Reiki: The Healing Flow

What is Reiki?

Reiki, also known as universal life force, is a relaxation practice that engages our subtle energetic body. Like the air we breath, and the atoms that make up the world around us, you can interpret energy through a similar lens. Though it feels faint, at times, energy is omnipresent and can be accessed by anyone, anywhere. The connection between the client and the Reiki practitioner is facilitated through conscious breath, meditation, and visualization techniques. While the practitioner has received training to enable the flow of energy between themself and their client, the client is not expected to possess any spiritual inclinations. Simply showing up with comfortable clothes, and an open mind is all that is needed to experience the peace and relaxation that Reiki provides. 

What should I expect during a typical Reiki session? 

Reiki sessions can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on personal preference, and any observations noted by the practitioner during the initial session. Reiki includes both hands-on and hands-off energy work. You don’t have to experience physical feedback from the Reiki worker to feel the impact of this relaxing modality. Prior to the treatment, a brief consultation will occur to discuss energetic impressions felt by the client, or initial sensations experienced by the practitioner. The treatment usually starts by becoming aware of the breath, calming the nervous system, and doing a body scan to bring overall awareness to both parties. Grounding oneself helps to maintain a safe and comfortable experience while allowing the individual to tune into their physical body, their mind, and their energetic body. With the consent of the client, gentle touch may be administered throughout the session. Common touch points are: the crown of the head, the forehead, back of the head, shoulders, the back (if seated), hands, knees, or the tops of the feet. At the conclusion of the session, a debrief will be conducted to share findings felt by both the energy worker and the patient. 

What does Reiki feel like? 

During a Reiki session it is not uncommon to experience unique bodily sensations such as: warmth, tingling/vibrations, buzzing, feelings of floating, or an overall sense of peace. Some people report seeing colors in their mind's eye. Typically, you’ll close your eyes as you receive and tap into the energetic flow being guided by the Reiki worker. Others say they don’t feel anything at all, often wondering “is anything even happening?” All of these visual, bodily, and energetic perceptions, or the lack thereof are to be expected. If you find you aren’t feeling anything, nothing is wrong, and it is important to remember to enter into the session with minimal to no expectations. Focusing too heavily on outcomes or results will take you out of truly connecting in with yourself and allowing the energy to naturally flow as it wants to go. Even if you don't discover any palpable feelings throughout the appointment, you can still experience Reiki’s relaxing benefits, practice mindful breathing, and draw awareness to the mind and body. Feelings of happiness, contentment, and serenity can be felt even after the session depending on your lifestyle, sleep schedule, diet, and time spent processing the experience. 

Common Misconceptions about Reiki 

Common misconceptions about Reiki include the belief that Reiki is “evil” or that it opens a portal inviting unwanted energy into your space. Regardless of your personal belief system, none of these statements are true. When it comes to energy work, or holistic modalities that fall outside of the norm, there is often a lot of fear mongering involved due to a lack of understanding regarding this healing practice. With anything else in life that we can’t comprehend readily, fear tries to rear its ugly head and get in the way of our growth and evolution as humans. Reiki will typically bring about bodily sensations, energetic feelings, and even strong emotional responses. The important thing to keep in mind with energetic work or body work, is that it's meant to be felt. Not everything needs to be understood in a cerebral capacity. When we try putting words to concepts outside of our scope of understanding, especially involving the energy around us, the human language begins to feel clunky and awkward. A good reminder to give yourself going into this experience is to go in with an open mind. Let yourself feel what needs to be felt, and try to just sit with the sensations versus trying to analyze them the second they come to you. 

Further addressing the misconception that Reiki opens a portal to invite unwanted negative energies, a reiteration of what Reiki is and what it does is necessary to dispel this myth. Reiki is simply tapping into the energetic consciousness that lives in your DNA, which has been and will always exist in your body at any given time. Reiki, at its core, is bringing awareness to your more subtle energetic fields that we are typically taught to avoid or dismiss on an everyday basis. It is a similar concept to conscious breath or mindfulness techniques. For example, unless we are focused on the sensation of the clothing on our skin, or the faint outline of our nose beneath our eyes, we will usually ignore these cues. However, when we shift our thoughts to these areas of our perception, our focus drifts to something that was always there, but simply more of a background setting, so to speak. The same can be said with Reiki. Breaking it down to its most basic function, it is the energy in the air around us, the energy our body and mind carries, and the frequency we share with others when we truly connect beyond the surface level, dropping the social pretenses. Connecting with your Reiki practitioner and your own unique energetic field will not bring unwanted negative energy. It is worth mentioning though, that what you focus on, expands. So, if you come into a session expecting that it will be negative or that something unwanted will manifest, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Through focused breathing, taking full breath through the diaphragm (as opposed to chest breathing), you can ground yourself which provides you feelings of safety and comfort. 

In conclusion, Reiki is a practice that provides you the opportunity to engage with the subtle energy field that lives in and around you. An open minded approach paired with conscious breath, grounding techniques, and meditative visualizations aid in the process of accessing the flow of energy that exists between yourself and the world that surrounds you. Reiki gives you the opportunity to address your healing journey from a holistic perspective, further integrating the mind, body, and spirit connection. If you are an individual that defines themselves as an “empath” or a “highly sensitive individual” (feeling the energy of others or the spaces around you) Reiki is a wonderful energetic maintenance tool. The same can be said for those who find themselves working in healing professions, taking on the feelings and emotions of others, both intentionally or unintentionally. Regardless of your profession, or how you choose to identify in the world around you, Reiki does not discriminate and can be used by anyone willing to give it an honest shot. The journey home to yourself is rewarding and well worth the effort, now it's up to you to take the first step! We're here to welcome you at Touch of Energy Wellness as you embark on the path to a healthier, happier life. 

Interested in Reiki?

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https://booking.mangomint.com/630585