21:35:00.002-05:00

On April 3, 2010 thoughts of basic 5 elements theory seemed to be shining some light on my emotions. Water feeds wood had become a personal experience for me. High Touch points 20 & 16 are closest to the beginning & end of bladder meridian. Bladder meridian represents water element. However, High Touch Jin Shin points #20 & #16 are associated with the wood element. Opening up a water meridian has certainly fed my wood related irritability factor!!! It is obviously an energy that is time for me to release. I trust my body to release the emotional energies that I am ready to process in a healthy manner.

My Jin Shin time out finally happened at about 11pm on April 3 after the 1st Saturday Drum Circle & dinner. After my 20s time out I went from feeling
emotionally uncomfortable & relieved to feeling numb. Mentally, I went from being distracted to uninterested in thinking, just blank. Energetically, I felt more centered on 4-3-10 than I had the day before. After the drum circle, I felt settled & energized. After my 20s tune up, my ankles felt open & my core energy felt stronger. Energy at both sides 20s to 16s shifted more freely. Physically, I had no inward rotation at my right knee that day. My stomach just felt very full after a salad for a late dinner. After contacting my 20s quick releases, muscles at the base of my skull were relaxed. I was just sleepy & ready for bed!

#20 Day 5

2010-04-11T21:08:00.002-05:00

On April 2, 2010 I woke up from a vivid dream in which I was angry. I still felt cranky after I woke up!?! Those 3rd depth emotions tighten up my right hip, especially above the iliac crest. Must be gallbladder meridian. My emotional state shifted to peace & gratitude during the middle of the day & back to cranky that evening before my 20s Jin Shin tune up. After my self care, my emotions were blank almost stunned feeling.

Mentally, I went from simply feeling relaxed after receiving a hot stone massage to feeling too full at my 3rd eye and like my mind was in a foggy bubble after my 20s time out.

Energetically, as you might guess, I was NOT centered or very grounded that day. Cleaning out my 20s seemed to be stirring up some unpleasant energy! I have faith that it will clear up. Contact at my left 20 to left 16 cleared out NO energy even after 10 minutes! Moved on to my right side. Energy finally opened up. Went back to my left side after the right side cleared. This time it opened up too. Very stubborn energy! Thank goodness it exhaled & moved out of my body!

Physically, I felt muscle tension at both of my upper traps (tops of my shoulders), my right hip, along the right side of my ribs, & my right knee was rotated inward before self care. After my Jin Shin tune up, my waistline & ribs were much more relaxed. My upper shoulders & right hip were only a little more relaxed.

#20 Day 4

2010-04-07T20:58:00.002-05:00

On April 1,2010 as I practiced my same side 20 to 16 beginning with my right side. I stayed in contact with each side for 10- 12 minutes. I was not ready to get out of bed when the alarm went off. So, I woke up slowly in stages with my 20s Jin Shin tune up.

I observed energy moving through at least 3 layers from watery pulses to 3rd depth Yin energy to 5th depth plasma energy as I touched my 20s & 16s on each side. The right side of my body felt lighter & energetically flushed out after the first pair of points were contacted. Energy immediately ping ponged from my left 20 to left 16 soon followed by energy being drawn out of my solar plexus. Some very interesting, crusty layers of energy cleared out of the left side of my body. After my self care, I was grounded, centered & ready to get started with my day! Slight tension lingered at my right shoulder, right hip, right side of my ribs and left side of my mid-back with the rotation of my ribs to my right. Mentally, I felt alert. Emotionally, I looked forward to a good day ahead.

#20 Day 3

2010-04-06T13:23:00.002-05:00

On Wednesday, March 31, 2010, it was like a switch had been flipped somewhere inside me. Over the last 6 weeks , I had been feeling better & better at all levels day by day. My progress took a step backwards that day. I did not get as much sleep as I am accustom to getting that night. Maybe that was the beginning of it? I just wasn't as grounded & centered. From 6am to 8:30am, my emotions were all over the map from glad to brief visit with MAD to gratitude to uncertainty to obsessing over details to optimistic, ect. Hormones?!? For the first half of the day my mind was just blurry & fuzzy. Sometime in the afternoon that cleared out so I could focus, but I still felt mentally distracted. That morning, my 3rd eye felt very full of energy & active. Energy also felt stuck at my 3rd eye throughout the day. By the time I got home from work that night, I felt like a starving cat who just couldn't wait for dinner to cook. I ate a strange combination of popcorn, cheese, white beans with ham soup & sourdough rye bread. My tummy was unhappy. It was finally time to stop & do my 20s Jin Shin tune up for the day!!!

After my 20s tune up, my emotions were anchored in a pleasant neutral space. My mind felt open & clear! I started with my right 20 & right 16. It was slow to open, but when it did energy kept slowly & steadily draining out of both points. After 5-6 minutes of this draining, the energy became so HOT & electric at the points that I just had to let them go! Similar experience with the left 20 & left 16 draining at the points, but they also helped energy to drain at my solar plexus (3rd Chakra). My stomach felt better. The mild headache I had after dinner was gone. Both ankles felt very open & relaxed.

#20 Day 2

2010-04-05T10:21:00.002-05:00

On March 30, 2010, I took time for my Jin Shin self care at about 3:30pm. I worked with each side for 5 to 7 minutes. Great way to make the best use of a 15 minute break at work!

I was already in a good space that day. I felt calm, happy & confident. My core energy felt strong, grounded & centered. My heart Light felt radiant! No physical tension or discomfort anywhere calling attention to my body. Earlier in the day as I took a walk, I noticed a slight amount of tension at my right hip. I amazed myself by dissolving that tension just by becoming aware of it & intending to let it go! Awesome! What if I paid more attention to how good I feel physically every day? I could feel even better than good!!! Mentally, I lost myself in the details of putting the final touches on getting organized to teach a massage class that night. I am one of those people who loves to be organized down to the last detail. Must be something to do with Virgo influencing my Auqarian nature. I can easily float off into an almost state of bliss when I am organizing details of something that truly interests me. Must be how time slips away when I am writing these blog posts!

After my 20s tune up, I continued to feel calm, happy & confident. My mind felt refreshed! Energetically, it soon became clear that the 20s quickie is really a bladder meridian quickie. After contacting right 20 & right 16, the right side of my body & energy field felt cleared out. The aura on that side of my body felt notably brighter than the other side, like a dirty film had been cleaned off that side of my field so the inner Light could shine through clearly. The same cleared out sensation swept over my left side after contacting left 20 & left 16. Amazing! Physically, I felt like I had just woke up from a deep, rejuvenating sleep in only a 15 minute time span. Even though I felt no tension before my 20s tune up, my body felt more relaxed at my face (especially at my cheekbones), the arches of my feet, & at my mid-back!

Week 7 Begins 6 Days Late

2010-04-04T22:48:00.003-05:00

On March 29, 2010 I started working with my 20s on schedule. Life just got in the way of doing the blog posts the last few days.

Let's get started with Point #20.
Betsy Ruth Dayton has the following to say about point #20 in High Touch Jin Shin Workbook Two. "#20 releases mental bondage, promoting logical thinking and common sense. It is our unconscious becoming conscious. Once a thought is brought to our consciousness, we will have it to use forever."

Where is point #20?
Touch your forehead above the pupil of your eyes half way between your eyebrow & your hairline. If you have no hairline or it is receding, touch about 2 finger widths above your eyebrow. You are there! Remember that the exact location of any Jin Shin point can vary depending on how each person holds stress & tension. For myself, I know when I am in the right spot because my fingertips feel like a key has just fit into a lock. Sometimes, I notice my pulses start to ping pong between both points when my fingertips settle into just the right position. All Jin Shin points have about a 3 inch diameter. Be patient with yourself as you learn to sense when you are in the right place.

What point helps release #20? Reach for Jin Shin point #16 at your heels behind your outside ankles on the pinkie toe side of your foot. Your fingertips should be between the tip of your heel & the lateral (outer) ankle. The right 16 is on your right foot & the left 16 is on your left foot.

Technique- Use the index, middle & ring fingertips for touch at the points. Some people choose to use the palm of the hand. If you have a Reiki background this variation may feel more natural for you. If it causes you any pain or discomfort to reach for or touch these points, you can simply visualize whatever color of light you associate with healing as illuminating these points. Use your breath at your normal rate of breathing to help focus your attention on yourself & your well being! Trust that your energy will shift at whatever rate is best for you.

Touch- Your right 20 & your right 16 for 30 seconds to 5 minutes. Breath. Focus on your breath. Repeat the same at your left 20 & your left 16. Whatever amount of time you choose or have will be perfect for you. You may want to recline & prop up your arms with pillows for support so you can be comfortable while reaching for point 20s. After all, this is intended to be self care. Practice this on both sides for balance. Once a day is suggested. Two or 3 times a day is OK too. Pay attention to your needs. Questions are welcome under comments if you need more details.

If you choose to begin the Jin Shin self care described in this blog, remember that it is NO substitute for medical care. Jin Shin is a tool for your healthy lifestyle. It gives you a way to help yourself stay as healthy as you can. If you are on a path to changing your lifestyle habits to become healthier, be patient with yourself as you make new healthy habits. Diet & exercise are also important parts of good health.Keeping a journal of my self care allows me to make specific notes about how the above steps help me. I encourage you to start a journal as you start or strengthen your self knowledge through this or whatever form of self care you choose. Consult your doctor before beginning this or any new health habits if you are pregnant or seriously ill.

#21 Day 7

2010-03-31T17:41:00.002-05:00

March 28, 2010 Sunday
This is why I jot down my journal notes every day before & after my Jin Shin self care!
I have been immersed in preparing to teach & teaching these last few days. I have been taking time out every day for my Jin Shin tune up!

On 3-28-10, I did my 21s tune up at about 10:30pm. Started with my left 21 to right 1.
I was like a turtle moving through the details of planning my classes that day.
Emotionally, I felt a little disappointed that the soggy, chilly weather had postponed my plans to go for a hike. After self care, I just felt detached.
Mentally, I went from being super focused on the details of my lesson plans for the week ahead to being RELAXED & ready to STOP thinking. Both mental realms are a good in moderation for me.
Energetically, I had good energy levels all day. Except, that morning I experienced a brief feeling along kidney meridians like a string was being pulled tight from my arches to inside of knees. Very strange feeling! After 21s to same side 1s, my chest felt energetically lighter & flushed out. I also noticed a very strong, deep, dense energy clearing out of my cheeks below my eyes. Very powerful!
Physically, a tightness along my sternum disappeared & my face felt more relaxed after contacting my 21s. I was sleepy & relaxed, ready to crash for the day.

#21 Day 6

2010-03-27T14:20:00.002-05:00

March 27, 2010 Saturday
I admit I have SPRING fever. I am so ready to get outside & go for a walk today!!!

After today, I have decided that I like doing 21 & opposite 1 best as self care. It feels more effective for my body. Today I started with right 21 to left 1. I stayed in contact with both pairs of points for about 8 or 9 minutes. This was my 3rd day to use 1 & have also used 23 with 21 for 3 days. I have mixed it up.....no specific set of 3 for 3 days in a row. It is just so much more comfortable than being like a pretzel to reach my 23. My shoulder relaxes into contacting my 23, but it gets to my wrist eventually. It is up to you to decide what works best for you.

This morning I greeted the new day with gladness & curiosity. After my self care I am happy. I am also consciously avoiding becoming overwhelmed at the list of things I wish to accomplish this weekend. I like to smell the flowers along the path of life. This is no weekend to poke around & get too distracted. Being focused can still mean that I have fun & enjoy my life too.

This morning I felt mentally focused in the present moment. During my self care I had some trouble shutting off the "to do" list in my mind. Boy, oh, boy, when it shut off was it ever gone. My mind was a bit like a curious puppy following the energy releases around my body during my 21s tune up too. Now I feel focused yet relaxed.

I felt vibrant this morning. That continues as I write this post. My chakras felt almost perfectly aligned before self care & even closer to that perfect alignment after self care. Remembering that form follows energy, again today after I stood up following my Jin Shin self care, my body felt newly aligned too....like I am standing in a new body. My pelvis feels balanced in a new way as I sit down too. I am very excited, humbled & grateful for all the realignment happening in my body & energy field in these last 6 weeks! As I put my hand on my solar plexus after my self care, I notice a curious COLD spot just above my belly button off to my right. (Energy can feel cold or hot.) During step 2 @ left 21 & right 1, I felt a very distinct burst of energy clear at my 2nd chakra! The energetic & slight physical pressure I felt at my eyes before treatment is now gone.

One more specific physical note-
After step one (right 21 & left1), my muscles were more relaxed at my left hip, leg & shoulder. The left side was relaxed to the point that it was almost painfully obvious how far behind the right side of same areas felt. My right hip felt like it had a catch in it after working with right 21 & left 1. Muscle tension at my right hip, shoulder, neck & all across my waistline dissolved after step 2 (left 21 & right 1). I thought it was very interesting that my right 21 relaxed the left side of my body & my left 21 relaxed the right side of my body! Observe for yourself what is true for you. Would love to hear your comments too.

#21 Day 5

2010-03-26T21:20:00.002-05:00

March 26,2010 Friday
I found time to do my 21s self care just before lunch today. To learn to practice the same for yourself, go to "Week 6 Begins" post. Today I started with my right 21 with left 23. I only held each side (21 & opposite 23) for 42 exhales. This turned out to be about 7 minutes each. Whatever time you have from 30 seconds to 10 minutes to practice your Jin Shin will be perfect for you. Paying attention to how you feel emotionally, mentally, & physically (including your energy) before & after your self care will help you be aware of how it helps you.

Emotionally before self care, I managed to choose to be detached & trust that this day is turning out as it is meant to be. No point in wasting any of my energy being anxious about people who don't follow through with commitments that were made less than 3 hours ago. During my 21s tune up, I floated like a leaf in a stream past the emotional stones of mild aggravation to feeling baffled by the choices people make to acceptance to receptivity to optimism by the end of my self care. What en emotional journey in less than 15 minutes.

This morning my mind was calm yet alert. After contacting my 21s quick releases I added curiosity about how today will unfold & where I should next focus my attention. Feels like Mercury retrograde on the horizon for April 18 is already kicking up its heels. Seems like Mercury & coyote are playing together today.

Energetically, my 3rd eye feels very stirred up, very open & active. During my self care, energy felt like it was being pulled out my eyes at the outer corners through the point under each of my index fingers as I touched each 21 with the same side hand. Very intense & curious feeling! Energy at my T-11 / L-2 (center 23) area feels untwisted after my 21s care. All my chakras are in alignment too.

Physically, I've had to remind myself to drop my shoulders a few times this morning. I had a mild tension pulling at my right IT band along the outside of my thigh before 21s contacts. Afterward, it was gone. My hips & legs feel balanced & strongly grounded. The previous tension in my eyes melted away. My stomach is reminding me it's time for lunch!

What could Jin Shin do for you?

#21 Day 4

2010-03-26T09:21:00.002-05:00

March 25, 2010 Thursday
I saved my 21s self care for the end of my day. All day I floated in an emotional space of happiness, curiosity, and feeling guided & inspired. Mentally, I felt open to the realm of possibilities & very imaginative! Lots of exciting "what ifs" passing through my mind! Energetically, I felt nicely centered all day. It felt good to be more attentive to my heart's guidance. Suddenly, I recall an e-mail from years ago...."GUIDANCE" can be perceived as "God you & I dance!" I caught myself scrunching up my shoulders a few times during the day. Therefore, my upper traps are a little tight in the evening.

After my 21s Jin Shin self care, my shoulders, face, the back of my head, & my waistline all felt VERY relaxed! It felt like all of the used up energy of the day had been drained right out of my body after about 10 minutes at both 21s to opposite 23s. I started with my left side first today. My mind became a wonderfully blank slate. Felt good to stop thinking for the day. Anything that can get an Aquarian out of her mind for a while is a miracle! It feels good to just BE. Emotionally, I felt snugglie & relaxed....like it was time to hibernate on this chilly Spring evening.

#21 Day 3

2010-03-24T16:16:00.003-05:00

March 24, 2010 Wednesday
Before working with my 21s today, emotionally I am wading in a pool of uncertainty. I recall that Deepak Chopra claims that uncertainty is my path to freedom via the law of detachment. And so it is today. A brisk one hour walk cleared out & refreshed my mind early this afternoon. That same walk cleared out an energetic quality of heaviness to the right of my 3rd chakra, another mild energy block to the right of my 3rd eye & a stuck feeling energy at my right lower leg just below my knee. Physically, I feel vibrant, strong & healthy! Felt so good to work out my legs & hips with that 1 hour walk just before my self care today.

Starting with my right 21 & left 1 today. Entire self care break was about 15 minutes today. Afterward, I feel refreshed & renewed as though I just had a deep sleep! As I stand up after my self care 21s tune up, my body feels rearranged. As I touch the ASIS bony landmark at the front of my hips, I see that it is rearranged. For years my left ASIS has been lower than the right ASIS. They are even & balanced today!!!! Wow! My 3rd eye feels very active & open. Energetically, my entire left side feels flushed out! My left 21 & 23 areas feel particularly clear. Only a slightly heavy energy lingers at my right leg. My mind is a pristine blank slate after my 21s tune up. So that raises the question, do I choose to leave my mind blank for a while today. What kind of thoughts do I wish to invest my energy in today? Thoughts are energy. Emotions are energy. Form follows energy. My emotions have shifted to a state of optimism & faith that all is well.

How could Jin Shin help you transform your life?

#21 Day 2

2010-03-24T09:59:00.004-05:00

March 23, 2010 Tuesday
This was one of those days that could just go on forever in a very good way. I did my self care at the end of my day after a sunset walk at the river. Today I switch to begin with my left 21. Just to play around, I also switched to use 1 as the partner release point today.

Before my self care I would describe my emotional state all day as flexible, Light, happy & confident. My mind was a little spacey most of the day. Believe it or not, I did feel energetically "connected to Source", centered & mostly grounded throughout the day. Physically, I was in a pleasant state of balance.

How could feeling that good get any better?!!!!
After my self care, happiness transformed into pure JOY. Mentally, I felt clear & "connected to Source" at a mental as well as energetic level. The only way I can describe how I felt energetically was best stated in one of Wayne Dyers books. I was clearly having one of those "I choose to feel good today. I choose to feel God today" kinds of days! Energetically, as I worked with each 21 to opposite 1, I felt energy opening at my spleen & liver meridians at the base of my big toes. Interesting. Physically, I feel even more balanced than I did earlier in the day! I am thankful!

Jin Shin is magic! I usually feel good. I haven't felt this fantastic since I went for 2 Jin Shin treatments a day for 5 days in a row a few years ago. This experience of working with one Jin Shin point every day for a week as self care is highly transformational for me!!! Check out the instructions a at the beginning of this or any of the weeks in this blog to begin your own journey of personal transformation.
I offer High Touch Jin Shin in my massage therapy practice if anyone out there would like to experience the 2 treatments a day for 5 days transformation.

Week 6 Begins

2010-03-22T12:04:00.004-05:00

Let's get started with Point #21.

Betsy Ruth Dayton has the following to say about point #21 in High Touch Jin Shin Workbook One."#21 brings us the ability to perceive clearly and express our extrasensory perceptions and intuitions. The 21s influence tension in the face, neck, and jaw."

Where is point #21?

Touch the valley under your cheekbone in alignment with the pupil of your eye. You are there!

Remember that the exact location of any Jin Shin point can vary depending on how each person holds stress & tension. For myself, I know when I am in the right spot because my fingertips feel like a key has just fit into a lock. Sometimes, I notice my pulses start to ping pong between both points when my fingertips settle into just the right position. All Jin Shin points have about a 3 inch diameter. Be patient with yourself as you learn to sense when you are in the right place.

What point helps release #21? This week you have 2 choices. The first to consider using is point # 1. To find point #1, touch the inside of your knees just below the knee cap (patella). Feel for the usually tender spot on the medial anterior proximal shaft of the tibia (MAPS). You have a right 1 on the inside of the right knee & a left 1 on the inside of the left knee. The second choice is point #23 for those who are limber enough to comfortably reach behind your back. Remember point #23 from week 4? Reach for your kidney area at your back near the 12th rib. Your fingertips should be 1 to 2 inches away from your spine. The right 23 is on the right side of the back & the left 23 is on the left side of the back. Work with your 1s to release 21 if it causes you pain to reach for #23.

Technique- Use the index, middle & ring fingertips for touch at the points. Some people choose to use the palm of the hand. If you have a Reiki background this variation may feel more natural for you. If it causes you any pain or discomfort to reach for or touch these points, you can simply visualize whatever color of light you associate with healing as illuminating these points. Use your breath at your normal rate of breathing to help focus your attention on yourself & your well being! Trust that your energy will shift at whatever rate is best for you.

Touch- Your right 21 & your left 1 (or left 23) for 30 seconds to 5 minutes. Breath. Repeat the same at your left 21 & your right 1 (or left 23). Whatever amount of time you choose or have will be perfect for you. You may want to recline & prop up your arms with pillows for support so you can be comfortable while reaching for point 21s. After all, this is intended to be self care.

Questions are welcome under comments if you need more details.
If you choose to begin the Jin Shin self care described in this blog, remember that it is NO substitute for medical care. Jin Shin is a tool for your healthy lifestyle. It gives you a way to help yourself stay as healthy as you can. If you are on a path to changing your lifestyle habits to become healthier, be patient with yourself as you make new healthy habits. Diet & exercise are also important parts of good health.
Keeping a journal of my self care allows me to make specific notes about how the above steps help me. I encourage you to start a journal as you start or strengthen your self knowledge through this or whatever form of self care you choose. Consult your doctor before beginning this or any new health habits if you are pregnant or seriously ill.

#22 Day 7

2010-03-21T13:56:00.002-05:00

March 21, 2010 Sunday
Today I included my 22s self care at the end of my exercise routine. Nice combination. I enjoy the slow pace of my Sundays. I took my time with each side. Didn't really watch a clock, but I probably contacted each side about 20 minutes. Layers & layers of energy cleared! I switched back to start with my right 22. Maybe I forgot to mention it, but on the 1st 3 days, I worked with right 22 release 1st. The next 3 days, I worked with my left 22 release 1st. You can look back at week 5 begins post to see instructions for each side. This past week, my 22s certainly have let go of all kinds of crusty, deep stuck energy that I have carried around far too long.

This morning as I woke up slowly, I realized that my heart chakra felt shut down yesterday because I had failed to listen to my heart's requests these last 2 or 3 days. I went from feeling neglected by myself before 22s self care to feeling a very beautiful quiet, gentle compassion emanating from my heart center after my 22s time out.

Before 22s contact, my mind felt clear, sharp & open this morning. Afterward, I felt like I slipped off into the gap where creation happens. Important to be conscious about my thoughts while here today.

Energetically, my 3rd chakra felt like it was off center to my right with a heavy energy at my liver area. Lots of subtle energy shifts with my prolonged 22s contact today. The most notable with my right 22 / left 4 was an expansion at the outer corners of my eyes. In turn my eyes felt wider & relaxed. The most notable sensation with my left 22/ right 4 was energy releasing at my jaws & cheekbones. Crusty old energy of unspoken words dissolved. Near the end of all of it, I felt a subtle burst of energy at my 2nd, then 6th then 3rd chakras as all of my chakras perfectly aligned. Awesome feeling!

Physically, my body is doing its best to follow the new alignment of my chakras. I feel like I am standing in a new body!!! Descending energy chanels all feel open with corresponding state of balance at each side of my body! Ascending energy chanels feel fresh & open too. Crusty old tension is GONE at my face, head & neck. I am thankful!

#22 Day 6

2010-03-21T13:23:00.002-05:00

March 20, 2010 Saturday
Last night, I waited until almost 7:30pm to do my self care. After that, it was time for dinner & relaxation for the evening!
Emotionally, most of the day, I floated in a strange state of switching in & out of numbness, like I was hiding something from myself, to gratitude. After my self care, I just felt content & peaceful.
Mentally, by the end of the day, I felt like a trap door was open at the top of my head with most of my mind floating above my body. After my self care, the trap door closed. My mind felt reconnected with my body.
Energetically, my heart chakra felt closed down & the inside of my ankles felt starved for energy. I also felt like a line of energy pulled tight from the arches of my feet to the inside corner of my knees. After my 22s self care, my heart chakra at the center of my chest & the inside of my ankles felt much more open. Energy was flowing freely again! The previous tight lines were gone too. Energy at my cheekbones across my face felt wonderfully open too.
Physically, my vitality levels were running low & I had a muscle knot wadded up tighter than any fist could ever be near the insertion of my right deltoid. After my Jin Shin time out of about 2 or 3 minutes at each side, my right deltoid muscle was again relaxed. I also felt more open & relaxed at my waistline (especially center 23 at my back, T-11 / L-2 area), shoulders & face! The 22s help energy to descend. I certainly felt that! I felt refreshed! My eyes felt brighter.

#22 Day 5

2010-03-19T10:36:00.003-05:00

March 19. 2010 Friday
Changed my self care time today. I was not ready to jump out of bed when the alarm went off. My body still thinks I have another hour to sleep! I stayed in bed to do my Jin Shin 22s self care to start my day. Not awake enough to evaluate how I feel before it.

I started with my left 22 / right 4. Stayed with each side for 42 exhales. Right away, I felt energy moving at my left cheek below my eye. Energy soon stirring above my waistline along the curve of my ribs (#14) & at the base of my skull on my right side. As my energy shifts, muscles relax! When I moved to my right 22 / left 4, energy continued to move at my left cheek below my eye. This new hand position soon activated energy at the same area of my face on my right & at the same area on my left above my waistline at my ribs. Contacting my 22s has stirred up energy at a new spot today....both kneecaps, especially my right one! The ball of my right foot also feels more open. My lungs are also feeling more expansive! Capacity of my left lung had been limited by the position of my ribs due to scoliosis. In these last 4 + weeks, my fascia is letting go! My spine is untwisting! I am thankful. I always knew in my heart that I would find a way to make that dream come true!!!

Jin Shin is a great way to start my day! I feel calm, centered & energized! I feel ready to float through my day!!!

#22 Day 4

2010-03-18T19:36:00.002-05:00

March 18, 2010 Thursday

Today I have learned a very personal & important 3rd depth Jin Shin lesson!
I was still at a 9 on that feel good scale just going with the flow of my day until about 11:00am. I had 3 projects I thought were at the top of my agenda to complete before lunch with my sweetheart at 11:30am. At first it looked like I would finish the first one in about 30 minutes. No such luck. At least I did check the first project off my list before lunch. When I realized the others were NOT happening, I became ENRAGED with MYSELF for being so slow & fixated on details. How could it take me so LONG to finish one project?!? On a 1-10 anger scale, I was at a 8.5...almost a 9. I had to process things a little before I figured out it was rage directed at myself.

The interesting part of this lesson was observing exactly how the energy of such strong anger manifested in my body. First, I felt it at my right eye. My right eye soon felt like a balloon that could pop out of my head! That thick, dense, sharp, poisonous seething angry energy spread to both of my eyes. Next it clamped down my suboccipital muscles at the base of my skull. The energy of intense anger was then lodged at the back of my head & the bridge of my nose. Also felt a tingle of energy swirling around in my liver. This must be where the old saying about being "so mad I can't see straight" originated. I was definitely out of my mind with anger. This was an unusual detour for me. I know I was not the best company at lunch. Felt a little better after lunch with Ron.

The most obvious part of the experience was clear...ANGER is the cork that blocks the flow of energy at the base of my skull. The next time you feel any strong emotion may I suggest that you pause to notice where & how you feel it in your body. This is part of the responsibility of self care.

The other side of that coin is to pay attention to what qualities of energy bubble up to the surface as I practice my self care. Emotions are a form of energy. Noticing the emotions helps us track the energy too. As old energies release, something has to replace them in their old storage place in the body. Be aware that the same old quality of energy may attempt to automatically go back into that newly emptied spot. I think this is what happened with me today. I refused to allow anger to park itself at the base of my skull again. It fels much better to be more flexable there! It is up to me to choose the quality of energy that I wish to replace it with in my body. You have the same responsibility of conscious choices to make for yourself. This is all part of the process of getting to know yourself better with Jin Shin! Trust that your body will only release that which you are ready to transmute.

After lunch, I had about 20 minutes to correct my energy imbalance. No way could I have a client in my energy field as I was!!! I added a little dab of Valor Young Living essential oil blend to the back of my neck for good measure as I paused for my 22s self care for today. I was absolutely amazed at how I felt the energy of that rage leave my body in exactly the reverse order as it had appeared as I contacted my left 22 & right 4!!!! What a miraculous experience! I give thanks for the gifts of Jin Shin! Keep in mind that I only stayed in contact for 42 exhales. Letting go can be easy! Today it was. During step 2: 42 exhales as I contacted my right 22 & my left 4, I noticed diagonal energy shifting at my right cheekbone & left eye along with energy clearing behind my left eye, at my left cheekbone & the base of my skull at my left side. I felt myself briefly slip out into the ethers to reconnect with my Spirit. Anger has a low vibrational frequency that doesn't resonate with the higher Spiritual side of humanity. Part of envisioning a better world is emotional responsibility for the self. I choose to walk my talk. Today I realized through this experience that I have been feeling so good these last few days because I have been closer to seeing the world through Father Mother God's eyes than my ego's eyes. Anger changes that view drastically. I prefer a more Spiritual view. What about you?

One more point that I wish to make...our culture mistakenly teaches up that some emotions are "good" & some emotions are "bad". Society generally teaches us to stuff the "bad ones" & keep them to ourselves. The trouble with that is that the body has pockets to store that stuffed energy. It is my belief that emotions are in no way "bad" or "good". Emotions are simply learning tools that help guide me through life's lessons. The way I see it, how I choose to respond to my emotions brings in the aspects of "bad" or "good".

Go back to "Week 5 Begins" post for instructions on how to find & work with your Jin Shin point #22s.

#22 Day 3

2010-03-18T18:55:00.002-05:00

March 17,2010 Wednesday

This day was one of those magical days of just going with the flow of my life! I felt grounded & centered. My mind was focused yet flexible. Emotionally, I felt Light, buoyant & optimistic! Physically I was at a 9 on a 1-10 feel good scale! My Jin Shin self care time out was an extra bonus on 3-17-10!

Thanks Mary Lou for the "feel good scale" concept! Doing SOAP charts as a massage therapist, you are taught in school to ask clients to rate pain on a 1-10 scale subjectively. As a Light Worker you see the problem with that old model is that it keeps a person focused on what he/ she does not want......pain. I love the how good do you feel today scale! It changes the focus of attention. It is important to remember that we get what we focus our attention on from day to day. Makes sense to me to focus on feeling good!

After my self care, I felt acutely aware of the Spark of Divine compassion within myself. Mentally, I was just pleasantly FLOATING in the present moment. What's that old saying? It goes something like, "It's called the present moment because it is a gift!"
I notice an improved freedom of movement in my upper neck at atlas & axis! Working with my right 22/ left4 loosened up my left sub occipital muscles & my right shoulder @ pec. minor. Same areas relaxed at the opposite side after I switched to left 22/ right 4. My feet felt more open & grounded!
Paying attention to subtle energy release during my self care...
During right 22 to left 4, energy opened up below my left eye at my cheek with very subtle shifts at my left eye. At my feet, I felt the balls of my feet open up below my toes. Eventually, energy felt almost sparklie across my face at my cheekbones! I noticed a slight little energy tickle at the left side of my chin. Working with my left 22 / right 4 opened up the right side of my sacrum / hip. Jin Shin is truly amazing!

#22 Day 2

2010-03-17T16:44:00.002-05:00

March 16, 2010 Tuesday

I had a relaxing start to my day. Started my day with a chakras meditation. My energy has felt good all day. No problem spots talking to me in my body. Just feeling rather full after a large dinner. (Not the ideal time to practice Jin Shin self care on a full stomach. Gotta take the time when it is available.)
This morning I was determined to take a little personal time to begin my day. Enjoyed my meditation & walk! I deserve it after working on taxes for work over the weekend! My mind finally focused on office work tasks in late morning. QuickBooks had my undivided attention for the afternoon. It baffles me how things that seem simple always turn out to take more time to finish than I expect....or is it that I just expect myself to get too much done in too little time? How crazy is it that I feel reluctant to go meet friends for our monthly get together tonight because of the last couple of things nagging me on my "to do" list of the day? I did go meet friends right after my self care. In my newly cleared mind the solution to when would I get the other things done came to me as I drove to meet them. Friends are precious gifts.

I chose to begin my self care with my right 22 to left 4. Worked with each side for 2 - 3 minutes. Amazing how almost euphoric I became with such a short time immersed in Jin Shin self care! Ready to mentally spring back into the present moment & keep on track for visiting friends this evening. Almost as soon as I began to contact the points at each side, I felt energy ping pong between the points. As I worked with my right 22 & left 4, I felt energy release at the back of my left eye. Amazing feeling! As I worked with my left 22 & right 4, I felt energy moving from the left side of my face at my cheek across my nose to the right side of my right eye. This finally shifted to become energy opening at my feet & then at my face across my cheeks. Our Creator puts us together in wondrous ways! I am thankful! After my Jin Shin time out, my entire body felt more relaxed, especially at my ankles, feet & face. My right hip felt like it was a little slow to catch up with the rest of my body. It soon did relax too. An interesting thing about JIn Shin is how it takes up to 8 hours for the changes from one treatment to fully manifest in the body.

Week 5 Begins

2010-03-15T19:00:00.002-05:00

Let's get started with Point #22. Betsy Ruth Dayton has the following to say about point #22 in High Touch Jin Shin Workbook One.
"#22 is a place of completion when we face new directions at crossroads. The 22s release tension in the chest, digestive organs, and head along with emotional, mental & physical stress."

Where is point #22?
Touch just below your collarbone about half way between your sternum (breastbone) & your shoulder. You are there!
Remember that the exact location of this point may migrate toward the sternum if your shoulders are rolled inward (medially rotated). All Jin Shin points have about a 3 inch diameter. The points can migrate depending on how each person holds tension.

What point helps release #22?
Point #4 is the one we are finding next. To find point #4, touch the base of your skull at the back of your neck. Feel for the small muscles just to each side of your spine on the skull. Avoid pushing toward or on your spine!

Technique-
Use the index, middle & ring fingertips for touch at the points. Some people choose to use the palm of the hand. If you have a Reiki background this variation may feel more natural for you. If it causes you any pain or discomfort to reach for or touch these points, you can simply visualize whatever color of light you associate with healing as illuminating these points. Use your breath at your normal rate of breathing to help focus your attention on yourself & your well being! Trust that your energy will shift at whatever rate is best for you.
Touch-
Your right 22 & your left 4 for 30 seconds to 5 minutes. Breath.
Repeat the same at your left 22 & your right 4. Whatever amount of time you choose or have will be perfect for you. You may want to recline & prop up your arms with pillows for support so you can be comfortable while reaching for point 4. After all, this is intended to be self care.

Questions are welcome under comments if you need more details.

#23 Day 7

2010-03-15T18:38:00.002-05:00

March 14, 2010 Sunday
Yesterday I had one very important paperwork project to FINISH! By the end of the day it was done. Thank heavens! Then I fell into a play project of downloading pictures from my camera & organizing my photo album. After all that I was more than ready for my Jin Shin 23s self care to close my day.
Basically, my energy levels were grounded & felt good all day. Mentally focused on completing my project of the day. Physically, I was tired of sitting at the computer by the day's end. Emotionally, just that sense of satisfaction after completing a BIG goal.
After my 23s Jin Shin self care time out for myself, I noticed the following things. Amazingly enough, even though the 23s & 1s are no where near the eyes, my eyes felt REFRESHED. Again, the T-11 to L-2 area of my back felt loosened up! My feet felt more open & grounded. My energy field felt cleansed & Lighter. My mind felt peaceful & ready to go to sleep! Awesome way to close my day.
I truly appreciate all the good changes I notice in my body & my Being after these first 4 weeks of this Jin Shin self care project! If you are participating, look for the subtle miraculous shifts in yourself. Jin Shin helps bring out the best in all who choose to use it regularly. Know that you are perfect just as you are. Appreciating your perfection helps it to shine more brightly!

#23 Day 6

2010-03-13T19:36:00.002-06:00

March 13, 2010 Saturday
3Rd day to start with left 23 to left 1. Noon-ish self care break time.

This morning I had an interesting opportunity to observe my choices & responses. I thank myself for making a responsive, coherent choice about the direction of my thoughts, my emotional state, my energy & where my day would go rather than getting stuck in a reaction mode. I was amazed at how about 10 minutes of being livid over a surprise situation that inconvenienced my morning drive to work affected my energy field. I felt like a brush fire of energy washed through my aura & cleaned out the sludge, BECAUSE I was able to let go of it as instantly as it flared up. Very interesting to observe. Returned to an emotional state of calm. After my 23s self care my feeling of calm shifted to a higher level of feeling Light & peaceful. I have always read that working with our 23s helps us to go with the flow of life. I can relate to that in a BIG way today!

My 23s tune up at each side of my body today had a similar outcome of clearing its side of my body. I noticed the energy soon ping pong from point to point as it has done all week. A new layer showed up. After about 25 - 30 exhales of contacting my left 23 to left 1, I felt a subtle loop of energy going first counterclockwise, then shifting to clockwise along the front & back of my left side plus a second loop doing the same thing at my waistline. After both 23s work, my energy field felt brighter & clearer. Physically, I noticed that as I touched my right 23/1, my right internal oblique muscle relaxed. This feels like the culprit that has rotated my ribs to my right for decades. This old pattern is dissolving in my body!!! As a result, the pull & tension around my left 12th rib let go. The same T-11 to L-2 area of my back feels untwisted, relaxed & open! Interesting new layer...today I felt a subtle sense of similar diagonal patterns releasing in my face & head immediately after tension let go at both of my 21s. No tension pulling down on my right shoulder before or after 23s time out today. Physically, I felt good before & even better after tuning up my 23s. After my self care, my mind feels open, expansive, clear, sharp & curious. New awareness of subtle energy shifts stirs up my curiosity!

#23 Day 5

2010-03-12T12:06:00.002-06:00

March 12, 2010 Friday

Again starting with my left 23 to left 1. Little earlier in the day 9:20 - 9:45 for my Jin Shin self care time out today.

I am very impressed with how this self care continues to loosen up fascia & muscles that have been stuck in a state of rotation for decades at my upper lumbar - lower thoracic spine!!! Paying more attention to the ways I used to sit in little spinal twists....no longer feels like the natural thing to do. Good winds of change are blowing for me! Today the soles of my feet feel more open & rooted to the ground after 23s contact. My right shoulder feels less tight, but still pulled down & medially rotated. 23s work is also encouraging fascia to unwind & release at the lateral side of my right knee. No pressure at my eyes this morning, just a feeling of some sort of little energy cloud at the outer corners of my eyes that has vanished after working with my 23s. My core energy feels strong & grounded before & after my self care. I just felt a little off center before, more centered after. My energy field feels brighter after contacting my 23s to same side 1s. Again, the work with left 23 & 1 cleared out the energy in the left side of my body. Contacting my right 23 & 1 cleared out the used up energy lingering in the right side of my body. Flushes out the vertical energy pipe so to speak. A slight sense of fuzziness in my mind is gone. My mind feels sharp, clear & ready to function for the day! Emotionally I still feel optimistic & curious before & after my Jin Shin 23s tune up...the added bonus is that I feel more radiant!
Discover the joys of Jin Shin self care as part of your healthy lifestyle! Consult your doctor before beginning any new self care routine if you are pregnant or in poor health. See Week 4 Begins for instructions for tuning up your 23s.

#23 Day 4

2010-03-11T14:33:00.002-06:00

March 11, 2010 Thursday
Today I change up to begin with my left 23 to left 1 first. Taking about 20 minutes at the start of my lunch hour to do my self care then eat. Not ideal to practice Jin Shin on a full stomach. It will still help, just not as much.

This morning my right shoulder felt pulled down again. Seems like that part of my body hasn't caught up with the fascia releases at the left side of my ribs & back. I expect that focusing on 22s next week will solve that issue. Seems like pectoralis minor is a big culprit in pulling down my right shoulder. Self awareness is helpful. Shows me where I can make positive changes.

Before my 23s Jin Shin self care, I had that mild feeling of pressure at my eyes. Maybe from looking at the computer screen for 3 hours this morning! My eyes felt refreshed after contacting my 23s to same side 1s. The T-11 to L-2 area of my back feels like fascia & muscles continue to let go. More freedom of movement feels wonderful! After contacting my left 23 to left 1 I noticed energy clearing out the left side of my body along with a stirring of energy above my upper lip. Working with my right 23 & right 1 was like an energetic house cleaning all along the right side of my body today. It also included shifts at various depths at the base of my skull. As each energy layer cleared out at the base of my skull, I soon felt it mirrored at my cheekbones below my eyes. Very nice sensation! This morning my mind was open & ready to focus on the day. As I got quiet & still to do my self care, it took me about 20 exhales to get my "to do" list out of my head. My mind was again clear & ready to refocus on the rest of the day after contact at my 23s & 1s. I am in a very pleasant emotional space today. Enthusiastic about accomplishing my goals for today before self care. After my 23s time out for me, I feel happy, optimistic & determined to stick to my goals! Again, I thank Pam Fry for introducing me to Jin Shin over 12 years ago! I greatly all the ways it has helped me to understand myself & be more compassionate with my clients.
I welcome your stories of how Jin Shin has helped you too.

#23 Day 3

2010-03-11T09:55:00.002-06:00

March 10, 2010 Wednesday
I changed the time of day for my 23s Jin Shin self care to late morning. Started with right 23 to right 1 for the 3rd day in a row. I choose to start with the same side for 3 days in a row to help myself get a better understanding of how it affects my body. It is up to you to see how this form of self care will affect you. Don't expect to experience the same things I do. Maybe your experience will be very different & maybe it will be similar. You are you. I am me. Jin Shin is a tool to know & help yourself.

As a bodyworker, I am conscious of the quality of my energy as I serve my clients. I avoid transferring any negative energy to those who come to me for help. My experience yesterday has me thinking about how does the quality of a cook's energy affect the food the cook is preparing. Yesterday morning as I drove to a business meeting, I felt very happy...joyful! A very delicious breakfast was served at the meeting. However, I noticed that the person who prepared my custom order of eggs seemed to be in a less than positive mood. I had NO caffeine & very little sugar with my breakfast. I learned my lesson the week before with how yucky I felt after too much caffeine & sugar at breakfast. By the time I left the meeting I felt cranky. I am curious about the reason for my emotional energy shift. Did the energy that went into preparing my eggs have anything to do with it? Was it the bacon? I rarely eat bacon. Combination? Does anyone out there have any opinions about how the energy state of a person preparing food affects the food? We all know Grandma's food prepared with an extra dose of LOVE tastes better & feels comforting to eat. This may sound out there, but I pause as I bless my food to also include a prayer of gratitude for the spirit of the animal, bird or fish who gave it's life to provide me with whatever I am eating at that meal. Every time, I get a sense of an energy shift in the food. It feels like a good thing to do.

Getting back to the self care topic, the cranky emotional vibe dissolved by the end of my Jin Shin 23s time out.....which was only 36 exhales at each side that day. I just felt a pleasant curiosity about how my day would unfold. My mind went from feeling hazy to feeling clear & ready to function for the day. I felt more flexible emotionally & mentally. Before my 23s contacts I felt like energy was backed up at my 22s (below collar bones) along with a distinct low grade frequency of irritability. During my 23s work, I was aware of energy going out my feet. My head & chest felt lighter as the heavy cloud of low grade irritability left my field & body. As for the changes in my body, the beginnings of a very mild headache at the top of my head vanished. The mild pressure I had felt at my eyes was gone. My right shoulder no longer felt pulled down & tight at the top. I felt centered in my body. I give thanks for the gift of Jin Shin in my life!

#23 Day 2

2010-03-10T16:22:00.005-06:00

March 9, 2010 Tuesday I chose to begin with my right 23 to right 1.

See Week 4 Begins post for instructions on Jin Shin self care at your 23s.

My emotional scale was at the same place before & after my 23s self care. I felt very high levels of joy & gratitude! No worries. My mind felt clear, open & able to focus all day. Little things that would have pushed my irritability buttons in the past just rolled right off me. It feels so good to just let those little things go!!! After contacting my 23s to same side 1s, my mind was quiet & ready to sleep. Yes, I did my Jin Shin time out for me at the end of my day again....thus the post today. My energy levels were GREAT.....very grounded & centered all day. I must confess that I started my day with a 30 minute chakras meditation. Very nice way to begin my day. Energetically after my 23s work, I felt like the energetic center of the hour glass at my waistline expanded. Wow! No skinny trickle of energy moving through my waistline any more! Really big energy shifts at my 23s...like the energy corset was untied. Physically, I am amazed & grateful for how the fascia & muscle releases that happened at the left side of my ribs with last week's self care have become a new healthier pattern for me. Before 23s self care my right shoulder felt tight & too medially rotated...relaxed some after self care. Feel like more fascia has released at my mid to lower back today. That area of my back feels more OPEN & relaxed. The unusual thing I noticed immediately after my 23s self care today was a need to rub vigorously at the corners of both eyes at my nose! Energy releases stir up interesting responses!?!

Week 4 Begins

2010-03-08T17:47:00.000-06:00

If you choose to begin the Jin Shin self care described in this blog, remember that it is NO substitute for medical care. Jin Shin is a tool for your healthy lifestyle. It gives you a way to help yourself stay as healthy as you can. If you are on a path to changing your lifestyle habits to become healthier, be patient with yourself as you make new healthy habits. Diet & exercise are also important parts of good health.

Today we begin a new week of practicing Jin Shin self care to balance, release, or strengthen energy movement at point #23. If it causes you any pain to reach for the points described here, you may visualize whatever color of light you associate with healing as shining within these points. Avoid applying too much pressure too. 1 to 3 minutes per pair of points to touch can be a good place to start. Whatever time you have is helpful. Simply bringing your full attention to the place you are touching on your body (or visualizing) helps too.

Betsy Ruth Dayton has the following to say about point #23 in High Touch Jin Shin workbook One.
"#23 brings us our ability to adapt to the flow of life. The 23s release tension in the abdomen, adrenals, blood system, digestive organs, ears, and genital organs."

How do I find point #23?
Reach for your kidney area at your back near the 12th rib. Your fingertips should be 1 to 2 inches away from your spine. The right 23 is on the right side of the back & the left 23 is on the left side of the back. Again just visualize your color of healing light at this area if it causes you pain to reach for #23.

The partner point that helps release #23 is point #1.
You will find point # 1 at the inside of your knees just below the knee cap (patella). Feel for the usually tender spot on the medial anterior proximal shaft of the tibia (MAPS). You have a right 1 on the inside of the right knee & a left 1 on the inside of the left knee.

To enhance energy flow at right 23...
Use the index, middle & ring fingertips of your right hand to touch your right 23. Remember that there is about a 3 inch diameter around the point. Just being in the neighborhood helps. While you touch your right 23, use your left hand's index, middle & ring fingertips to also touch your right 1. Count your exhales to 42 as you touch these points. Focusing on the exhale helps the body to let go of tension & stress.

To enhance energy flow at your left 23...
Bring your left hand to your left 23 as your right hand touches your left 23. Repeat other instructions above for harmonizing energy movement at left 23.

Keeping a journal of my self care allows me to make specific notes about how the above steps help me. I encourage you to start a journal as you start or strengthen your self knowledge through this or whatever form of self care you choose. Consult your doctor before beginning this or any new health habits if you are pregnant or seriously ill.

#24 Day 7

2010-03-08T14:59:00.000-06:00

March 7, 2010 Sunday
Today I am happy to be out in the sunshine! Also glad to be going to visit Mom & Dad! My mind felt like I had found the trap door to close up all my thoughts. A few of them were banging on the door wanting out, but I kept it closed in my refusal to think about ANYTHING on Sunday! What a fantastic vacation...no thinking! Just BE! My core energy felt grounded & strong all day Sunday. Other than an unusually tight right upper trap, my body felt great all day. During this week my pearl of awareness has been to discover how I use my arms, hands & shoulders during a normal day can build up tension. Knowing this gives me the power to change it.
I did my Jin Shin 24s care after my drive home from Mom & Dad's. As I drove home I allowed myself to simply bask in HAPPINESS. After my self care, my emotions went to sleep before my body did. One thought flashed through my mind before bed....I have 6 blog posts to do tomorrow about my experiences this week?!! Plus the new one to start this week!!! I did sleep soundly in spite of that last thought.
Started with my right 24 to left 26 again...the clam shell was clamped shut...only a trickle of energy moving through my left 26 as the muscle tension in my right upper trap continued to spasm. I think it was how I used my right hand/ arm to drive...2 hours down & 2 hours back. I now have a new understanding of what driving can do to the shoulder muscles. My right upper trap finally let go after I switched to left 24 & right 26. Went back to the other side for good measure....energy now moving more freely there too. Good night!

#24 Day 6

2010-03-08T14:43:00.000-06:00

March 6, 2010 Saturday
I chose to start with right 24 to left 26. Try it both ways to see what works best for you.
I did my self care after the 1st Saturday drum circle. After the drum circle, my emotions felt peaceful & uplifted.....after my self care I felt zapped, drained & quiet. My mind went from feeling clear to feeling BLANK. With this round of Jin Shin self care I felt amazingly deep, deep energy shifts at the base of my skull on both sides. No fiery hot energy releasing at my 26s today, but the sides of my nose became hot at various moments. The drum circle felt like good support for my current energy shifts.
Physically, I noticed that the relaxation at the left side of my ribs has remained in place. That morning as I did my 10 minute toner exercises, I felt muscles at my left side working in new ways!!! After my self care that night, I just felt tired & ready to crash. Wonder if the deeper relaxation at my sub occipital area had anything to do with my reclining for tonight's self care? I have sat up to do my self care on other nights.

#24 Day 5

2010-03-08T14:33:00.000-06:00

March 5, 2010 Friday I chose to start with right 24 to left 26 again.
Before my self care, emotionally, I felt lite, hope, joy & gratitude that shifted into an equally good pleasant neutral state after it. That day my mind was clear, open, confident, able to focus & decisive. After my Jin Shin self care my mind was BLANK & ready to go to sleep. All that day my energy felt strong, grounded & centered yet buoyant. After my Jin Shin time out, my internal battery felt ready to re-charge with some sleep. Energy at my right 26 was so FIERY that I had to let it go after about 15 minutes! Physically, I felt the same areas of my body relax as I noticed on March 4, 2010. (See previous post.)

#24 Day 4

2010-03-08T14:06:00.000-06:00

March 4, 2010 Thursday
Today I changed my self care to begin at right 24 to left 26 first. My body seems to like that better. It is up to you to find out what works best for you.

Before contacting my 24s & opposite 26s, I felt an unusual pot of emotions brewing within myself...frustration for allowing myself to be so easily distracted & gratitude for the way my afternoon & evening unfolded. The left overs from my "to do" list were chasing my mind around in circles that morning until I cleared out all thoughts to focus on the needs of the moment for each client that afternoon. My energy levels felt pretty good all day, just a little garbled that morning with the old "to do" list nagging at me until I had a good reason to forget about it. Part of that left over energy was also irritation at my choice of perspective with 2 similar issues that cropped up Wednesday evening & Thursday morning. I reminded myself to switch gears & ask myself the classic Tony Robins question, "What else could this mean?" It always helps me change my perspective.

After my cherished Jin Shin self care time, my emotions were in a pleasant neutral space. My mind felt more open & peaceful. Energy quickly began to ping pong between the 2 points I touched & cycled through a few levels to flush out all my energetic garbage of the day! In my body, I felt the left upper side of my neck relax followed by my left lung feeling more expansive, & the left side of my face relaxed after working with my right 24 & left 26. When I moved my fingers to touch my left 24 & right 26, I noticed the same areas relax in the opposite side of my body PLUS ...My Jaws & eyes became more relaxed too. Deepest relaxation unfolded at my left 23 area....awsome.....old tension patterns are dissolving. Hallelujah!

#24 Day 3

2010-03-08T13:30:00.000-06:00

March 3, 2010 Day 3
Again doing my 24s self care late at the end of my day. Changes with my 24s self care was less dramatic than in the previous 2 weeks.
All morning, I felt like I had too much caffeine in my tea at the BNI meeting that morning. My energy felt like static, high-strung, jittery. Emotionally nervous tension plagued me all morning. My thoughts kept bouncing around like a ping pong ball. Physically, I just felt wound up. The caffeine must have worked its way out of my system at around 2pm. All of the above vanished. I felt perfectly centered in the NOW.
After my 24's self care, I felt a smile from the inside out. My thoughts felt less compressed & clear. My energy field felt smoothed over by angels wings. During contact at each 24 to opposite 26, hot-electric energy bubbled up from my 26s....followed by relaxation of muscles at each 26 area (subscapularis, serratus anterior, lats @ pre-insertion fibers)...followed by energy opening at 24s. Tension dissolved at the left side of my ribs. My shoulders rolled back into a comfortable, open state of relaxation. My ankles gained a new loose freedom of movement....not that they had felt restricted before...just felt even better.

#24 Day 2

2010-03-08T13:02:00.000-06:00

Hello again. I have been keeping up with my self care last week. I just haven't worked out the best routine for making posts about my observations. I did my self care at the VERY END of each day. Too sleepy to want to turn on the computer & make a blog post right after my self care time. So, it just didn't get done. Will catch you up on what I noticed with 24s self care last week. Just to let you know, I did make a post about my day 1 observations as a comment after the instructions entry. Will probably do that again each week.

March 2, 2010 Day 2 24s self care Note: started with left 24 on 1st 3 days

That morning I was feeling proud of myself for only being mildly aggravated by something that I would have previously been very angry about. After 24s self care that evening, I felt like the "go,go,go" stress of the day had completely melted away!
Mentally I went from feeling too nagged by my "to do" list to feeling more settled. The "to do" list had disappeared!
Before 24s time out, I just felt like too much energy was parked on top of my shoulders....my to"to do" list felt like a lead balloon sitting on my shoulders. Otherwise, my energy felt good that day. Energy was slow to start moving at my 24 to opposite 26 on both sides. The energetic clam shell at my right 26 finally cracked open & the shifts trickled through my body like a gentle spring branch of water!
Physically before 24s self care, my upper traps felt like rubber bands & my low back was complaining a little about how I sat leaning forward in my chair working on the computer for 3 + hours. After contacting my 24s, my shoulders dropped & relaxed, my feet felt more relaxed. I could feel my energetic roots connecting with the earth. I felt ready to rest & enjoyed a great night of sleep!

Week 3 Begins

2010-03-01T15:28:00.000-06:00

Please remember that Jin Shin self care is NO substitute for medical care.

Today I will be posting self care to release & balance energy at point #24. This is intended to become part of your healthy lifestyle, a tool for your personal wellness kit. I would love to hear about your results too. I encourage you to keep a journal as you practice this self care. Notice things like how you are feeling emotionally, mentally, physically & energetically before & after self care. If you can not comfortably reach these points, simply visualize whatever color of light you associate with healing as shining within or over these points as your self care. Consult your doctor before beginning any new self care if you are pregnant or in poor health.

Betsy Ruth Dayton, M.Ed., has the following to say about point #24 in her High Touch Jin Shin workbook 2.

"#24 brings harmony, acceptance, and peace. It helps to keep chaos from entering our lives by eliminating jealousy, vindictiveness, obstinacy, and willfulness. #24 opens us up to peace through perspiration, which allows us to release toxins fast. It is an important energizer for the lymph system."

Where do you find point #24?

Touch the top of your foot about half way between your toes & your ankle. Move toward the 4th toe...again on the top center of the foot...just over to the outside (pinkie toe side) a little...above the 4th toe. Do you feel a little puffy spot in that area? Some have it & some don't. Remember you have about a 3 inch diameter around these points. Just being in the neighborhood helps. If you are too worries about where it is exactly...Stop! Just hold the top of your foot with your hand. You are there. You have a right 24 on your right foot & a left 24 on your left foot.

The partner point that helps release 24 is point # 26. Remember 26 from week 1?
To find your 26s, tuck your fingers into your armpits as though you are warming up cold hands. Feel for the muscles at the edge of your shoulder blade. You have now found your 26s!

To enhance energy flow at right 24...
Use your right hand's index, middle & ring fingertips to touch your left 26 as you also touch your right 24 with your left hand or your left hand's index, middle & ring fingertips. I usually do this self care sitting down with my right leg on my left knee so I can easily reach my 24 at my foot. Avoid harming yourself with heavy pressure. Light touch helps. First focus your attention on your breath after your hands are in place. As you count your exhales up to 42 (or more) at your normal rate of breathing , you may choose to enhance the experience by also focusing on the spark of Divine Light within yourself as you touch these points. Just be present in the moment. You deserve a break to check in with yourself for at least 5 minutes today.

To enhance energy flow at left 24...
Repeat the above in reverse. Touch your right 26 & your left 24 as described above. Your right hand will now be at your left 24. Your left hand will now be at your right 26.

Form follows energy. The body responds to changes in your meridians. You tune up your meridian system by practicing Jin Shin self care. Would you drive your car for 20 years without a tune up? No. Take time out to tune up your meridians too. Your body will thank you.

#25 Day 7

2010-02-28T17:38:00.000-06:00

Sunday, 2-28-10

This morning I felt content to wake up slowly. My lungs & chest continued to feel more receptive to deep breaths this morning. Amazing new expansion with my breathing. No history of breathing problems, just a spinal curvature that distorts my ribs. The fascia there feels like it is letting go!

I was in such a good mood that I felt brave enough to get on the bathroom scale. Reality check turned into feeling mortified that I had gained 2 pounds since I last weighed 11 days ago! Good learning opportunity as to how fear puts a limiting grip on my chest. The expanded sense of breathing I felt a moment before I stepped on the scales began to subside after I looked at my weight on the scales. Aah, ha. Knowing this gave me the power to reverse that effect. Next step is to get real about losing 15 pounds. I know I can do it!

This morning was full of emotional detours. My next side track was grief. One brief conversation squashed a dream I had been secretly nurturing for the last 6 to 8 weeks like squashing an ant at a picnic. I watered my tenacious dandelion roots with a good cry to honor my feelings of loss & simply let them go. Sometimes I think that if I were a flower, I would be a dandelion. I trust that Spirit has better plans for me than what I had cooked up in my head. I will just watch for guidance & opportunities.

Over these last 2 weeks, I have learned that I carry too much unnecessary tension in my shoulders. Sometimes, I joke around with my clients & tell them the world is round, just let the weight of the world roll right off those shoulders! Time to take my own advice. Jin Shin self care is a tool I choose to use to help myself with that change.

I have also observed that for myself, when I treat right 25 to right 11 first it speeds & softens my BMs. When I treat my left 25 to left 11 first it slows & hardens my BMs. In my 1st Jin Shin class with Pam Fry, I remember her telling us that holding both 25s for about 20 minutes really clears out the colon. Just a tip for anyone out there who might have constipation issues. This was my 1st chance to personally observe how each side 25 affects my system's natural rhythm.

Since I have been starting my left side 1st these last 3 days, I chose to start with my right 25 to right 11 today. I noticed energy shift & move at the same areas I have mentioned for the last 3 days. Those areas of my body felt more relaxed & energized too. The new place where deep, stuck energy & tension let go was at my left sub occipital area. I felt an old, heavy energy at my liver & right lower lung area transform into a much liter state. For a little while after my self care, my mid-back felt cold. I needed to stretch at my arms, hands & legs, feet after self care. My hands were not as open feeling today after treatment as they were the last 2 or 3 days. Overall, I feel like my body & energy field have shed much OLD, crusty second depth heavy energy & tension this week! Deep, deep breaths are joyfully easy to receive. My faith that Spirit guides my path is renewed too. I have to let go of the old to receive the new. Energy cycles around the body like the seasons are nature's cycle. My friend Nila used to say, "Change is the most constant thing in life." Jin Shin helps me to go with the flow of change. I am thankful for this gift in my life.

#25 Day 6

2010-02-28T17:06:00.000-06:00

Saturday, 2-27-10

What a difference 2 good nights of sleep can make in how great I feel all day! The consistent Jin Shin self care is adding up too. I give thanks for a very full, smooth work day. Feeling exceptionally calm & centered all day with precious moments of slipping into the gap where all is ONE helped my day to unfold perfectly. My core energy felt good, strong & grounded all day. My mind was focused & clear all day. However, at the end of Saturday, I was ready to just STOP. I was at a point when enough doing is enough doing. Time to just BE.

After my 25s self care I felt that same sense of expansiveness in my lungs & chest that I have felt for the last 2 days after my self care. Both my palms & feet felt very open, relaxed. The connective tissue on the outside of my liver felt like it was no longer glued to my breathing diaphragm....what a wonderful feeling of freedom! I was truly amazed at all the energy shifts with my self care on Saturday evening!!!

I did my best to stop thinking & just observe the subtle energy shifts in my body as they happened. I contacted each side (25 to 11) about 10 minutes. At my left side (1st treated) I observed energy move in this order for me...left upper trap, left hip, back of my head at left, left eye, left side of my chest, left ankle. I noticed my energy shifts unfold in the same order at my right side when I switched to contact my right 25 & right 11. Additional energy shifts & tension unwinding at my right breathing diaphragm, below my right eye, at both of my knees & my mid back below my shoulder blades felt more open & relaxed on both sides. Second depth crusty crud is definitely moving out of my body!

#25 Day 5

2010-02-28T16:41:00.000-06:00

Friday, 2-26-10, I kept my self care notes short.

Before self care I felt that kind of "good tired" you feel at the end of a satisfying day of work. Mentally my screens were still up that kept my thought anchored in the present moment throughout the day. I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the way my day had unfolded. My core energy felt strong & quiet.

WOW! After my self care, this time 15 - 20 minutes at each side, my ankles & wrists felt AMAZINGLY open & relaxed! This was a superior energy house cleaning for me! That is what Jin Shin does. It cleans, balances & revives the body's energy circulation pathways. Where you feel the difference, which can be very subtle, depends on where your body hoards energy. Each person is unique.

Started with my left 25 to left 11 again. My left side felt NEW again! Same sense of renewal at my right side after touch at my right 25 & right 11. I also felt very sleepy & went to bed early. My ribs & lungs expanded in a much more receptive way with deep, deep breaths. This felt GREAT! My mind was clear & empty...ready to drift off to sleep. I was floating in a very peaceful state. I slept great that night!

#25 Day 4

2010-02-28T16:13:00.000-06:00

Too much going on this week to make any new posts until today even though I have done my 25s self care every day...mostly in the evenings.

Day 4 was Thursday, 2-25-10.
As that day began, I felt more like a snail than a human....moving slow that morning. My energy felt heavy. No strong emotions were pulling me in any direction. My mind felt a little dull too. I stayed up too late again the night before. All the snow this February has tuned me into my hibernation instincts. I woke up mighty slowly on Thursday. I did a right Spleen Flow for extra self care to get me going. Morning sunshine coming in the window helped to get my energy perking too. There is something so special & energizing about the quality of morning sunlight!

As the day went on my thoughts continued to be all over the place. I finally sat down to watch the Olympics & do my self care that evening after work. That time I switched to start with my left 25 to left 11 first. Extended the contact time at each side to 10 - 15 minutes. After I finished contacting my left points, the left side of my body felt NEW!!! All the used up energy of the day was washed away on my left side. Similar experience at right side after touching my right 25 & right 11. My right side felt more relaxed, especially at my face below both eyes, my chest felt lighter & more expansive, my upper traps relaxed too. After that lengthy self treatment, I felt happy, peaceful & mentally calm...no worries.

#25 Day 3

2010-02-24T20:33:00.000-06:00

Today has been one of those days when little things have tested my patience off & on half the day. I have felt little waves of low-grade irritability wax & wane. When those waves dissipate I have felt compassionate & grounded. I have reminded myself to let that little stuff go.

Physically I feel a distinct shift in the quality of energy at my right eye that I can't describe when those waves of irritability momentarily flair up. I have felt mentally unfocused with too many little projects calling for my attention today. Where to begin? Jump in. Happy to be back at BNI after last 2 weeks of snow canceling the meeting. Feeling physically good all day with good energy levels.

Practiced my self care today as I sat in a public place waiting to begin chair massages. Worked with each side's points 3-6 minutes. Again contacted right 25 & right 11 first. I soon felt my mask of mild irritability related stress dissolve from my face. The energy at my right eye shifted to feel more balanced. Physically I became more relaxed overall, particularly at my upper shoulders, chest, & back of left upper thigh (hamstrings). Mentally I am feeling calm. My energy feels "spent" at the end of this day. That generally happens when I have leaked too much energy emotionally. Jin Shin self care helps me keep that to a minimum.

See "week 2 begins" post for instructions on this self care exercise.

#25 Day 2

2010-02-23T16:08:00.000-06:00

This morning at 6am I was not ready to wake up when the alarm went off. Decided to stay in bed to do my 25s self care to start my day.

Going back to changes about shoulders becoming more relaxed during the week of 26s self care for a moment. Last night I finally noticed why I tense my shoulders up at night. When I first get in bed, I am cold! I scrunch my shoulders up in an attempt to get warm & they stay that way all night....until now....I know that I have done this in the past...I am changing this habit. This is an example of how we humans unconsciously hold tension. Where could you change a tension holding habit?

I started my same side 25 to 11 self care with my right points. Soon felt energy softening & expanding at my sinuses below both eyes. My intuition says that is large intestine meridian releasing. Also noticed similar sensation at my waistline up to my breathing diaphragm muscle inside my rib cage. Old 2nd depth tension there is melting. Same sensation continued as I moved to left 25 & 11 points. Eventually I also felt energy & tension release along my bladder meridian at the back of my left leg too. Tension at my right upper trap muscle softened too after work at right. After contact at both sides, I again felt a need to stretch out my arms / hands & legs/ feet. After this I felt ready to wake up & embrace the day. For a few minutes after self care I felt a little "floatie". I soon felt grounded. My energy levels have been really good all day!

See "Week 2 Begins" post for instructions for doing this self care exercise.

#25 Day 1

2010-02-22T13:28:00.000-06:00

Decided to post my experience with contacting my 25s after the instructions post. You may wish to have your own experience with them before you read about mind. Remember, everyone is unique! Your body will be your best teacher. You learn by practicing.

This morning I became aware that I tense up my shoulders when I sleep at night. Time to change that habit! Knowing what I need to change is my 1st step to making that change. This comment relates to previous observations with work at my 26s last week.

Before my self care at my 25s today, my mind felt hazy because I was awake for over an hour at 4:30 am waiting to see if I would fall asleep again. Finally did. If I am going to be awake in the middle of the night it is usually during Jin Shin lung flow time. No particular emotions stirring. Energy at my solar plexus continues to feel more open & my body feels like it is adjusting to the energy shifts. Most of the hazy mind cleared out after I had done my morning exercise routine.

After my self care at my 25s today, my mental clarity is restored. Emotionally I feel at peace. Physically my right upper trap has lost all the tension that I parked there overnight. Near the end of my work at each 25 to same side 11, I noticed a soft effervescent energy release that started at my nose & spread through the sinuses below my eyes. During contact at my left 25 to left 11, I felt energy & tissues soften across my upper abdomen. However, I also notice a crusty little egg of energy lingering to the right side of the center of my solar plexus.

Today I worked with contact at my right 25 1st. Energy at both sides points began clearing at 3rd depth, transitioned through 5th & 1st depths to end at a nice smooth balanced place. Beginners can ignore those last remarks for the Jin Shin junkies out there. Just know that the quality of the pulses you feel under your fingertips as you touch the points are like the body's Morse code. Eventually you may learn to translate it.

Week 2 Begins

2010-02-22T12:38:00.000-06:00

As we begin week 2 together, remember that High Touch Jin Shin as posted in this blog is intended to help you enhance your wellness routine or begin one. Jin Shin is never intended to be a replacement for medical care. I invite you to participate as you are able or inspired to do. I encourage you to keep a journal for yourself of what self care you choose to do each day. You might want to note the time of day you practice, what side's points you work with contacting 1st & how you are feeling physically, emotionally, mentally & energetically that day before & after your self care practice. Those journal notes can be as long or short as you wish them to be. Keeping your own journal about your experience can help you assimilate what you learned & how this has helped you. Jin Shin tends to be subtle. It is an opportunity to be observant.

This week lets get started with point #25.

To find your right & left points #25, imagine that your hands are cold & you are going to sit on your hands to warm them up. Turn your palms up & sit on your hands. Let your fingertips find the bony landmark called your ischial tuberosity. It is where your upper hamstring muscles at the top back side of your thigh meet your hip. Let your index, middle & ring fingertips apply gentle pressure just below that bony spot. This is point #25. Keep in mind that each of these points have about a 3 inch diameter. This means you can be close & still help the energy here. The longer you practice the better you will get at noticing when you are at the center of the Jin Shin points. At first, just being in the neighborhood is OK.

The partner point that helps release point #25 is point #11 on the same side of the body. To find point #11, put your fingertips at the top of your shoulders where your neck meets your shoulders. You have now found point #11 at your right & left upper trap muscles.

To release energy at right 25...
Place your right hand's index, middle & ring fingertips at your right 25 as described above as you also place your left hands index, middle & ring fingertips at your right 11. Both your hands are busy touching a point. Let your thumbs & pinkie land wherever they would naturally rest as your other 3 fingers focus on the point they are touching. Touch does not need to be HARD. Avoid hurting yourself as you touch these points. If it hurts you to just reach them, then stop & simply visualize whatever color you associate with healing as lighting up the pairs of points. Focus your attention on the exhale aspect of your breath. If your mind needs something to do, count your exhales to 42 at your normal rate of breathing. This is your time to visit with yourself. 3 to 5 minutes at each pair of points is a good starting point. Counting your exhales will get you there without watching the clock. Trust your intuition.

To release energy at left 25...
Place your left hand at your left 25 as your right hand touches your left 11. Other instructions are the same as above. Do both right & left 25 release each day. If you don't have time to do them both at the same time, come back to the other side later. All that you do helps.

Betsy Ruth Dayton describes point #25 as follows in High Touch Jin Shin Workbook 2.
"#25 is where we sit down when we lose control. It filters out all toxins released during physical activities and relieves mental tension, bringing us an energetic mind and a sound body. #25 is blocked by physical and emotional stress and by focusing too much on details."

To learn more about Betsy & the High Touch Network visit www.hightouchnet.com.
To learn more about Gina's background with High Touch visit the High Touch pages at www.myradiantwellness.com.

#26 Days 6 & 7

2010-02-21T17:41:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I was having one of those exceptionally good days! I just got lost in the now all day. I did stick with my commitment to do my 26s self care late at night before bed time. I have already done my self care today too. So, I will just do one entry for both days.

Yesterday, I felt physically good all day until I had a late afternoon snack of pecan pie followed by garlic herb pretzel snack crackers. A little after that during an evening walk an unusual gas type of pain at my right upper abdominal quadrant became as nagging as a yapping, yapping, yapping dog. Some peppermint YLEO calmed it down until after dinner. I had a great time trying a different neighborhood pizza joint with Ron for dinner. College Town Pizza on the west side of Evansville is worth checking out! The self care at 26s took care of it the second time.

As I sat down to begin my self care last night with the cauldron of gas pain nagging at my right upper abdomen, I realized that my colon felt plugged up. This is unusual for me. I am usual very regular. Then I thought about how I started my 26s self care routine by doing the right 26 first for the 1st 3 days. It wasn't until I switched to doing the left 26 1st on days 4 & 5 that my colon slowed down. Last night I started with the right 26 1st again. This morning, my colon did a house cleaning. Pay attention to the details of your body functions if you choose to do this self care exercise for 7 days in a row. My body is my best teacher. Your body is your best teacher. Listen to your body.

Last night as I began contact at my right 26 to left 25, both points were on FIRE. As that fire cooled down, my gas pain subsided. Last night my left 26 started clearing before the right 25. Work on that side also eased the rest of the gas pain. All that remained was a sense of fullness at my solar plexus. This morning that was gone too. My colon function feels normal again.

The physical sensation that has been consistent for me every day with my 26s self care has been relaxation at my shoulders. Last night I felt more relaxation under my right shoulder blade after right 26 to left 25 contact. A new sensation showed up last night after contact at both sides. Center 23 (T12 - L1 area of spine) felt like energy really opened up there too. Wow!

Today both contacts at each side started out on fire, soon ping-ponged energy back & forth between both points & eventually smoothed out to feel silky. As I worked with my right 26 to left 25 first today, I felt my right shoulder relax & the arch of my right foot opened up too. As I worked with my left 26 to right 25 I felt the usual relaxation at my left shoulder, tension at the left side of my neck melted & my upper cervicals voluntarily adjusted themselves, next my left arch opened a little & my left ankle felt very FREE, more mobile...not that it had felt restricted before. Energy moves & the body responds. Form follows energy.

During this week of working with my 26s I have realized that I carry unnecessary tension in my shoulders. I now know how it feels to let that shoulder tension go. Tension no longer feels like a normal state of being. I am getting to know my body better. That is what Jin Shin self care can do for anyone who chooses to practice & be observant. I encourage you to be observant about all the aspects of your body & being if you choose to participate in any of the self care exercises in this blog. Listen to your body.

Overall my energy levels feel consistently stronger. Emotionally I feel at peace each time too. My mind feels clear & calm every day after self care. That calmness carries further & further into each day that I practice self care. Another trait of Jin Shin self care is how it builds on the work of previous treatments. It is an investment in personal well being. Ten minutes a day is realistic. Just decide & make it a priority to visit with yourself for 10 minutes a day. You are worth it whether you choose Jin Shin or some other form of self care.

#26 Day 5

2010-02-20T13:54:00.000-06:00

Again I did my 26s self care last night & didn't get back on the computer.

Have you ever had one of those mornings when you were so deep into a dream when the alarm went off that you still felt like you were somewhere else all morning? For instance I have no cat, but my dream yesterday morning had a kitten in it. It seemed so real that I almost expected to find cat hairs on my pillow. A few deep breaths with same side 15 to 6 usually pulls me back to reality.

Before self care at my 26s I was more aware of keeping my shoulders rolled back & open all day yesterday. My low back was politely reminding me that my snow boots with a 1 inch heel are not appropriate walking shoes after my 35 minute walk outside! Yes, I went for a walk outside!!! The weather was finally nice enough.

Off & on all day my mind felt distracted by minor worries. Seeing the early sunset colors over the calm waters of the Ohio River erased all worries from my mind! Simply deciding to stop giving any more of my energy away to worries helped to shift my mental state too. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I have the power to change my mind & thus where I direct my energy as quickly as I can change my shoes. You can too.

I looked forward to some quiet time to practice my 26 quick releases. No TV with it yesterday. Wow, did I ever slip away into that quiet time. Contacted each 26 to opposite 25 about 10 minutes each again. My mind zeroed in on the details of where I felt energy moving in my body. As I worked with my left 26 & right 25, I first noticed energy opening up at right 25, then at my solar plexus (near xiphoid process), then my left 26 opened & relaxed.

The other side was different. I noticed energy moving at my right 26 first, then at my waistline (especially to the left of my navel), then at my left 25. I felt my right 26 release more crusty, hot, electrical energy crud. Wow, did it move!!! Eventually, I felt the right side of my sacrum exhale energy. I believe that was a result of my left iliopsaos muscle releasing tension with contact at my left 25.

After working both sides, my shoulders & waistline again feel much, much more open. This is the pattern that I notice every day with work at my 26s. I find the details of how energy moves to be fascinating. The Creator weaves us together in mysterious ways.

Have a look at Week One Begins post for instructions to practice 26 quickie releases for yourself. It takes practice to be aware of subtle energy shifts in your body. Begin by observing where your breath goes in your body as you touch these energy regulating points.

#26 Day 4

2010-02-19T12:58:00.000-06:00

Yes, I did do my self care last night after work. Afterward, I listened to my body's request to just BE & postponed making this update until today.

On 2-18-10, I began my day feeling guided by my heart's Light. That feeling continued all day. After work, my mind felt clear & uncluttered. I had a pleasant deep sense of inner knowing that for today, my day has been exactly as it should be. That is true every day, I just don't feel that way about it every day. Last night I felt physically well & ready to just BE.

Last night as I worked with my 26s quick releases, I chose to contact each side for about 10 minutes. I was watching a special musical performance at the White House celebrating the civil rights movement on PBS as I did my self care. Yes, watching TV or carrying on a conversation is allowed during a Jin Shin treatment. It still works. You just have to have your hands available to contact the points continuously (unless giving the treatment using visualization...no watching TV with that one).

I noticed that about 4 minutes into each pair of contacts the deep, deep, crusty, stuck energy really started shifting. It felt so good to just stay with it. So, I did. You see, there is no set rule about how long to contact each pair of points. 3 to 5 minutes each is a good starting time. Even if you only have 30 seconds, that is better than none at all. One hour is the maximum recommended length of any Jin Shin treatment. After that the body needs time to integrate the energy shifts. These simple pairs of points do not need an hour of attention. Practicing Jin Shin is about getting to know yourself & help yourself. However, please understand that it is NO replacement for medical care.

Each treatment builds on the last one. The best way I can describe how working with my 26s feels to me is this... I feel my Heart Light keeps gaining brilliance & strength with each layer of energy sludge that I clean out of my 26s!!!! My shoulders continue to be more & more relaxed with each 26 self care quickie release I do. Last night that relaxation extended into my neck as those deep down scrubbing bubbles energy shifts cleaned out my 26s. Jin Shin is just that...an energetic house cleaning of the body. I invite you to join in this pre-Spring cleaning for yourself. Go to the "Week One Begins" post for instructions.

I am also gaining insight about how my daily seated postural habits contribute to tension in my shoulders. Now that I know how good it feels for my shoulders to be so open, I catch myself when I begin to roll them forward again. Awareness is my first step to making healthy changes.

Now that I am paying more attention to living in my body, I realized that I was mistaken about letting go of an old habit of locking my knees when I stand. I now realize that when I feel that slight sense of fullness at the back of my knees, I need to unlock my knees. When I unlock my knees that slight feeling of fullness at the back of my knees vanished! My body gives me signals all the time, I have become too good at ignoring them. How about you?

#26 Day 3

2010-02-17T22:00:00.000-06:00

Changed up my self care time to evening after work. Nice way to change gears & wind down.

I began my day feeling apprehensive about potential costs of a car repair necessity. Took my attention off it by getting lost in my work. My emotional state at the end of the day pleased me greatly. I floated home on wings of gratitude for all that I accomplished at work today! My emotional state after doing right & left o/s 26 to 25 self care remained excellent.

Nothing was on my mind before my self care, I felt mentally strong, clear & open. One of my favorite bumper stickers just floated into my thoughts..."Minds are like parachutes. They only function when open." After self care, I just feel very peaceful mentally.

Not very aware of my body, living in my mind today. The Jin Shin self care brought my awareness back into my body. I am amazed at how relaxed & open my shoulders feel after giving attention to my 26s! My waistline again feels more open too. Energy descends & magic happens at the shoulders!

All I can say about my energy levels is that it shifted gears from good to great!

See the Week One Begins entry for instructions to try this yourself!
Your body is uniquely you & your results will also be all YOU.

#26 Day 2

2010-02-16T18:39:00.000-06:00

Today I found time to practice both the right & left point 26 quick releases after lunch. Not the most ideal time for energy work after a meal, but my stomach made the decision today.

If you wish to see the instructions for doing this self care see 2-15-10 post.
I would like to hear about your experience too.

My experience with my self care today was as follows...
Emotionally I went from feeling light & optimistic before the treatment to feeling a strong sense of heart centered trust that all is well after it.
Mentally I went from being pestered by a whisper of today's "to do list" to feeling clear headed.
Physically I went from feeling a mild pressure behind my right eye & tension at my left upper external oblique muscle to feeling NO pressure behind my right eye & again my waistline & shoulders felt more relaxed & open.
Energetically I went from feeling strong & vibrant to also being aware that today's self care was a good energy house cleaning under my shoulder blades & my heels felt more open. My energy is on the move in a good way!

Again remember that each person's experience with Jin Shin is unique.
I invite you to start your own self care journal. Get to know yourself better.

Week One Begins!

2010-02-15T20:04:00.000-06:00

Hi, my name is Gina. I thank Pam for introducing me to High Touch Jin Shin in 1997.
Since then I have been using this gentle wellness art to keep myself in the greatest possible state of health & well being that I can achieve day to day. At times I have done Jin Shin self care daily, sometimes weekly. During that time I have learned the most about specific organ flows or number flows when I choose to do them once a day for one week.

I feel inspired to simplify that & share it with you.
Please keep in mind that Jin Shin self care is no substitute for medical care.
Remember that High Touch® Jin Shin is intended to enhance your wellness routine or help you to begin one . This blog is intended to be an open forum for me (& you if you choose to participate) to share what I learn as I practice self care. I invite you to participate & share what you learn too. I will be taking 10 to 15 minutes per day to practice one of the Jin Shin point quickie releases for 7 days in a row.

In order to learn from this experience I will be observing how I feel
emotionally, mentally, physically & energetically BEFORE & AFTER
each self care treatment. I will just choose one or two key words to describe each aspect of how I feel. Keep it simple. I invite you to do the same if you choose to participate.

Today I begin with Jin Shin point #26.
According to Betsy Ruth Dayton "#26 is the final completion where all that was, is and will be come together in perfect harmony. The 26s release everything."

One could think of these points as mini-chakras. They are also places where energy meridians intersect. These points are places in the body where energy is most likely to become congested, deficient or excessive along the meridians. Meridians are part of your body's energetic circulatory system. This system is completely different from your cardiovascular, nervous or lymphatic systems. Meridians are part of your body's"energy anatomy". Everyone has meridians.

Point # 26 is released by point #25 on the opposite side of the body.

26 can be found in the armpit near the axillary border of the scapula...feel for the muscle (subscapularis) under your shoulder blade near the back of your armpit.

25 can be found where you would sit on your hands to warm them...where the upper part of your thigh meets your hip at the back of the body...just inferior to your ischial tuberosity.

Use your index, middle & ring fingers' tips to apply gentle pressure at the point. You are invited to vary pressure for your own comfort. Simply making contact at the specified pairs of points is more important than the amount of pressure being applied. Some people respond best to very light pressure while others respond better to moderate pressure. Listen to your body. Find out what works best for you.The point may feel sensitive, sore or tender.
Avoid harming yourself with excessive pressure. Be as comfortable & relaxed as possible while practicing Jin Shin self care. Sit or recline...whatever works best for you. Stop if this causes you any discomfort. If you can't reach these points just visualize yourself touching them. If your method of contact is visualization, please share that in any posts you make in this blog.

To enhance energy flow at right 26...
Touch right 26 & left 25. Breath at your normal rate of breathing. Count 42 exhales as you touch these points. About 5 minutes.

To enhance energy flow at left 26...
Touch left 26 & right 25. Breath at your normal rate of breathing. Count 42 exhales as you touch these points. About 5 minutes.

If you believe in a Higher Power that blesses you with the Spark of Life, I invite you to focus attention on that Divine Spark of Life within yourself as you touch these points. If not, just focus your attention on your breath one breath at a time.

What did I learn today in my self-care time?
I realize that point 26 is where I store things that I hold close to my heart.
Emotionally I went from feeling a little anxious to feeling calm.
Mentally I went from feeling foggy to feeling deeply relaxed.
Physically I went from feeling congested in my lower abdomen to feeling relaxed at my shoulders & waistline.
Energetically I went from feeling restless to feeling centered & my 3rd eye felt open.

Keep in mind....
EveryONE is unique. Your experience will be unique to you.
You deserve a 10 minute break to focus attention on your own well being every day.