I'm always being asked, "What is Reiki?" It's hard to put into words something that seems so mystical, but Reiki is a Complimentary/Alternative therapy that allows you to harness your own ability to mend your mind, body, and spirit. Its holistic approach of viewing life in a "Just For Today" perspective opens the door to many seekers looking for a different way of BEing in this chaotic life. Don't be fooled by the cynic's accusation of being "Woo Woo". Reiki is being used in medical facilities across the country, and many have found this practice to be a new way of living in balance. A Lifestyle.
The Reiki treatment's diverse uses help people with conditions like:
Cancer
Pain management
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Stomach/Digestive issues
Stress, Depression, and Anxiety
Reiki treatments help you create feelings of:
Comfort
Confidence
Peace
Relaxation
Release
Security
Serenity
What Is Reiki And How Does It Work?
Reiki was brought back to the modern world by Mikao Usui, and introduced to the West in the 1930's by Hawayo Takata. The premise behind this holistic healing therapy is the belief that everything in the Universe is made of energy. A Reiki practitioner is a conduit that holds space for the experiencer while this life force energy is intentionally channeled, allowing the experiencer's innate ability to balance and heal itself.
Each session is a unique experience. Some people feel relaxed to the point of sleep (Yes, you snore!). Others have said they felt weightlessness and the sensation of floating. Many experience heat sensations and will perceive colors while in meditation. Purple, blue, gold, and white are the most common. Some people laugh, and some people want to cry. It's important to honor whatever feelings, emotions, and memories that come up and allow yourself to flow with and through the experience.
Reiki energy cleanses the energetic bodies (mental, physical, and emotional), and balances the chakras. Studies are showing clients experience a reduction in pain, stress, tension, anxiety, and depression. This statement alone causes a lot of skepticism and cynicism. I have always enjoyed working with skeptics. They've turned out to be some of my favorite return clients! No one can convince a cynic of anything so I don't even try. The idea of Reiki seems "Woo Woo" in a society that doesn't place a lot of trust in the body's ability to heal itself, or that healing can take place outside of medical parameters. Reiki could be the ULTIMATE PLACEBO.
Reiki Is More Than Just Woo Woo
Even if it is a placebo, Reiki is not being ignored in the medical industry any longer. Over 16% of the hospitals in the country have introduced the practice in their facility, and these are well-known and respected institutions like the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Hartford Hospital in Connected conducted a study and found that Reiki improved patient sleep by 86 percent, reduced pain by 78 percent, and reduced nausea by 80 percent. (1) Reiki has also been used in military medical treatment centers like Fort Bliss Restoration and Resilience Center and Walter Reed Hospital. They found a reduction in PTSD and suicide rates among veterans receiving holistic treatments like Reiki and meditation. Read more about the military's use of Reiki for Vets.
Reiki As A Lifestyle
Reiki is more than just using your hands as God-energy saber swords. It's a practice that instills the principle, "Just for today, I will not be angry Just for today, I will not worry. Just for today, I will be grateful. Just for today, I will do my work honestly. Just for today, I will honor all living things." When you approach life "Just for Today." these ideas seem a lot more possible to approach. The next thing you know Just For Today has become six months and you are feeling a lot more optimistic. The longer our bodies are able to stay in these states of gratitude, the more powerful our innate ability to heal becomes. Many clients enjoy Reiki so much they decide to take a class!
Reiki is generally taught in three levels, and that can vary on the school or teacher you work with. Reiki 1 shows you how to balance and heal yourself, and to work with others that you are physically present with. The second level of Reiki introduces you to symbols and the concept of healing through space and time. That means that you can send Reiki to someone across the world, and in the past or future. Check out my life-changing Reiki experience working with Reiki 2:
The third level of Reiki training is the Master class. This prepares you for teaching classes and carrying on the tradition to other people wanting to learn Reiki.
Sometimes the mysteries of the body are so great that we can't wrap our heads around them. The mysticism and magic of Reiki often cause it to be disregarded by the mainstream, but the more that studies focus on this practice and the more that hospitals lend their name to its validation, it won't be able to be continuously ignored.
Footnotes:
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