Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing that originated in Kyoto, Japan in the early 20th century. The english translation of Reiki is “Rei” = universal or spiritual wisdom, and “ki” = life energy. Some also say that Reiki, simply put, is “love”. This loving and gentle but powerful energy is transferred from the practitioner to your body, either by touch or remotely (distantly) during each session. This healing energy clears blockages, or stagnant energy, that can cause emotional and physical pain.
One metaphor my clients find useful is to think about the physics of energy. Physicists have shown us that all matter, be it solid, air, gas, or liquid, are made up of atoms. The amount of energy at which atoms move or attract other atoms is what turns something like liquid water into steam, or into a solid like ice.
Our bodies are also made up of moving atoms that create energy which flow throughout our bodies. This is our life energy. All living beings have life energy: plants, animals and humans. Should that energy become blocked due to emotional or physical trauma, that energy becomes restricted in its flow to other areas of the body. The manifestation of these blockages can be felt as emotional or physical pain (and very commonly both). If these blockages are not cleared and circulation of this energy is not properly restored, further damage can continually build over time.
When Blockages Occur:
The best way I can explain how these blockages can occur and how they can affect your emotional and physical health is by example:
Let’s say you’ve been holding back communication about something important such that you haven’t fully expressed yourself to someone close to you on a matter close to your heart. Holding back this communication has been causing you a lot of angst and stress and “coincidentally” you start to also experience unexplained shoulder and neck pain. Energetically, this withholding of your true self expression and communication can cause an energy block at your throat space (some refer to this space as your throat chakra). This blockage at your throat of your natural energy flow from the top of your head to the rest of your body can create pain in your shoulders and neck.
Even without sharing your physical pain with your Reiki practitioner, she may sense an energy block at your throat and direct energy towards your neck for the Reiki energy to concentrate there. This energy removes blocked, negative energy, creates a state of change removing the stagnation of energy in your throat, allowing for the body’s natural flow to begin to heal itself. You may experience a breakthrough in how to communicate what’s been on your mind and experience a relief in your shoulder and neck pain.
Improving energy flow in your body can ease many different ailments: emotional stress, insomnia, pain, anxiety, enable relaxation and also helps support healing in all its forms. It is not contraindicated with any other types of medicine, traditional or western, but you should always continue under the consultation of your doctor.
What will I feel?
Each person will experience something slightly different than someone else, and no two sessions will be the same for each client. Some experience a tingling sensation , or the “chills”, in different parts of their body. Others say they experience warmth within their bodies where the practitioners hands are hovering. What is the most common with clients after each session is the feeling of relaxation and calm throughout the mind and body.
I work with a lot of creative people and am often told that a rush or restoration of creativity flows from mind to pen and paper after their sessions. Some have even fallen asleep during sessions but call back the next day surprised at how effective the session was. That is the incredible effect Reiki energy has, it flows intuitively through the practitioner, like water flowing through an open pipe, and into you. This energy is a conduit and promoter to allow your body to then heal itself once the blockages have been opened.
Japanese Kanji for Reiki
