What is Reiki?

Reiki is a method of stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. The technique was developed in Japan and is administered by the laying on of hands. It is based on the idea that all living things have a special energy flowing through them called life energy. When your life energy is high, you’ll feel strong and confident, be more relaxed and centered and less likely to get sick. When it is low, you’ll often feel tired, be more easily affected by stress and less resistant to illness.

Reiki is a Japanese word that comes from two words – Rei and ki. In the Japanese language, these words can mean different things depending on how they are used and how they are combined with other words. When they are used together for the practice of healing, the word Rei means universal spirit, Higher Power or God. The word ki refers to the life energy that flows through all living things. Therefore, Reiki means life energy that is guided by God. Some also feel this is just another way of saying Holy Spirit.

A Reiki treatment is a way of increasing your life energy. A practitioner will transmit Reiki to the client through the hands. The hands are lightly placed on or near the body in various positions around the head, shoulders, stomach and feet. Sometimes a practitioner will also treat above the body.

A treatment can feel like a warm glowing radiance that flows through the body. It is a very relaxing experience and some clients report the body feeling heavy as it relaxes and yet the spirit or emotions feeling light at the same time. A treatment will usually release negative feelings or thoughts leaving the client feeling more positive, light hearted and with feelings of well-being.

Healing often takes place and people have reported recovery from minor things like headache, stomachache, bee stings etc., but also major illnesses have been affected with some people recovering from heart disease, cancer, leukemia etc. While almost everyone experiences relaxation and improvements of various kinds, healing results cannot be guaranteed. It is recommended that if one has an illness or other medical or psychological condition that in addition to getting Reiki treatments, clients also consult a licensed physician or other licensed health care professional as Reiki works well in conjunction with all medical or psychological care.

The ability to do Reiki is innate within everyone. By taking a Reiki class, an attunement is given to the student which is like turning on a switch that in affect turns on ones Reiki energy. After that, all that is necessary is to place ones hands on oneself or another person and Reiki healing energy automatically begins flowing. Because of this, Reiki is very simple to learn and is taught in a weekend class.