Reiki, pronounced (ray-key), is an energy therapy developed in Japan that reduces stress and promotes relaxation.  It gently balances the energy systems of your body and mind as well as stimulates your body’s regenerative and natural healing processes.

In Western tradition, the word Reiki derives from two Japanese root words – “Rei” meaning spiritually conscious or universal and “Ki” meaning life force energy.  It is a flow of spiritually conscious life force energy into and through the practitioner to the receiver.  Due to the Reiki attuments, the practitioner is able to draw the energy in a natural and beneficial way but does not direct its flow or destination.  The energy is spiritually conscious and goes where it is most needed.

There are no contraindications or negative side effects for the use of Reiki.  It is noninvasive and safe for all ages from premature babies to the elderly.  Studies from around the world show that Reiki facilitates healing and improves both chronic and acute conditions.  Reiki treatments complement and improve the effectiveness of all other types of therapy and traditional medicine.

Part of Reiki’s growing popularity can be attributed to the fact that it imposes no belief system and it holds no creed or doctrine.  It is simply a technique used to relax and promote healing.  It is a tool.  This neutrality makes it particularly appropriate for use by people of any faith or background.  Although Reiki is sometimes confused with “laying on of hands” or faith healing, it is neither.  Nor is there any massage or physical manuplation involved.  To benefit from a Reiki treatment requires only a desire to receive and accept the energy – no preparation or orientation needed.

How does it work?

Reiki brings the energetic effect of both healing and relaxation through the transfer of energetic frequencies.  Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of Reiki, believed that the Buddhist healing techniques, from which he derived Reiki, worked because the monks were able to focus the use of “Ki”, life force energy, to heal and bring peace and balance.

For many years, traditional western medicine has used a range of energetic frequencies (EMF) applied on or near the body to stimulate natural healing processes, with specific frequencies suitable for repairing different body tissues such as muscle, bone, nerves and ligaments.  Research by Dr. Robert Becker and Dr. John Zimmerman in the 1980s shows that the energetic frequencies emitting from the practitioner’s hands, which increases as much as 1000 times normal during an energy session, also pulses through a wide range of healing frequencies like those used by medical practitioners.

In addition to the wide range of healing frequencies, the energy waves emitting from the practitioner’s hands also pulse in synchronization with the vibrational frequency of Earth’s electro-magnetic field (the Schumann Resonance), or 7.86Hz.  This frequency is characteristic of an alpha brain-wave state, which vibrates at 7Hz to12Hz and induces a state of deep relaxation or meditation.  In her 1997 report, Toni Bunnell, PhD suggests that this synchronization of energy fields between the practitioner and the earth sets up the sympathetic resonance that allows the practitioner to draw on the ‘universal energy field’.  Through the sympathetic resonance, the practitioner induces the same brain-wave state within the receiver, easily bringing both to a deeply relaxed alpha state.

What can I expect from a Reiki session?

When you arrive, the practioner makes you comfortable and asks what brought you to the Reiki session.  Depending on your individual needs and desires, the practioner will determine the appropriate hand positions and may include a combination of other Healing Art modalities such as Aromatherapy and Sound Therapy.

Reiki flows through any barrier, including clothing, bandages, casts and shoes.  The practioner may ask that you remove your shoes for the health or comfort reasons but otherwise, you need not adjust or remove any clothing unless it’s for your own comfort.

Although most practitioners have a massage table or couch and perform the Reiki sessions while the client is lying down, you may receive a Reiki session while sitting or standing.

Throughout your Reiki session, the practitioner will place their hands near or lightly on your body letting them rest for a few minutes in a series of different positions – head, neck, chest, abdomen, hips, back, legs and feet.  If you have a specific area of concern, the practitioner may spend more time on that area.

You may close your eyes, or not.  Many people will fall asleep. Some people may feel motivated to talk, especially concerning emotional issues.  You are encouraged to do whatever is comfortable for you.

People often speak of feeling sensations of warmth, coolness or gentle vibration and tingling orginating from the practitioner’s hands or anywhere else within or near your body.  Regardless of any other sensations, Reiki always leaves you with a deep and lasting sense of relaxation, peace and well being.

Who uses Reiki?

Individual practitioners generally provide Reiki services to those who are interested.   However, in recent years, many hospitals, clinics, emergency rooms, intensive-care units and hospice programs have added Reiki to compliment their other therapies and services.  Studies in these environments indicate that Reiki reduces stress, decreases the need for pain medication, improves sleep and appetite and accelerates the healing process.  They also indicate that Reiki reduces many of the unwanted side effects of radiation, chemotherapy and other traditional drugs.

History of Reiki

Dr. Mikao Usui developed Reiki in 1917 through extensive meditation and study of ancient texts, Buddhist healing techniques and energy disciplines that focused on the use of Ki.  He believed the common person should have some access to these Buddhist healing methods and devoted his life to developing and teaching Reiki.  Reiki Masters trained in the original Usui traditions, whose personal lives are committed to this work and the life it engenders, continue to teach this ancient healing technique today.

The Original Reiki Ideals

The secret art of inviting happiness, the miraculous medicine of all diseases:

Just for today do not be angry, do not worry and be filled with gratitude.  Devote yourself to your work and be kind to people. 

Every morning and evening sit in a prayerful position and say these words in your head and chant these words with your mouth.

 

— Founder Dr. Usui Mikao —
Usui Reiki for the improvement of body, mind and spirit