If somebody ever decides to hold a national Jin Shin Jyutsu competition, don’t expect a packed stadium of fans in body paint and team colors. As Adele Leas says every time she describes Jin Shin Jyutsu, "It’s not a spectator sport."

Adele has been to Best Friends many times to use her skills in Jin Shin Jyutsu to benefit the animals. Jin Shin is a centuries-old practice that helps bring the body back in harmony with itself. Once in harmony, the body can release pain or tension and begin to heal faster. The easiest way to understand Jin Shin, though, is to see it in action.

The upshot of Jin Shin Jyutsu sessions is that an animal will slip into a state of deep, deep relaxation. Often they’ll fall asleep. Jin Shin works with energy blocks located throughout the body. A trained practitioner learns how to manipulate these energy blocks to create healing and relaxation. Jin Shin Jyutsu has been used for hundreds of years on people, but Adele is a pioneer when it comes to using it on animals. Three times a year, she comes all the way from New Orleans to practice Jin Shin around the sanctuary. During her most recent visit, she focused on the Vicktory dogs, rescued from the property of former NFL quarterback Michael Vick.

Adele loved every minute with these dogs; she says the Vicktory dogs responded well to Jin Shin. After all, Jin Shin Jyutsu aims to release fears and promote calmness and healing. Who better to work on than a group like this, with the violent past they’ve had? Not all the Vicktory dogs were ready to trust enough to do the full program. But those who did made amazing progress.

For example, Halle (pictured), used to be full of anxiety. Adele says she stayed tense all throughout her first sessions. But after just a few more visits, Halle started releasing that stress and anxiety through the energy work. By the end, Halle turned into one relaxed lump of fluff in Adele’s arms. Not bad!

Adele’s favorite success story is Ellen, also known as Ellen Belly. (Ellen loves belly rubs!) Ellen seems to have some nerve damage in her face; the left side of her face is scrunched up like she has a bad headache. And the right side of her face droops a bit. Adele says that for the first session or two, Ellen was a bit leery. But that didn’t last long. After a couple days, Ellen started to welcome Jin Shin. She even reached a point where she’d fall asleep mid-session.

But the biggest surprise of all was when Adele and the caregivers could see visible relaxation in the left side of Ellen’s face. In only a week and a half of Jin Shin, Ellen was starting to let go of a mountain of tension and stress. While at Best Friends, Adele taught Jin Shin to any caregivers and trainers who wanted to learn. Some of Ellen’s caregivers took the class, so they can continue her Jin Shin Jyutsu now that Adele has returned home. And that’s just fine by Ellen, Halle, and all the rest.

Story by David Dickson
Photos by Molly Wald

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To learn more about the Vicktory dogs, please visit their special page.

April 30, 2008 : 11:11 AM ET
posted by: Linda Miller

Thanks so much to Adele! I just wanted to mention that regular TTouch (Tellington Trust Touch) in between the Jin sessions that Adele does could help keep the improvements intact that the dogs have made with her, but could also keep them progressing! I think there are some TTouch trained people on staff there - I took 2 of my TTouch classes at Best Friends and was so happy to see the wonderful effect it has on the animals.

Thanks so much - It is so wonderful to hear about the progress these dogs are making and so hopeful for other animals who have gone through equally harrowing situations. I so hope that all this information is being disseminated all over the country to everyone - I will let our shelters, dog trainers, etc. here know about it!

April 20, 2008 : 7:24 PM ET
posted by: bogiedew

When we were there last year, Adele was also there and she sat with us during lunch. She is a very interesting lady. I enjoyed talking to her.

April 20, 2008 : 1:51 PM ET
posted by: luvlife

I tried to post this once and messed it up, sorry if I end up double posting.

Adele is a wonderful teacher and willing to explain everything she's doing and why. Thanks to her I regularly use Jin Shin Jyutsu on my pets, the animals I work with, and myself. I'd never heard of it before I met her.

Her website is www.jsjforyouranimal.com

Also, here's a link to a chart showing where to put your hands on cats and dogs and how that can help, though her book has much more useful information and is absolutely worth getting.

http://www.jinshinjyutsu.org.nz/userfiles/file/catdog%20chart.pdf

JSJ is a wonderful way to relax, breath, and just "be" with whatever being you're with, including yourself. :)

April 20, 2008 : 1:44 PM ET
posted by: luvlife

Adele is wonderful to work with and learn from. I regularly use Jin Shin Jyutsu on myself and my pets and the animals I work with, thanks to her introducing me to the art.

Here's her website: www.jsjforyouranimal.com,

and here's a link to a chart that may be helpful, though her book is the best way to understand....

http://www.jinshinjyutsu.org.nz/userfiles/file/catdog%20chart.pdf

JSJ is a wonderful way to just relax and "be" with whatever being you're with, including yourself. :)

April 19, 2008 : 12:39 PM ET
posted by: maiadrayton

Congratulations for all Adelle's work with the Viktory dogs. I'd like to try it myself the next time Adelle visits!

April 19, 2008 : 1:17 AM ET
posted by: donnajean

HELP!!!!!!! NOW that I have your attention...... Would somebody PLEASE HELP in Toledo, Ohio......Our dog warden Ned Skeldon is out to get every single Pit Bull and mixed Pit bull he can... and when I say this... I mean he thinks the only way to deal with a Pit bull or Pit bull type is to KILL THEM. It's like it is a personal vendetta with him. I owned a Pit Bull for 10 years... To me he was like my CHILD. He was the SWEETEST, SMARTEST DOG I HAVE EVER OWNED AND I STILL MISS HIM TERRIBLY. (LOST HIM TO CANCER 3 YEARS AGO...) I am in total agreement that it is PEOPLE not the dogs that are the problem. Would love to have another one someday I now have a mixed breed that my beloved "Popeye" )Pit Bull from Hawaii) taught him everything he needed to know to be a GOOD dog. Everyone thinks I am a great dog trainer, my dog brings in the newspaper (Pop) taught him that too. Can't get another Bully as the laws require mandatory extra insurance homeowners and paranoid rules like keeping them muzzled etc. This town is beyond STUPID in my opinion and needs to be educated on the TRUTH!!! Someone may contact me ANYTIME.... I have owned dogs my entire life and could NOT live without one. I have ONE dog now but would LOVE to have (2) AGAIN someday....I am childless and my dog is like my child.. My current dog is a rescue (weighed 42 lbs) now weighs in at 100#. He is a most loveable member of the family. We go for daily rides in my Jeep or walks in the park...the reason "Elmo" is so smart is because he had "Popeye" the Pitbull to teach him. Bully dogs are highly intelligent and only do WHAT their owners teach them...If they are taught to FIGHT, then guess what?? ......THEY FIGHT....If they are taught to LOVE and Laugh with their humans then that is what they will do...I believe in this so strongly it is a part of WHO I am. I only want to help all animals... it is the reason I'm on this earth.... Thank You Donna 419-260-1849 donnajean@bex.net

April 18, 2008 : 10:31 PM ET
posted by: mary shepherd

Every story about these wonderful dogs solidifies the beliefs that many of those working in the best interest of animals,have. These animals are going to prove once and for all that animals living in a compassionate and caring environment, will behave in the same way. It is not the breed; it comes back to the owner. I am so absolutely delighted to read about the progress all of the Vicktory dogs are making. I love Little Red but then I am falling in love with all of them. And I am a cat person! Can a cat person adopt one of these very special dogs???

April 18, 2008 : 9:04 PM ET
posted by: spankysranch

I too rescued two pits out of a fighting situation with a court order, I take one of them for accupuncture treatments, we have had a lot of success with the new light treatment, but she could still use a little something more, Jin Shin Jyutsu sounds like it would be right up her alley. Can anybody help me with finding a practicioner in Central Florida? I can not take her for long walks or have her run with me, her leg was broken in six places, she had pins in it horizontally and vertically, it's fine now, but not for longer walks. The other pit runs with me five miles every day, and he is just fine. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

April 18, 2008 : 7:20 PM ET
posted by: nyedge

I know it meant a lot to Adele and the dogs to be there helping out the Vickory dogs. They have been through so much and to have them experience the relaxation and safety that they have probably never known is fantastic! Thanks to Adele I use Jin Shin on my dog Hurricane who has spinal stenosis, mild hip dysplesia, and arthritis and she is doing great even going out and playing ball like a puppy every now and then. Keep up the great work Adele!

April 18, 2008 : 5:12 PM ET
posted by: ZoomZoom

Awesome!! Anything to help the Vicktory Dogs heal.:)

April 18, 2008 : 4:25 PM ET
posted by: kittychump

This is brilliant; I am not familiar with this particular practice but I experienced Shiatsu massage plus acupuncture which brought me relief from spinal disk pain when nothing else worked [and when the docs were trying to get me on narcotics]. Bless you/all for the healing and the Light that you are bringing to the Vicktory doggies!!! Prayers and hugs all 'round! :)

April 18, 2008 : 2:07 PM ET
posted by: aurorac

My husband's 87 year-old aunt has been practicing Jin Shin Jyutsu for many years. Some of the relatives snicker about it, but she's a living testimonial to the benefits of the practice. She gave me a book on Jin Shin for animals...I think I will pull and out and give it some attention. I'm so glad the Vicktory dogs are getting the love and attention they deserve.