Susan Lee Woodward
Medical Intuition, Reiki, Laughter Yoga, MBSR Meditation
Inspirational Blogs
What is Reiki?
Reiki (pronounced RAY-KEY) is an ancient healing technique dating back several
thousands of years that was rediscovered in Japan in the late 1800’s. Translated
from Japanese Kanji it means:
REI – supernatural force or spiritual intelligence, and;
KI – life energy
In The West, Reiki is commonly described as “SPIRITUALLY GUIDED LIFE FORCE ENERGY”.
Reiki is an ancient Japanese, holistic, light touch, energy based modality. It re-establishes a normal energy flow of ki (life force energy pronounced CHEE), which can enhance and accelerate the body’s innate healing ability. The treatment focuses on balancing energy in the energy centres of the body called Chakras.
How is Reiki Performed?
The Reiki Experience
Reiki is used primarily for stress reduction, relaxation and to promote healing. It is a transfer of high frequency energy from my hands to you (the recipient). Reiki is a channeling technique of universal energy so it comes through me rather than from me (the practitioner). I am simply a conduit to bring the energy to your body. My hands are placed on or above your energy centres (chakras) and pathways on the head, neck, chest, abdomen, legs, arms, feet, and hands. The treatments usually take place on a massage table. All you need to do to prepare is to wear loose, comfortable clothing for the session (i.e. fully clothed). During a Reiki session, I lower my brain waves to a meditative state where I feel centred, relaxed, and present.
The experiences of people receiving Reiki treatment vary. Some report feeling temperature changes (cold or heat) coming from the practitioners’ hands, pulsing or tingling sensations, or some feel nothing at all. Trust that the Reiki energy is going where it is needed. Most people find the treatments very soothing and relaxing, so much so that some people will fall asleep.
How Does Reiki Work?
Reiki is a universal life force energy. It restores energy balance and vitality by relieving the physical and emotional effects of unreleased stress and gently opening blocked meridians and chakras, and clearing the energy body. The chakras are energy centres that work like valves to allow life force energy to circulate through the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies. The meridians are like rivers and streams that carry our life force energy throughout our physical body, to nourish us and to assist us in balancing our bodys' systems and functions. When our energy is depleted, imbalanced, or the flow is restricted by stress or by “holding onto” injury or illness, we are more susceptible to discomfort, illness, and dis-ease. When our energy is restored, free-flowing and balanced, we are more likely to feel relaxed and the bodys' own innate healing abilities are “jump-started” and can be utilized for healing. Imbalances can be detected in the energy field before symptoms occur and can be altered by raising the vibrational frequency of that energy.
Can Reiki be used with conventional and other alternative medical treatments?
Reiki is a holistic modality that supports overall well-being. It integrates easily with conventional medical care as it has no contraindications, offers rapid stress reduction, and empowers practitioners and their clients with a simple effective technique to facilitate relaxation and well-being. In fact, Reiki is now being used in several major hospitals world wide as it has proven to lessen recovery times from surgery.
How Many Sessions Do I Need?
Reiki, like any other modality, is highly personal. Trust your intuition and inner guidance. You know your body best and can guage the frequency of sessions and for how long in duration. I would recommend for most people at least 6 sessions to get the full benefit of the energy clearing process. I would also suggest that initially, the sessions are more frequent and taper off as needed. This can be decided as you move through your treatments. If it feels right, I recommend more sessions, if it doesn't then you are always welcome to try another modality or - your body is balanced and feeling wonderful! These decisions can be made in a step by step fashion to ensure your well-being and comfort comes first.
The Five Reiki Principles
"The purpose of Reiki is to bring balance, well-being, and alignment, and, also, to promote health in the mind and body and to enjoy a happy and fulfilled life. There are five principles or precepts that Dr. Usui (our founder) thought were important to our outlook on life, our happiness and our healing."
Usui Reiki Ryoho.
The Founder – Mikao Usui
"When we are aware of our inner-growth potential yet have no pretentions about ourselves, when we are vulnerable, then we can change."
~ Amit Goswami
"In order to heal themselves, people must recognize, first, that they have an inner guidance deep within and, second, that they can trust it."
~ Shakti Gawain
Credits for this page regarding explanations of Reiki and it's benefits, while in my own words, is taken directly from my Reiki Training Manual Levels 1 & 2 Just Breathe Reiki - Melanie Ptashynski