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Profiles of Excellence: Jin Shin Do® Bodymind Acupressure®

Sometimes, a single day can change one’s path forever, leading to new and unexpected experiences – and the chance to help change the lives of others in the process.
Jin Shin Do® Bodymind Acupressure®

Sometimes, a single day can change one’s path forever, leading to new and unexpected experiences – and the chance to help change the lives of others in the process.

For Julie Joyal, that day was the first time she experienced the benefits of Jin Shin Do® Bodymind Acupressure®.

“I had been a personal trainer and martial artist for almost 20 years in Vancouver and New Westminster,” she says. “I had a fellow martial artist who studied Jin Shin Do® say, ‘Hey, why don’t you come onto my table after class, and give it a try.”

The experience was unforgettable.

“I floated home, feeling deeply relaxed and connected after that session. Everything looked like it was highlighted with a silver highlighter – so shimmery and sparkling,” she recalls. “I couldn’t explain it. That was my first conscious experience with Ki, or Qi – Life Energy.”

Now, Joyal hopes to allow others to have their own experiences that come from relaxation.

She’s the owner of the New Westminster location of Jin Shin Do® Bodymind Acupressure®, which is a registered organization operating in 20 countries worldwide and founded by Iona Marsaa Teeguarden (see jinshindo.org). According to Teeguarden, there is no stronger conductor of Ki in the world than the human hand, and her no-needle approach to wellness and relaxation uses gentle yet deep finger pressure on specific acu-points and verbal body focusing techniques to help release “armoring” or chronic tension, balance the Ki/energy, and improve vitality.

“It helps relieve stress- and trauma-related problems,” says Joyal. “Words cannot explain the feelings and experiences that come with complete relaxation.”

She notes being unable to relax or release tension can keep an individual from experiencing the “magic that makes life a sovereign celebration and expression of our uniqueness” and points to the Taoist belief that there are as many ways to live life as there are people.

Doing this work with clients and seeing the impact it has on their individual lives is deeply rewarding and exciting, she says.

“I want my clients to be able to say ‘Wow, I never knew I could feel so connected and so relaxed. My mind is my best friend and is so peaceful.’”

The process is a powerful one, she says, for creating mind-body-spirit balance.

“I want everyone to understand the importance of valuing ourselves, our feelings, our tensions, our stories,” she said.

Joyal notes that the relaxation therapy is a useful adjunct to licensed, qualified medical or psychological care, and not intended for the diagnosis, treatment or cure of disease. When used in conjunction with standard medical treatment, the Jin Shin Do® Bodymind Acupressure® technique can assist the healing process, and create the conditions where healing can occur.

Joyal spent extensive time and training to be able to offer this technique before opening her New Westminster clinic.

“We joke that if this was available to everyone, the world would be a different place,” she said. “It really is the best kept secret in bodywork and was almost lost.”

Find out more online at jinshindo.org. Have you tried a head and neck release? Go to newwestminsteracupressure.ca for more information.