Reiki

Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) is a holistic therapy practice which has the ability to reduce stress, and provide relaxation. It also promotes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing. It is believed that energy known as Ki (pronounced Chi) is channeled through the practitioner’s hands. These hands are either placed near or on the client. Ki is the spiritual life force, or vital spiritual energy, said to reside in all living things. Reiki does not need to be guided. It knows exactly where to go and what to do. It works with the client’s Higher Self in awareness of their healing needs.

Reiki is not a religion; although, it is spiritual in nature. You don’t have to believe in any particular spiritual practice in order to learn Reiki. It works no matter what your belief system is. All that is required is to be open and attuned to it.

Reiki was developed in 1922 by a Japanese Buddhist by the name Mikao Usui. There are two primary branches of Reiki known as Traditional Japanese Reiki and Western Reiki. The primary difference between the two styles is that the Western Reiki uses set hand patterns instead of the intuitive “knowing” were to place the hands found in Japanese Reiki. The first step toward becoming a Reiki practitioner is to become attuned. An attunement is done by a Reiki Master or Teacher. The attunement makes adjustments in the student’s chakras and energy pathways to accommodate the ability to channel Reiki and then links the student to the Reiki source or higher power. There are three degrees or attunement levels to being a Reiki practitioner, each one giving the Reiki student a stronger ability to channel Reiki. The first degree or attunement, the student learns recommended hand placement positions on the recipient’s body. The second degree adds the ability to heal others distantly (distant healing) with the use of specialized symbols. The third includes crystals and stone healing and increases the effectiveness of the symbols. The last degree is when the Master/Teacher adds the ability to teach and attune others to Reiki.

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."

A trusted Reiki practitioner will never tell you he/she is going to fix or cure you. Instead, they will tell you that they can provide Reiki to help you and your body relax and heal, bringing you and your body it’s greatest good. You can decide if you would like your session to be anywhere from a half hour to an hour and a half. While getting a Reiki session you will often feel the practitioner hands get very warm. A good Reiki practitioner will be caring and supportive towards you and your needs.