Reiki healing is a Japanese stress reduction and relaxation technique that's also believed to promote healing and restore well being to the body. Best described as a "laying of the hands," reiki healing is based on the idea that life force energy or ki flows through all beings and a decrease or block in that flow results in stress; free-flowing life force energy supports physical, emotional and psychic health.
Where Does Reiki Come From?
The word reiki is a combination of two Japanese words: "rei" which translates loosely to higher power, and "ki" which translates to life force energy. Reiki then, is the life force energy generated by what some call God or the Universe that exists in all living beings.
Ki is believed to flow through various channels in the body, often referred to as chakras or meridians. The goal of reiki healing is to relax the body restore proper energy flow by clearing any blocks in these channels. Although all energy healing draw on some form of life force energy, reiki is accessible only to healers who have received attunement by another reiki practitioner.
How Reiki Treatments Work
Just like atoms seek electrical balance, so does the human body's energy field. Similar to the practice of acupuncture, where energy flow is stimulated and channeled by stimulating to specific pressure points, reiki stimulates energy flow by means of direct touch, the placement of reiki healer's hands near the body, or by conscious intention, which allows reiki to be administered at a distance. Reiki travels to wherever energy is blocked in the body and helps break up those pockets of stuck energy to restore a healthy, balanced flow throughout the body.
Because reiki comes from a higher power, reiki healers can harness this energy and use it for self-healing. This self-healing practice is highly encouraged and reiki practitioners take a pledge as part of the attunement process to heal themselves for up to an hour a day by meditating on and drawing in reiki before administering it to themselves.
Additionally, the following mantra, developed by Reiki founder Mikao Usui, is an integral part of the healer's daily meditation:
Just for today, I will not be angry.
Just for today, I will not worry.
Just for today, I will be grateful.
Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.
Benefits of Reiki Healing
The most common benefits of reiki include relaxation and reduced stress, both of which are believed to jumpstart the natural healing abilities of the body. This enhanced state of relaxation and improved energy flow is believed to balance the life energy, open the chakras, aid in peaceful sleep, and promote feelings of well-being and emotional health.
Some reiki healers also claim regular reiki sessions will trigger natural pain inhibitors in body, help with addiction recovery, and assist patients in managing persistent health problems such as asthma, eczema, and allergies. Proper energy flow throughout the body, deep relaxation and heightened emotional well being-the primary goals of reiki-are believed to help us resist illness and disease.
What to Expect from Reiki Sessions
When you enter the practitioner's healing room, you will lie down on a massage table fully clothed. The reiki healer may spend a few moments in silence or meditation before they begin the treatment. Generally, that treatment consists of a gentle laying of the hands on or near various parts of your body to transfer reiki.
Your healer may ask you for input, or he or she may use intuition to guide them to where they need to place their hands and how long they hold each placement. It's not uncommon for a healer to change placements up to 20 times, varying the length of time each position is held based on the perceived needs of your body. You can generally expect to feel a subtle tingling or warming sensation in the areas being treated.
The average reiki session lasts 45 to 90 minutes. Most reiki instructors do not speak more than is necessary during the session. Sometimes soothing music and aromatherapy is used to enhance the experience. Although it's unlikely, if you experience any pain or discomfort, alert your practitioner immediately.
 | To become a reiki energy practitioner or a master, you will need to follow the reiki attunement process. You cannot conduct a reiki education or study reiki by reading about it or hearing about it. It is something you need to undergo and experience for you to learn how to perform it on yourself and on others. |
 | If you've ever experienced the energizing, balancing and relaxing effects of reiki therapy you may be wondering about going through training to become a pracitioner yourself. |
Jikiden (or "handed down") Reiki is as close to the original Usui teachings as other variations on the traditional practice. |
The term reiki is a Japanese word meaning "Universal Life Force Energy" and is a system for channeling power into the body for the purpose of healing. |
I vividly remember the first time I was aware of receiving Reiki. I was sitting in our local Spirituality shop trying desperately to stay awake and be social. I lay down on the couch to rest between events, and soon a massage therapist friend was rubbing my back. |
