The Power of the Ring Finger in Jin Shin Jyutsu
Grief, sorrow, and sadness are emotions we all experience at some point in life. Sometimes they arrive quietly; other times, they feel overwhelming. These emotions can affect us deeply; both emotionally and physically. The good news is that there’s a simple, effective way to support ourselves during these times. It’s something we can do anytime, anywhere, for as long as we need: holding the ring finger in Jin Shin Jyutsu.
Watch the video: How the ring fingers help and practice along!
The Ring Finger: Moving Me Through Sorrow
In Jin Shin Jyutsu, each finger corresponds to specific attitudes, emotions, and organ functions. The ring finger is closely related to grief, sadness, and sorrow – those feelings that arise with loss, change, or disappointment.
Grief is not, of course, something to push away or bypass. It’s part of being alive. Problems arise, however, when we get stuck in our grief – when sadness becomes ‘stuck’ or overwhelming. This emotional stagnation can begin to manifest physically, often affecting the lungs and the large intestine, as these are organs that in Jin Shin Jyutsu we associate with the ring finger.
These organs also govern breathing and digestion. When our breath is shallow or our digestion sluggish, our entire being can become imbalanced. Holding the ring finger helps guide us back to our natural state of harmony.
Exhale – Let Go, Inhale – Receive
Mary Burmeister, the teacher who introduced Jin Shin Jyutsu to the West, shared this simple but profound notion:
“Exhale, unload all dirt, dust and greasy grime; inhale, receive in abundance the purified Cosmic Breath of Life while holding the ring finger.”
Our Breathing – exhaling, unloading and inhaling, receiving become easier and rhythmic. What happens then? Mental clarity, physical energy and calming of the nervous system start taking place: a sense of total peace envelops us and we can BE in the NOW. This is where healing is made possible.
How to hold the Ring Finger in Jin Shin Jyutsu
Sit or lie (or even stand!) comfortably. If you sit, you can place a little cushion on your lap, on which you can place your hands. Close your eyes.
Wrap left hand around right ring finger (shown in image)
relax the hands
hold for a few minutes then
Wrap right hand around left ring finger
relax the hands
hold for a few minutes
What else does holding the Ring Finger help with?
Holding the ring finger in Jin Shin Jyutsu also helps harmonise a wide range of other issues:
- Tinnitus: Hold either ring finger, or both, to reduce noises or ringing in the ears.
- Negativity: When I’m thinking and sounding negative and I just can’t help myself I hold my ring finger.
- Loss of common sense: What we often call “common sense” is really the ability to make grounded, appropriate decisions in the moment. It’s the clarity that comes when body, mind, and spirit are aligned. Holding the ring finger can help restore this sense of natural wisdom.
- Skin conditions: The skin, our largest organ, is also energetically linked to the ring finger. It reflects internal imbalances, especially those related to the lungs and large intestine.
- Mucus buildup: Excess mucus is often a sign that the body is struggling to process emotion or environment. Holding the ring finger can help in clearing this buildup.
- Clumsiness: Being “just plain clumsy” is not a natural state of being. It’s a sign of energetic disharmony. Coordination improves as energy flows more freely.
A Simple Practice from Master Jiro Murai
Another way to work with the ring fingers comes from Master Jiro Murai, the founder of Jin Shin Jyutsu. While recovering from illness alone in his family cabin, he experimented with various mudras, or finger poses.
One of these mudras is particularly helpful to deepen the breath, and according to one of my students, it even settles the heart.
You can use this mudra to help you breathe when at high altitudes. It also enhances stamina and endurance when doing physical activities like running, jogging, walking. In fact, whenever you need to deepen your breathing you can practice this hold:
Place the left thumb over the left ring fingernail, and
place the right thumb over the right ring fingernail.
Want to practice Jin Shin Jyutsu regularly?
I offer weekly group practice sessions in a closed community. We get together and practice different flows every week. It feels good and it’s great FUN! For more information see: Weekly Group Practice