Reiki” (ray-key) is Japanese for ‘universal life energy’, a term used to describe many systems of natural healing. This healing tradition was founded by Dr Mikao Usui in the early 20th century and evolved as a result of his research, experience and dedication.
We live in a world of energy that nourishes and maintains all living things. When this energy flows uninterrupted there is balance and harmony within and around us and we experience a sense of well being.
There are many variations of Reiki, but in essence it is a healing process that works at bringing us into balance and reinforces the body’s natural ability to heal itself at all levels, whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. It is a tradition that is open to any belief system.
Reiki is a healing process that anyone can benefit from in the normal course of their life and may also bring help and comfort to people suffering from a range of conditions. It should not, however, be regarded as a cure for such conditions. As a natural form of healing Reiki can support and enhance other forms of treatment.
The method of receiving a Reiki treatment from a practitioner is simple. The recipient remains clothed and lies on a couch or sits on a chair and relaxes. The practitioner gently places their hands non-intrusively, on or near the body. There is no massage or manipulation and the whole person is treated rather than specific symptoms. It is also possible to receive reiki at a distance.
Reiki practitioners are not trained in diagnosis and will not offer any diagnosis or prognosis.
If people are concerned about their symptoms they should see a doctor. They may or may not feel sensations during a treatment and most people feel relaxed and at peace afterwards. However, a treatment could stir up emotions or lead to a healing reaction, such as headaches or flu like symptoms.
Reiki is taught by Reiki Masters, who have trained in the tradition passed on in person from Master to student. Students go through a process of initiation/attunement to the Reiki energy. They are then able to treat themselves and others, not only from a healing perspective, but also as an aid to personal development and spiritual growth
Receiving Reiki is a very simple process, but usually produces quite profound effects
The Reiki treatment begins by you lying down on a treatment couch. You remain fully clothed, only removing your shoes, and a belt and also Jewelry You close your eyes and most practitioners will have some gentle, relaxing music playing in the background for you to listen to. Then the Reiki practitioner will gently rest their hands upon you, non-intrusively, in a series of positions from the crown of the head to the feet. The practitioner will use a set of standard hand positions which they use for all clients and sometimes intuitively, which means that they allow the energy flowing through their hands to guide them to just the right combination of hand positions for you on that occasion.
Each hand position is held for a few minutes, sometimes longer, and during this time energy will flow into you, drawn according to your need, helping to balance your energy system. This can release stress, soothe pain, and promote your body’s natural ability to heal itself. As the energy flows, most people will feel warmth, or heat, or tingling from the Practitioner's hands. It is usually a very relaxing experience: some people fall asleep. Other sensations may include seeing colored lights or feeling as if you are floating. Sometimes people have an "emotional release" - feeling quite emotional or tearful for a little while during the treatment - as emotional turmoil is brought to the surface to be released and dissipated.
While Reiki is very effective, it is not a miracle cure, and the effects of Reiki treatments tend to build up cumulatively. To experience the full benefit of Reiki we would recommend that you have four to six full Reiki treatments. In our experience, this number of sessions is usually enough to sort out stress, tension, anxiety, sleeplessness and some emotional problems; physical stuff can take a little longer, but not always. Reiki generally produces long-term beneficial changes, so you do not necessarily need to keep coming back for endless Reiki sessions. However, once you have felt how wonderful it feels, you may want to keep coming back and back! Some people decide to have regular 'top-up' sessions, while others might visit their Reiki practitioner if and when they feel that they would benefit from another treatment.
The general effect of a course of Reiki treatments seems to be to make you feel more 'laid back': more calm, less stressed and better able to cope. Reiki seems to boost energy levels, raise spirits, and make you feel more positive about things. Stressful situations seem to wash over you.
Reiki helps your body system back into balance
