Part of the Jin Shin Jyutsu A-Z Index
Key Tips to Ease Bloating
What this post covers:
- How Jin Shin Jyutsu self-help holds can support digestion and ease bloating naturally.
- Why working with the fingers and Safety Energy Locks (SELS) helps the body release tension, calm the digestive system, and reduce discomfort of bloat.
- Simple self-help holds and flows you can do anytime – from finger holds to holding particular SELS in the groin, wrist, and more.
- Practical guidance and links to more detailed guides so you can explore these practices more in depth.
Bloating is something most of us have experienced: that uncomfortable fullness, tightness, or ‘heavy’ feeling in the belly that can come after eating, during stress, or when energy feels congested around the digestive organs. Rather than forcing digestion, Jin Shin Jyutsu offers gentle, effective self-help tools you can use any time to ease abdominal bloat and support harmony in the body’s digestive rhythms.
Below are some of the most useful holds and flows, starting from the simplest and moving to slightly more involved. But they are all easy to do at home or on the go.
Watch the video: Ease Bloating with Jin Shin Jyutsu
Simple Self-Help Holds to Start With
Hold the Fingers
Finger holds are a wonderful first step to harmony. In fact, they form the basis of self help in Jin Shin Jyutsu. Each finger corresponds to specific energy functions related to digestion, emotion, and flow. Simply wrap your opposite hand around one finger at a time and allow your body to relax into the hold for a few minutes.
Holding the fingers is a great way to harmonise our whole being. They are especially useful to know about when we’re out and about and it’s not convenient, appropriate or comfortable to practice other self-help holds.
Hold the THUMB
The thumb is really important for the digestive system. The energy of the thumb is related to the stomach and the spleen. In fact, when we SIT a lot, we can burden the stomach and spleen energy, and this can create abdominal discomforts like bloat. Hold one thumb for a few minutes, then you can switch hands. See this article for a lot more: Simple Self Help for Total Harmony
Hold the Index Finger
In Jin Shin Jyutsu, the index finger helps calm fear and tension that can settle in the belly. And when we hold it, we can experience more FLOW. This is because our FEAR is the biggest impediment to our FLOW. See here for lots more: Unlock the Power of the Index Finger in Jin Shin Jyutsu
Hold the Middle Finger
We often refer to this finger as the great harmoniser. Holding this finger supports balance throughout the digestive system and helps when bloating comes with stress or frustration. Read much more here: The Great Harmoniser for Body and Mind: The Middle Finger
Hold the Little Finger
This finger supports elimination and letting go of effort – both physically, mentally and emotionally. Learn more here: Unlock Calm and Clarity with the Little Finger
You can hold just one finger, or move through all four, holding just one side, or first one side and then the other.
Trust what feels right for your body. The good news is that the more you hold the fingers with awareness – so sitting quietly with your eyes closed – the more you will feel things happening.
And by the way, I didn’t mention the ring fingers, but if you are running through your fingers you could also hold them too, as they are related to the large intestine energy.
Using Safety Energy Locks (SELS) for Digestive Ease
If bloating feels stubborn or paired with stress and tension, working with Safety Energy Locks can help things settle quite quickly.
One of my favourite Safety Energy Locks to use for bloating is SEL 1 called The Prime Mover.
When the energy is stuck, causing abdominal discomforts like cramping and bloating, get it moving! That’s what SEL 1 does: it moves the energy from head to toes.
Simply cross the arms. Place your left hand on the inside of the right knee and place your right hand on the inside of the left knee. Holding SEL 1 helps bring movement to the digestive energies. Hold for a few minutes or until there is relief.
For a simple series of holds, starting with SEL 1 see this article: Jin Shin Jyutsu Exercises to Ease Bloating
If You’re Feeling Adventurous: Little Fingers & Big Toes
If it feels comfortable for you, holding little fingers together with big toes can enhance connection between the upper and lower body and smooth the flow of digestive energy. More about this here: Jin Shin Jyutsu: Little Fingers & Big Toes
Keep It Simple!
You don’t need to do every hold in one sitting. In fact, just choosing one hold and allowing yourself to stay with it with awareness for a few minutes can bring noticeable relief. You can practice these holds (especially the finger holds) as long and as often as you like.
For broader support of this and other ailments see the Jin Shin Jyutsu A-Z Index For Everyday Ailments.
Want to practice Jin Shin Jyutsu regularly?
If you’d like to deepen your Jin Shin Jyutsu practice, I offer weekly group sessions where people from around the world come together to explore harmonising exercises in a supportive space. Each week brings a new focus and a shared sense of calm. Learn more here: Jin Shin Jyutsu Group Practice.