As we begin a new year, it is a great time to renew and reset ourselves. This is great especially if you have been stressed the past little while, worrying about things that have been going on in the world, or in your own life, or if there is something you have been wanting to do for yourself. Now is the time to start fresh and get a handle on your own wellness. You can do this! This is your time.
Reiki (pronounced Ray-Kee) is Universal Life Force Energy. Reiki is the Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also helps to promote healing. It was discovered by founder Mikao Usui in the late 1920’s as a form of energy medicine and spiritual practice. It was used as an alternative therapy for the treatment of physical, emotional and mental illnesses.
Every living being has a life force around it. I like to describe it by likening it to if you walk into a room and you can just tell if there has been an argument a few minutes before you arrived. The air seems to have a tenseness or electricity about it, you can almost feel it. This is also your intuition at work. Another example is if you are near someone and you feel they are in your ‘space’. With some people, it feels comfortable that they are in your space, but with others it does not. I believe it’s the persons energy that they are giving off, whether or not it is positive or negative.
What Can I Expect?
A Reiki session is done fully clothed. You should wear comfortable clothes. You are helped to relax by deep breathing to help empty your mind of the days happenings and any outside distractions. Usually beginning at the head, or ‘Crown Chakra’, focus is placed there, and space is held for you until it is the time to move on to the next position. My hands are positioned a few inches from your body. The only time I touch is at the beginning, at the hand and shoulder position and at the end of the session on the feet for grounding purposes. For the hour session, you are on both your stomach and back (unless a client is unable to lie on their stomach), at which I have other ways of working the back area. By using crystals and healing stones, the energy is helped along.
What To Do and Not Do After a Treatment
You may feel very tired and extremely relaxed after a treatment or even a little lightheaded. This is normal, and you should drink some water directly after a treatment. Take your time to get off the table.
Once you leave, it is best to avoid alcohol and eat lighter meals (sorry, no double cheeseburgers with poutine on the side at this time). If possible, a nap would be perfect and have a relaxing day.
Some people may experience a sense of touch, see colours, or hear things. There are also times when emotions are released, even if it’s not what you expect or hope for. All of which are normal. Others may not feel anything at all, but that doesn’t mean it is not working! You may notice later on in the day that your focus on a task is better, or you feel clear headed, or more calm about a situation.
There are also times that someone may feel a little ill or sluggish after a treatment. This is also normal as it means there is an issue that the person may need to deal with. The energies from the Reiki treatment have moved a blockage that has been buried, which now needs to be dealt with and removed in order to get the body back to it’s natural healing state. Drinking plenty of water, maybe with some lemon slices in it will help to flush the system out.
Benefits of Reiki
- stress and tension release
- immune system improvement
- a deeper state of inner peace
- blockages of energy can be dissolved
*Note Reiki does not take the place of medical care. It is recommended that a potential client see a licensed physician or licensed healthcare professional for any physical or psychological ailment they may have. Reiki can complement any medical or psychological care they may be receiving. Long term imbalances in the body may require multiple sessions in order to facilitate the level of relaxation needed by the body itself to heal.
Check out my promotions section for a January special on a Reiki treatment.
Hope to see you soon! Sandra
Sandra A. Murphy Reflexology 