Simple healing techniques: let your fingers do the walking!

     Last post I mentioned holding your ring finger to bring about a sense of joy, or thwart off winter blues.

     This comes from a method/philosophy called Jin Shin Jyutsu ("jitsu") Physio-Philosophy™, or "JSJ". I've become a lifelong student of this Japanese healing art. It's akin to acupuncture or acupressure without needles, only gentle placement of hands or fingers on specific areas in particular sequences are used instead of needles. Here's a picture of holding the ring finger, with the thumb placed in the center of the palm. The palm center helps balance the larger "Main Central" energy pathyway, and the ring finger will help lift your mood.

I like the fact that it's a healing art rather than a prescribed technique,  because it allows me the freedom to incorporate my intuition, as well as years of nursing experience when applying flow patterns to alleviate a symptom.

     JSJ is in alignment with yoga philosophy as well as other Eastern approaches in that it's based on the idea that there are energetic pathways in the body, and when we have symptoms it's because energy gets blocked, or is excessive or weak, and these hand placements somehow help to let the pathway get cleared. It doesn't make scientific sense in terms of the  double-blind-controlled-study, gold standard-conventional medicine approach, so it doesn't qualify as "evidence-based medicine". However many Eastern and other traditional practices have worked for thousands of people for thousands of years, and yet don't fit those criteria. I wonder if maybe we aren't asking the right questions, or don't know how to set up the study well enough yet. I know for certain that there is a lot less funding to study CAM (Complementary Alternative Medicine) modalities, esp if they're difficult to measure.

I remember when massage therapy, acupuncture, and exercise for women after surgery for breast cancer were admonished, and now we have more information indicating that these are things that are helpful to alleviate pain and inflammation, prevent limited mobility, and reduce risk of cancer recurrence and other disease states.
There are many facets and complexities of JSJ, but one of the things I love most is that it can be REALLY simple. As simple as holding your fingers! This is a  great self-renewal tool for restoring balance and inner wisdom, and keeping that "generalized anxiety" feeling at bay. If you have ever felt out of sorts but don't know why, and esp. if meditation is not your thing, try holding your fingers! It supports healing the physical, is compatible with conventional therapies, and brings harmony back to many levels of one's being.

     Although there are many patterns, I've found the easiest tool for overall self-renewal is to simply hold the thumb, then each one of the fingers, on one hand, while breathing 3 slow deep breaths for each finger hold. If you notice pain, symptoms or tension on one side of your body, hold the fingers on the hand of that side first. If you have time, complete the session on the other hand as well.
A 'double whammy' benefit to speed things up a bit is to put your thumb in the center of your palm as you hold, as shown in the pictures. If you find this awkward, forget about putting the thumb in the center of the palm, and just wrap your fingers around each finger of the opposite hand-it still works very well! Even holding only one finger is beneficial. Next or future posting, I'll introduce the specific remedies each individual finger or thumb provides.
Free, can do it anywhere, can't harm you, and beneficial even when you have only a moment or two (like when you boot up your computer, are waiting to reheat your beverage in the microwave, are on hold while on the phone, etc.). What have you got to lose, why not try it?
Of course, it is frequent, consistent, repetitive applications of the finger holds that will help you to feel your optimum.
As a healing arts practitioner, I incorporate JSJ as well as Reiki when working with clients in the private practice; the idea in both of these Japanese-based theories is that receiving the hands-on-healing from a practitioner is a great way to get a 'jump start', to help you become more centered and balanced, and get your energy flowing. The most complete healing, or sense of feeling things are "right" in our life, you must continue with finger holds or other recommendations almost daily between sessions.
Future postings: possibly whole food energy, Reiki, more JSJ-Here comes 2010!!

Lift your Mood with exercise and Jin Shin Jyutsu

Winterwonderland in Wisconsin holds beauty in mysterious ways, like steam rising off Lake Monona the day after a big snowstorm (not to worry, traffic was stopped); and dazzling turquoise skies in single-digit weather; these taken on my morning commute, heading towards our capital (dome in the background below).

     Keeping the mood up is a challenge when days are gray tho'; ennui sets in as I unconsciously imitate what's happening in the elements all around me: withdrawing inward, eating more carb-rich foods, stillness. For a short period of time this retreat to the interior of buildings and the mind is beneficial-a slowing down, time to recoup from a fast-paced world, to enjoy hot steamy soups and cuddling.
      However, since winter's harshness lasts about 5 months here, it's easy to gain the proverbial extra 5 or 10 pounds every year, which by itself causes its own health problems, as well as being depressing and discouraging! (in general, people seem bigger in the northern midwest, but stats show 1/3 of all Americans now are obese)
      It takes a fair amount of self-talk to convince myself to get outdoors, but I never regret it when I do. I see things differently when on a walk, snowshoe outing, or hike. When I'm stable enough on cross-country skis I can look around (without falling or seeing trees whiz by on the downhill) and enjoy the surprises nature holds. I grumble before I get outside, then remember how much fun it is to GET UP AND GET MOVING!
      I exercise for mental health as well as physical well-being, and find the secret is to just do SOMEthing consistently: if you can't get outdoors, practice dancing, put on an exercise or yoga DVD, or do hip-hop to your own playlist...or just put on the layers if it's cold outside and get going. You don't have to like it, just do it; notice whether you feel better afterwards mentally, physically, emotionally. Personally, I'm a morning person and if I exercise at the beginning of the day, I'm more alert (without cafeeine) in the afternoon.

       To help myself get motivated, I play mental mind games by saying things like, 'I'm gonna challenge myself to do something I never did before...I'll go snowshoeing while it's still dark!" I lay out clothes and gear the night before. I stumble around at 5:30 a.m., flip on my headlamp, and head for the path in the woods behind our house. (The path isn't really icy, it's just strange-looking in the photo, but afterall it's taken with a headlamp and my iPhone!)

Once my arms and legs start pumping, the grumbling goes away, and I focus on my breath...I remember when I had cancer 15 years ago, and my presenting symptom was that annoying dry cough, and not being able to catch my breath...I am filled with gratitude to be here, breathing, fully alive! All my parts are working, and I feel the energy amp up in my body as I breathe...I imagine my breath traveling up my spine, over the top of my head and whooshing down the front of my body, washing stress away down and out through my feet. My shoulders release, and a Cheshire Cat-grin begins to appear as I stop to appreciate the living energy in the midst of what looks dead in this winter environment.

   Something shines in the corner of my eye and I look up...snow! What keeps it there?

             And crystals clinging to a branch! There is a tension, an energy holding molecules of ice together...

I tromp on, appreciating this beautiful land; up and down a few hills, past the meadow that is someone's back yard, and back towards home again. I stop now and then to listen to the silent dark morning air-a stark contrast to when the cleats on the snowshoes are hitting the crisp trail with crunchy vigor! Believe it or not, I even run (sort of) for a little while. Absolutely enlivening...same trail on another day we saw a treat: candy cane on a tree, and ice sculptures with a texture that looked like a wintry fungi, compliments of Mother Nature:

How could I have NOT wanted to get out and see that?

"Wisdom taught me I am nothing
Love taught me I am everything

Between the two, my life flows"

~ Sri Nisargadatta

      I feel a resonance in my body with these elements of nature, as harsh as they may seem in their crystal coldness...it is, after all, water, transformed into vapor or solid form...different, yet with the same properties as the warm liquid water comprising up to 60% of my own body, 70% of my brain, 83% of my blood, and nearly 90% of these breathing lungs and ...I recognize that the life energy creating this pristine frosty beauty that is present in nature and all things, is also present within me. Of course, spiritual writings thousands of years old present this concept of non-duality, such as in the quote "Thou Art That" ("tat tvam asi" in Sanskrit), or when Jesus said "I AM"; and here it is today... spurred on by exercising in a setting of nature...such a meditation! My mind relaxes...and my body keeps moving through space.
It was a 40 minute 'shoe trip wonder!  :>D
      A very important part of goal setting is giving oneself the reward after accomplishing what you set out to do. In this case, at the end of the trail: the hot tub awaits!!

Later in the midst of a busy workday, I use a simple technique to keep my spirits lifted-I place my right thumb in the palm of my left hand, and hold my right ring finger as I breathe, and feel the joy and energy of the morning pulsing in my hands and my entire being - Jin Shin Jyutsu ("jitsu"), more about that and hands-on energy healing in future postings...try it yourself, switch hands after 10 breaths...

Recoveryoga!™

Teaching yoga is a gift for me; students often say it's the same for them. To me, yoga is about learning how your body, mind, and spirit operate and integrate...and how your life energy is influenced by the way you live, move, eat, think, and breathe!

For years my focus has been on serving people affected by cancer. Now, a new class in Madison, WI for Breast Cancer Survivors, Recoveryoga!™. (This is a plug, but since I don't have a website yet, here goes...)
I'm able to offer these classes with financial support from Susan B Komen Foundation, through a grant, for University of Wisconsin's Breast Center patients. It doesn't feel quite right to leave out others who may benefit, so my personal business, Izumi Joi, will fund the registration, my time and material fees for other breast cancer survivors. If it weren't for Breast Cancer Recovery, I wouldn't be able to hold the class, as the space I thought would be available at no charge didn't come through, and they found a great space in their building and made the arrangements-another gift! (I also teach yoga to anyone who is a member of Gilda's Club, no charge, 1st and 3rd Thurs evenings each month in Middleton, WI and will be offering hands-on Reiki healing there during a session with Reiki Master and reknowned teacher Christine Milovani Dec 19, 2009)


So, today's posting is info about the class (see below); I'm trying out a new format, "intro classes" that anyone can come to, and weekly, which will have same people each week, and build upon the class prior. If you've been diagnosed with breast cancer, I hope to see you there-support people are welcome as well!

Recoveryoga!™ is a series of four yoga classes:
Recoveryoga!™101: One session. Information and easy practice. You may attend more than one Recoveryoga!™101 session; each session is the same.

• Dec 30, 2009, Jan 6, 13 and 27, 2010 (others TBD) 10-11am or 5:30-6:30 pm

Recoveryoga!™ Weekly: 3-session series helps you build your knowledge, deepen your skills and practice, and maintain your energy this winter!

• Feb 3 & 10-class rescheduled to: Feb 17, 24, March 3, & 10, 2010  5:30-6:30 pm

Note: You must attend Recoveryoga!™101 before Recoveryoga!™ Weekly. Yoga mats and blanket are provided; you may bring your own if you prefer.  Sorry, we are not able to provide childcare for this program.
Location:
Broadway Business Center
2800 Royal Avenue (same bldg as Breast Cancer Recovery)
Madison, WI 53713
Mendota Room – Lower Level
Parking is free and ample.
Cost: Free, accept donations sliding scale of $0-30, cash or check

TO REGISTER: Contact me through posting here at least 24 hours before class: I can see postings right away to get your info, but will delete them so they will not be viewable by the public . Please provide your name, contact info, date you wish to attend; you will receive a confirmation. Class size for Recoveryoga!™Weekly is limited; wait list will be available. Pre-registration required.
No one will be turned away due to financial concerns.

BETTER THAN BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S

   Lately it's food that I'm most interested in. Like millions of other Americans. Only I'm not so interested in dieting and weight loss as I am about the influence of food on our perception of self, on energy level, about where the food I eat or prepare comes from, and what it does to the body, and sustainability, in the long run.
   I like to look at the food I'm eating; I feel better when it's pretty. Even better: good for me. Breakfast today:
Half-decaf cappuccino (NF organic milk, not too much caffeine) with cinnamon (anti-inflammatory), in my favorite Lotus coffee cup from my friend Pam (love energy and Buddhist/Hindu icon for spiritual growth). I try to drink a glass of water before coffee, tip from a marathon coach 10 years ago (thanks Coach Al!) to stay hydrated.
   The beautiful orange mandala is a Fuyu persimmon sliced crosswise, my FAVORITE birthday present from my Mom! Thanks, Mom! Her friend grows them, an autumn seasonal fruit loaded with beta carotene.

• 1 persimmon (Fuyu is shaped like a tomato, not like an acorn) 
• 1/2 slice of wholewheat bread, each slice topped with
• 1/2 tsp. of peanut butter (organic, no transfats for me), and
• 1/8 tsp. tahini (sesame seed butter, organic)-Less than 250 calories.

Check out Mike's Calorie & Fat Gram Counter or, if you want to keep a log My Pyramid Tracker

Yeah, I know-they keep changing and adding to that dumb pyramid, but at least it's a tool so you don't have to look up charts all the time, you can enter your common foods and the data base keeps it and there's visual charts and stuff.

   I'm lucky to have been raised in a family that took pride in growing and preparing much of their own food. My mother is Japanese, an artful cook who seems happiest in the kitchen, intuitively offering just what you need to lift your spirits and feel welcome (or maybe too much, she always makes sure there is plenty even if you drop by unexpectedly). And Dad, well, he did things like grafting peaches onto an apricot tree,'tilled the garden and expounded on the evils of too much soda pop. Lots of fresh food!

   Colors, shapes, textures, beautiful energy of real food...good medicine! See you next Wednesday...IJ