You may have come across Jin Shin Jyutsu® in a workshop, through a friend, or while searching for gentle self-help. In Singapore, more people are discovering it as a way to feel more balanced in daily life.
But Jin Shin Jyutsu isn’t only for relaxation. For singers, teachers, presenters, and anyone who uses their voice a lot, it offers simple self-help you can use before you sing or speak.
What is Jin Shin Jyutsu?
Jin Shin Jyutsu is a Japanese art of harmonising the body’s energy. It was revived in the early 20th century by Master Jiro Murai, and later brought to the United States by Mary Burmeister, who taught it widely.
It works with energy pathways in the body, much like the meridians of Traditional Chinese Medicine. A practitioner rests their hands lightly on specific points. You can also do the self-help on yourself, often simply by holding a finger.
Jin Shin Jyutsu in Singapore
In Singapore, you’ll find Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioners, self-help classes and community groups. Most focus on general wellbeing.
At Vocalogy, we focus on one thing: the voice. We’re the only voice studio in Singapore that teaches voice care with Jin Shin Jyutsu self-help, as part of an approach called Jin Shin Voice®.
Why singers and voice users use it
- Anytime, anywhere. Backstage, on the MRT, in a meeting or before a lesson.
- No equipment. All you need is your hands.
- Discreet. Holding a finger looks like resting your hands. Nobody needs to know.
- No special focus needed. There’s no need to focus on your breath or your body. Holding the finger is what matters.
- It works alongside technique. It doesn’t replace good vocal training. It supports it.
Three self-help practices for your voice
Before you sing or speak: hold your index finger
In Jin Shin Jyutsu, the index finger is linked to fear and to the Kidney energy. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Kidney meridian runs up to the throat. If nerves make your throat tighten before a performance or presentation, holding your index finger helps harmonise that energy.
When your posture collapses: the Main Central Vertical Mudra
If your shoulders rise or your head pushes forward, press the palm sides of your middle fingers together and interlace the rest of your fingers. This mudra is linked to the body’s central vertical flow, which supports alignment.
When your breath feels stuck: hold the finger that matches it
Notice where your breath stops:
- In your chest: hold your middle finger.
- Around your ribs: hold your ring finger.
- In your belly: hold your little finger.
These come from Chapter 9 of my book, Harmony Is in Your Hands.
Jin Shin Voice®: where Jin Shin Jyutsu meets voice training
Jin Shin Voice® combines functional voice training with Jin Shin Jyutsu® self-help. Its core tool is the SING Check, four quick checks you can run before a difficult passage:
- Stand: how are you holding yourself?
- Inhale & Exhale: where does your breath stop?
- Name the feeling: worry, fear, anger, sadness or trying-to?
- Give voice: sing again and notice what changed.
At Vocalogy, we also use NeuroVoice®, short brain-based drills that help prepare your brain and body for singing. Each approach looks at the voice from a different angle.
What Jin Shin Jyutsu is not
Jin Shin Jyutsu isn’t massage, and it isn’t medical treatment. It supports your voice training and wellbeing. If your voice stays hoarse or painful, or changes suddenly, please see an ENT doctor.
How to start
- On your own: Harmony Is in Your Hands introduces the SING Check and the self-help for your voice. Get the PDF for S$4.99
- Watch and follow along: the Voice Crack Toolkit shows the self-help in 7 short video lessons. See the Toolkit
- In person, in Singapore: book a 1:1 session or join a small-group workshop.