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Healing Animals with Jin Shin Jyutsu at Alaqua Animal Refuge

Adele Leas Shares the Power of Harmonizing Art with Rescue Animals


Hi there! My name is Adele Leas, and I am thrilled to share my experiences from Alaqua Animal Refuge in Freeport, Florida. This beautiful ten-acre, no-kill shelter, which has been a sanctuary for animals since 2007, has successfully rehomed and saved over 10,000 animals. As a proud member of the staff, I am excited to talk about the unique healing art I practice there.


Discovering Jin Shin Jyutsu


I practice an ancient harmonizing art called Jin Shin Jyutsu. This art, which translates from Japanese as "the art of the creator through a compassionate man of knowing," has been practiced for thousands of years. It is a healing art that balances the body, mind, and spirit. Although widely known for its benefits for humans, I couldn't find anyone practicing it with animals. My journey into Jin Shin Jyutsu began in 1990 when I was very sick. The practice revolutionized my life, teaching me how to breathe, get in tune with my own energy, and harmonize to heal.


Extending Healing to Animals


When my collie dog fell ill, I wanted to share this healing art with him. With no one to guide me, I began teaching myself. This journey led me to Alaqua, where I now share Jin Shin Jyutsu with the rescue animals there.


The core principle of this art is that disharmony arises not from what we lack but from what we haven't let go of. At Alaqua, I see this principle in action every day. For instance, Autumn, a beautiful horse rescued from neglect, had put on nearly 400 pounds since her arrival. Using gentle, hands-on positions, I helped her let go of past trauma and breathe deeply, harmonizing her energy.


The Breath of Life


The essence of Jin Shin Jyutsu is centered in the breath. We focus on exhaling down the front of the body (or down the belly for animals) and inhaling up the back. This simple breathwork helps release tension and harmonize energy. Signs of relaxation, such as yawning or softening of the eyes and ears, indicate that the animal is letting go and harmonizing.


Connecting Through Touch


In Jin Shin Jyutsu, we use what we call safety energy locks—places in our bodies where energy can get locked up due to physical, mental, emotional, or digestive reasons. By gently holding these locks, the body remembers how to harmonize itself. For example, with Bitta Honey, a lovable six-and-a-half-year-old bulldog mix, I used gentle Jin Shin Jyutsu touch to help her release old trauma and find balance.


Building Trust with Animals


Working with animals requires patience and trust. I always start by petting and loving them, letting them know I'm here to help. Then, I use a simple exercise to harmonize their energy. Placing one hand on the center breastbone (safety energy lock 13, which signifies unconditional love) and the other on the top of the tailbone, I gently move my fingers up the spine, vertebrae by vertebrae. These steps help with various conditions, including arthritis, immune response, and digestion.


A Holistic Approach


Jin Shin Jyutsu is not just for dogs and horses. At Alaqua, I also work with farm animals like Fern, a pot-bellied pig. Many people get these animals thinking they'll remain small, only to find they grow much larger. Fern has become a great lover of Jin Shin Jyutsu, and I work on her regularly to help her relax and stay harmonious.


Creating a Bond


The bond created through Jin Shin Jyutsu is incredibly rewarding. Animals quickly recognize those who practice this art and look forward to their sessions. It's amazing how open and receptive they become, even if they've never experienced this type of touch before.


For further details and upcoming classes, explore the website and join the Jin Shin Jyutsu community dedicated to enhancing animal wellness through this ancient art.


Learn More About Jin Shin Jyutsu for Your Animal Companions 

Aries and Storms

By Adele Leas • February 4, 2025
One of the things that makes my soul sing the most is when I have unscheduled time at Alaqua Animal Refuge to just BE with the animals and see who is open to - calling for - some loving Jin Shin Jyutsu. This last Friday I was given one of those gifts. Alaqua Animal Refuge is a beautiful no-kill facility founded in 2007. Located on 100-acres in Freeport, FL, it offers second chances for abused, neglected and abandoned animals from the Emerald Coast and beyond. I have worked there, sharing and teaching Jin Shin Jyutsu for over 15 years. Tens of thousands of animals have passed through this loving place and I have been privileged to work with so many. Each one carves out a little place in my heart. Sometimes we get large numbers of animals from a severe abuse case. Sweet Aries was from one of those cases. Most of the other dogs who came in with him last year have found their people, but this sweet - and in his own way - perfect guy is still waiting. On Friday, while I was working in the Dog Adoption Center, a really big storm came up with crazy winds, and driving rain. I knew it was time to settle in with Aries. I made sure to be calm and centered before going into his run. He greeted me with a full body wag but he was also visibly shaking and in distress. Dogs have heightened senses of smell and hearing, allowing them to detect changes in barometric pressure and the way odors travel when that happens. Dogs may show signs of anxiety and panic by cowering, panting, howling, pacing and sniffing the air. You may see them exhibit sinus issues and joint pain when a storm comes up. Jin Shin Jyutsu to the rescue! It is a perfect, usable and immediate aid for this situation. I sat down on the side of the dog bed as he quickly cuddled into my side. He made it so easy to naturally share the work. Not all dogs can handle this level of contact immediately, but he was eager for me to wrap my arms around him and tuck him in with the opposite side Safety Energy Lock 26, up where the front leg attaches to the body. My other hand naturally could reach under his body and hold his Safety Energy Lock 13, at the center of the breast bone. This hold is all about our “feeling” nature, our respiration and unconditional love. We stayed this way for about 20 minutes, while he stretched out on his bed and felt safety. Whenever I get to BE like this, at just the right moment with a rescue animal, I feel like my life is really on purpose. It is so easy to start to learn to share, so life-changing when offered. And brings so much joy to all involved! ** If Aries looks like he is right for you, please reach out to me! I would happily do all I can to make that happen. Remember, I deliver! Here is what is written on his chart: Aries is a mixed breed, 4 year old male. House trained, selective with other dogs, (no cats). Aries, once timid and scared, has transformed into a beacon of hope and determination. Despite missing all of his teeth and an unimaginable past, he has learned to love and be a dog. He is a true example of Resilience. He is a loving boy who deserves a second chance!

Avoiding a costly vet visit

By Adele Leas • January 8, 2025
Early on New Year’s day I was just getting up and doing the most important thing I could do… feeding the cat her first breakfast of the day/year! Suddenly I heard a crashing sound and my Scirroco came limping out of the bedroom, putting no weight on his front right paw. Now my rescue fella is around 13 years old but he is a real athlete, part lab and part whippet and usually fast as the wind. He was clearly in pain, so everything else got put on hold and we got comfy down with him in the best dog bed and me on a blanket next to him. What had he done? Where exactly was the injury? Luckily this beautiful Art of Jin Shin Jyutsu does not require all of those answers before you can start. I put one hand up behind his right ear, the other hand on his right 13, above the breast bone. This holds calms and centers and clears the energy of both right legs. I watched carefully how he shifted his body, and I held different Safety Energy Locks that he seemed to ask for. Understanding WHO the SEL’s are and what their jobs are makes you able to help your animals in ways they are open to in almost any situation! We worked about 3 times a day for around 20 minutes at a time for 3 days. He made steady improvement till he was back to his normal super-fast self. Because he knows that this is what I do, he comes and asks for a session when he is ready. This is what I mean when I say that JSJ is really an Art of living with animals.

How to Calm Your Animal Companion During a Storm Using Jin Shin Jyutsu

By Adele Leas • October 23, 2024
Learn how to use Jin Shin Jyutsu to calm and harmonize your pets during storms. Discover simple techniques to help reduce anxiety and keep your animal companions feeling safe.

Exciting News from Our JSJ Program!

By Adele Leas • August 23, 2024
We're delighted to share some dog news! By now, many of you may have heard about the program I started through Alaqua Animal Refuge , where a group of volunteers and I take shelter dogs to a senior living center for a fun-filled JSJ love fest. Well, one particularly perfect sweet mid-aged, mid-sized dog came with us for every single visit. She was so good-natured with dogs, residents, and even cars. Every month I hoped she would not join us again because she had left the refuge. But each month, there she was… wagging and ready to show all the other dogs just what to do. I kept writing up stories about her and posting pictures. Still she sat for 8 long months… Till the magic happened! A family read the write-ups about her and set up a “meet and greet.” They took her home for a “sleepover”… and adopted her yesterday! I am crying even as I write this. This is how it happens… love triumphs one animal at a time! ~ Adele Leas 

Alaqua Dogs: A Tradition of Joy and Healing at Senior Living Facilities

By Adele Leas • August 20, 2024
Monthly Visits That Bring Comfort and Connection For years, Adele Leas, founder of Jin Shin Jyutsu for Your Animal Companions and a renowned practitioner of Jin Shin Jyutsu (JSJ), has led a heartwarming initiative at Alaqua Animal Refuge in Sanctuary, FL. This program beautifully combines the healing power of JSJ with the companionship of rescue dogs. What started as a dream has evolved into a beloved monthly tradition. Each month, Adele, along with a dedicated team of volunteers, takes a select group of dogs from the refuge to visit a nearby senior living facility . Residents eagerly look forward to these visits, finding great comfort and joy in the dogs' presence. The dogs thrive on the residents' affection, becoming more social and adoptable. Adele also uses these moments to connect with the residents, deepening their bond with the animals. The impact of these visits has been profound, creating lasting memories and fostering deep connections. A particularly touching moment was when the residents asked to make homemade treats for the dogs during their cooking class—a beautiful gesture that exemplifies the spirit of this program. This longstanding tradition reflects the deep healing and connection that Jin Shin Jyutsu fosters between humans and animals. To learn more about how JSJ can enhance the well-being of your animal companions, or to explore classes, videos, and other resources, simply explore the rest of our website. Visit Alaqua Animal Refuge to learn more about the refuge and its mission.

Easing Shelter Pet Anxiety: How Jin Shin Jyutsu Aids Adoption

By Adele Leas • August 20, 2024
Shelter pets often face significant anxiety due to the overwhelming and unfamiliar environment, making it challenging for them to relax and connect with potential adopters.
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