Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes physical, emotional and spiritual healing. It is very gentle and also very powerful. The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words “Rei” which means universal spirit” and “Ki” which means “life force energy.”

Reiki is administered by “laying on hands” on the person or above the person. It is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us. If one’s “life force energy” is low or blocked, then we are more likely to become sick or feel stress. If it is high, we are able to maintain balance and health. Reiki practitioner serve as a tool to channel universal energy to heal, harmonize and restore balance. A treatment can induce a sense of flowing radiance that flows through and around the individual. Reiki treats the “whole” person, which includes the body, mind, spirit and the soul. The results can be a sense of relaxation, serenity and well being.

There are many forms of reiki being practiced now. The two principal ones are: “the Usui System of Natural Healing” and “the Radiance Technique.” The Usui System of Natural Healing balances and strengthens the body’s energy, promoting its ability to heal itself. The Radiance Technique® is the science and the art of activating and accessing the unmanifested Universal Energy for health recovery, illness prevention and increasing the performance level.  Reiki was introduced to the Western world in the mid-1970s. Since then its use has spread worldwide.

Reiki is good for:

· Stress and pain relief and release
· Relaxation
· Centering - Balance - Focus
· Preventive care
· Energizing and revitalizing
· Helping the healing process on all levels in regards to the mind, body and spirit

Where did Reiki come from?

A Japanese monk, Dr. Mikao Usui, rediscovered Reiki around 1922. Some say what motivated his search was a desire to learn how famous healers like Buddha and Jesus healed the sick without depleting their own inner energy. Others believe that he had a spiritual experience or vision in which the meaning of life was revealed to him. He then spent the rest of his life studying through the world to perfect his understanding of these ancient healing principals.

During his life, Dr. Usui studied old religions and many ancient teachings, including those related to healing like K-Kou, the Japanese version of Qugong (Chi Kung). He decided to do a 21 day fast on the Holy Mountain of Kuram, just outside of Kyoto, Japan. Near the end of the fast, he was able to experienced Reiki and he witnessed three miracles. According to Reiki legend, Dr. Ususa was hit by some form of energy while sleeping and was given Reiki symbols by spirit guides. He had a vision and awoke feeling wonderful, with the bonus of an amazing healing ability and the knowledge of Reiki on his mind and heart. While working his way down the mountain, he experienced his first miracle after he fell down and gashed his knee. He covered his knee with his hands and he was able to heal his knee. He experienced his second miracle when he went to look for food at a restaurant and saw that the waitress had a cloth fasten around her face due to a tooth ache. He held her face with his hands and with the heat of his hands diminished the toothache. The third miracle was after he has fasted for 21days he was able to eat without getting sick.

Dr. Usui tested this new found energy on his family and friends and realized how powerful it was. He then brought Reiki out to the Japanese public, traveling to Tokyo to perform healing, and teaching others there. He also found he could easily transfer the ability to access and use this energy to anyone.

Some people say that Dr. Usui rediscovered an ancient art of healing, the same method that Jesus and Buddha used to heal. Reiki can be practice by anyone who has the desire to heal.

There are three levels of Reiki, they are:.
Reiki 1 for physical healing.
Reiki 2 is for emotional and remote healing.
Reiki 3 is for spiritual opening and Master level. One may learn how to do attunements at this level.

How does one become a Reiki Practitioner?
We all can emit energy through our hands. It is only through a Reiki attunement process that is Reiki energy can be emitted. Being attuned to Reiki gives one the ability to access the Reiki (Universal Life Force) energy, for the purpose of healing a person, pet or plants. Only a Reiki master can do attunements ceremony.

The attunement procedure is a ceremony of spirit. In this ceremony the Reiki master will ask your spirit guides to help to successful do an attunement. The Reiki Master will begin to insert Reiki into the attuned, and once all the symbols of the appropriate level are inserted, then the Reiki Master will closes the aura with the Reiki symbols permanently embedded into it.

What can one expect after an Attunement?
Some people may feel a tremendous of energy throughout the body, especially through the hands. Some may feel emotional releases while they adjust to the energy levels. It is suggested to give Reiki immediately after the attunement either on yourself or others. The more Reiki that you do the more powerful the Reiki will be. If you decide not to use the Reiki, it will lay dominant until it is called upon. Drink a lot of water. It may take weeks or months before one adjusts to the Reiki energy.

What are the Responsibilities of a Reiki Practitioner?
Since Reiki can only be used for good, there is no way to abuse the abilities. The responsibilities lay primarily with the practitioner; if the practitioner is angry, tired or not feeling up to it. The practitioner should not practice Reiki at that moment. There is no such thing as too much Reiki. The Reiki practitioner decides how much Reiki to give. In a normally session, a session may last up to 60 minutes.

How is Reiki Administered?
Reiki can be done by lying on a massage table or sitting on a chair. The person receiving Reiki does not get undressed. The Reiki practitioners puts his or her hands on the recipient and leaves his or her hands in one position for a few minutes before moving on to the next position. The recipient might feel heat or a tingling sensation, or may not feel anything. The experience may be different for each individual. Lightly lying of the hands directly on the body or off the body. Most common place to place both hands are on the head, face, shoulders, chest, stomach, on the calves and feet (see attachment.) You may slip your hands under the recipient, and do the same hand pattern. If you feel incline to stay longer at one part of the body, focus the energy in that area.

With all energy work, the first step is your personal intention. One must have the highest and best intention to give Reiki. Second step, be presence. In other words, focus all of your energies on the recipient and not think about where or what you need to do next, “be in the moment.”

What can a person expect to feel after a Reiki Session?
A session feels like a wonderful flowing radiance that flows through you and surrounds you. Reiki treats the whole person including the body; emotions; mind and spirit and creates many beneficial effects including relaxation and feelings of peace, security and well-being. Many people have reported miraculous results. Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing, and self-improvement that everyone can use. Most people will feel very relaxed, light and energized and have a feeling of well being. Sometimes Reiki may bring up suppressed emotions; it is not uncommon that a recipient becomes emotional or angry. On some occasions, some people may need only one Reiki session, while others will do ongoing sessions. It depends on each individual.

The Ethical Principals of Reiki by Dr. Mikao Usui
· Just for today do not worry
· Just for today do not anger
· Honor your parents, teachers and elders
· Earn your living honestly
· Show gratitude to everything

The Healing Place offers Reiki 1, 2, and Master Level workshops. Please visit our website for more information