There is so much to be said about reiki. For me, reiki was the miracle that I needed. Feeling that loving, golden light flowing into my body was healing in ways that I could not find anywhere else. It was unconditional love pure and simple. It is transferred through the laying on of hands but can also be delivered just above the body, which is what I prefer.

Reiki (pronounced ray which means “God’s wisdom or higher power” and Ki-pronounced key – which is “life force energy,”) is spiritually guided energy. Life force energy, which is also known as chi, prana, etc., is present in all living things. Mother Earth and all the plants, animals, and our human race have life force energy always available and flowing through us.

Reiki is not learned in traditional ways, but instead is passed on to the student through an “attunement”, given by a Reiki Master. This attunement allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of divine energy, to improve the health of oneself and others and enhance the quality of life. Learning Reiki is life-changing, and it requires one to self-care, as the energy flowing through them cannot always tolerate lower energies that can include fear, doubt, self-criticism, or not taking care of your physical vessel. If one chooses to pursue Reiki, they must commit to healing themselves to heal others.

Reiki is also a complementary therapy to the medical establishment. It is used in hospitals all over the world, and by bringing two different forms of medicine together, healing is increased in ways that have been documented and seen by many practitioners and patients. The Cleveland Clinic utilizes reiki amongst many others.

The health benefits of Reiki are endless. Reiki promotes relaxation, stress reduction, and symptom relief to improve well-being and overall health. The beauty of Reiki is that it treats the root cause of the problem and not just the presenting condition. It offers healing on many levels; physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. It is always helpful and always safe! Benefits include but are not limited to:

• Stimulation of the body’s immune system. Promoting self-healing as chakras are balanced.
• Support the well-being of people receiving traditional medical treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. It also fosters faster bone healing after injury or surgery.
• Relieves stress and brings on a meditative state of mind.
• Relieves pain and tension and brings on relaxation.
• Any medical, spiritual, physical, or mental issue will be helped, and reiki offers so much more!

• Chronic pain such as arthritis or fibromyalgia.
• Digestive issues.
• Depression and anxiety, or any stress-related illness.
• Healing of the root causes of addiction issues.
• Removal of lower energies
• Anything you can think of!

Reiki treatments usually will last for about 55 minutes. This is the same for distant Reiki, except you will be in the comfort of your own home. During an in-person session, you will lie on a massage table with blankets and pillows available for your comfort and remove your shoes. The Reiki Practitioner will gently place their hands on or above your body in specific locations, (mainly over your seven physical chakras or energy centers). These locations may change based on what the practitioner is guided towards. The length of time that Reiki is directed to different parts of the body is determined by the flow of energy. There is no pressure, massage, or manipulation involved, it is simply a transfer of energy. Gentle music, essential oils, and smudge spray may be used to enhance the session. I suggest drinking purified water both before and after, as it will help to release toxins from the body.

Everyone will have their own unique experience with the energy of Reiki. I have heard it described as warm, soothing, and loving. Some feel slight body sensations such as tingling in the areas where Reiki is directed. Some will release heavy emotions through tears and sometimes through talking. Most people feel very relaxed and peaceful, and if you fall asleep, that is O.K. too. I would like to add that a complimentary therapist will help you to process traumas that may be uncovered through reiki treatments. Reiki treatments help heal deeply held beliefs and traumas, and this is not always comfortable. However, you will always leave feeling better than you did when you came in. On a personal note, I receive reiki treatments once a week. As a sensitive person, I find it helps to release energies that I have picked up throughout the week that are not mine.