Su Jok therapy, is a Divine healing System which originated from ancient civilizations like India in the form of Acupressure & Acupuncture and was later propagated from South Korea in the modern times from where in gained international acceptance and popularity. As a Philosophical and Healing System, it is full of the Spirit of Love of our Creator for all beings in the cosmos, which therefore gives it the Universal Healing Power.
According to the Ancient Santana philosophy, the Sanskrit phrase “Yatha Pinde Tatha Brahmande” (यथा पिण्डे तथा ब्रह्माण्डे) translates to “As is the microcosm, so is the macrocosm”.
This concept emphasizes the interconnectedness of the individual (microcosm) and the universe (macrocosm), suggesting that the human being reflects the larger cosmos. In fact, we can say with great confidence that not only are our bodies like the Universe, but in fact, our Body is ‘The Universe’. Not only that, but in fact, each & every microcosmic cell in the body is a complete human being & hence the complete Universe. So, it is no wonder that our hands and feet represent the whole body which is the basis of Sujok Therapy.
The word ‘Su’ literally means the ‘Hand’ & ‘Jok’ means the ‘Foot’ in Korean language. Hence Su Jok is based on the concept that the complete human body can be represented on the individual’s Hands & Feet. On these Hands & Feet one can find corresponding points that uncannily associate with the different organs and body parts.
When we study our Vedic scriptures, we shall find similar examples of corresponding points which we come across in our daily lives. For example, why is it that our ancestors used to systematically press the centre of our palm (depressed area) when our navel was misaligned.? Or, why was strong clapping recommended while we were supposed to be chanting some hymns or participating in religious functions. Further, why as small children we used to paint 2 dots as eyes on our thumbs & fingers, with a little dot just below, on a little protruding section, to represent the nose. All these examples point out that our Hands & even Fingers literally represent our Body which is also the basis of the Su Jok therapy.
Su Jok believes that by using both the ancient practices of Acupressure & Acupuncture, we can stimulate these points which will lead to the stimulation of the diseased body part or organ and which in-turn will start the healing process. Su Jok also uses various other props like seeds, pressure instruments, Moxa, colours etc. By stimulating these points, Su Jok therapy aims to restore balance and harmony within the body, addressing both physical and mental health.
THE YIN-YANG PRINCIPLE
Any Object, Force, Being or Event in the Universe may be categorized into one of two categories – YIN and YANG. Yin & Yang have distinct characteristics. It is very peculiar that not only are Yin & Yang energies Opposite to each other, but they are also Complementary to one another. So much so that they are indispensable to each other & it can be said that one cannot exist without the other. There is nothing beyond the influence of Yin and Yang.
If you look at Sanatan Dharma, the world has to exist in duality. When there is Lord Shiva-there must be Goddess Parvati. Same for Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Goddess Sarswati. Even the Gods cannot exist without their Yin partners though they represent different energies.
When we consider the day-to-day examples of the Principal of Duality, we come across numerous examples under each category as under:
- Beings: Males & Females, Horse & Mare, Bull & Cow, Internal & External Organs, Husband & Wife, Father & Mother.
- Events: Day & Night, Summers & Winters, Autumn & Spring, Floods & Rains failures.
- Energy / Force: Light & Darkness, Heat & Coldness, Black & White, Strong & Weak, Left side & Right side, Up & Down, Happy & Sad.
- Objects: Hard & Soft, Hot & Cold, Wet & Dry, Heads & Tails (Coin), Sun & Moon, Mountains & Sea bed, Right & Left, Front & Back.
The balance of the two opposite is not stable. When Yang increases, the Yin has to diminish & vice versa. For example, when Day breaks during Sunrise, the Yang energy increases (Light) & the Yin energy (Darkness) proportionately decreases. Slowly the Yang takes over & Yin is reduced to almost zero. But is NEVER Completely Absent! Similarly at Dusk, the Yang energy starts to give way to the Yin energy & cycle goes on & on.
Hence the constant Harmony and Antagonism between the opposite energies gives the opportunity for change & therefore DEVELOPMENT. Imagine if it was all Light / Day and no Night, how would all Humans, Plants & Animals survive without proper sleep?! Similarly, if it was all darkness & night, how would plants grow, how would animals & humans survive without the Suns energy?
Characteristics of Yin & Yang energies:
- Yang represents: Male, Strong, Warm, Dark, Moving Downwards, Fast, Excitable, Ideal, located Outside & Above, Non-Repetitive, not capable of Endurance, Hollow, Short term.
- Yin represents: Female, Weaker, Cold, Fair, Moving Upwards, Slow, Calm, Material, located Inside & Below, Repetitive, Capable of Endurance, Dense, Long term.
The constant Unity & Struggle of the Male & Female manifests themselves as the birth of a New Life or an offspring. This is the beauty of the constant interaction between Yang & Ying which Manifests in the creation & continuation of LIFE.
HUMAN BODY & Yin – Yang Principle
- Man’s Right side is Yin & Left side is Yang.
- Woman’s Right side is Yang & Left side is Yin.
- The Upper part of the Body is Yang, the Lower part is Yin.
- The Front side of the Body is Yin while the Back side is Yang.
* eg. Since Yang is the stronger Energy vs Yin, we humans being have a tendency to turn to our BACK to take the blow of an attack since the BACK is the Yang location. Also note that Yang is always Darker than the Yin. Hence, in general, Females are always Fairer than Males. Again, the Yang back sides of the Body are always darker than the Front Yin Side (Legs, Back, Hands, Back of the Palms). In fact , if one notices carefully, one can set the clear demarcation-line of the Human Body between Yin (Fairer) and Yand (Darker) sections.
Even the Internal Organs are Yin or Yang:
The Organs which are Full (Full of substances they Produce) represent Yin and are as under:
- Liver
- Heart
- Spleen
- Lungs
- Kidneys
- Brain
The Organs which are Empty (or act as Passage of media) represent Yang and are as under:
- Gall Bladder
- Small Intestine
- Large Intestine
- Stomach
- Bladder
- Spinal Cord (triple energizer)
DISEASE & TREATMENT
Under normal Healthy Conditions, there is a stable balance between each pair of organs ie when Yin & Yang are well Harmonized. But due to external or internal pathological factors, the Yin-Yang balance is disturbed & there is a Deficiency or Excessiveness of the energy which results in Disease
Restoring the Balance of the Yin-Yang energies is the Treatment which Su Jok therapy aims to provide.
THE 5-ELEMENT SEQUENCE
The Meta Physical Force of the 5-Elements manifests everything that which exists in the Universe.
All phenomena in the Macrocosm may be classified into 5 elements or metaphysical categories along with their representation of the physical world:
- Wood – represents Rebirth, Growth & Movement
- Fire – represents Development & Evolution
- Earth – represents the Centre of cyclical changes
- Metal – represents Decline or Involution
- Water – represents Decay or Passiveness
It is to be noted that the Interaction between the 5-Elements is much more complicated than the interaction between Yin & Yang.
The 5-Elements have different functions:
- Creation – All Cyclic & representative processes
- Subjugation – For creating the potential for Creation to flourish
- Anti-creation – Creates order & leads to an existence of voluntary autonomy
THE 6- KI THEORY (with reference to Vedic Astrology)
As we have studied above, all Events & Objects in the Universe may be classified into the 5 elements. Even our own Vedic scriptures talk about the same 5 Elements but in a different way. The chart below shows the different Energies which are attributed to different elements in Su jok:
| Sl. | Vedic Astrology ELEMENTS | Governing PLANET/s |
Su Jok ELEMENTS |
SU Jok ENERGIES |
| 1 | Vayu | Saturn | Wood | Wind |
| 2 | Agni | Sun, Mars | Fire | Heat / Hotness |
| 3 | Dharti | Mars | Earth | Humidity |
| 4 | Akash | Jupiter | Metal | Dryness |
| 5 | Jal | Moon, Ven | Water | Coldness |
The 6- Ki Treatment
This system utilizes the Yin- Yang principle & 5 Element Sequences to cure a variety of diseases & symptoms caused by the disharmony in the Human Body.
All the 6-Energies ie Wind, Heat, Hotness, Humidity, Dryness & Coldness have certain characteristics & dominate during different seasons. Wind dominates in Spring season, Heat & Hotness during Summers, Humidity dominates during the Rainy Season, Dryness in Autumn & Coldness in Winters.
Similarly, The 6-energies dominate during different ages of Life. Wind Energy dominates during Childhood, Heat & Hotness Energy during Adolescence & Teen age, Humidity during the starting of the Middle Age, Dryness during End of Middle Age & Coldness during Old Age. This is discussed in detail in our forthcoming book on Marriage and integrated with our Vedic Jyotish System which uses the Transit of our major Astrological Planets like Jupiter & Saturn.
The 6-KI treatment is a metaphysical method of Su Jok Acupuncture. The treatment is carried out using the 6-KI Points on the Byol Meridians in the Hands or Feet using special needles to Sedate the excessive energy flow or Tonify the low energy flow in the meridian corresponding to the Diseased Organ. The use of Moxa (Heat tonification) is also used in this method.
THE 12 – MERIDIAN SYSTEM OF TREATMENT
This philosophy states that Heaven (Universe) is Yang & Earth is Yin. Both the Universe & Earth exchange their Divine Energies according to Yin-Yang principle.
Human Beings exist due to this constant interflow of Divine Energies between the Universe & our Earth. The route through which these Energies flow inside the Human Beings are called “Meridians”.
The Yang Energy of the Universe enters the Human Body from the upper part of the Body including Hands & flows downwards through the 3 Yang Meridians ie. Spinal Cord, Small & Large Intestines.
The Yin Energy of the Universe enters the Human Body through the lower part of the Body including Feet & flows upwards through the 3 Yin meridians ie. Liver, Spleen & Kidney meridians.
The Degree of Excessiveness or Deficiency in the Yin & Yang organs leads to the severity of the disease. This Disharmony has to be balanced by the Su Jok therapist.
SUMMARIZING THE SU-JOK THERAPY SYSTEM
After understanding the various Theories, Principles & Sequences of the Su Jok System, for simplistic sake, we can summarize Su Jok therapy under the following Heads:
- Correspondence Systems: Su Jok therapy utilizes various correspondence systems, including basic, insect, and mini correspondence systems, where specific points on the Hands & Feet, and Fingers/Toes correspond to different parts of the body.
- Acupressure and Acupuncture: The therapy involves applying pressure or using needles, on these correspondence points to stimulate energy flow and promote healing. The above 6-KI Treatment or 12 Meridian System or other Advanced Systems can be used for treatment
- Holistic Approach: Since Su Jok therapy believes in the interplay between the Energy of the Universe, it considers the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit, emphasizing the holistic approach to health.
- Treatment Methods: Therapists use fingers, rounded or pointed objects, seeds, Moxa sticks, Pressure Rollers, Vibrators, Acupressure Rings, Mini Magnets etc. and other tools to stimulate the corresponding points. If the Pressure Point feels very painful on applying pressure & the patient grimaces with a jerk or spasm, it means the correct corresponding point has been located. After that the Point is stimulated with the tools as described above till Healing is achieved. Caveat: It is to be noted that by pressing the Points, no non-diseased organ can be damaged or diseased in any way. This Su Jok system works only in a positive way for Healing only
- Seeds and Colors: Sujok therapy also incorporates the use of Seeds and Colors to further enhance the healing process. Seeds like Moong Dal which is green in colour is used to apply pressure & healing to a specific point, since Green is the Colour of the Wood Element & induces Movement or State change. Similarly Kidney beans are shaped like the Human Kidneys & are used for Treatment for Kidney related diseases or Nephrology. Again, the finger or thumb Nail (represents the Back of the Head of the Human body which is supposed to be the region where Blood Pressure is controlled) is used in the treatment of Blood Pressure. For cases of High BP, Blue colour is used to paint the nail for Sedation & in cases of Low BP, Red colour is applied on the nail for Tonification.
Benefits of Su Jok Therapy:
Su Jok Therapy has thus got wide benefits:
- Works instantly
- Pain relief (e.g., headaches, back pain, joint pain)
- Relief from Cold, Cough & similar symptoms
- Stress reduction
- Improved circulation
- Reduced inflammation and swelling
- Balancing energy flow in the body
Popularity and Availability:
Su Jok therapy is practiced globally, with practitioners and organizations dedicated to its study and application. It is also taught through various courses and workshops, including online diploma programs.
