What is Reiki, and does it really work?
Can this energy-healing practice help unlock and release your potential to bring about ‘major positive improvements’, with balanced and focused ways of looking at issues.
Maybe you’ve heard of Reiki but don’t quite know what it is. Maybe you’re considering Reiki but aren’t sure whether it’s right for you. Or maybe your doctor has suggested Reiki as a form of therapy complementary to your existing medical treatments.
Whatever your questions, Reiki Master Nici Pickering is here to help. To walk you through the basics of Reiki — a safe, gentle, non-invasive form of natural hands-on, energy-based healing — and what it can do for your body, mind and soul.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is an intelligent energy that can only be used positively and for the greater good. Reiki aids in healing by helping people become energetically balanced — physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Reiki pronounced ‘Ray-Key’ is a form of energy that can be channelled by a therapist into another person, by means of touch to activate, promote and accelerate the natural healing process and restore physical and emotional wellbeing in all forms of life, human, animal and plants.
Reiki is a method of self-development, which can alter ways of life, setting up for a path of self-discovery and spiritual awakening. Using the techniques, meditation and exercises learned through Reiki will help to promote balance, peace and harmony in our lives.
Reiki awakens our natural intuitive ability to know ourselves on a deeper level and to heal ourselves and others.
Literally translated from its Japanese origins, it means universal or a higher power (Rei) and Life Force (Ki) that permeates through the universe.
Reiki is an energy healing technique that promotes relaxation, reduces stress and anxiety through gentle touch. Reiki practitioners use their hands to deliver energy to your body, improving the flow and balance of your energy to support healing.
Mikao Usui developed Reiki in the early 1900s, now, Reiki is used all over the world, including in hospitals and hospices, to complement other forms of health treatments.
The health benefits of Reiki
Reiki promotes relaxation, stress reduction and symptom relief to improve overall health and well-being. The energy will go to wherever it is needed by the recipient for their greatest highest good. Whatever that may be.
As long as the intention is to heal, you can’t bring any harm.
Invokes deep relaxation and calm.
Accelerates the natural healing process.
Enhanced Self Awareness.
Brings balance to mind, body and spirit.
Improves tolerance to stress.
Expands creative abilities.
Encourages personal and spiritual growth.
Increases confidence in the self.
Increased energy levels.
Centres concentration.
Promotes a positive attitude.
Promotes sleep and reduced anxiety.
Brings Peace, a sense of security and wellness.
Can Reiki replace traditional treatments?
No. Reiki treatment should not be used as a substitute for the consultation of a medical professional.
Reiki complements other types of medical and therapeutic treatments, and it can increase the effectiveness of other types of healing.
If you’re already in good health, though, regular Reiki treatments can enhance your ability to respond to stress and serve as a form of preventive medicine.
What conditions does Reiki treat?
Because it works on the entire self – mind, body and emotions – and because it is universal life force energy, Reiki may be successful in all types of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual healing.
Reiki isn’t specific to any particular type of disease or condition but may help people with:
Cancer.
Chronic pain.
Infertility.
Digestive problems.
Parkinson’s disease.
Psychological distress, including depression and anxiety.
Stress-related illnesses.
Reiki can also help you prepare for surgery, which may help boost your recovery afterward.
How does Reiki work?
Reiki practitioners act as a conduit between you and the source of the universal life force energy. The energy flows through the practitioner’s hands to you. Reiki Practitioners are attuned and have undergone training and support to be able to provide Reiki.
Since Reiki respects free will, it will not heal us or develop these higher states unless we invite it to do so. This requires that we be willing to change. The ability to recognise unhealthy personal qualities within ourselves and be willing to let them go is necessary if we are to move forward with our personal healing. Those who accept Reiki as their spiritual path and are devoted to allowing it to heal them completely and surrender to its ability to do this find that Reiki will guide them more quickly along the path of healing.
What happens during a Reiki session at Reiki Divine?
Reiki treatments typically last about 50 minutes, although clear an hour and a half for the sessions, to include consultation and debrief. During a session, you’ll lie on a massage therapy couch fully clothed, as your Reiki Master, Nici Pickering gently places her hands, just above your body in specific energy locations, typically touching shoulders and knees and sometimes behind the neck.
You may hear the natural sounds of the residing wild garden birds aside the soft music playing, beside you is an array of crystals that also help with the therapy session.
Every Reiki treatment is different for both the recipient and the healer. Whilst receiving Reiki , people often experience various sensations, the most common being warmth, tingling, a sense of relaxation, feelings of peace, have visions or see colours.
Usually a change in the practitioners hand temperature is reported on which can either be very hot or ice cold, neither is worse nor better than the other.
Recipients often describe how it feels as though their bodies have gone to sleep and even may snore but that their mind remains alert and relaxed. They can feel lighter, or feel like sinking into the therapy couch.
The practitioner will be blessed and receive energy healing whilst providing a treatment and as your mind must remain focused on the recipient at all times, you will benefit from our over active minds being given a break resulting in feelings of peace.
Reiki is suitable for everyone regardless of age or health, you will find this within the NHS and private care as a valuable complimentary therapy. It is always important to discuss any current or past medical history with your client and emphasise that Reiki may compliment but not replace treatment or medication provided by their medical practitioner.
Reiki is a completely natural and perfectly safe system of healing which can never do harm as the receiver is taking what is required, the healer is not forcing it.
The positive, healthy traits Reiki can develop within us include patience, love of self and others, non-competitiveness. It moves us into a place of acceptance of others’ ideas and beliefs and helps us to be non-judgmental, empowers our ability to forgive, develops gratitude for friends and family and for all we have and experience, improves the quality of joy and peace we experience and most importantly increases our connection to the Source of Reiki so that an ever stronger feeling of safety develops as Reiki more easily guides our lives and watches over all that we do.
This understanding helps us to appreciate that Reiki has unlimited potential.
What does Reiki feel like?
You may experience the energy in the form of sensations like heat, tingling or pulsing where the Reiki practitioner has placed their hands, - Sometimes, people feel sensations moving throughout the body, while other people do not perceive any change at all.
Most people feel very relaxed and peaceful during Reiki treatment, and many fall asleep during the process.