Reiki is a Japanese healing art in which a practitioner channels essential life force energy for the clearing and balancing of the client’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. “Rei” means universal or divine, and “Ki” means vital energy. Reiki is very similar to the Chinese concept of Chi or Qi, the terms simply refer to a permeating cosmic force that flows through and unites all living things. You do not need to hold any spiritual beliefs to benefit from Reiki healing, but having an openness to a higher power helps one be more receptive to healing.
During your session you will be fully clothed and laying comfortably on a massage table, under blankets if you prefer. Your Reiki practitioner will discuss the plan with you and begin the session. They will use a light touch and place their hands on specific areas of your body such as the head, shoulders, back, chest, arms, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. The practitioner may spend more or less time on certain areas depending on the feedback they are receiving from your energy field.
As the practitioner channels Reiki into your energy field, you may experience different sensations. Most people describe a Reiki session as deeply relaxing. You may feel warmth, tingling, buzzing, light pressure, or coolness in different areas. You may also experience thoughts and emotions coming to your awareness at different points throughout the session, simply acknowledge them and let them pass. In addition, you may see flashes of light and color or other images while your eyes are closed.
After the session, your Reiki practitioner will discuss any information they picked up from your energy field and they will help you process what it means for you. Most people report that they feel peaceful after a Reiki session and many discover that they want to continue the healing process by integrating mind/body lifestyle changes. Healing your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy fields is a process that gradually unfolds over time. You will become more aware of the patterns that kept you in a state of dis-ease, and you will learn how to consciously change those patterns through daily efforts to achieve overall wellness.
