What is Reiki
Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.
Reiki translates to 'universal life energy', all living things have life energy circulating through them and surrounding them.
When this life energy is low or unable to flow freely you may feel stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, depressed and be susceptible to illness.
During a reiki treatment this 'universal life energy' flows through
the reiki practitioner and is passed into the clients body via the practitioners hands. This can often be felt by both the client and practitioner as a warm sensation emanating from the practitioners hands, but each individual will experience their own connection to the reiki energy, therefore everyone's experience will be unique to their own particular needs.
Reiki will only ever work on the areas that you require, it will adjust itself to create an affect that is appropriate to your needs. Reiki is always safe, positive and helpful and as reiki is universal energy that is being passed through the practitioner, you will not receive any of the practitioners own energy as they will not receive yours.
Reiki works holistically to heal all aspects of a person - body, mind, emotions and spirit, if one or more of these aspects are not in balance, the other areas may show adverse symptoms. To be at our absolute best, our body, mind, emotions and spirit need to be in True Balance with one and other, reiki is an effective and powerful way to achieve this.
Today we are mindful of ensuring that our bodies are nourished with healthy food and regular exercise, but we often forget that our mind, emotions and spirit also require regular quality nourishment. When we feel strong and healthy we don't stop eating well and exercising, in fact we often focus more on this aspect of our lives as we are feeling the benefits. So too should we focus on nourishing our mind, emotions and spirit even when we are feeling strong and healthy, not just when we are feeling stressed or unwell. Reiki can have a positive influence to your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being, at any age and at all stages in your life.
Reiki is spiritual in nature, but is not a religion. You do not need to have a particular belief or follow any particular practice to enjoy the benefits of reiki. Reiki is universal and to be enjoyed by and for the benefit of all people regardless of their religious, cultural, social or spiritual background. Reiki will in no way interfere with your current religious beliefs or practices.
Reiki is used as a complimentary therapy in many hospitals in the U.K and Europe. More than 60 U.S. hospitals have adopted Reiki as part of patient services, including these prominent academic medical centers:
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
NY-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia
Yale New Haven Hospital
Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System
George Washington University Hospital
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
California Pacific Medical Center.
What happens
during a Reiki treatment
An initial consultation will take place to discuss any questions you may have, any particular areas you may like the reiki to be focused on and to ensure that you feel comfortable to proceed with the reiki treatment. It is important to note that to gain maximum benefit from reiki, it is best to approach a reiki treatment with honesty and an open mind and to not expect that a particular experience will occur.
Reiki will tailor itself to an individuals needs at a particular time, these needs may not be something you are consciously aware of or they may be different to what you expected. Even if you can't feel the reiki flowing from the practitioners hands or it feels different to what you expected, it is still being effective and helping you where you require it most at that time.
During a Reiki session you will be laying down comfortably on a massage table, fully clothed and covered with a blanket. Soothing music will be playing to assist you to become relaxed. Reiki is a hands on technique and a treatment will typically begin with the practitioner placing their hands on the soles of your feet, or a few centimeters away if you prefer.
The practitioner will then proceed to place their hands gently on or above various areas of your body which may include, legs, arms, stomach, shoulders, forehead, side of head and top of head. Always advise your practitioner of any particular areas you may not want them to place their hands, as reiki is just as effective when used above the body.
All you are required to do during your Reiki treatment is to relax and if you fall asleep that's ok, many people do. At the end of the treatment your practitioner will touch you gently on your shoulder and let you know that the session is complete, take your time to gently wake up and sit up when you are ready.
It is recommended that after having a reiki treatment you should ensure you drink plenty of water, avoid caffeine, alcohol and large crowds for the rest of the day/evening, preferably spending the rest of your day/evening doing something that will allow you to really enjoy the relaxing, refreshing and balancing benefits of your Reiki treatment, going for a walk, spending time in nature, reading a book, have a relaxing bath. But if your schedule does not allow this, that's ok too, reiki will always continue to balance and provide the healing you require.