Reiki Information

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a form of complementary and alternative medicine using an energy healing technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. Reiki healing has been practiced for approx. 2,500 years and was rediscovered by Dr Mikao Usui in the early 1920's in Japan. It is based on the idea that a universal life force energy flows through all living things and uses gentle hand movements or a laying on of hands to guide the flow of healthy energy through your body to promote the recipients self-healing abilities. Energy can stagnate in the body where there has been physical injury or emotional pain. In time these energy blocks can cause illness. If our energy is low, disturbed or blocked, we are more likely to get sick or feel stressed, and if it is high, balanced and running freely, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

Reiki channels universal energy known as ki (pronounced 'chi'') The word 'Reiki' is a combination of two Japanese words: 'rei' which means 'higher power' and 'ki' which means 'life force energy'. This is the same energy involved in tai chi exercise.

Reiki is taught according to the Japanese tradition of the sensei (teacher), who passes the knowledge to the student through teaching, attunement and an initiation or placement ceremony which helps to open the students energy channels to facilitate the flow of healing energy. The Reiki belief system and that of the practitioner is that they don't cause the healing, nor are they the source of that healing energy; they're a channel for the energy.

Reiki is not a religion and is not associated with religious practice.

What are the benefits of Reiki?

Reiki is linked to a range of physical and emotional health benefits, including better sleep, improved mood, lowering blood pressure, lessening anxiety, helping with depression, relief from chronic fatigue and managing pain relief. Research suggests Reiki helps the body return to a state of relaxation, which allows it to better heal from damage brought on by stress, injury or disease.

Reiki cannot cure illness on its own, but is seen as a complementary therapy and is intended to be used alongside standard medical care. It is becoming more popular in hospitals as a complement to medicine as studies have shown that it helps to promote peace and relaxation in patients undergoing surgery.

Reiki is a safe and gentle therapy that activates the parasympathetic nervous system to help heal the body and mind.

What happens during a Reiki Session?

During your Reiki session, you will be asked to lie down fully clothed on a reiki couch or sit in a comfortable chair. The Reiki Practitioner will gently move their hands into various positions on your body. Each hand position focuses on a different part of the body, including head, shoulder, stomach and feet and is held for roughly 3 to 10 minutes depending on the persons needs.

There is little or no talking during sessions. An essential piece is the presence and state of being of the practitioner, whose training also includes ways to support their own grounding.

Each person may experience different sensations during a Reiki session such as heat, gentle pulsing or tingling. They may also experience visualisations such as seeing colours or memories. Seeing colours can mean you are letting go and are aware of the energy flowing through your body. These colours are often associated with the 'Chakra's' which are the energy centres of the body.

Some people become emotional and cry after receiving Reiki. Because Reiki rebalances you on all levels, mental and emotional states can come to your awareness to be managed and then gently released.

Some people wont feel any of the above but will have a deep sense of relaxation. There is no right or wrong and every experience is unique to the recipient.

Reiki aftercare

Besides the immediate experience of the Reiki, you may notice other changes that continue to unfold as the day goes on: perhaps stronger digestion, a sense of being more centred and relaxed and less reactive and sleeping deeply that night.

Ideally you should relax for the rest of the day following reiki if you can and ensure you drink plenty of water.

How often should I have Reiki?

The amount of Reiki needed will differ from person to person. You may want to start with 3 to 5 sessions one to two weeks apart. Once you see yourself improving you can space out treatments to one month or six weeks apart. Receiving regular Reiki treatments is excellent self-care and helps you to maintain holistic balance.

What is distance Reiki?

Reiki energy connects on our spiritual and energetic levels. Distant Reiki sessions work because energy is not limited by distance. Distance is only a physical limitation, so sessions can be done without clients being physically present. We are all connected, as we are all energy matter and part of a larger whole.

You will be asked to lie down in a comfortable, quiet environment in your home at an agreed time. The Reiki practitioner will then contact you via mobile phone for your consultation and guided meditation. The Reiki practitioner will then start your Reiki session.

Reiki knows no bounds, it has no time constraints and can be sent into the future to support an event you may be worried about, a meeting or medical appointment. It can also be sent back into the past to heal past traumas.