Support Your Health With Reiki

By Lucille Shifrin

Radiant Hands Reiki Center

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Support Your Health With Reiki

Some people are familiar with Reiki practitioners and teachers, while others are puzzled as to what they do. Adding the title of “energy healer” helps, but it still doesn't explain all that Reiki is. Practiced in many countries around the world, Reiki is just beginning to approach the recognition that yoga and acupuncture enjoy in the United States.
So, what is Reiki? The word “Reiki” is composed of two Japanese characters or words, “Rei” and “ki.” Rei means “universal”; ki, which is called “chi” in Chinese, means the “vital life-force energy” that is in and around everything-the Earth, the stars, the planets, people, animals, plants, and so forth. Reiki is the essence of balance and harmony found throughout nature. It is an ancient practice that was rediscovered in Japan in the early 1900s by Dr. Mikao Usui. The system he developed is called Usui Shiki Ryoho or the Usui System of Natural Healing. Mrs. Hawayo Takata brought this Reiki system to the United States in the 1930s, and it has been actively taught here since the 1970s.
The state of ki in one's body determines the body's state of health. Reiki is a system for activating, restoring, and balancing this natural energy. When the practitioner works with a client, energy is drawn in through the practitioner's hands by the client's immune system, or “inner healer.” This normalizes and aligns the energy centers of the body, helping to maintain wellness, prevent disorders, and assist in the healing process of an existing disorder. Reiki serves to boost the body's immune system, promote relaxation and pain reduction, and release energy and emotional memory blockages in the body. When blockages are released, the body's full energy can be used to restore balance.
In a typical session, running for 1-1.5 hours, the fully clothed client lies on a massage table. Usually, the client lies first on his or her back and later on the stomach. The practitioner generally starts the session at the client's head and works gently down to the feet. The practitioner's hands are placed lightly on or slightly above the client's body. During the session, the client may feel a sense of flowing heat, coolness, or tingling. At the conclusion of the session, many clients report that they feel more relaxed and balanced along with more energy and a greater sense of well-being.
Reiki can be used for many reasons. It can benefit those who want to maintain their ongoing health, increase their general state of wellness, de-stress, or support their current course of medical or psychological treatment. Reiki harmonizes with other healing practices, such as acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic, and complements traditional medical procedures and practices.