What the Heck is Reiki? Lessons from a Reiki Practitioner
No, it's not food. It's not a yoga pose. It's not a cute, fuzzy, little animal. It is an ancient healing technique that was rediscovered in Japan by Mikao Usui in the early 1900's. It is an energy-healing modality that is used to promote stress reduction and relaxation, which encourages your body to do what it needs to do to heal itself. I always like to say it reminds me of acupuncture but without the needles. Now, doesn't that sound lovely?
Reiki practitioners (there are three levels of certification) become attuned to this beautiful healing energy by taking a Reiki certification class, taught by a Reiki Master (like me!). Within that class, the practitioner learns how to become an open channel for the Reiki, or life-force energy, to flow. They hold a sacred space for you to lie down and relax. Then, they place their hands on or above your body, in certain positions related to specific chakra points and energy centers, to influence the flow of the energy (otherwise knowns as "chi" or "ki") within your body. This helps to improve your overall health and wellness.
Side Note: Reiki practitioners who have taken the Reiki Level II certification class and Reiki Masters, who possess the highest level of certification, can send Reiki to a person or a pet (yes.... animals love Reiki too!) remotely, without physically being nearby. I'll touch on this in a different blog post, but just know that distance Reiki is JUST as effective as in-person Reiki.
Getting a Reiki session allows you to be immersed in a beautiful, healing, relaxing experience in which your body, mind, and spirit relax and release old, stagnant, or negative energy that is no longer benefitting your Highest Good. Sometimes tears may fall, emotions come up for acknowledgment and healing, or past memories reveal themselves so they can be released. Other times, you may fall asleep, experience a deep, meditative state, or feel calm and at peaceful. The beauty of Reiki is that every session is always different. It is spiritually guided, so Reiki will always go where it needs to go, for your highest healing.
Reiki becoming more popular now that people are more focused on getting in touch with their spiritual side and improving their health and wellbeing. Little by little, more people are becoming aware of Reiki and are really interested in trying it out for themselves (which I think is super exciting!). In my experience, I have never quite experienced anything as gentle, intuitive, or magical as Reiki is. Reiki saved my life (more on that in a future blog post) and showed me how to feel hopeful, empowered, and whole again.
