Though energy moves through the body in a continuous cycle, several energetic pathways hold a place of primary importance in the Art of Jin Shin, among them the three main harmonizing flows known as the “First Three.” Emanating from the universal source energy, these flows are in perfect harmony and set the blueprint for what eventually occurs in the body as energy becomes denser and transforms into matter.
Because the “First Three” Flows are helpful for any energetic imbalance in the body, they are a great place to start. Or go ahead and begin with some of the more specific holds that appear later in the book—there’s no “wrong” way to approach self-care with Jin Shin, and as you become more sensitive to the effect of Jin Shin on your body, you will find the routines that work best for you. Any hold or flow will start to move stuck energy in the body, and that’s a good thing!
The Main Center Source, a multipurpose flow which Jin Shin practitioners apply liberally, is one that I teach all of my clients as a daily maintenance practice. Our central connection to source energy, the flow works on the endocrine system and allows the energy to cycle in an oval shape down the front center of the body. Traveling from the top of the head through the sternum down to the pubic bone through the tailbone, the energy then moves back up the spine and over the head. Depending on the time of day, the routine can be either activating or calming. Many clients report using it in bed at night and falling asleep before even finishing the flow. On the other hand, when performed in the morning it can have energizing and tonifying effects. Experiment with the timing and see what works for you.
Begin by placing your right fingertips on the top of your head, then follow the steps in the images laid out below.
1
Place your right fingertips at the center of the top of your head (the right hand will remain in place until the final step), and bring your left fingertips to the spot between your eyebrows.
WHAT IT HELPS: memory, mental clarity, focus, stress, insomnia, and natural diuretic.
2
Move your left fingertips to the indentation under the tip of your nose.
WHAT IT HELPS: reproductive functions, and the energy of generation and regeneration throughout the body.
Move your left fingertips into the indentation where your collarbones meet.
WHAT IT HELPS: thyroid, parathyroid, voice, breathing, communication, and calcium absorption.
4
Move your left fingertips down to the center of your breastbone.
WHAT IT HELPS: lungs, breathing, heart, emotional being; also harmonizes growth hormones and appetite and works on the immune and reproductive systems.
5
Move your left fingertips down to the base of your sternum.
WHAT IT HELPS: liver, gallbladder, stomach, spleen, adrenals, mental stress, balancing appetite, and helping anxiety.
Move your left fingertips to your pubic bone.
WHAT IT HELPS: the descending source of life energy, strengthening the spine and reproductive system.
7
Move your right hand to your tailbone, leaving your left hand on your pubic bone.
WHAT IT HELPS: total body circulation, helping energy ascend along the spine.
Addressing the lateral balance of energy along the body, the Supervisor Flow is a useful tool for daily maintenance. If you’re aware of tightness, pain, or even clumsiness on one side (some of us tend to bump into things on the dominant side of our bodies), practice the corresponding flow.
Hold each step until you feel your pulses harmonize. Beyond immediate physical symptoms, the full flow addresses underlying emotional issues that tend to accumulate along vertical lines, acting as a “quickie” for each of the SELs. An eloquent map of the toll taken by our emotional states and the daily pressure so many of us face, the right side of the body reveals the accumulation of wear due to lifestyle and environmental stressors. If we are doing too much, the right side of the body will let us know. The left side of the body tells the story of our genetic predispositions and our personal histories. Both physical and emotional stressors from the past leave their energetic mark here, and the left side also sends up flares when we’re trying too hard, sending our bodies out of flow as a result. This flow is recommended to do both sides. It helps all twenty-six SELs!
1
Place your right hand on top of your left shoulder (SEL 11). Place your left hand at the top of your left thigh, toward your groin (SEL 15).
WHAT IT HELPS: aiding the exhale and the movement of energy up the spine, along with any issues along the back of the body, from backaches to kidney troubles.
Leaving your right hand in place, move your left hand to your left sit bone (SEL 25).
WHAT IT HELPS: aiding the inhale and the movement of energy down the front of the body, along with any issues on the front of the body, from digestive troubles to spleen, pancreatic, liver, and gallbladder symptoms.
The Mediator Flow begins the energetic movement from right to left and left to right. Our emotions can cause this energy to create chaos and cause disharmony in the body. Often the main cause for dis-ease in the body, this flow spirals across the body from side to side, branching off of the Supervisor Flow and giving birth to our thoughts, feelings, and words. Daily self-care can be extremely helpful.
Your response to the Mediator Flow will vary depending on your energetic needs. As one of my clients noted, applying the flow upon waking too early allowed her to go back to sleep, while applying the flow after a full night’s sleep allowed her to shake off the cobwebs and kick off her day.
A note: In Jin Shin we use the term “dis-ease” to designate a lack of harmony on an energetic level that, if not harmonized, may eventually devolve into disease as the term is commonly understood.
Place your right thumb over your right ring fingernail and your left hand on top of your right shoulder (SEL 11). Place knees together (SELs 1).
WHAT IT HELPS: demonstrated as a right-side flow, balancing right and left sides of the body and bringing harmony to fear—the main cause of disease.