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What is Reiki?
 
Reiki has been taught in the West since the 1970s, and it has been presented rather like an oriental version of spiritual healing, though in its original Japanese form the emphasis was very much on self-healing and spiritual development. Certainly the practice of Reiki is based on working with, and channelling energy, or a spiritual energy. This energy can be referred to as 'chi', which you may have heard of. When you visit an acupuncturist they use needles to encourage energy to flow through a series of meridians or energy channels that run the length of your body; that energy is called 'chi'.
 
You may have heard of a Japanese massage technique called Shiatsu, which uses finger pressure on acupuncture points to achieve a similar effect; the Japanese adopted the Chinese view of the body's energy system. You will probably have heard of Tai Chi (or maybe Chi Kung/QiGong), a graceful system of exercises that are designed to build up, or cultivate, your personal reserves of this energy, and the graceful movements that you make serve to circulate this energy smoothly throughout your body, breaking down any blockages and bringing things into balance on all levels. The energy is seen as animating all living things.
 
When we move from China to India , the same energy is referred to as 'prana', and breathing exercises and yoga techniques have been developed to again bring your energy system into balance. In India they do not think in terms of meridians, but of chakras: energy centres running the length of your body from the crown of your head to the base of your spine, seven main ones and further subsidiary ones in other locations.
 
The intention with all these energy techniques is that if you can harmonise your energy system, you are putting your body in the best possible position to heal itself on all levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. In fact, the Chinese view is that chi not only flows through your body, but surrounds and engulfs you, too.
 
For example, feng shui has been developed as a way of arranging your living environment to allow for the smooth flow of chi around you, eliminating areas where stagnant chi might accumulate, for example.
 
Reiki seems to deal with this same energy, to an extent; you can focus the energy on yourself, and you can use the energy to treat others if you like.

Spiritual Energy
 
When you practice Reiki you are not just dealing with a 'cold' 'clinical' energy, the same energy that is manipulated by acupuncturists or controlled by practitioners of yoga or tai chi. There is more to Reiki than that. When you channel Reiki, it does not feel like a neutral energy that you are dealing with: it feels beautiful.

 

Reiki has important similarities to conventional spiritual healing, particularly in terms of the things that people feel when they are having a Reiki treatment. Many people see the Reiki energy as having divine origins, and interpret the energy as divine love or divine light. Reiki opens you up to the divine, however you wish to interpret that; Reiki reinforces your individual connection to your deity, and it feels beautiful. Because Reiki is not attached to any religion or belief system, though, it does not conflict with an individual's beliefs, or lack of beliefs, so Reiki is acceptable to atheists and believers alike, agnostics and Catholics, Moslems and Pagans.

 
The origins of Reiki have until quite recently been quite obscure, and plagued with misinformation, but ongoing research is giving us a better picture of how it was discovered and developed
 
What happens during a treatment?
 
The practitioner will usually give a short explanation of what the treatment involves and ask for some details about you, which may include a short medical history. If no explanation is given don't be afraid to ask what is involved. Receiving Reiki is a very simple process, but usually produces quite profound effects.
 
You will be asked to lie (or sit if this is easier for you) as comfortably as possible. You will not be asked to remove any clothing except for anything which may restrict your breathing or comfort, for example out-door clothing, shoes and spectacles or contact lenses. Reiki will go through clothing, blankets or even a plaster cast if necessary.
 
You will then close your eyes and listen to gentle soothing music, which helps to produce a state of deep relaxation. The Reiki practitioner will gently rest their hands upon you, non-intrusively, in a series of positions from the crown of the head to the feet and cover both the front and back of the body.
 
The practitioner's touch should be gentle, light and comfortable; there is no massage or manipulation.  Each hand position is held for a few minutes, and during this time healing energy will flow into you, balancing your energy system, releasing stress, soothing pain, and promoting your body's natural ability to heal itself. As the energy flows, most people will feel warmth, or heat, or tingling from the Practitioner's hands. It is usually a very relaxing experience: some people fall asleep. Other sensations may include seeing coloured lights or feeling as if you are floating. Sometimes people have an emotional release, as emotional turmoil is brought to the surface and dissipated. Sometimes a treatment can be energising: there is no right or wrong way to experience Reiki.   The whole treatment should last at least 1 hour.
 
While Reiki is very effective, it is not a miracle cure, and the effects of Reiki treatments build up cumulatively. To experience the full benefit of Reiki we would recommend four to six full healing sessions. In our experience, this number of sessions are usually enough to sort out stress, tension, anxiety, sleeplessness and emotional problems; physical stuff can take a little longer, but not always. Reiki generally produces long-term beneficial changes, so you do not need to keep coming back for endless Reiki sessions. However, once you have felt how wonderful it feels, you may want to keep coming back and back!
 
No matter what your particular complaint, the general effect of Reiki treatments seems to be to make you feel more laid back, more calm, less stressed and more able to cope. It seems to boost energy levels, raise spirits, and make you feel more positive about things. Stressful situations seem to wash over you.
 
Reiki brings things back into balance.
 
Will the practitioner diagnose what is wrong with me?
 
Reiki practitioners are not trained in diagnosis and will not offer any diagnosis, prognosis or advice. If you are concerned about symptoms you should see your doctor.
 
How will I feel after the treatment?
 
Most people feel very relaxed and at peace after Reiki treatments, although Reiki can also stir up emotions as part of the healing process. You may feel tired, but sometimes full of energy. Some people also experience a healing reaction, such as headaches, cold or flu-like symptoms. These symptoms are normally of short duration. If you are concerned about a reaction to a treatment talk to your practitioner, who should be able to reassure you.
 
How much will a treatment cost?
 
The cost of Reiki treatments is usually comparable to many complementary therapies (such as Massage, Reflexology, Aromatherapy) in your area. What is important to Reiki practitioners is that something is given in exchange for the treatment.
 
We wish you well on your journey with Reiki.

 

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