What is reiki?
The term Reiki (pronounced “Ray-key") means "sacred universal life force energy.” It is the presence that flows through, animates, and connects us all.
Reiki is also the name of a Japanese energy healing modality that has been in practice since the early 1900s. This practice was developed Zen Buddhist monk Mikao Usui on his search for the meaning of life. What followed was this healing art, which has been passed from Reiki Master to Reiki Master over time. With subtle yet profound effects, Reiki's primary purpose is to raise consciousness and help one move into greater balance.
Reiki is also the name of a Japanese energy healing modality that has been in practice since the early 1900s. This practice was developed Zen Buddhist monk Mikao Usui on his search for the meaning of life. What followed was this healing art, which has been passed from Reiki Master to Reiki Master over time. With subtle yet profound effects, Reiki's primary purpose is to raise consciousness and help one move into greater balance.
What is energy Work?
Energy work is a branch of healing that focuses on balancing one’s energy to bring wellness. Science has found that everything in the universe is made of energy when we examine it in its simplest form (including our bodies, thoughts, and emotions). Shifting on this deeper level supports healthy changes in all aspects of our being (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual). There are many different types of energy work. Some examples include, Reiki, acupuncture, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Healing Touch, Kundalini Yoga, and CranioSacral Therapy.
What can Reiki help with?
Because Reiki’s main function is to balance energy, it can be beneficial in a multitude of contexts. But here are a number of the key intentions that many clients have:
- To relieve stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Perhaps one feels overwhelmed or out-of-sorts, or just not like himself. Reiki can also help heal old wounds (emotional or physical).
- If one is experiencing physical issues, such as pain, injury, headaches, digestive troubles, vertigo. One may have been diagnosed with a serious illness and would like alternative therapies to supplement other treatments he is receiving. Reiki can help his body be more receptive to treatment.
- Wanting to shift old patterns that no longer serve, whether that is within oneself, in relationship, career, etc.
- For prevention and wellness. To have a natural, safe method to promote health.
- To support the body’s responsiveness to other therapies and treatments. For example, many use Reiki to hold them in healing energy during surgery, and enhance recovery. It can also be used in conjunction with other protocols.
- For personal development. Perhaps one is seeking guidance and clarity for pursuing their purpose, or they may recognize a certain behavior is getting in the way of their progress. Reiki can help them stay in the flow so that they are connected to their Higher Wisdom.
- To develop a deeper mind-body connection. One wants to understand the ways her mind and body communicate with her when she is out of balance, and enhance her intuition.
What happens during a Reiki session?
In person: We begin with a check in about how you are feeling, and what you would like to work on. When you are ready to receive Reiki, you lay fully clothed on a massage table (simply removing your shoes). The room environment is soothing with gentle music, and pillows and blankets available for your comfort. You are invited to close their eyes and relax while they receive, while the I rest my hands gently on your body for minutes at a time. During this quiet, stillness, the Reiki energy flows from my hands into your body following your body's wisdom to work out kinks, sooth and comfort, and enhance your state of well-being.
Distant: We decide ahead of time if we would like to connect over the phone or Zoom based on what is most convenient for you. I encourage you to find a calm, comfy place where you can relax and be uninterrupted. We start the video or phone call at the scheduled time, and discuss how you are doing and your intentions. When we are ready to shift gears, you lay back and relax. If we are on Zoom, you have the option to mute yourself, and turn off your video for privacy. On the phone, we typically shift to speakerphone so you can relax hands-free. I then send the Reiki your way as you rest quietly. When we have a few minutes left of our time, I will gently ask you to come back and we will discuss what we both noticed.
Distant: We decide ahead of time if we would like to connect over the phone or Zoom based on what is most convenient for you. I encourage you to find a calm, comfy place where you can relax and be uninterrupted. We start the video or phone call at the scheduled time, and discuss how you are doing and your intentions. When we are ready to shift gears, you lay back and relax. If we are on Zoom, you have the option to mute yourself, and turn off your video for privacy. On the phone, we typically shift to speakerphone so you can relax hands-free. I then send the Reiki your way as you rest quietly. When we have a few minutes left of our time, I will gently ask you to come back and we will discuss what we both noticed.
What is it going to feel like when I receive Reiki?
The way each person experiences the flow of Reiki energy varies depending on how they perceive energy and what is going on in their energy system at the time. Because energywork is more subtle than other modalities, such as massage, where tissue is physically manipulated, the changes may not be as noticeable to someone who is new to energywork or who does not have a strong body awareness. As this sensitivity grows over time, one can experience all sorts of interesting things!
Most often, clients will feel deeply relaxed and peaceful, and may even fall asleep. This is good! That is when the body is in healing and repair mode, and I encourage clients to let themself rest if they feel willing.
Other experiences clients sometimes notice:
There is no right or wrong thing to experience during a session. The same person receiving multiple Reiki sessions over time might have a variety of experiences. Some may be more gentle, and restful, others can be profound, or others more of a detox, and everywhere in between! It is also hard for me to predict how a session is going to go. The Reiki meets you where you are, and will offer balance in the way that will most support your healing process.
Most often, clients will feel deeply relaxed and peaceful, and may even fall asleep. This is good! That is when the body is in healing and repair mode, and I encourage clients to let themself rest if they feel willing.
Other experiences clients sometimes notice:
- Hot or cold sensations
- Tingling
- Numbness or heaviness of the body
- Pulsing sensations
- Colors or images
- Sounds, words, or messages
- Have memories or emotions come up, or perhaps feel the need to cry
- Physical symptoms, such as a cold or cough, or pain in the body, may temporarily worsen as they are brought to the surface to be released. This usually passes within the session time. This is a natural part of the healing/cleansing process.
- Connection with a deeper presence
There is no right or wrong thing to experience during a session. The same person receiving multiple Reiki sessions over time might have a variety of experiences. Some may be more gentle, and restful, others can be profound, or others more of a detox, and everywhere in between! It is also hard for me to predict how a session is going to go. The Reiki meets you where you are, and will offer balance in the way that will most support your healing process.
What is distance Reiki? Is it as effective?
Distant or remote Reiki allows one to receive Reiki even if they aren’t physically present with the practitioner. It also allows us to send Reiki to other moments in time, like painful moments in the past, or ahead to the future as a metaphorical bubble of support (while we can’t control outcomes, the Reiki offers the potential for greater balance and flow of energy). Honestly, I think distant Reiki is pretty amazing and allows us to get some support in situations where we otherwise wouldn’t be able to. This allows people to receive Reiki if they live on the other side of the country, are sick and need to stay home, or the roads are too dangerous for driving. We can also send Reiki parts of our inner child, to us when we are in surgery, court, or giving birth.
Yes, distant Reiki is just as effective as in person Reiki. Some of the most profound sessions I’ve done and received have been remote. The experience is a little bit different in that you are in your own space, and you don’t feel my physical hands. However, many people still have similar experiences of the energy as they do in person. In some ways distant Reiki is more flexible, because the physical body is not in the way, we can get right in to the imbalance.
Distant Reiki functions somewhat like an instantaneous download. Practitioners tap into an aspect of reality that is nonlocal where everything exists everywhere all at once. Though we are used to perceiving our world in a linear way, this other dimension of reality is always there an accessible to the practitioner who has learned how to tap into it. When I send distant Reiki to someone it is as if their energy is right in front of me.
Yes, distant Reiki is just as effective as in person Reiki. Some of the most profound sessions I’ve done and received have been remote. The experience is a little bit different in that you are in your own space, and you don’t feel my physical hands. However, many people still have similar experiences of the energy as they do in person. In some ways distant Reiki is more flexible, because the physical body is not in the way, we can get right in to the imbalance.
Distant Reiki functions somewhat like an instantaneous download. Practitioners tap into an aspect of reality that is nonlocal where everything exists everywhere all at once. Though we are used to perceiving our world in a linear way, this other dimension of reality is always there an accessible to the practitioner who has learned how to tap into it. When I send distant Reiki to someone it is as if their energy is right in front of me.
Is Reiki a religion?
No. One can have any spiritual or religious views, or a lack of them, and still receive, and find benefit from Reiki. Reiki doesn’t not have any dogma or requirements of it’s recipient’s. That being said, many consider Reiki to be a spiritual practice, not unlike meditation or yoga can be for many. The healing practice of Reiki was developed by Mikao Usui who was a Zen Buddhist monk seeking the meaning of life. While Reiki helps us tap into and receive support from something larger than ourselves (whatever you might call that), we do not have to believe certain doctrines to receive or find benefit from it. People from all different backgrounds practice and receive Reiki.
Are there any side effects?
Reiki is a very gentle, non-invasive modality. There are no contraindications for receiving Reiki, because it is all about inviting balance. However, for some, receiving Reiki can initiate a process of releasing. It can be helpful for clients to be aware that they may experience a detox on physical or emotional levels if they are living with something that doesn’t serve them.
Is Reiki safe during pregnancy, and with children or babies?
Yes. Because Reiki is so gentle it is a wonderful modality to use during pregnancy or with children. Not only does Reiki support the pregnant parent, but also the growing baby. I’ve had the privilege to give Reiki to several people throughout their pregnancy, remotely during the birth, and after with the newborn, and it has been a beautiful process. It can bring relief and support to the parent, and also foster nurturing conditions for the little one. There seem to be unique phases of how the energy in the womb presents itself during the different trimesters.
Young children and babies can also benefit from Reiki. Many times we will do shorter sessions based on the child’s attention span, or do work remotely to allow the child to be engaged with another activity while they receive Reiki. Children are often very receptive to Reiki.
Young children and babies can also benefit from Reiki. Many times we will do shorter sessions based on the child’s attention span, or do work remotely to allow the child to be engaged with another activity while they receive Reiki. Children are often very receptive to Reiki.
Do you accept insurance?
No. However, many clients have been able to use their flex spending accounts towards sessions. I am also happy to provide any receipts or documentation that you might need to provide to insurance companies if you would like to seek out reimbursement from them directly.