Sometimes it’s helpful to zoom out and examine why I do something every day. Why did I start taking Jin Shin Jyutsu classes almost 20 years ago? Why do I continue to practice self-help every day like clockwork? Why do I love giving and receiving sessions so much and taking classes and learning more about this Art?
I think it’s related to my overall path as a spiritual seeker. When I first heard about Jin Shin Jyutsu from my aunt, a Reiki practitioner and seeker, and later took my first JSJ class, it opened up a worldview to me that was previously unknown. It explained how my body, its every detail and nuance, is directly connected to the greater Cosmos and ultimately, to the Divine Source. This relationship became so profound to me and so powerful that it compelled me to learn more and more and to transcend my limited understanding of who I am.
Now that JSJ is so integrated into my daily life and understanding of myself and others, I literally do not know what I would do without it.
Lately, I’ve been waking up between 2 and 4am and practicing JSJ for about an hour in order to get my body-mind back in harmony. I guess I’m moving through some “stuff” right now, but without self-help, I’m not sure how I would relax enough to get through this time. I could take pills and supplements (and I’m going to try a new supplement tonight, actually!), but to me, the transformative power of energy work exists at a higher frequency than most supplements, so the energy I’m able to move is more significant and powerful than simply relaxing myself and going back to sleep.
Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I just need to take something to get better sleep and relax….But that approach simply does not resonate with me as much as understanding the underlying Root of the issue (for me, it’s usually related to the 6th Depth being out of balance).
I hope to get over this insomnia issue soon, but if I don’t, I truly have faith that I’m moving through it for a reason. And that the tool of Jin Shin Jyutsu self-help is a gift I’ve received in order to walk through it with more grace and power than I otherwise would have. I feel grateful not to feel helpless in the face of stress and anxiety, and I love sharing this gift with anyone who is open to it!
And the information about Sarah:
My journey with Jin Shin Jyutsu began in 1997, when I took a 5-day basic seminar with Lynne Pflueger. Lynne told the class that she is from a “medical family” and was initially skeptical of anything alternative or non-mainstream. It wasn’t until she received JSJ sessions from Mary Burmeister (who brought JSJ to the U.S.) for a knee injury that she began to understand its benefits and devoted her life to the study and practice of the art.
After Lynne’s class, I was hooked. This art, which has many names, including “Physio-philosophy,” seemed to bring two worlds together: the physical world of healing and restoring wellness, and the spiritual world of seeking unity with all things. Mary taught that “The truth is that within each one of us lies the power to cast all misery aside and to KNOW complete Peace and Oneness-to BE that beautiful creation of perfect harmony-to truly KNOW (Help) MYSELF” (Text I, page 1). As a dancer and kinesthetically-oriented person, I found it miraculous that through very light, simple touch on various areas of the body, mental/emotional, physical, and spiritual harmony could be restored.
Since Lynn’s class, I have studied with Matthias Roth, Anita Willoughby, Philomena Dooley, Jed Schwartz, Sara Harper, and Cynthia Broshi. I became a class organizer in 2013. The beauty of Jin Shin Jyutsu is that it is completely “individualized” for each person, since it is innate to all of us. Thus, each instructor or practitioner captures and communicates unique aspects of the Art and shares these insights with students. There is no end to learning and exploration of Jin Shin Jyutsu.
Jin Shin Jyutsu is, for me, a gift that I offer to myself every day. Its benefits are most noticeable when I’m experiencing some kind of “disharmony,” such as anxiety, muscle tension, getting a cold, feeling depressed or angry, or simply needing to find center.
When I experience these states of mind, body, and spirit, I trust, through years of practice and faith, that if I listen to my body, it will tell me exactly what I need to do to restore balance and flow. I describe some of my daily experiences with JSJ in a self-help blog, which articulates how I integrate the practice into daily life. I also published an essay about my journey with JSJ in the Nashville Psychotherapy Institute newsletter.
Sessions
I offer Jin Shin Jyutsu sessions in Nashville and surrounding areas. Sessions can offer support to the receiver in his or her unfolding process. That process may focus on a physical, emotional, or spiritual project during the session. Each person’s being is aware of what is needed.
Sarah W. Anderson, LMSW
jsjsarah@gmail.com
Jin Shin Jyutsu Sverige 
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