Did you know that your hands hold the key to calming your mind and restoring your energy — anytime, anywhere?

Jin Shin Jyutsu (JSJ) is an ancient Japanese healing art focused on balancing the body’s energy to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. One of the simplest and most powerful ways to practice it? Holding your fingers. That’s it. No tools, no equipment — just your hands.

Whether you’re in line at the grocery store, sitting in a meeting, or winding down before bed, you can use JSJ to ease emotional tension, reduce physical discomfort, and feel more grounded. Each finger is connected to specific attitudes and energy flows. By understanding these connections, you can gently guide your body and emotions back into balance — one finger at a time.

In Jin Shin Jyutsu, an attitude is seen as a state of being stuck in a particular emotion, deeply held in the body and affecting the flow of energy.  It’s important to allow ourselves to feel our emotions, but they need to be balanced. Jin Shin Jyutsu doesn’t judge you for experiencing grief after the loss of a loved one; but we must understand that person was never truly ours to hold forever. With time, we heal and Jin Shin Jyutsu provides a beautiful and supportive way to assist in that healing process.

Here are the 5 Attitudes:

Your left hand mirrors your right hand, so for example the left and right index fingers are associated with the same attitude.

1. WORRY is the attitude linked to the thumb (both left and right). Other emotions tied to the thumb include depression, hate, obsession, anxiety, and self-protection. Newborns often suck their thumbs instinctively, an action that reflects their innate understanding of how to harmonize their body’s energy. Thumb-sucking in infants can be a way of seeking comfort or protection in response to the unfamiliarity of their new environment.

2. FEAR is the attitude associated with the index finger (both left and right).  Other emotions related to this finger are timidity, perfectionism, mental confusion, criticism, frustration, and depression. To help you remember, think of when someone points a finger at another, it often reflects a fear of the outcome and so they want someone to blame.

3. ANGER is the attitude associated to the middle finger (both left and right). Additional emotions include irritability, indecisiveness, instability, a lack of alertness, and feeling emotional. The universally recognized gesture of raising the middle finger is a direct expression of anger, so it’s very easy to remember.  We Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioners like to say “Grip it, don’t flip it” meaning hold your finger when you are feeling angry or frustrated.

4. GRIEF or SADNESS is associated with the ring finger (both left and right). Other emotions linked to this finger include negativity, difficulty letting go, and possessiveness. The ring finger gets its name from the tradition of wearing wedding rings, which in many cultures are typically placed on this finger. The belief dates back to ancient times, particularly to the ancient Egyptians and Romans, who thought there was a vein running directly from the ring finger to the heart. This vein was called the “vena amoris”, or “vein of love,” and it was believed that by wearing a ring on this finger, it symbolized the deep emotional connection between two people, specifically in the context of marriage.  Over time, this tradition became widespread, and the finger that carried the wedding ring became commonly known as the “ring finger”. Despite the modern understanding that all fingers have similar veins, the symbolic connection to love and marriage has remained. When we think of a broken heart, it usually stems from the sadness of losing someone we loved.

5. PRETENSE (or trying to) is the attitude associated to the little finger (both left and right). Emotions such as insecurity, nervousness, confusion, and the tendency to try too hard are also linked to this finger. A fun way to remember this is by envisioning the stereotypical image of “posh” people sipping tea, with their little fingers extended. This gesture, often seen as a sign of trying to appear important, reflects the energy of pretense.

Mary Burmeister, who introduced Jin Shin Jyutsu to the Western world, once said, “Fear is the core of all attitudes.” (For more information on Mary https://jinshinjyutsuspiritmindbody.com/jin-shin-jyutsu-history)

Here’s why:

Worry stems from the fear of something bad happening
Anger arises from the fear of others not living up to your expectations
Grief is rooted in the fear of loss, either a loved one or something important to you
Pretense or trying too hard comes from the fear you won’t live up to your own expectations (or not being good enough)

In each case, fear lies at the heart of the emotional block, shaping how we respond to situations and affecting our energy flow.  Mary also said that FEAR stood for

False
Evidence
Appearing
Real.

In summary, each finger holds a unique energy and attitude that can reveal how we are emotionally blocked.   

What makes Jin Shin Jyutsu so accessible and easy to do, is that by simply holding one finger at a time you are harmonising your body’s energy.  I like to wrap one hand around a finger on my other hand.  Use gentle pressure and make sure you are comfortable. If you feel a pulsation while holding a finger, continue holding it until that sensation fades away.

To shift your mindset about an illness or ailment, in Jin Shin Jyutsu, we use the term “project”.  This positive re-framing helps you view the situation more constructively, allowing you to focus on resolving the project.

Holding your thumb aids:

• Physical fatigue
• Headaches & back of head discomforts
• Breathing
• Digestive projects

Holding your index finger aids:

• Back pain
• Toothaches
• Digestive projects
• Elimination (bowels & urination)
• Wrist, elbow and upper arm discomforts

Holding your middle finger aids:

• Mental & general fatigue
• Eye strain or any eye projects
• Forehead discomforts

Holding your ring finger aids:

• Breathing projects
• Helps us to let go
• Ear discomforts

Holding your little finger aids:

• Heart projects
• Sore throat
• Calms your nerves
• Bloat discomforts
• Brings laughter

These are the main benefits, but there are more. To help you fall asleep, gently hold each of your ten fingers for a few minutes, one at a time. You can also ease the effects of jet lag by doing this during your flight.

By recognizing and understanding the connections between your fingers and energy flow, you can work towards clearing blockages and restoring balance within your body. Whenever your hands are free, take a moment to hold your fingers. Pay attention to which finger needs attention.

I think it is remarkable that you can harmonise your body’s energy even while in a meeting or having coffee with a friend.  My teachers say “Be your own testament” by just trying it.  I’d love to hear your comments about your experience with the attitudes, email me at ingrid@energiflo.com.

Curious how Jin Shin Jyutsu® is different from Reiki? Read my post all about it here.