What is it Reiki?
Japanese Reiki is a form of touch therapy in which the therapist treats those parts of the body he or she senses are emitting weak energy, by laying his or her hands on or close to the site of the problem. This enables energy to start to flow through the therapist's hands to the patient.
A brief history Reiki
Reiki is an ancient art rediscovered by Dr Mikao Usui over 100 years ago. All reputable Reiki Masters should be able to present their own training lineage back to Dr Usui. This is a point of honour embodied within the Reiki principles.
How does Reiki work?
The desire to be healed by means other than drugs and conventional treatment, and the belief that it works, are widespread. Healing is the most extensive therapeutic system outside mainstream medicine in the UK, where an estimated 40,000 healers are in practice. Most people's image of a healer is that of a person who simply lays their incredible healing hands on us and our ailments are miraculously cured.
Any therapist using Reiki as a healing method will tell you that this is quite untrue. Reiki is a very gentle but also a powerful 'hands on' technique which uses 'Universal Life Force Energy'. People are tuned into the Reiki energy by the Reiki Master in the process of the First Degree class.
What is Reiki used for?
Reiki can seemingly accelerate recovery. Some healing is said to be beneficial for chronic conditions such as migraine and irritable bowel syndrome. Many people who use it regularly report feeling calmer, happier and more relaxed.
It can restore and balance your life energy which in turn can help you to feel well again. It helps to relax the body, clear the mind and balance the emotions, increase vitality and harmonise and enhance any other treatments you may be receiving.
Reiki can be used on people, animals and plants by adopting a 'hands-on' approach or distance - where the patient receives healing from the practitioner from a distance. No-one really knows how healing, especially distance healing works. The idea that someone can treat the physiology of a person who is miles away cannot currently be explained. Healers do not know where the energy comes from or how it heals. But plenty of evidence exists showing that it does.
Side effects
Although there are no adverse side effects from Reiki, a person may feel initially 'out of sorts' or under the weather. This is called healing crisis, and it is the bodies way of healing itself after a Reiki session.
A typical Reiki treatment
Healing is very simply performed. When the healer places his or her hands upon the person to be healed Reiki flows to where it is needed. You may feel totally relaxed and a warm feeling may flow through you. You may even feel so relaxed as to fall asleep, this is all natural and your body's way of letting go and taking on board the healing powers of Reiki.