What is it?

Reiki means "Universal energy" and is a non-invasive, non-diagnostic, holistic therapy. All traditional and modern forms of energy therapy including Reiki, are believed to work  by stimulating clearance of energy blocks and allowing the natural healing mechanisms to work. The Reiki practitioner works as a channel for the energy which is activated by intention. Various hand positions are used around the client with light touch or no touch. The client remains fully clothed  to receive the treatment. Reiki is experienced as a flow of energy, mild tingling, warmth or coolness among many other possible sensations, or non at all.

The Practice of Reiki is an original method of healing, developed by Mikao Usui in Japan in the 20th Century.  

(Mikao Usui 1865-1926) When Reiki was taught by Usui in the 1920's in Japan, what was being taught was a spiritual path, a self healing method, a path to enlightenment, so Reiki has gone through an interesting journey over the last century, to end up now being presented to the world as a holistic/complementary therapy and treatment technique.

 Eastern systems of medicine have always recognized and worked with energy. It has various names, for example; known as "Ki" in Japan, "Chi" in China and "Prana" in India. Free flow of this energy is believed to be the basis of well-being.

What types of Reiki are there?

There are many types of Reiki out there these days, and many Lineages, Western Reiki, Karuna Reiki, five element Reiki, Japanese Reiki, Usui Reiki etc etc....it can be confusing if you don't know much about it! Which one is the best? How do you choose? Firstly I suggest finding a practitioner or teacher that is a member of a recognized Reiki Organisation (e.g, UK Reiki Federation or the Reiki Council) and there for should have relevant professional insurance. Then I would say, trust your intuition, or gut feeling, and go with the style and teacher or practitioner that feels right for you!

The style I trained in is Mikao Usui Japanese system, which I did through Reiki Evolution, and I continue to work for Reiki evolution as a listed teacher. I find the Japanese style suits me well, as it's uncomplicated, simplistic and focuses on working intuitively, as well as encouraging you to embrace the Reiki Precepts as part of your life. The aim is to honor the original teachings of Mikao Usui, the founder of Reiki. This is something the Western world has only been able to do in more recent years. 

(Reiki Precepts)

Where is it used?

Reiki is used in various locations including private practice, complementary therapy centres, GP surgeries, hospitals, hospices, cancer support groups, post-operative recovery, drug rehabilitation, and in care of the elderly.  

What are the Benefits?

Clients report -
 
a sense of deep relaxation and calm
 
a sense of emotional balance and well-being
 
reduced mental and emotional stress, anxiety and tension
 
beneficial effects maybe felt for several days
 
Reiki can help support positive personal choices such as improving diet, taking more exercise, devoting time for rest or leisure activities, and may reduce the need for alcohol or tobacco. Engendering greater inner harmony, regular Reiki treatments can help promote a calmer response to life's challenges.
 
There are no known medical contraindications to Reiki sessions. It's gentle energy is easily adapted to most medical conditions and may be used safely by people of all ages, including the newborn, pregnant mothers, surgical patients, the frail and the elderly, in any situation.

The UK Reiki Federation Research & Development

The Science behind Reiki - What happens in a Treatment?

"Independent research by Dr Robert Becker and Dr John Zimmerman during the 1980's investigated what happens whilst people practice therapies like Reiki. They found that not only the brain wave patterns of the practitioner and receiver become more synchronized in the alpha state, characteristic of deep relaxation and meditation, but they pulse in unison with the earth's magnetic field, known as the Schuman Resonance. During these moments, the biomagnetic field of the practitioner's hands is at least 1000 times greater than normal, and not as a result of internal body current. Toni Bunnell (1997) suggests that the linking of energy fields between practitioner and earth allows the practitioner to draw on the "infinite energy source" or "universal energy field" via the Schuman Resonance. Prof. Paul Davies and Dr John Gribben in the Matter Myth (1991) discuss the quantum physics view of a "living universe" in which everything is connected in a "living web of interdependence". All of this supports the subjective experience of "oneness" and "expanded consciousness" related by those who regularly receive or self-treat with Reiki.

Becker explains that "brain waves"  are not confined to the brain, but travel throughout the body via the perineural system, the sheaths of connective tissue surrounding all nerves. During a treatment , these waves begin as relatively weak pulses  in the thalamus of the practitioners brain, and gather cumulative strength as they flow to the peripheral nerves of the body, including the hands. The same effect is mirrored in the person receiving the treatment, and Becker suggests that it is this system, more than any other, that regulates injury repair and system rebalance. this highlights one of the special features of Reiki (and similar therapies), that both practitioner and client receive benefits of the treatment, which makes it very efficient.

It is interesting to note that Dr Becker carried out his study on a world-wide array of cross-cultural subjects, and no matter what their belief systems or customs, or how opposed to each other their customs were, all tested the same. part of Reiki's growing popularity is that it does not impose a set of beliefs, and can therefore be used by people of any background and faith, or none at all. This neutrality makes it particularly appropriate for all types of settings including medical." - Tamisha Sabrina

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