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A holistic way to heal
In today’s hectic world, it’s easy to succumb to stress and ailments, which is why many people have turned to a Japanese technique of holistic stress relief and healing called Reiki. The word Reiki is derived from two Japanese words: “Rei” which means “higher power,” and “Ki” which translates to “life force energy.” In a typical treatment session, a Reiki Master places his or her hands on the client’s body in a series of positions, often near the head, shoulders, back, abdomen, and feet. This hands-on treatment promotes spiritual and physical wellness and the release of ailments through the channeling of positive energy.
According to the International Center for Reiki Training, Reiki offers a practice of natural healing and is an organic way to combat the effects of many illnesses—from problems such as insomnia and minor pains like headaches or stomachaches, to more serious conditions such as arthritis, cancer, and the side effects of chemotherapy. Reiki is an alternative to conventional medical treatments and reawakens your body’s inherent healing strength. Reiki Master Michael Santos, of San Jose’s Innerqiworks Healing Arts Center, says, “Reiki is applied through the practitioner’s hands, which are placed over major organs and glands to aid the body in restoring its natural energy flow, and stimulate the healing process.” The Reiki practitioner’s touch balances the “life force energy” within troubled areas, encouraging them to heal.
A common response clients express after a Reiki treatment is a deep feeling of comfort and relaxation. Santos compares the feeling of Reiki therapy to the sensation of heat, or “pins and needles”—not unlike the feeling of moving a limb after it has gone numb or “fallen asleep.”
How often should you receive treatments? Santos says, “There is no set number of recommended treatments. Successive treatments are helpful if there is a specific ailment a person is trying to overcome.” He notes that regular treatments help the body maintain balance and health, but once the body has been introduced to Reiki, or when a specific ailment is overcome, treatments can be shorter and spaced farther apart over time.
The Usui system of Reiki was founded by Dr. Mikao Usui sometime after 1914, and was introduced in the West in 1938. Reiki is now practiced in many parts of the world including Europe, New Zealand, Australia, India, and South America. Over time, the practice of Reiki has split into various factions and techniques, some of which don’t remain true to historical practices. To find a registered practitioner who uses authentic Reiki therapy techniques, consult the International Association of Reiki Professionals, iarp.org. You can search for professional practitioners in your area and Reiki Masters who offer classes and workshops designed to teach Reiki therapy to others.
