Reiki
What is Reiki?
Usui Reiki is a system for hands-on healing, self-improvement and enlightenment developed by a spiritual teacher named Usui Mikao in Japan in the early 1900s. The system of Reiki was synthesized from various energetic and spiritual techniques and practices already in practice throughout Japan for centuries, yet it is thoroughly modern. The Japanese words (“Rei” and “Ki”) can be defined as a ‘miraculous and sacred energy of the universe which sustains all life’ or ’universal life force energy’. During a treatment, Reiki is activated to help bring the mind and body back into a state of balance to support a positive state of wellness.
The ultimate benefits associated with Reiki are to feel healthier and happier and progress toward a state of greater self-awareness. These concepts are similar to other forms of Eastern-based medicine and mind/body practices, including Tai Chi, Qi Gong, yoga, acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and shiatsu. As a practice, Reiki is spiritual in nature, but it is not a religion nor does it espouse any formal dogma.
What does Reiki do?
If the ”ki” in our body becomes weak, blocked or over-stimulated, it may eventually lead to symptoms of physical, emotional or spiritual imbalance. The easiest way to illustrate this is to talk about the cumulative effects of stress. Having a stressful day every now and then will not harm the body, but unrelieved chronic stress eventually leads to compromised immune function, poor sleep, depression, hypertension, anxiety and physical pain. A Reiki treatment helps the mind and body return to its natural balance, leading to a restorative and healing state.
Reiki practitioners are compassionate facilitators; they help activate the process using light touch, and remain present to observe the movement of Reiki and help focus treatment where it is most needed. During a treatment, the recipient is the one who brings the body back into balance by assimilating Reiki as needed.
When a Reiki practitioner passively places hands on someone (or hovers just off the body), the recipient’s system responds by moving toward balance.
This response is usually experienced as relaxation. People often fall into a deep sleep-like meditative state, or experience a threshold state in which they are aware of their surroundings while remaining deeply in-drawn.
This state of profound (or even minimal) relaxation is significant. It is in this state that the body heals itself. The power of rest to facilitate healing has been recognized throughout the ages; the science to support it is so well documented in the stress reduction literature that it is considered beyond controversy.
Reiki practice reminds the body of its capacity to self-heal. For this, we have some documentation.
If the ”ki” in our body becomes weak, blocked or over-stimulated, it may eventually lead to symptoms of physical, emotional or spiritual imbalance. The easiest way to illustrate this is to talk about the cumulative effects of stress. Having a stressful day every now and then will not harm the body, but unrelieved chronic stress eventually leads to compromised immune function, poor sleep, depression, hypertension, anxiety and physical pain. A Reiki treatment helps the mind and body return to its natural balance, leading to a restorative and healing state.
Reiki practitioners are compassionate facilitators; they help activate the process using light touch, and remain present to observe the movement of Reiki and help focus treatment where it is most needed. During a treatment, the recipient is the one who brings the body back into balance by assimilating Reiki as needed.
When a Reiki practitioner passively places hands on someone (or hovers just off the body), the recipient’s system responds by moving toward balance.
This response is usually experienced as relaxation. People often fall into a deep sleep-like meditative state, or experience a threshold state in which they are aware of their surroundings while remaining deeply in-drawn.
This state of profound (or even minimal) relaxation is significant. It is in this state that the body heals itself. The power of rest to facilitate healing has been recognized throughout the ages; the science to support it is so well documented in the stress reduction literature that it is considered beyond controversy.
Reiki practice reminds the body of its capacity to self-heal. For this, we have some documentation.
What benefits does Reiki have?
Reiki is very gentle, but its effects are often quite powerful. A treatment is very relaxing, and can be helpful for reducing stress and anxiety.. Many people settle into a deeply relaxed state (between waking and sleeping) which is very beneficial because it allows the adrenal glands and the body’s parasympathetic processes to rest and recover. People who are who are recovering from illness or injury can benefit from receiving Reiki to promote healing, reduce pain or discomfort and impart a sense of well-being.
Reiki is a wonderful tool to use as a complement to conventional medicine, and is increasingly being offered in many hospitals, medical care and therapeutic settings. Reiki should not be a substitute for regular medical care from a qualified professional, but it can be beneficial to use it along with medical treatment. It can help counteract the side effects of medication, such as nausea and fatigue from chemotherapy, or make it possible to reduce dosages of painkillers because of its own ability to minimize or alleviate discomfort. Reiki may help accelerate healing time from surgical procedures.
Reiki is very gentle, but its effects are often quite powerful. A treatment is very relaxing, and can be helpful for reducing stress and anxiety.. Many people settle into a deeply relaxed state (between waking and sleeping) which is very beneficial because it allows the adrenal glands and the body’s parasympathetic processes to rest and recover. People who are who are recovering from illness or injury can benefit from receiving Reiki to promote healing, reduce pain or discomfort and impart a sense of well-being.
Reiki is a wonderful tool to use as a complement to conventional medicine, and is increasingly being offered in many hospitals, medical care and therapeutic settings. Reiki should not be a substitute for regular medical care from a qualified professional, but it can be beneficial to use it along with medical treatment. It can help counteract the side effects of medication, such as nausea and fatigue from chemotherapy, or make it possible to reduce dosages of painkillers because of its own ability to minimize or alleviate discomfort. Reiki may help accelerate healing time from surgical procedures.