About Reiki

What is Reiki?

The word "Reiki" is a combination of two Japanese
'Kanji' symbols: "rei," which means "God's wisdom," or "the higher power," and "ki," which means "life force energy," according to the International Center for Reiki Training.

It is a perfect self-help system that adapts to the individual user and requires nothing in between, whether they are a newcomer to this inner world, a hard-core intellectual, a yoga student, a housewife or a believer. It restores our contact with long-forgotten but nonetheless powerful life energy and teaches us to love ourselves again. It helps us to bridge the gap that we ourselves have created between ourselves, our fellow human beings and nature, so that we can all live in harmony again.

For some people, reiki is one of the many forms of physical exercise, for others it is an alternative healing art of the New Age movement, for others it is a method of meditation. It is a matter of perception.

Reiki activates the individual to reconnect and harmonize with the universal energy, which is transmitted or made available to the student through initiation alone.

Reiki is one of the Buddhist offspring of qigong, with some additional Shinto elements. It was rediscovered by Dr. Mikao Usui, of Kyoto, Japan, in the late 19th century. He gave it the name rei-ki.

Dr. Usui's personal history presents many ambiguities and mysteries. The story goes that he once owned a business, which went bankrupt, leaving him not only with the burden of large debts, but also with a desire to seek something other than material wealth. Dr. Usui used to meditate at a waterfall on Mount Kurama. One day, while standing under the waterfall, he experienced a "satori," a fleeting glimpse of a higher reality, or sudden understanding.

"One day he climbed Mount Kurama to fast and meditate for twenty-one days. On the day this period ended, he suddenly felt the powerful energy of reiki, and so he created the reiki healing system. First he applied reiki to himself, then he tried it on his family. Since it was effective for various diseases, he decided to share his knowledge with the general public. He opened a clinic in Harajuku, Aoyama, in Tokyo. Not only did he treat countless patients, but he also organized seminars to spread his knowledge. Before his death (on March 9, 1926 from a stroke), Dr. Usui anointed Chujiro Hayashi, an officer in the Japanese navy, as a great teacher of reiki with the responsibility of guiding all other reiki masters.

In late 1936, Chujiro Hayashi traveled to Hawaii to meet his student, Hawayo Takata, where he made her reiki teacher and before his death in May 1941, anointed her as a great teacher and head of the reiki community.

This is how reiki came to the Western world.

Quote from the book by Frank Arjava Petter - The Fire of Reiki..

Benefits of Reiki, a path to restorative healing

1. Deep relaxation that supports the body to release stress and tension

One of the most cherished aspects of Reiki is its ability to support deep relaxation as it reduces stress and anxiety. What many people enjoy about reiki treatments is time to themselves, no 'doing' just embrace the art of simply 'being'. They leave feeling clearer, peaceful, relaxed and more connect to themselves.

Reiki provides a nurturing space where you can become more attuned to the inner workings of your body and mind. Supporting you to come into relationship with yourself, to learn to listen to your own body and make wise decisions regarding your well-being from this place. The presence in the moment empowers you to access even more inner knowing and wisdom that resides in all of us, helping you navigate life with a sense of balance and purpose.

2. Promotes harmony & balance

Balance isn't static but rather an ebb and flow of harmony that we navigate in life. It's easy to not notice the pendulum has swung too far in one direction until the overwhelm, the cluttered mind, the sense of disconnection from self and a feeling of being dragged by the day become overbearing. In these times, we often need a helping hand to come back to centre.

Reiki serves as that helping hand guiding you back to your centre, restoring balance on all levels and working directly on the problem and condition instead of just masking or relieving symptoms.

3. Supports the release of energy 'blocks' promoting natural harmony between mind, body and spirit

Often people come for reiki healing because they've heard about 'blocked energy' or 'blocked chakras'. However, let's ground the understanding of 'blocked energy' into everyday language so no misconceptions can arisen.

The concept of energy blocks shouldn't be interpreted as you've done something wrong or something needs fixing. In reality, these energy blocks are a normal part of everyday life. Everyone has them. Just like everyone has places in their life that are effortless, flow and move with ease. They can be caused by unresolved and unprocessed wounds which can affect us all.

They are formed by unprocessed emotions, beliefs, stress, thoughts or memories, some can be conscious or unconscious. cause blockages in the life force energy or "Ki". These 'blocks' show up in life in a variety of ways, from feeling stuck, going in circles, limited patterns, beliefs and behaviours to harsh inner talk and negative feelings about yourself or others.

These energy blocks reflect imbalances within the system as a whole, impacting your wellbeing in different ways.

This is where reiki healing is a powerful support for the movement of energy within your body, allowing your own life force to flow more easily. The process of releasing this energy over a period of time can be quite transformative. It has the potential to releasing mental and emotional wounds, offer relief from fear, frustration and even anger. Furthermore, reiki can also strengthen your relationships as it enhances your capacity to love, it opens doors to deeper connections with those around you, nurturing personal relationships as well as your relationship to self.

4. Anchored in the present moment

With reiki treatments, you can find yourself more grounded, anchored in the present moment rather than getting stuck in the past or lost in the 'what ifs' of the future. It encourages you to navigate life with grace, to accept and work with the way events are unfolding even when they don't align with your desires or timetable. Rather than reacting out of habit, you begin to respond to situations, people, and yourself in a nurturing and deliberate manner, replacing ingrained habits with intentional choices.

5. Enchances sleep quality

The most easily dismissed outcome of receiving a Reiki session is relaxation. Yet, how often do we feel truly relaxed, truly calm and peaceful? This relaxation not only supports a sense of peace but also paves the way for sleep. When we sleep better, our bodies have the opportunity to heal and rejuvenate. We function better with good sleep, we think clearer and our connections with others deepen. During a reiki session, clients often experience deep relaxation and some may even drift off into a restful slumber. And remember, sleeping better makes everything better.

6. Boost the body's self-healing ability

Reiki healing awakens your self-healing response, guiding you back to your natural state. During reiki sessions, an individual will always breathe deeper into their belly and when we breathe better, our minds naturally begin to settle as our focus moves into the body.

As your breathing deepens your body naturally moves into parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) dominance, commonly known as the rest/digest phase. Our bodies are designed to function primarily within this restorative phase rather than the more frequently experienced fight or flight phase. Reiki, with its gentle touch and energy flow, gently guides you back to this optimal state, facilitating the body's remarkable self-healing abilities.

Healing happens in the parasympathetic state. Embracing this restorative phase doesn't mean you stop being active, productive or 'do nothing'. Instead, it offers you enhanced sleep and improved digestion which are important for maintaining health and vitality. The more we immerse ourselves in this space, the more capacity you have to remain active and productive without succumbing to stress, exhaustion and burnout.

7. Helps relieve pain, eases discomfort

On the outside looking in, a Reiki treatment might appear to be merely a sequence of hand placements, its effects reach far deeper. It encourages your system to improve your body's vital functions (breathing, digesting and sleeping) so your physical systems function optimally. Reiki supports the physical and psychological aspects of chronic pain by relaxing the muscles and guiding you into a peaceful of mind.

Reiki extends its healing touch to both the physical and psychological dimensions of chronic pain. It works to ease physical discomfort by relaxing muscles creating a tranquil state of mind. Pain, however, is not solely a physical phenomenon; there's an emotional aspect to it that deserves recognition.

Reiki can support the emotional layers of pain, potentially reducing pain perception. By allowing the free flow of healing energy throughout the body, it promotes relaxation and diminishes pain and tension. Furthermore, it helps to alleviate stress and anxiety, contributing to a more comfortable experience and reducing the perception of pain.

8. Nurtures Spiritual Growth

The beauty of reiki is that it is accessible to all. You do not need to be spiritual to enjoy the benefits of reiki or adhere to any religious beliefs. Some may explore reiki treatments as part of their personal journey towards spiritual growth and personal development.

Reiki is all-encompassing, addressing the whole person rather than isolated symptoms. It has the power to initate profound, often subtle shifts from deep within your own being. What does that transformation look like? It may show up as insights on how to navigate difficult situations or an inspired shift in attitude or belief about your circumstance.

You may find yourself viewing your situation from a fresh, empowering perspective enabling you to deal with it in a more positive way. Reiki can support you to listen and hear your own inner internal guidance system, to align yourself to your values and vision as well as that of your family and community. In essence, Reiki empowers your spiritual and emotional journey, helping you unlock your inner wisdom and discover a more enlightened path.

9. Compliments medical treatment & other therapies

Reiki serves as a wonderful compliment to conventional medicine, helping patients to relax on both the mental and physical level. This relaxation not only supports the patient's healing process but also provides them with deeper sleep and a sense of calmness when many other aspects of life may be 'out of their hands'.

Reiki is gentle and non-invasive so an individual can receive Reiki healing without the need for physical contact, making it a suitable choice for individuals who cannot have touch therapies or who are not able to come for in-person treatments. These individuals have the choice of hand-off healing or even 'remote / distant reiki healing'. They receive all the benefits of reiki from their home or hospital.

There are no contraindications for reiki as it is holistic and natural. There is no physical manipulation during a treatment and nothing is ingested or put on the skin. Reiki can support pregnant women during each stage of their pregnancy from conception to birth and postpartum. It is a gentle treatment for anyone receiving chemotherapy. Reiki is beneficial for everyone.

10. Learn reiki for self-care

Many clients who've experienced the benefits of reiki in their lives often choose to join my Reiki Level 1 course. By doing so, they have the beauty of a self-practice i.e. giving themselves a reiki treatment. This supports them in so many ways beyond restoration as it guides them into self awareness so they can gain insight into their thought processes, reactions, projections, patterns and emotions.

Some are drawn to learn reiki to support their physical healing, to support family members, to increase their own vitality or are curious about energy work and personal development. The reasons people learn reiki are as unique as each person. That is what makes it so special to share and teach people reiki.

It's often the individual's direct experience of Reiki's that inspires them to seek out how to learn reiki. Their self-practice provides a space of quietness, nurturance and nourishment. A place to return to everyday as they move through life. They can continue to receive reiki from a qualified practitioner, as we were not designed to do everything by ourselves. No matter how many healing practices we have, we still need the support and guidance of others as we walk through life.

Why not take a moment, pause, breathe, and experience the profound benefits of a Reiki treatment for yourself?

Whether you desire to step into a space of relaxation, crave some time out, are looking for emotional clarity, Reiki can support you. The best way to understand reiki is to experience it for yourself by booking a reiki treatment. If you're interested in learning reiki check out my courses.

Research and science about Reiki

https://www.humanfrequencies.com/reiki-hospitals/

https://www.humanfrequencies.com/reiki-usa-top-cancer-hospitals/

https://iarp.org/category/reiki-and-medicine/

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/reiki

https://www.everydayhealth.com/reiki/

https://www.reiki.org/resources-downloads/reiki-stories

https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-does-reiki-work

https://www.verywellhealth.com/reiki-therapy-6362562#toc-what-research-says-about-reiki

The five principles of Reiki

Just for today, do not worry.
Just for today, do not anger.
Honour your parents, teachers and elders.
Earn your living honestly.
Show gratitude for every living thing.

Reiki for children

Thanks to the gentle nature of Reiki, it can be a helpful tool to use with children. Helping support young people with difficulties like low self-esteem, sleeping problems and anxiety, Reiki for children is an ideal way to teach relaxation and self-awareness.

Reiki practitioners use the universal life energy they have been attuned to, to promote natural healing. On this page, we will explore Reiki healing in more depth to establish what it can help with and what you should expect from a Reiki session.

Reiki does not replace medical

Reiki is a gentle energy method that does not replace the judicious and appropriate use of competent classical medical care and psychological help. Reiki works in harmony and in parallel with all medical treatment, medication, psychological treatment and helps in recovery, rehabilitation and improvement of health. Those who practice Reiki do not make diagnoses and do not recommend drugs or other substances. Reiki is a simple natural energy method that creates the positive conditions for a healthy body and mind.

Reiki is not a religion

In Reiki there is no dogma or a worship process. There is nothing that anyone has to believe in order to use Reiki. Reiki works regardless of belief. So people all over the world practice Reiki no matter what their religion, race, education or social status. Reiki is a spiritual method that unites people around the world.