What is Reiki?

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It was discovered by Dr. Mikao Usui in Japan in the early 20th century. Reiki is one form of "laying on of hands," an energetic tool used casually and formally for thousands of years in traditions both spiritual and healing. Reiki, in particular, is a simple yet powerful technique that can easily be learned by anyone.

Isn't Reiki Some Weird New Age Thing?

Reiki is not part of any formal spiritual or religious tradition. Many subscribers of New Age philosophy and spiritual ideas are fans of Reiki, but Reiki is also practiced by people committed to the major religions we're all familiar with here in the US. Reiki is used in hospitals and hospice centers across the country. It does not require that the practitioner or receiver hold any particular belief in order for it to be of benefit.

What Does Reiki Have to do with Holistic Health?

As mentioned above, Reiki is a technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. To me, this is at the foundation of creating health holistically. So much of the dis-ease we see in this country today is rooted in a high-stress lifestyle that lacks balance and doesn't allow the body to heal as it is naturally designed to do. From what I've seen, Reiki helps one's system achieve greater balance so healing may occur at the physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.

What Happens During a Reiki Session?

At the beginning of our session together, we'll talk about how you're feeling and what you hope to get out of the session. If you don't feel like talking, that's ok too, we'll just get started. We start by getting calm and centered, maybe with a little deep breathing to help relax. I like to play calming music in the background, but if you want it off, no problem. I typically have clients lie fully clothed on a massage table and just REST while I conduct the Reiki session, but Reiki can also be administered while you sit in a chair. To begin, I place my hands on your shoulders for a few moments, then move my hands to various positions associated with your chakras and endocrine system along your head, torso, and hands and feet. I can lay my hands on your body or I can hold them a couple of inches or more above your body if you prefer. No massage is conducted during these sessions; my hands stay still at each location until it's time to move to the next location. A full Reiki session takes about 50 minutes, but may take a little more or less depending on the client. Most people comment on feeling sensations of heat or cold during a session and comment about feeling deeply relaxed. Some see colors. You may notice your stomach making strange noises. All that is perfectly normal. Feeling absolutely nothing is perfectly normal too. It doesn't mean nothing is happening. The effects of Reiki are often felt over a span of several days.

Is Reiki for Everyone?

Yes! Reiki can do no harm. I've done Reiki on the elderly, on babies, children, dogs, cats, sick and healthy adults.