Reiki FAQ What is Reiki? Reiki (pronounced ‘ray-key’) is a gentle, but extremely powerful hands-on method of stress reduction and relaxation, which heals on all levels (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual). Thought to have originated thousands of years ago, it was re-discovered in Japan by Mikao Usui around 1921. The word Reiki is formed from two Japanese kanji: Rei and Ki. The Rei part means supernatural force or spiritual intelligence and Ki means life energy. Thus Reiki is often described in the West as ‘spiritually guided life force energy’. How does Reiki heal? As long as we are alive, Ki (or Chi or Prana as it is also known) flows through each of us and sustains the body by nourishing the cells and organs. When the flow is disrupted, this affects their functioning and can eventually result in disease. Equally so, when our life force energy is high, we are less prone to feeling the effects of stress and more likely to manifest good health, as well as having a balanced state of energy and creativity. Reiki heals by restoring the balance of the energy flow. It also aids in releasing emotions and stress, and promotes relaxation while working on the causal level of disease. Reiki activates the body’s natural ability to heal itself. The energy goes to the deeper levels of a person’s being, where many illnesses have their origin. It flows intuitively to wherever the client needs it most, releasing blocked energies, cleansing the body of toxins and working to create a state of balance. What conditions can be treated? Throughout its long history of use, Reiki has aided in healing practically every known illness and injury, including serious problems such as heart disease and cancer. It is also very effective in treating colds, flu, cuts, broken bones, headaches, skin problems, insomnia, stress etc, and can even be used to achieve desired goals or to overcome unwanted habits. Reiki helps ease the pain of chronic diseases and can be used for treating any illness. Although not a substitute for conventional medicine, it works in a complementary manner, enhancing the effectiveness of all types of medical treatment. Reiki has no side effects or contraindications and is safe for using on all age groups. However, you must be willing to heal in order for Reiki to work. Provided that you are willing, then Reiki’s healing ability is unlimited. What is a Reiki session like? Reiki sessions are incredibly relaxing, and can be utilised for one’s own personal wellness, not just illness. Clients react in many different ways, but common experiences include increased energy levels, pain relief, mental clarity, healing of emotional issues, a sense of peace and contentment, and spiritual connection. A full session, in which the recipient lies down fully clothed on a Reiki table, will take an hour to an hour and a half, or alternatively a shorter 20-minute session can be done with the client sitting in a chair. You will be asked to remove your shoes, and whether you have any areas of pain or discomfort as the practitioner will give these places extra attention. Reiki can be done with the hands either on or off the body. The practitioner begins with the eyes, ears, back of the head and throat, moving on to the heart area, solar plexus and abdomen, and then the knees and feet. Once the front is completed, the client will be asked to turn over (or roll on to their side) and the back will be treated as well. You can chat during the session if you wish, although many people prefer to close their eyes and relax, and clients often fall asleep quite quickly. The practitioner will ask you to drink a glass of water at the end of the session, since energy work is very relaxing and clients may occasionally feel slightly light-headed after sitting up. Drinking water and chatting for a few minutes has a grounding effect, and brings the client fully back into the present. You will also be advised to drink plenty of water over the next few days to help flush toxins out of your system. A series of 4 sessions within a 2-week time period is usually recommended, as it can take this number of sessions for a person’s energy centres to open and remain open, and therefore receive the greatest benefits from Reiki. In order to maintain optimum good health, a further session every 3 or 6 months is suggested. However, Reiki is also concerned with accepting responsibility for your own health and well-being, so I would recommend actually taking a course as this will enable you to tap into the Reiki energy for healing on a daily basis. Can anyone learn Reiki? Yes, Reiki does not require any special abilities and can be learnt by anyone. Although it is considered a spiritual practice, Reiki is not a religion and is used successfully throughout the world by people of all faiths and belief systems. A practitioner gains access to the specific frequencies of energy used in Reiki by receiving a series of attunements from a Reiki Master. During an attunement, different energy centres (chakras) and energy channels are opened and strengthened, which enables the Reiki practitioner to channel energy through their hands. In recent years, Reiki has become extremely popular here in the West and, as a result, numerous ‘non-traditional’ styles have been created, many of which have been channelled from Archangels, Ascended Masters or other high spiritual beings. We offer courses in the original Usui Reiki as well as many of the more recent styles. However, it is best to begin your training by learning the Usui Reiki system first. The additional styles are good for specific objectives and types of treatment, and are generally used in conjunction with Usui Reiki. Further details and course descriptions can be found on our Courses page. Can Reiki be used safely on animals? Yes, in the same way that Reiki benefits humans, it will benefit animals too. This is especially important as the emotional bond between pets and their owners is usually very close, and the pet often senses the unhappiness, stress or pain experienced by its owner and may even become ill as a result. Animals are very open to Reiki, and although the energy may feel a little strange to begin with, they usually come back for more. Reiki can be used to accelerate the healing process, ease pain, help with behavioural problems, and improve or help to continue their quality of life. Another benefit of being attuned to Reiki lies in its ability to strengthen the bond between owner and pet. Reiki provides a wonderful method for communicating with your animal companions, enabling you to share your love for them at a deeper level. Obviously, pets require shorter sessions due to their smaller size, and an animal will tend to move away when it has received enough energy. Our two house-rabbits are Reiki sponges and enjoy receiving regular Reiki sessions in the evenings while we’re watching television. The youngest bunny loves the sensation of heat emanating from my hands as the Reiki energy flows into her and will crash out on my lap, falling asleep nearly every time. Reiki is not a substitute for proper veterinary care, but can be used as a complementary therapy in conjunction with the treatment provided by your veterinary surgeon. Copyright Notice © 2003-2004 Enchanted Earth Holistic Healing Courses. No part of this website may be reproduced without prior written permission from the owner, Pamela Jordan. All rights reserved. Website design by Enchanted Earth. Disclaimer: Reiki is a wonderful ‘hands-on’ method of energy balancing for the purpose of stress reduction and relaxation, that works in conjunction with any and all other healthcare practices you may be using. However, it is not meant as a substitute for proper medical diagnosis and treatment provided by licensed healthcare professionals. Reiki practitioners do not diagnose conditions, nor do they perform medical treatments, prescribe substances, or interfere with the treatment of a licensed medical professional. It is strongly recommended that you contact your physician or healthcare specialist if you have any concerns about your health.