What joined my life
with the Art of JIN SHIN JYUTSU® ?

Jyutsu = Art

Shin = Creator

Jin = Person of knowing and Compassion

“Art of the Creator through person of knowing and compassion”

Some years ago on a spring day, I participated in a one-hour Jin Shin Jyutsu self-help class. What attracted me? I was born with a sensitive nature and a curiosity about the body and how we come to be who we are. In my 20’s, I developed an affinity for the wisdom and teachings that were born in ancient cultures: India, China, Japan. Yoga became my first adventure into Eastern practices and not long after I dipped into meditation and learned the power of our breath. I was a Zen Buddhist student at San Francisco Zen Center in my mid 50’s and, as a volunteer “Flower Chiden” I led a group of fellow volunteers making arrangements for all the altars in the temple and took classes in 3 of the thousands of schools of Ikebana. in my 60’s, Jin Shin Jyutsu was yet another quest to experience the art of balancing and relaxing Body, Mind, Spirit.

Although I was generally healthy and energetic during the growing years, I had low-grade depression from about age 8, which became a “chronic state” of being Dawna. Not always a comfortable place to live.

During my college years, I self-medicated with recreational drugs and alcohol thinking I could push away free-floating anxieties and deep sadness. But after college, when I took on high level work, my down moods became disruptive requiring many “mental health days off” and later, meds.

Occasional insomnia and digestive ailments ran parallel with menopause in my mid-50’s and as my 60’s dawned, the effects of chronic inflammation brought osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and arthritis and watching my parents age, it was clear that I inherited these common “dis - eases”. But, my daily energy was unpredictable, and I struggled with increasing pain due to the arthritis in my right hip. Surrendering, I retired in my early 60’s and slid into a rut, lacking drive, happiness, and purpose.

But I was also a fighter and my will to regain joy in life was fulfilled when I found a yoga community in Sonoma with gentle classes for seniors. I had studied many traditions of yoga starting in my 20’s, so yoga was an old friend. Once I was able to get the hip replacement I needed, 8 weeks post-op I could get out and hike and resume birding, an activity that brought me back into contact with many old friends. Energy and vitality returned and life got better!

When I heard about a Jin Shin Jyutsu self-help class at the senior center where I took yoga classes, my curiosity led me to participate. As class began, teacher instructed us to simply hold a thumb, followed by each other finger as she talked about Jin Shin Jyutsu’s roots in Traditional Asian Healing philosophy. We learned that holding each of our fingers harmonizes an attitude, the energy function of a pair of bodily organs, and restoring balance to spirit, mind and body. By the end of the hour I felt clear minded with a deep sense of well-being! I was impressed and from that day Jin Shin Jyutsu became my muse; a much welcome Divine spark!

I purchased The Touch of Healing, a self-help book the teacher recommended. Soon, I contacted the main offices of Jin Shin Jyutsu in Arizona to seek deeper study in classes and webinars presented by the faculty of Jin Shin Jyutsu Spirit Mind Body. I was fortunate to connect with a local practitioner, Jill, who is one of the JSJSMB faculty and had studied with Mary Burmeister, who brought JSJ to the States. She became my mentor and guide and soon I received authorization to be a Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner and self-help instructor.

It is with great joy and love of this healing Art that I am now at your service!

You can join me in truly getting to know and heal yourself. The world we’re living in now has increased our stress levels, compromising our mental and physical well-being. We need this Art to live well!