I’m sure most people have heard of Reiki, but are not sure what it actually is. Some people swear by it and have sessions on a regular basis, and some people think it’s just a load of mumbo jumbo. So what is it really?

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a form of energy healing from Japan, meaning ”universal life force”. It is described as an ancient form of energy healing that doesn’t come from any religious beliefs.

Reiki is believed to have been created by Mikao Usui and it is his methods that have been passed down through Grandmasters and Master Teachers in “The Usui System of Natural Healing”, this is the method I was taught when I became a Reiki Master back in 2011.

What is energy healing?

Just think how amazing the human body actually is. It’s ablity to heal itself from a myriad of ailments.

We are all made up of energy and have energy flowing through our bodies. When your body is on balance the energy flows freely, your “ki” is in balance. But when your energy is blocked it can cause emotional and physical symptoms.

So how does Reiki work?

During a Reiki session all the positive energy will travel to where it is needed and cause the negative energy to fall away, clearing the energy pathways. 

If there has ever been a time in your life when things haven’t been going right, you’re stressed out, you have a banging headache, you either want to eat junk food or not eat at all, you will probably have reached for that bottle of wine, believing that it will help you forget the stress in you life even it is for just a few short hours. But then you wake up the next morning, with yet another headache, because you decided to finish the bottle.

You feel tired, exhausted and have no energy to do anything but lie on the sofa and eat junk. I promise you I am not judging you at all, that used to be me, and I would never dream about telling anyone how to live their life. But just think for a moment, instead of reaching for that bottle of wine, you book yourself in for a Reiki session, and let me explain why.

Why Reiki?

To be in a constant state of stress doesn’t help your body’s sympathetic nervous system. When on constant alert your body is in the “fight or flight” response. Your adrenal glands release adrenaline and cortisol which then can easily disrupt you immune system and digestion system.

Your body doesn’t understand and can’t tell if your stressed or in any real danger. You will just feel under pressure and your anxiety levels will be through the roof. Stress and tension can affect every cell in your body.

One of the primary benefits of Reiki is relaxation. When we are relaxed or in a state of relaxation, our bodies release the tension, which in turn lowers our blood pressure, heart and respiratory rate, so we are then in the opposite of “fight or flight”. Wouldn’t you want to feel that wonderful general sense of well-being?

Benefits of Reiki

The benefits of Reiki are incredible. It begins by just helping your quality of life. Imagine having a treatment every couple of weeks or once a month, were all this positive energy flows through your body, it will make you feel pretty good.

It can also help reduce stress and anxiety, as it helps your body release tension and stress. Reiki can also provide great pain relief from headaches, arthritis, chronic fatigue and insomnia. I know people who have regular Reiki treatments for these issues and they swear Reiki makes them feel better. It can also help with the healing of injuries and post-operative recovery. 

What to expect from your first Reiki session

So now you know what Reiki is about, where it came from and what it can do. You have your first session booked. What should you expect? Your Reiki session may last anything from 30-90 minutes. You will lie, fully clothed on a massage table, or if you prefer to be seated in chair for comfort or mobility issues, that is also fine.

Before you start

Be sure to discuss anything with your Reiki practitioner before hand. Your Reiki practitioner may begin by lightly touching you head or you feet, but will generally hold their hands just above your body. You may feel a variety of sensations or nothing at all. You could even burst into tears or a fit of giggles, honestly, I have know both to happen.

During

Many people say they feel a warm, tingling sensation, even a light vibration, it may make you feel a little tired. Some people feel a coolness, or even fall asleep, there is no right or wrong. You will probably feel a deep state of relaxation and calm, and have the best nights sleep of your life. If you don’t feel anything at all, please don’t worry and think it “hasn’t worked”, it has done the job it was meant to do, just because you didn’t feel it, doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. 

After

After the session, your practitioner will help you off the bed, making sure you are OK and steady on your feet. You may feel a little light headed. You will be advised to drink plenty of water and relax as much as you can for the rest of the day.

How many treatments should you have?

The number of treatments may vary. Some people decide to have a Reiki session regularly, or may have a few sessions over a several weeks. Or you may decide to go just when you feel like it. It’s entirely up to you. Healing is a process not just a one off event.

If you problem is long-term it will more than likely take more than one session. Speak to you practitioner about any concerns you may have, at the end of the day the decision is yours. But I really do recommend you make the decision to try Reiki, and you should at least try it once. Go with an open mind, and just relax and enjoy the experience.

Have you tried reiki yet? Let us know below!