Have you ever heard of Reiki energy healing? It’s a form of alternative therapy that has been gaining popularity in recent years. The practice involves the use of hands-on or hands-off techniques to channel energy into the body, with the goal of promoting physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. While Reiki may sound like a new age fad to some, it’s actually rooted in ancient traditions and has been used for centuries to improve overall well-being. In this blog post, we’ll explore the many physical and energetic benefits of Reiki energy healing and how it can help you achieve a more balanced and harmonious life.
What is Reiki?
Reiki originated in ancient Tibetan Buddhism and was later popularized in Japan by Mikao Usui. Today, most modern practitioners are attuned to Reiki under his teachings. Reiki involves a series of hand positions that can be performed on yourself or others, stimulating the flow of energy in the body. By doing so, it releases blockages, stagnant energy, and toxins, allowing the body to heal naturally. Although similar to massage, there is very little physical contact involved in Reiki. Instead, the practitioner directs energy through the body’s energetic field, often referred to as the aura.
How Does Reiki Work?
To understand how Reiki works, we need to have a foundational understanding of how trauma affects the body and more specifically, what we define as trauma. When we hear the word, we often think of situations like abuse or neglect, but trauma can manifest in many forms and impact us in different ways.
It can be an emotional wound from a relationship, a physical injury, or a stressful situation at work. When we experience trauma, it leaves an energetic imprint on our body, creating blockages in our energy flow that can lead to physical and emotional imbalances. These blockages can cause anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and even chronic illnesses.
The premise of Reiki, yoga, Ayurveda, and most other holistic health practices is that energetic imbalances are the root cause of most, if not all, physical and mental ailments we face. The body has an innate ability to heal itself, but when our energetic flow is blocked, it can become difficult to access this natural healing process. Reiki works with the energy centers of the body (also known as chakras) to release any blockages and promote the natural flow of energy. A Reiki practitioner uses their hands to channel energy to the recipient, helping to balance the energy flow in the body.
Reiki certification consists of various levels, each building upon the previous one and requiring a specific amount of training and experience with clients. Reiki I focuses on self-healing and the basic hand positions for treating others. Reiki II delves deeper into energy healing and equips practitioners with the knowledge and techniques to perform distance healing. Reiki III empowers individuals to teach and attune others to Reiki energy. Beyond these levels, there may be additional master-level certifications for those who wish to further specialize in certain aspects of Reiki practice.
What are the Benefits of Reiki?
Many people seek out Reiki to address specific health concerns, such as arthritis or anxiety, while others are looking for grounding, peace, or clarity in their lives. Regardless of the reasons behind trying Reiki, its benefits are numerous and impactful. Reiki can help to relieve stress, anxiety, and depression, reduce pain, and promote overall wellness. By promoting the natural flow of energy in the body, Reiki can help to restore balance and promote physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. This ancient healing technique is becoming increasingly popular worldwide as people seek out natural and effective ways to improve their health and wellbeing.
Here are some of the proven benefits of energy healing:
– Promotes deep relaxation and reduces stress and anxiety
– Boosts the immune system and enhances overall wellbeing
– Helps release blockages and stagnant energy in the body
– Aids in pain management and reduces inflammation
– Improves sleep quality and duration
– Enhances mental clarity and focus
– Promotes emotional healing and balance
– Helps in spiritual growth and development
– Complements other medical and therapeutic treatments
– Safe, non-invasive, and suitable for all ages and conditions
What is a Reiki Healing Session Like?
If you’ve decided to schedule an individual Reiki session, you might be wondering what it will be like, and if there is anything you should do to prepare. Reiki is almost completely passive on the part of the client, but it is helpful to communicate with your Reiki practitioner about specific concerns or areas of focus for the session.
It can also be helpful to set an intention before the session. This can be anything that makes sense to you, whether it be to release negative energy, reduce stress and anxiety, address a specific issue, or promote overall wellness and balance. By preparing in these ways, you can maximize the benefits of your Reiki energy healing session.
A Reiki energy healing session typically lasts around 60-90 minutes. During this time, you will be asked to lie down comfortably on a massage table or sit in a chair, fully clothed. The Reiki practitioner might guide you through meditation and/or relaxing breathing, then will begin the session by placing their hands on or near different areas of your body, focusing on the energy centers known as chakras. The practitioner will use a series of hand positions to channel Reiki energy to help clear any blockages in your energy field and promote the natural flow of energy throughout your body.
As the Reiki energy begins to flow, you may feel a sense of deep relaxation and peace. Some people may feel a tingling or warm sensation, while others may feel a sense of lightness or release. It is common to experience a sense of clarity or insight, as well as a feeling of being more grounded and centered. At the end of the session, the practitioner will gently bring you back to a state of wakefulness. You may feel a sense of renewed energy and vitality, or you may feel more relaxed and calm. It is common to feel the effects of Reiki for several days after the session, as the energy continues to work its magic.
How Often Should I Get Reiki?
A frequently-asked question about Reiki is how often one should get it. This can be a difficult question to answer, especially because Reiki is not yet covered under most insurances, making it financially inaccessible for many. The reality is that energy blockages are not a one-and-done thing. We may feel perfectly balanced and centered one day, then be hit with a barrage of obstacles that throw us off. Our life experiences and the difficulties we face all leave imprints in our beings as we hold the energy in out of fear. This causes the flow of energy to become stuck and stagnant, not properly nourishing our body and mind.
While a single Reiki energy healing session can be beneficial in providing temporary relief from specific issues, regular sessions can help to maintain consistent energy alignment and promote overall wellbeing. Just like any of our other spiritual practices, Reiki healing is most effective as a lifelong practice. Receiving Reiki on a regular basis can help to prevent energy blockages from building up over time and can assist in flushing out any residual energy blockages that may have accumulated. It is recommended that individuals receive Reiki treatments at least once a month to keep the energy flowing and to help maintain overall balance.
Think of Reiki healing in the same way as going to the chiropractor. Regular adjustments are a great way to maintain consistent alignment of our spines, but even a single visit can temporarily correct the imbalance. Over time, and as we misalign again, we could benefit from another adjustment. Similarly, the energy blockages we acquire could use the occasional flushing out, even if we are not able to incorporate a regular schedule of Reiki into our lives. Receiving Reiki treatments regularly can help to prevent energy blockages from building up and promote overall wellbeing in the long run.
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Guess what else is great to do on a regular basis? Yoga! At Inspiring Actions, many of our instructors are also certified in Reiki or other holistic practices and share their gifts with us in our classes and many special events. Our studios in Hudson and River Falls, Wisconsin offer something for every level of experience and endless opportunities to explore not only yoga, but meditation, sound healing, somatic movement and many other practices as well. Check out a full list and descriptions of our classes here. No matter which practice you’re into, we have something for you at Inspiring Actions. You are welcome here!
