I’ve had some health challenges recently. I live with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory condition of the large intestine, and I experienced the worst flare-up I’ve had in over 20 years. I spent many days resting in bed, mostly sleeping. During that time, I thought about Jiro Murai, the originator of Jin Shin Jyutsu (JSJ), and felt that this would be a good time to practice the JSJ mudras.

In 1912, at the age of 26, Murai became seriously ill. Despite being treated by many doctors, his condition continued to worsen. He was eventually diagnosed as incurable and considered terminally ill. As a final request, he asked his family to carry him on a stretcher to the family’s mountain cabin, where he wished to be left alone for seven days.

During that time, Murai fasted, meditated, and practiced various finger postures. He drifted in and out of consciousness and felt intensely cold. On the seventh day, however, he experienced a sudden and powerful heat throughout his body. When the heat subsided, he felt a profound calm and inner peace. To his and everyone else’s great surprise, he was completely healed.

What Are Mudras?

Mudras are symbolic hand gestures or finger positions practiced by yogis, dancers, and spiritual seekers. They are used to support meditation, focus attention, and convey spiritual meaning through the body. Although their exact origins are unknown, mudras have existed for thousands of years and appear across many cultures and spiritual traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Egyptian hieroglyphics, Tantric rituals, Roman art, Taoism, Asian martial arts, and Indian classical dance.

Depending on the tradition, mudras may be used to direct subtle energy, transmit teachings symbolically, or support healing. Some practices even attribute mystical or psychic qualities to them. At their core, however, mudras function as a form of non-verbal communication between body, mind, and spirit.

(Source & for more background, read An introduction to mudras)

My Experience with Jin Shin Jyutsu Mudras

I didn’t fast or retreat to a mountain cabin. I mostly stayed in my bedroom. Still, inspired by Murai’s story, I decided to practice the mudras he used and observe what happened.  You should also know that I practiced other Jin Shin Jyutsu flows to support my healing.

Below are the eight Jin Shin mudras, along with my personal experience of practicing them:

Mudra #1: Exhaling the Burdens and Blockages

How to do it:
Hold the palm side of the left middle finger lightly with the right thumb. Place the remaining right-hand fingers on the back of the left middle finger. After a few minutes, switch and repeat on the other hand.

What it does:
Supports release of general tension and stress from head to toe. It aids the exhalation, helping to clear stagnation and energetic blockage.

Use it when:

• You can’t see well
• You have difficulty exhaling
• You feel frustrated
• You are constantly tired
• You struggle with indecision or procrastination

My experience:
At times I felt nothing, and at other times I felt warmth and energy moving through my hands, especially on the right side.

Mudra #2: Inhaling the Abundance

How to do it:
Hold the back of the left middle finger with the right thumb, placing the other fingers on the palm side. After a few minutes, switch hands.

What it does:
Encourages easier inhalation of the Breath of Life, our source of abundance.

Use it when:

• You can’t take a deep breath
• Your hearing is affected
• Your feet bother you
• You feel less alert
• Your eyes are bothering you

My experience:
This mudra felt more comfortable for me. Like Mudra #1, sometimes I felt nothing, and other times I felt subtle sensations.

Mudra #3: Calming and Revitalising

How to do it:
Hold the palm side of the left ring and little fingers with the right thumb, placing the remaining fingers on the back.  After a few minutes switch hands.

What it does:
Calms the body, releases nervous tension, and revitalises organ function.

Use it when:

• You feel nervous
• You worry about your heart
• You get out of breath easily
• You’re always “trying too hard”
• You feel depressed or joyless

My experience:
I’ve used this mudra during stressful events in the past and felt a strong pulsation in my fingers. It helped calm me significantly. I didn’t feel the need to practice it during this recent flare-up.

Mudra #4: Releasing General Daily Fatigue

How to do it:
Hold the back of the left thumb, index, and middle fingers with the right thumb, placing the remaining fingers on the palm side.  After a few minutes, try the other hand.

What it does:
Releases accumulated fatigue, stress, worries, fears, and anger.

Use it when:

• You feel exhausted
• You feel insecure about everything; health, finances, or happiness
• You feel like you’re beginning to feel and look old
• You feel irritable or angry without cause
• You worry excessively

My experience:
This mudra felt a bit awkward at first. Often, one hand feels neutral while the other feels like it “needs” the hold. Even if you don’t feel anything, it is still working. It took me years to become more attuned to sensing energy in my body.

Mudra #5: Total Revitalisation

How to do it:
Form a circle with the right thumb and middle finger. Slip the left thumb through the circle, so that the pad of pad of your thumb is touching the middle finger nail. After a few minutes, do the other hand.

What it does:
Revitalises bodily functions and releases blockages contributing to daily fatigue.

Use it when:

• You feel uneasy for no clear reason
• You’re tired despite “nothing being wrong”
• Your complexion looks terrible
• You feel temperamental
• You crave sweets uncontrollably

My experience:
The middle finger appears frequently in these mudras. Although I practiced this one, it didn’t resonate strongly with me at the time.

Mudra #6: Breathing Freely

How to do it:
Place the right thumb over the right ring fingernail and hold for several minutes. You can do both hands simultaneously or switch after doing one hand.

What it does:
Strengthens the respiratory system and balances ear-related functions.

Use it when:

• You have difficulty breathing
• Your skin condition is terrible
• You feel rejected or unloved and get teary easily
• You feel clumsy
• You feel you’ve lost your common sense
• Your ears bother you

My experience:
After being sick, I was very out of shape. This is one of my favourite mudras. I used it when I started walking my dog again and I often use it while hiking.

Mudra #7: Exhaling the Dirt, Dust, and Greasy Grime

How to do it:
Clasp your hands together, leaving the middle fingers extended. Touch the palm sides of the middle fingers together.

What it does:

• Releases general daily tension and stress from the head, lungs, digestion functions, abdomen, and legs
• Strengthens exhalation and cleansing
• Brings overall harmony

My experience:
This mudra was a game changer for me, which makes sense given my digestive challenges. It was my first time using it, and I felt warmth and strong energy in my hands.

Mudra #8: Inhaling the Purified Breath of Life

How to do it:
Bend both middle fingers and place the nails together.

What it does:

• Releases back tension
• Strengthens inhalation
• Promotes overall well-being and harmony

My experience:
I didn’t practice this one initially. It felt awkward while lying down. One of my teachers once said that discomfort with a mudra can indicate a particular need for it. Interestingly, it now feels very easy while sitting.

Inspiration

I’d love to hear your feedback if you decide to try any of these mudras yourself.
This article was inspired by, and includes material, including images from The Touch of Healing by Alice Burmeister and Tom Monte.