Reiki

I am a Reiki Master Practitioner and practicing for over 19 years.

Reiki (pronounced Ray Key) is a combination of two Japanese words rei and ki meaning universal life energy. Reiki is an ancient laying-on of hands healing technique that uses the life force energy to heal, balancing the subtle energies within our bodies. Reiki addresses physical, emotional, mental and spiritual imbalances. This healing art is an effective delivery system. The Reiki practitioner serves as a vessel that supplies healing energies where they are most needed. Reiki's ki-energies flow out of the practitioner's body through the palms of the hands while they are touching the recipient's body.

What to Expect During a Reiki Healing Session

You will be asked to lay down on a massage table, couch, or bed. You will be fully clothed except for your shoes. You may also be asked to remove or loosen your belt so that your breathing is not restricted in any way. It is best to choose loose-fitting garments to wear on the day of your appointment. Wearing natural fabrics is best (cotton, wool, or linen). You may also be asked to remove any jewelry (rings, bracelets, pendants, etc.) prior to the session, so consider leaving these items at home. Relaxing Atmosphere Reiki practitioners will often create a relaxing atmosphere for their Reiki sessions, setting the mood with the use of dimmed lights, meditative music, or bubbling water fountains. Some practitioners prefer to be in a place that is completely silent, without distraction of music of any kind, to conduct their Reiki sessions in.

Healing Touch

During the Reiki healing session the practitioner will place his hands lightly on different parts of your body. Some Reiki practitioners will follow a predetermined sequence of hand placements, allowing their hands to rest on each body placement for 2 to 5 minutes before moving on to the next. Empathic practitioners will freely move their hands in no particular order to the areas where they "feel" Reiki is most needed. Some Reiki practitioners do not actually touch their clients. Instead, they will hover their lifted palms a few inches above the reclined body. Either way, Reiki energies flow where they are suppose to. Reiki is a smart energy that automatically flows where the imbalances are in your body regardless of where the practitioner's hands are placed.

Phantom Hands

Because Reiki energies flow to where they are most needed there is a Reiki phenomenon called "phantom hands" that you may or may not experience. Phantom hands feel as if the Reiki practitioner's hands are touching one part of your body when they are actually elsewhere. For example, you may be able to see that the healer's hands are actually placed on your stomach, but you could swear that hands are touching your legs. Or, you may feel as if several pairs of hands are on your body at the same time as if several people are in the room with you.

Reiki Distant Healing

The distant Reiki session is just as strong, if not stronger, than a ‘hands on’ Reiki session. The effects can be instant. By using Reiki in this way any number of people or animals can receive the self-healing benefits of Reiki simultaneously.

Anyone can benefit from Reiki healing - You don't have to be ill or injured to benefit from Reiki energy. Reiki goes where it's most needed.

The above Reiki definition was taken from About.com

Testimony: I am writing this with my strong belief that Reiki is an excellent way to help people cope with difficult illnesses and the side effects of certain medications. I am being treated for a complicated case of Glaucoma and the medications, including Prednisone did not let me sleep at night. It's amazing the help that Linda has given me with the Reiki sessions. Last night after a session I was able to sleep for eight hours. What a gift to allow my body and mind to rest for so many hours! Today I have excellent energy and I feel optimistic about my healing. I am deeply grateful to Linda and to all Reiki practitioners for this gift.
Elena Martinez, Ph.D.
Professor, Baruch College (CUNY)

What is the difference between IET and Reiki?

Both IET and Reiki use energy to heal the body and provide balance and harmony on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. IET uses angelic energy that to release limiting blockages that build up over time. It allows patients to let go of painful experiences so they can achieve better health, creativity, and peace of mind. Reiki uses high-frequency universal energy to heal illness, pain, stress, and tension. It can help patients feel stronger, more relaxed, and reinvigorated.

Reiki and IET are complimentary to each other, and are often used in combination to produce powerful results. If you feel that you are being held back by negative experiences and emotions, and pain and suffering, IET and Reiki are effective and safe methods to help you cleanse your body, mind, and spirit to feel healthier, happier, and more balanced.

FAQ

What is Reiki? Reiki is a natural healing system designed to assist in healing and help achieve balance. Reiki is administered by a practitioner, who serves as a conduit through whom the Universal Life Energy can be transmitted to the recipient, by either hands-on or distance healing techniques. Practitioners may also practice Reiki self-treatments.

Where does Reiki energy come from? A. Reiki energy is a subtle energy. It is different than electricity or chemical energy or other kinds of physical energy. Reiki energy comes from the Higher Power, which exists on a higher dimension than the physical world we are familiar with. When viewed clairvoyantly, Reiki energy appears to come down from above and to enter the top of the practitioners head after which if flows through the body and out the hands. It appears to flow this way because of our perspective. However, the true source of Reiki energy is within ourselves. This does not mean that we use our personal energy when we do Reiki, but that the energy is coming from a transcendental part of ourselves that is connected to an infinite supply of healing energy.

Is Reiki a form of faith healing? No, Reiki is not a religion, nor is it based on the acceptance of any religious doctrine. Having a belief system is not a requirement for Reiki to work. Reiki does not infringe on anyone’s right to believe what he or she wishes. However, Reiki's principles are spiritual in nature and do encourage spiritual empowerment and growth.
Who can benefit from a Reiki treatment? Reiki's gift of increased energy and vitality can be extended to anyone. It doesn't matter what a person's gender, race, intelligence, or financial status is. Reiki is not a healing energy reserved only for the elite, wealthy, educated, or spiritually evolved.
How is a Reiki treatment given? In a standard treatment Reiki energy flows from the practitioners hands into the client. The client is usually laying on a massage table but treatments can also be given while the client is seated or even standing. The client remains fully clothed. The practitioner places her/his hands on or near the clients body in a series of hand positions. These include positions around the head and shoulders, the stomach, and feet. Other, more specific positions may be used based on the clients needs. Each position is held for three to ten minutes depending on how much Reiki the client needs at each position. The whole treatment usually lasts between 45 and 90 minutes.

What does Reiki feel like? Common Reiki sensations are heat or coolness, "pins and needles" tingling, vibrational buzzing, electrical sparks, numbness, throbbing, itchiness, and drowsiness. What one experiences during a Reiki treatment varies somewhat from person to person. However, feelings of deep relaxation are usually felt by all. In addition, many feel a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and surrounds them. As the Reiki energy encourages one to let go of all tension, anxiety, fear or other negative feelings a state of peace and well-being is experienced. Some drift off to sleep or report floating outside their bodies or have visions and other mystical experiences. At the end of the treatment, one feels refreshed with a more positive, balanced outlook.
Are there any side effects from a Reiki treatment? Most of the time a person will feel relaxed and uplifted by a Reiki treatment. However, sometimes a person will have what is called a healing crisis. As a person’s vibration goes up, toxins that have been stored in the body will be released into the blood stream to be filtered by the liver and kidneys and removed from the system. When this happens, sometimes a person can get a headache or stomach ache or feel weak. If this happens, it is a good idea to drink more water, eat lighter meals and get more rest. The body is cleansing as part of the healing process so this is a good sign.
Will Reiki ever run out? When you are giving a Reiki treatment to someone, you are giving of your time and your intent to assist, but you are not giving away any of your own energy. Reiki is in infinite supply. It never runs out.
What is the purpose of the Reiki hand placements? Emphasis is placed on devoting five minutes on each hand placement so that no part of the body is neglected and to ensure that each body part is given equal consideration.
Do I need to direct the flow of Reiki? Reiki will automatically go to wherever it needs to go with no mental involvement of either the practitioner or the recipient. However, when mental intention is used, a linear pathway is opened. This cleared route allows Reiki to flow more effectively to that part of the body where attention is most desired.

The above questions and answers are selected “excerpts” from Appendix A: Frequently Asked Questions reference section of The Everything Reiki Book: Channel your positive energy to reduce stress, promote healing, and enhance you quality of life written by Phylameana lila Désy. Published by Adams Media; March 2004.

Disclaimer: Reiki is not a medical practice, and we do not pretend to be medical practitioners.