AN INTRODUCTON TO REIKI

• Reiki is well known in the medical community for its therapeutic benefits, and many studies attest to its effectiveness. 
• Benefits of a Reiki treatment can be as simple as helping you relax, sleep better, or feel less of life’s aches and pains, and can be an important component of healing of serious illness and disease.  
• Practitioners invoke Reiki energy and transfer it to other beings - people, pets, even things.  The energy flows to recreate balance on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels. 
• Advanced practitioners can send energy across long distances as effectively as working in person. 

Reiki is a combination of Japanese words.  Rei means universal, and this has been interpreted to mean the wisdom that comes from God, the Universe, or one’s Higher Self. This universal wisdom has the ability to heal each of us in a way that is just right for the individual. Ki is Japanese for Life Force. Other names for this energy are Chi in Chinese, Prana in Sanskrit/Yoga practice, and Mana in Hawaiian. 

How does Reiki heal? Quantum Physics has verified what the mystics and religions leaders have known for centuries. The basis for all life form is energy, which some call Life Force. It flows through the physical body along pathways called meridians and chakras. If you have ever had acupuncture or acupressure, then you are familiar with this series of pathways and connectors. If Life Force is present in sufficient quantity, the body is healthy. If the life force is diminished or blocked in some way, the function of the body is diminished and illness and disease can result. Reiki heals on all levels—the body, mind, and spirit. This allows life force to flow in a natural and healthy way. As a result, you may heal more quickly or in fact not contract a disease at all.  In releasing stress and tension, our immune systems can function more effectively.  

Reiki can be helpful in dealing with counterproductive habits and addictions. It has been helpful for many in weight loss, obsessive/compulsive behaviors, in managing anger and anxiety, and sometimes reduces the need for medication.  Reiki is the holistic healing modality most widely studied by medicine and science and is endorsed by the University of Arizona and University Medical Center. An article published by AARP discusses energy treatments and visualizations that have been scientifically documented to ease chronic pain when drugs can’t—and rates Reiki the highest!

A Reiki session can be done effectively with light touch or with hands a few inches over the body. You remain fully clothed during a session and experience deep relaxation, stress reduction, and healing with no disruption to your day.