What if Reiki?

Reiki was developed in the early 1900’s by Dr. Mikao Usui as a spiritual practice. Reiki has been passed from practioner to practioner through master trainings and attunements.

Reiki means “Universal Life Force Energy” (pronounced ray-key)

霊 = REI = spirit / universal/ high power

気 = KI = life force energy

Reiki is a light yet powerful Japanese form of natural healing that promotes stress reduction, relaxation, gaining clarity & focus, and many other healing & activating benefits.

The practice of Reiki involves the light placing of hands on or over the body, to balance, shift, strengthen, and/or restore the energy throughout the body. The Reiki practioner acts as a channel or conduit for this “Universal Life Force Energy” by connecting the energy systems and the energy centers in the palms of the hands with intention to heal. The intention with energy techniques is that if you harmonize your energy system, your body is in the best position to heal itself on all levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Harmonizing your energy applies to both your body and the energy surrounding you.

A main benefit of Reiki is reducing the stress. Our bodies cannot heal when they’re in a stressed state all the time. Reiki gives your body a break from the stresses of daily life, helping your body return to a state of relaxation. Once the body is in a state of relaxation it can focus on healing itself.

While Reiki does provide many healing benefits, it is not meant as a substitute for medical advice/diagnoses or medication; rather, it can be practiced in compliment with your medical practioner. Reiki energy does not interfere with any medications or medical treatments.

A one-hour Reiki session can produce the effects equivalent to 4 hours of restful sleep. It can remove blocks in the body – physical, mental, emotional, creative and/or spiritual; foster peace and compassion; relieve tension; empower goals and intentions; and heal past or present conditions. Sometimes you will experience sensations, sounds, messages, visions, all connected with the intention guiding the practice.

You do not have to “believe” in Reiki in order to experience the value/benefits from it, although a willingness to receive allows for a strengthened energetic connection. Reiki does not have any specific attachment to any spiritual or religious affiliation; it can only enhance your current/belief system.

The versatile spiritual healing practice can be given to anyone, anywhere, whether hands-on in person, or distantly. Regardless of the issues you face, Reiki can help you to meet those issues with more clarity and greater peace of mind. Reiki treatments have been reported to help people cope with a wide range of health conditions including:

• Anxiety
• Cancer, and side effects from cancer treatments, including nausea and fatigue
• Chronic Pain
• Depression
• Digestive issues including Chron’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome
• Fertility issues
• Grieving, especially in death and dying issues
• Heart Disease
• Immune disorders
• Infertility
• Insomnia
• Major life transformations
• Neurodegenerative disorders
• Rehab after illness, injury, or surgery
• Releasing addiction
• Stress relief
• Trauma

The most commonly reported benefits of Reiki treatment and Reiki self-practice are relaxation, pain management, reduced anxiety, and reduced depression. However, an expanded sense of self-awareness, better communication and satisfaction in relationships, increased intuition, and a general experience of enhanced well-being and happiness has also been reported.

What to Expect During a Reiki Session?

A Reiki session can vary in length, but often lasts between 30-60 minutes per session. During the session, the practioner will place hands lightly on or near your body in a series of hand positions, including positions around the head and shoulders, the stomach, the feet, as well as other positions based on the clients needs. Each hand position is held for roughly 3 to 10 minutes, depending on how much the client needs. It is recommended to wear loose comfortable clothing. Dress in layers in case you get to warn or cool during the session. You may be asked to roll on your stomach at some point so make sure to remove belts or bulky items.

Expect to feel deeply relaxed during the session. You’ll likely daydream, and you may even fall into a light sleep. Many people enter into a deep meditative state that helps to restore the nervous system.

Some people might experience; feeling warmth/coldness, tingling sensation, limb movement, seeing colors, falling asleep, emotions coming up, feeling relaxed etc. Some people might not feel anything, even though Reiki practioner can feel energy flowing. Each session is unique, and your next session might be a very different one.

What to Expect After a Reiki Session?

A practioner may make some common – sense suggestion for common care after your session, however do not expect a diagnosis. People typically, leave a Reiki session feeling very refreshed with a sense of calm and mentally clarity. However, some people will notice feeling more tired the evening after a session and various detoxification may occur. This is not an adverse reaction, but rather the body’s natural healing response to return to a state of balance and harmony. Make sure to drink plenty of water and even soak in an Epsom salt bath to assist in drawing out the toxins from the body.

How Many Sessions Should I Receive?

Depending on why you make time for a Reiki treatment you may need one session or a series of sessions. You will be guided after your session. You will be provided with simple take home exercises depending on why you made time for a Reiki treatment to empower you in your own health and healing, these may include;

• Deep breathing techniques
• Meditation techniques
• Self-care tips
• Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Essential oil recommendations

After your treatment pay attention to how you felt afterwards, try to notice what changes energetically, emotionally, physically, spiritually – might have taken place. Allowing a week in between each of your Reiki treatments creates space for you to consciously and subconsciously process the treatment.

Reiki continues to work through you after the treatment session. The wonderful effects of the treatment continue to integrate into your being days, weeks or even a lifetime insome cases after your session.