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What is Reiki?

Reiki is a spiritual healing art with its roots in Japanese origin. The word Reiki comes from the Japanese word (Rei) which means “Universal Life” and (Ki) which means “Energy”. Reiki is not affiliated with any particular religion or religious practice. It is not massage nor is it based on belief or suggestion. It is a subtle and effective form of energy healing using spiritually guided life force energy.

Reiki is the life energy that flows through all living things. Reiki Practitioners understand that everyone has the ability to connect with their own healing energy and use it to strengthen energy in themselves and help others. It is believed that a person’s “ki” or energy should be strong and free flowing. When this is true a person’s body and mind is in a positive state of health. When the energy becomes weak or blocked it could lead to symptoms of physical or emotional imbalance.

A Reiki session can help ease tension and stress and can help support the body to facilitate healing on all levels – physical, mental, and emotional. A session is pleasant and relaxing and is often utilized for one’s personal wellness and not just for an illness.

 
HISTORY

Reiki is believed to have begun in Tibet several thousand years ago. Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese educator in Kyoto, Japan, rediscovered the root system in the mid to late 1800’s. Dr. Usui did an extensive study over the period of twenty-one years of the healing phenomena of history’s greatest spiritual leaders as well as ancient systems that are linked directly to the human body and the nervous system which activate the universal life energy for healing.

After undergoing a metaphysical experience personally, he then began to instruct others on this form of healing he named Reiki and taught it until his death in 1893. His tradition and methods were passed through several grandmasters of Reiki. Today, Reiki takes many forms, however, The Usui System of Natural Healing is still the form most widely practiced. Practitioners and Master Teachers are trained through an initiation process where Masters pass on their knowledge and expertise to their students.

DESCRIPTION OF A TYPICAL SESSION

A session is usually 60 to 90 minutes long. A discussion will usually take place during your first session with a Reiki Practitioner. They will describe the session to you, give the client an opportunity to discuss any particular problems or issues they are experiencing and ask them what you are hoping to achieve from their session. For the actual session, the client will rest comfortably on a massage table on their back with their shoes removed. Reiki can be performed with the client sitting comfortably in a chair as well. Unlike massage therapy, no articles of clothing are removed; loose, comfortable clothing is suggested. A session can either be hands-on, where a Practitioner will apply a light touch during the session, or hands-off where they will hold their hands slightly above your body. If a client prefers not to be touched they can indicate this to the practitioner before they begin.

The session will then proceed with the Reiki Practitioner moving through specific standard Reiki hand positions beginning at the person’s head or feet. A recipient of Reiki might feel a warming sensation or a tingling during the session or nothing at all but sheer relaxation. The session should be very pleasant, relaxing and invigorating.

WHAT IS IT USED TO TREAT?

Reiki is a great tool for stress reduction and relaxation. Many people use Reiki for wellness, not just to assist in healing. Reiki is not a cure for a disease or illness, but it may assist the body in creating an environment that may facilitate healing. Reiki is a great tool to use in complement to traditional medicine and is practiced in many hospitals and medical care settings. Reiki practitioners understand that an illness is an expression of some part of the body/mind that does not know how to be well. Reiki works first on a mental and emotional level, as it works to achieve long-term improvement by helping people address, heal and release issues that lead to the problem. Depending upon the severity and duration of the problem a physical change may or may not occur. Sometimes all that can be achieved is helping a client to accept and live with a major illness – improving someone’s quality of life and comfort.