What is Reiki (ray-key)?
Reiki is an energy healing treatment that works holistically on the whole body, mind and spirit. Not a system of religious beliefs, Reiki is simply a relaxing treatment where natural healing vibrations are transmitted through the hands of a Reiki practitioner (acting as a conduit) to the body of the recipient. The purpose of a Reiki treatment is to relieve stress and pain, induce relaxation, release emotional blockages, accelerate natural healing, balance subtle bodies energies and support other medical modalities including traditional therapies.
What are the benefits?
Reiki is said to:
​
-
aid in relaxation
-
assist in the body’s natural healing processes
-
develop emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being
-
induce deep relaxation
-
help people cope with difficulties,
-
relieve emotional stress
-
improve overall wellbeing.
People who receive Reiki describe it as “intensely relaxing.”
Energy Healing
How is it performed?
Reiki is best held in a peaceful setting, but it can be carried out anywhere. The patient will sit in a comfortable chair or lie on a table, fully clothed. There may or may not be music, depending on the patient’s preference.
The practitioner places their hands lightly on or over specific areas of the head, limbs, and torso using different hand shapes, for between 2 and 5 minutes. The hands can be placed over 20 different areas of the body.
If there is a particular injury, such as a burn, the hands may be held just above the wound.
While the practitioner holds their hands lightly on or over the body, the transfer of energy takes place. During this time, the practitioner’s hands may be warm and tingling. Each hand position is held until the practitioner senses that the energy has stopped flowing.
When the practitioner feels that the heat, or energy, in their hands has abated, they will remove their hands and may place them over a different area of the body.
***Reiki works in harmony with all other forms of treatment (e.g. medical, psychological). It is a healing modality that is well respected in the East, and it is becoming increasingly recognized in the Western world.