What is Reiki?
I am sure you have heard of Reiki many times during your search for well-being and longevity. It is a practice that has been around for many years, but no one fully knows or understands what it is.
Reiki is a spiritual healing art that is based on ancient Japanese healing beliefs. Although the practice is spiritual, it has no religious foundations or beliefs attached to it. Neither is Reiki a therapeutic massage as we know it. Rather, Reiki involves a series of movements from the practitioner that effectively guides and stimulates the life energy in your body.
Reiki is based on the understanding that every person has a healing energy of their own. This energy can be strengthened and stimulated to initiate self-healing and balance of mind and body. This energy should be free-flowing to allow for healing and balance to take place. Reiki effectively releases any blockages of this energy in the body.
After a Reiki session, some people report feeling more relaxed and less anxious. This is due to Reiki’s ability to create the ideal environment for self-healing of the body, mind, and emotions.
What is a typical session?
Before an actual session takes place, the Reiki Practioner will schedule a consultation with the client. At the consultation, the client will give details about any problems or issues they wish to address and also discuss what outcomes they want to attain from the session. The actual session will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes in duration with the client in a comfortable position. Clients can be seated, but preferably resting on a massage table on their backs. During the session, clients will be fully clothed with their shoes removed. It is advisable to wear loose, cool and comfortable clothing for the session.
Unlike a therapeutic massage, the Reiki practitioner will not always touch you. A session can be performed with hands-on or hands-off treatment. Hands-on treatment involves very light touches from the Practitioner, and hands-off treatment entails the Practitioner holding their hands over the body. You will need to state your preference to the Practitioner before the session starts.
The session can start at the client’s head or feet with the Practitioner using standard Reiki hand position to initiate the flow of the energy. The client may feel a tingling or warm sensation during the session, although many reports to feeling nothing at all. Overall, the client should never feel uneasy and should always feel relaxed and invigorated.
What does it treat?
Many people use a Reiki treatment to reduce stress and anxiety. It is a great practice for overall wellness and balance. Reiki will not cure any diseases or illness, however, it does allow the body to create the ideal environment in the body for healing. Many clients suffering from major illnesses or who are recovering, use Reiki in combination with their traditional medicines to strengthen the healing process.
Many people that have experienced a Reiki session often go on to becoming Practitioners themselves. Anyone can learn the techniques to move the energy on a Reiki course. This has a great advantage as they are then able to initiate the energy flow themselves anytime they need it.