Zero Balancing and Insight Acupressure
Dr Fritz Smith and Dr Aminah Raheem
Founder of Zero Balancing and Originator of Process Acupressure & Insight Acupressure (formerly Soul Lightening International).
Zero Balancing and Insight Acupressure (formerly Soul Lightening International) represent two profound approaches to treating the whole person, rooted in the pioneering work of Dr. Fritz Smith and Dr. Aminah Raheem. Their marriage symbolized a union of complementary techniques—ZB’s focus on balancing energy and structure within the body, and Insight Acupressure’s emphasis on soul-level inquiry and the body’s innate wisdom to heal through acupressure. Together, these modalities offer a yin-yang approach to holistic wellness.
I was introduced to Zero Balancing by an Occupational Therapy colleague who credited its principles as foundational to her practice and life. After experiencing my first ZB session, I felt energized and light-hearted, which inspired me to pursue ZB training alongside my husband. Over time, we both became certified practitioners, hosted local classes, and fostered a growing ZB community through monthly swaps. I recently completed the ZB TT5 training and enjoy introducing new students to ZB.
What captivated me most about ZB was its simplicity and depth. The basic protocol allowed me to trust the body’s natural wisdom to restore balance across physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions. The unique fulcrums of ZB—gentle touch at the bone level—created expanded states of awareness where profound shifts could occur. As a Spiritual Director, I often integrated ZB with soul-level conversations, enabling clients to explore deeper questions of life while connecting with their inner wisdom.
My journey took an unexpected turn when I learned about Dr. Aminah Raheem’s Soul Lightening Acupressure, which blended ZB principles with Jin Shin Jyutsu Acupressure, Process Psychology, and Five Element Theory. Process Acupressure facilitated “Deep Sync” states for soul inquiry, much like ZB’s expanded states of awareness but with added dialogue and tools for addressing various parts of our personality, inner child wounds, ancestral patterns, and soul purpose. The Clinical Acupressure track taught an overview of the basic 36 points, a deeper dive into the 5 Element model and work with the Extraordinary Vessels.
I pursued certifications in Process Acupressure, Clinical Acupressure, and Advanced Soul Lightening Acupressure, eventually joining the faculty of Insight Acupressure (formerly Soul Lightening International). These techniques enriched my practice by offering protocols for specific conditions and empowering clients with self-care tools like the Seva Stress Release protocol—proven effective for reducing pain and anxiety in diverse populations. Like many small non-profits impacted by the pandemic, Soul Lightening International disbanded in 2023 and a new alliance of faculty formed Insight Acupressure with the blessing of Aminah’s family to continue teaching this work. New classes are emerging including the Good Points self-care series.
Combining ZB’s structural focus on the bones and joints with Insight Acupressure’s energetic precision of the meridian flows allowed me to address a broader range of client conditions. While ZB aligned the energy flow at the bone level and allowed people to move with greater ease, Insight Acupressure targeted specific 5 Element imbalances using acupoints on various meridian flows. Together, these modalities provided a comprehensive framework for holistic healing. I love knowing what I am holding under my hands from a 5 Element perspective when I am in contact with the spirit of the acupoint. Fritz often reminded me that he used the term Structural Acupressure for what later became known as Zero Balancing.
The influence of Fritz and Aminah’s partnership is evident in the evolution of both techniques. Fritz simplified Aminah’s meditative Pyramid Meditation with ZB’s focus on energy within structure while Aminah expanded on Fritz’s Five Element studies to deepen her work with the archetypes of the elements. Their mutual exploration of consciousness enriched both communities, fostering innovations like verbal fulcrums in ZB, leading growth shoots and interface touch as it relates to relationships. Those who study both at advanced levels can clearly see the interconnections.
As the only faculty member currently teaching both Zero Balancing and Insight Acupressure classes, I feel a profound calling to bridge these communities, especially with the recent passing of both Fritz and Aminah. Practitioners of ZB can deepen their work by exploring Insight Acupressure’s in-depth work with the Five Elements and Extraordinary Vessels, understanding the significance of the points under our hands with each protocol, and knowing when to use simple processing skills of soul inquiry. Insight Acupressure practitioners can benefit from ZB’s knowledge of vectors in Alchemy of Touch and Geometry of Healing classes in addition to the expanded techniques for the skull and viscera. While there are many overlaps, knowing the pure forms of each individual technique is just as important as knowing when and how to integrate them.
I invite you to consider cross-training in these complementary modalities to expand your practice and deepen your impact on clients’ lives. Together, we can honor the legacy of Dr. Fritz Smith and Dr. Aminah Raheem by continuing their vision of holistic healing that integrates body, mind, emotions, and soul.
Check out my upcoming classes at Linktr.ee/DWaggy and begin this transformative journey today!
