The natural healing process of Reiki, pronounced ‘ray-key’, works by boosting the immune system and balancing energy on the physical, mental and spiritual levels. It comes from the words Rei, meaning soul, spirit, universal, mystery, gift, and nature spirit, and Ki which means, energy, life force, feeling and talent. Both words may be translated otherwise.
Reiki truly enables a person to contribute to his or her own healing process. It is helpful for stress reduction, depression, other mental or physical ailments, and as a prevention tool by maintaining all around well being.
Many people have found Reiki useful for common problems that they have lived with all their lives. A few good examples are headaches, constipation and indigestion, anxiety and sleep disorders, PMS and dismenorrhea. It can be used greatly to promote confidence, compassion and self-acceptance.
- Just for today, do not anger.
- Just for today, do not worry.
- Just for today, I will live in gratitude. I will honour myself, my parents, my teachers and my elders.
- Just for today, I will earn my living honestly.
- Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.
A Session
The purpose of a Reiki session is to aid a person in healing his or herself. It is most beneficial when a person is open and without extreme expectations but has good intention.
The practitioner is there to initiate the energy flow within a person. Universal energy or 'life-force' will flow through the client to and from the practitioner in order to nourish the pathways, unblock any energy stagnation, and re-balance the flow of the energy within that person. The energy itself does much of the work, the practitioner is a guide.
Applying light touch or none at all, with the hands approximately 5-10cm above the body, the practitioner acts as a conduit or channel for the universal life-force. She centers herself physically, mentally and spiritually to prepare for a treatment She will be guided intuitively with the help of any sensations that may be felt and her hands may remain at one area of the body for as long as 20 minutes or more if necessary, although 3-5 minutes for one position is most common.
Before the session
- Allow yourself to be open, not to expect a miracle, but also not to expect nothing
- Do not over or under-eat as that may be uncomfortable.
- It is best to wear loose and comfortable clothing and it is recommended that you remove any large or heavy jewelry such as a watch.
During the session
- Generally a session will go for 1 hour-1.5 hours, although Reiki is beneficial anytime for any amount of time.
- Sensations of clients differ. Common feelings are slight warm, cool or tingly.
- People can feel emotional and feel the need to verbally express themselves. This is welcomed and it is neither forced nor necessary.
- The client lies on a massage table or sits in a chair if preferred and remains fully clothed throughout the treatment.
- The client and practitioner will not exchange any energy of their own. They will not receive or give any personal aspect of their energy. It is only universal energy that will be flowing.
After the session
- It is common to feel relieved and/or to go through a cleansing period of a few days or even a couple weeks. It is all relative.
- Remember that Reiki is complimentary to the care provided by your physician and does not replace medication prescribed to you.
- Be happy with and commend yourself for trying something new, or simply because it is something for health and well-being and it took time to participate.
- Allow yourself some time (days or weeks) to consider how you have or have not been affected by the session and either discuss with the practitioner, or think about it yourself, what might be better and how each person can help contribute