A Simple Flow.

A big shift.

Author

Adele Leas
January 18, 2026

My Friends,

I know the expression isn’t “a dog is worth a thousand words,” but maybe it should be.

This week, Bob returned with me to Alaqua Animal Refuge to help kick off a new Lunch & Learn series for the staff. I’ve been working with Alaqua for more than 16 years, yet moments like this still stop me in my tracks.

At the end of class, Kim—one of the adoption coordinators—shared that she wanted to learn more about the Art because of the changes she had witnessed in Bob.

She remembered him first as our “demo dog” in class.
Then as a “medical foster,” when Blaine and I took him home.
And finally, as the dog we adopted.

Since the day we met him, Bob has received daily Jin Shin Jyutsu sessions along with physical therapy. I believe in Jin Shin Jyutsu 100%, and still, I’m always humbled when its healing surprises others—especially when they’ve seen the transformation firsthand.

Bob had been returned to the refuge after five years with a family because he needed surgery for bilateral hip dysplasia and a torn ACL. He was sent to a surgical specialist, but his rehab faltered. He refused to use his right hind leg—and honestly, it seemed as if he didn’t even know that leg was there.

The staff loved him deeply, but with limited time and resources, things looked grim. Even after all that expensive surgery, amputation of the leg was being discussed.

Enter Jin Shin Jyutsu.

Though I have over 36 years of experience with the Art and animals, the flow I use most often with Bob is one of the simplest: the Posterior Descending Energy Flow, commonly called the Bladder Flow. It’s the same flow that began my journey long ago with my collie, Amiti, helping resolve his daily diarrhea.

With Bob, we use this flow because it travels down the back—through the hips, knees, ankles—and exits at the little toe. Morning and evening, he receives just a few minutes of this flow, “more or less,” as Mary Burmeister so beautifully reminds us.

Afterward, Bob is willing to tolerate his once-dreaded physical therapy exercises… and then happily walks nearly a mile on all four legs.

This year, I’m very much looking forward to teaching a series of classes at Alaqua for staff and volunteers across departments—dogs, cats, equines, and barnyard rescues—as well as classes for fosters and recent adopters.

Just imagine how many more animals could become adoptable when there is greater harmony in their spirits, minds, and bodies.

Does reading this make you want to come join us? If you’re headed this way, let me know—we’ll do our best to align timelines.

And if travel isn’t in the cards, I have another idea—one that brings the Art right into your home, with your own animals.

Join Us for the 7-Week In-Depth Introductory Class

February 21 – April 4, 2026

We’ll take advantage of the quieter winter months to explore an in-depth introductory class designed to truly bring the textbook to life and make the work usable, embodied, and lived.

• Over 30 recorded videos on the Teachable platform

• 5 live Zoom gatherings (all recorded) for sharing and Q&A

• Zoom classes held 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Eastern on:

◦  February 21, 2026

◦ February 28, 2026

◦ March 7, 2026

◦ March 21, 2026

◦ April 4, 2026

• Recordings uploaded to Teachable—live attendance optional

• Teachable content available for three months after the class ends

This class is open to those completely new to the work and is deeply appreciated by those who have lived with Jin Shin Jyutsu for years.

With gratitude—for Bob, for Alaqua, and for the healing that continues to unfold,

Adele, Giannina Mia, Scirroco, Teja and yes, BOB, Leas

… and search for Jin Shin Jyutsu for Your Animals on Instagram and TikTok.