What is Reiki?

Reiki is an ancient hands-on healing art that is used to promote an optimum state of health.

​

In Japanese, “Rei” is interpreted to mean spiritual consciousness. “Ki” refers to the life force energy that flows through all living things. Reiki thus means Spiritually Guided Universal Life Force Energy. This concept of healing energy is also referred to as Chi in Chinese, light, or the Christlight in Christianity, and prana in Hinduism.

​

Reiki energy is passed from the practitioner to the patient by placing the hands lightly on or above the body, allowing the healing energy to flow into areas of the body that are in need. Special attention is paid to the Chakras, or energy centers of the body. When the body’s energy is in balance the immune system becomes strengthened to fight diseases and return us to our natural state of wellness.

​

Reiki Heals More Than Just The Physical
Reiki can affect all levels of our being by touching the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies. Effects often include: Relaxation, stress and pain management, faster recovery from surgery, clearer thinking and a sense of well-being. It also heals patterns that lead to pain, sometimes without us knowing it or being able to put it into words. Regular Reiki treatments keep all the systems of the body functioning at a higher level.

​

Does Reiki Work with Traditional Medicine?
Reiki is compatible with traditional medicine and all other healing modalities such as, chiropractic, massage therapy, psychotherapy, etc. Often it is used as complimentary treatment to traditional western methods, Reiki does not conflict with any religious belief systems.
It is important to understand that although the practitioner plays an important role in the proper execution of Reiki techniques, it is the universal life energy that does the healing, not the practitioner.

​

What to Expect in a Reiki Session
A Reiki session is a very relaxing and calming way to nurture and heal your emotional and physical body. A full Reiki treatment lasts at least one hour, with additional time to discuss how the energy affects you personally and to answer any questions you might have.

If your session is at my office, the lights will be dimmed, music is played softly and aromatherapy is used. Traditional Reiki is performed with the client fully clothed, lying on a massage table but if necessary can be done sitting in a chair.

​

Unlike massage, my hands either hover above the body, or rest lightly on the body as the energy travels through my hands into your body. I may work head to toe, or spend a lot of time in one area where there is pain or disease.  Often during Reiki sessions, I also suggest breathing techniques, meditation or visualization techniques, or work with crystals to increase the Reiki effect.

How Will You Feel During a Reiki Session?

The energy flow is usually deeply relaxing. Reiki practitioner’s hands often get quite warm during a treatment. Reiki affects each person in different ways depending on their needs at the time. The most common physical experiences are heat or cool sensations, swirling, tingling or nothing at all.
Most patients feel peace and tranquility during a session. If the patient has pain, those areas are addressed first. Often a patient will drift into sleep we call a “Reiki slumber.” New ideas may spring to mind or old emotions may surface. Tears may be shed as sadness or anger is released. Vivid colors or visions are also sometimes experienced.  After a session, the effects range from extra energy to a need for more sleep, increased thirst, relief of stress or pain, calmness and peace of mind. Water intake should be increased to flush any toxins released during treatment.

​

Shamanic Reiki

Shamanism is an age old term. It’s the oldest Spiritual practice known to mankind. Anthropology dates it back more than one hundred thousand years. Sometimes it conjures up some very strange images and ideas from the past, but in reality a shaman is just a person that is called to be the tribal healer. Other terms that are equally used are Earth Keeper,  Wisdom Keeper, Spiritual Healer or Medicine Man. The tribal Priest you might say.

​

Shamanism is the ability to see “with the strong eye” or “with the heart” or to travel into hidden realms. The shaman interacts directly with helping spirits to address the spiritual aspect of illness and perform soul retrievals, retrieve lost power, as well as remove spiritual blockages. Sometimes shamanic techniques result in miraculous healings.

​

Shamanism teaches us that everything that exists is alive and has a spirit. Shaman speak of a web of life that connects all of life and the spirit in all things. Everything on earth is interconnected and any belief that we are separate from other life forms including the earth, stars, wind, animals, etc is purely an illusion. And it is the shaman’s role in the community to keep harmony and balance between humankind and nature.