What is Reiki?

Reiki is a gentle yet powerful technique for healing and stress reduction. Universal Life Force Energy is the basis of Reiki, and it supports the body in healing itself.

While Reiki has a spiritual aspect, it is not based in religion nor does it conflict with religious beliefs.  To a large extent, Reiki is mind over matter, meaning that the power of focus and intent of the practitioner and client actually changes matter, the receiver’s body.

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How does Reiki Work?

In Eastern medicine, it is believed that life force energy, (or ki) flows through us, keeping us alive.  It is the free and balanced flow of this energy that creates health and well-being by nourishing our organs and cells of the body, helping them perform their vital functions.  When the flow of energy is disrupted, our functioning is diminished and illness results.  Our thoughts and feelings also affect our energy flow.  Mind-body means your body and mind as one indivisible unit. Leading edge science has proven without a doubt that your body works that way.  Your thoughts and emotions create a biochemical, and electrical chain reaction in your body.  Mind-body healing techniques are powerful in their ability to cure a wide range of illnesses, with no side effects. 

The Reiki practitioner is trained to channel and direct Reiki energy, and is “attuned” to the specific Reiki vibration, allowing them to bring Reiki energy to the recipient.  When a person receives Reiki, they are receiving energy to help restore flow and remove energetic blockages in the body.  Once the energy is free flowing, the physical organs and tissues are then able to complete their healing processes. In this way, Reiki directly addresses the source of illness, rather than the symptoms.

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Who Would Benefit from a Reiki Session?

Since Reiki restores and enhances the flow of energy in the body, sessions are beneficial to everyone.  Many people use Reiki for pain management, stress relief, to help heal physical injuries, or aid in recovery from illness.  Others are seeking to find their sense of purpose and meaning in life, or to overcome mental or emotional roadblocks.  Some use Reiki simply to relax and increase their overall well-being.

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What are the Benefits of Reiki?

Medical research shows that Reiki can influence the autonomic nervous system, reducing blood pressure and heart rates and assist the body to return to homeostasis, or a state of calm well-being.  Reiki is widely used to reduce pain, decrease stress, foster relaxation, and to stimulate the body’s healing response, decreasing the time it takes to heal itself.  Other reported benefits include; increased creativity, more vitality, sharpened awareness, ease of movement, a deepened spiritual connection, greater emotional stability, an increased ability to fall asleep and sleep more restfully.  Case studies and exploratory research also suggest that Reiki improves pain control and quality of life in cancer patients. Reiki is more and more being offered in hospitals and hospices.

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What happens during a Session?

During a session the client lays fully clothed on the treatment table. The practitioner will place their hands either on or just above the client in a series of positions, generally head to toe, front to back, intuitively moving to the various energy centers on the body.  Working with the person to effectively clear any imbalances that may exist.  Reiki is not a massage.

The client may feel heat, tingling, or a feeling of energy movement, they may see colors or have other visual experiences, or a dreamlike feeling; they may also feel emotional releases, and deep relaxation.  All are perfectly normal as they simply are the way the body is releasing, balancing and adjusting its internal energy.  If there is any discomfort, make the practitioner aware so they can support appropriately.  Every Reiki session is personal, and individuals experience it in different ways.

Getting the most out of a Reiki Session

Reiki energy, known as Universal Life Force Energy, activates our natural ability to maintain a healthy balance by removing imbalances and allowing energy to flow naturally.  The degree to which Reiki supports this process can depend on the individual’s willingness and ability to “let go” of that which may not be serving their highest and greatest good, on a conscious and/or subconscious level.  An individual does not need to “do” anything to receive reiki, but it can assist if the individual can; Be open to receiving & clear the mind of unwanted thoughts.

 

What to expect after a Reiki Session?

Reiki is an intense energy movement experience and recipients will likely continue to feel the effects well after the session.  Immediately after a Reiki session it is normal to experience feelings of lightness, calm and relaxation. It is important to allow yourself time to become fully back into your awareness.  It is recommended sitting for 15 mins while drinking water and reacquainting with the surroundings. 

Recipients notice an immediate improvement in pain levels and sleep more restfully.  This can be understood as the body’s energy rebalances. Positive benefits will continue in the days and weeks to come after a session.  Also, over the next few days the body goes through a de-toxify process.  It is important to increase water intake to assist the body in flushing out toxins.  An Epsom salts bath can also assist the process.  Allow yourself time to rest; any negative feelings are actually a good sign of the body cleansing itself.

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Will Reiki interfere with medications or other treatments?

No.  In fact, case studies have shown that Reiki can improve the results of medical treatments by reducing negative side effects.  It shortens healing time, reduces or eliminates pain, decreases stress and promotes optimism and overall well-being.  Psychological benefits can include greater self-esteem and improved memory.  Reiki is complementary to regular medical treatments but is not a replacement for required medical care.

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How many sessions will I need?

Reiki is helpful on a regular basis for overall well-being.  Depending on what concern or issue is being worked on, it is generally recommended that clients get 3 to 4 sessions in a period of ten days to two weeks to remove entrenched blocks in the body’s energy system; then once a week or every two weeks until the issue is resolved. Except in the case of chronic pain management and terminal illness.  In these cases, more frequent sessions over a longer period of time may be helpful.

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 TIPS AFTER A REIKI TREATMENT                                                                                                       You’ve just treated yourself to a precious bit of “you” time and received some wonderful healing.  So now what?  The healing energies will continue to work after the session.  Here are some very simple, but important steps you can take post energy treatments to ensure you continue to feel the benefits.

TAKE IT EASY 

Set aside some time after your session even if it's 20 mins. Don't head straight to the gym, or reach for your phone, trust that what needs to get done will get done.  If you can take the time, have a hot bath, it helps relax and detoxify.

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

Drinking plenty of water flushes out toxins and tired energies.  This will support the healing energies to continue.  Notice how much water you drink over the next few days.

AVOID ALCOHOL
Alcohol and tobacco dull our senses and therefore our energies.  Avoid alcohol for 24 hours. Reiki cleanses, balances, and heals so we don't want to dull our senses.  Instead try to stay fully present to what is going on around you.

EAT HEALTHY

Eat plenty of fresh and nourishing foods for the rest of the day (week).  Processed foods makes us feel heavy and deplete our energy.  Stay away from refined sugars, as these are also hard on our bodies.

MAKE NOTES

Start to write down what you notice in your journal.  Do you have any recurring thoughts or feelings? Its hard to ignore the messages when we see them repeatedly.  Perhaps some new and exciting ideas are forming.  

NOTICE YOUR FEELINGS
Know that whatever you feel is okay.  Nothing is permanent, as we accept that our feelings constantly change, we become better equipped to deal with our whole range of emotions.

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When you come for energy and healing treatments with me, I am always available for post treatment support.  As a Reiki Master I feel my responsibility doesn’t end when the session is over.  Reiki is something wonderful that enters our lives and I’m here to share and support your journey with you if you wish.         Warmly, Kristi Lee

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