The Healing Powers of Reiki

The Healing Powers of Reiki

Life can be hectic and stressful at times, and when we go through the motions and deal with everything that we have to deal with on a day to day basis, we often forget to make time for ourselves, meaning that we can neglect our bodies and their needs. Ignoring these issues for too long results in stress related symptoms and illnesses that will eventually catch up to us. However if we stop every now and again and remember to take care of ourselves, we can avoid such problems. Having a Reiki massage is the perfect way to relax and give our bodies the chance to heal.

What is Reiki?
Reiki comes from the Japanese word for ‘universal life energy’, and is the practice of natural, spiritual healing. The tradition was developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Dr Mikao Usui and has evolved through practice ever since.

There are two branches of Reiki, Traditional Japanese Reiki and Western Reiki, each with many different variations, but the principles are the same throughout; Reiki is the practice of naturally healing the whole person, including the mind, body, emotions and the spirit by transferring ‘life force energy’ through the palms. Reiki is used alongside conventional and complementary medicines to provide treatment of countless different conditions, as well as being used to provide emotional support during recovery.

Reiki practitioners are trained in three different levels or degrees. The first degree is given the Japanese name Shoden, meaning ‘Elementary or Entry Teachings’. The second degree is named Okuden, meaning ‘Inner Teachings’. The third degree is also known as master training and is given the Japanese name of Shinpiden, meaning ‘Mystery Teachings’. It is believed that anybody can gain access to the energy needed to become a Reiki practitioner through the attunement process carried out by experienced Reiki Masters.

Reiki Treatment
There are no instruments included in Reiki treatments, instead practitioners transfer energy through the placement of their hands at different parts of the body. Most Western Practitioners use a fixed set of 12 hand positions, covering the head, torso, knees and feet.

Reiki treatment begins with the recipient lying on a table or a couch in a comfortable position and relaxing. A typical Reiki session lasts between 45 and 90 minutes, and involves the practitioner placing their hands in the different positions around the body. In Western Reiki, practitioners use the seven chakras as guides for their hand positions during the process of whole body healing.  Different people have different methods, and practitioners can choose to place their hands either on the body or slightly above, not actually touching. The practitioner works through the different positions, usually allowing around three to five minutes for each position.

Localised Reiki treatment is used to treat specific injuries or ailments, or areas of the body which require special attention. There are countless different conditions that can be helped through reiki, including respiratory or digestive disorders, circulatory problems or metabolism problems, to name but a few.

Reiki is also extremely useful as a tool to provide emotional and spiritual support. At times in our lives when life is difficult or stressful, Reiki provides peace and relaxation, and gives us the chance to better cope with what is going on around us. A Reiki massage helps clear toxins from your body and strengthens your immune system, accelerating your body’s natural healing abilities. It is also great for pregnant women, as it provides an opportunity to rest and relax, and at the same time it helps to soothe and ease the aches and pains that come with the bump. Reiki is also extremely beneficial to those ailments that come with age, such as arthritis, as well as a comfort near the end of life.

Reiki can only do good, and the only side effects are positive ones; people leave a Reiki session feeling relaxed, energised and uplifted.