Question: In the section called Magic Exercise: Hold for a Facelift, the photo and the description do not match.  The photo shows someone crossing their hands and holding opposite calves but the directions describe same-side holding.  But this is further confused by  the end of the description where it states ‘no need to cross your arms when you work on someone else’, implying that you are to cross your arms when palming on yourself.

This is such a powerful pair that I would love to know which is the better way to do it!

Thank you, AC from Santa Barbara

Answer: Dear AC – Thanks for getting in touch and apologies for the confusion! In actual fact, both are correct whether you cross the arms or not. If you cross you are doing one side and if you don’t you are doing the other side flow. However, don’t worry about that, your point is right in that the photo and the text did not match – and so I have corrected that below! Take care and enjoy!

To do this Jin Shin Jyutsu self help exercise which is great for deep skin clearing (so helps clear acne, etc), heals burns, and is great for a facelift (do 20 minutes every day for at least 2 weeks and your friends will start commenting on how good you look):

Cross your arms, and place the palm of your RIGHT hand (with fingers facing down towards your feet) on the LEFT calf (lower leg). Do the same for the palm of the LEFT hand on the RIGHT calf. If you’re working on someone else, lie her face up, stand at her feet facing her and place your LEFT palm on her RIGHT calf fingers facing up towards her head, and your RIGHT palm on her LEFT calf, fingers facing up towards her head (in this case you don’t cross the arms).

Time after time, I have tried and tested these holds and it is absolutely amazing how my whole world can change in 20 minutes – purely because I have been able to energise myself. And if I can, you can too with this simple exercise.

The Spleen energy governs our energy levels and this exercise is very powerful for vitality and calm (one needs energy to stay calm, believe it or not!) – 20 minutes minimum every day.

The Spleen is the biggest lymphatic organ in the body and if kept happy, helps all the other organs.

In Jin Shin Jyutsu, a sequence of HOLDS is referred to as a FLOW. The following self-help flow can be used to revitalise and re-energise the whole system, and to be ‘happy and content where ever you are’. Use it to regulate the body’s temperature (to warm the body when it’s cold, to cool the body when it’s hot), and to balance the nervous system (to calm).

Hold each step for a few minutes or until you feel you want to move to the next position. Tip: put on a chill out CD and when the track changes, move the hands to the next position… The music can add a wonderful dimension to the session…

GENERAL ENERGY REVITALISING FLOW (Spleen Flow)
(Right energy pattern)
Step 1
Place Left hand on base of spine (coccyx)
Place Right hand on right inside of heel
Step 2
Move Right hand and place on left base of rib cage and hold
Step 3
Move Left hand and place on right above breast area
Step 4
Move Left hand and place on left center of collar bone

So to summarise: the Spleen flow helps beat fatigue, insomnia, headaches, anxiety and much more. It stimulates the immune system, helps the digestive system, helps regulate our body temperature (you can use it to warm and to cool the body – isn’t that great?) – this flow also helps the skin, helps beat the attitude of WORRY and well, it’s just a great general all round wonder flow – use it with HUMILITY AND GRATITUDE!