What is reiki and how can it help you?

"Reiki" (pronounced "ray-key"), is a Japanese word meaning "Universal Life Energy." Reiki is an ancient healing art which channels energy through the palms of the hands. This vital spiritual energy activates the natural healing processes, detoxifies the body of both physical and emotional blockages, and nurtures a state of deep relaxation and calmness.

In practice, reiki is the laying on of hands to heal. For those who experience it, reiki is tremendously warm, relaxing, and transformative – this is powerful alchemical medicine that can work wonders in our lives. Simply put, reiki is healing energy.

Reiki benefits everyone, and I encourage everybody to learn reiki to help themselves and their loved ones. Practitioners receive a sacred initiation called ‘reiju’ (attunement) that opens us to act as a conduit for reiki energy. Once attuned, a reiki practitioner taps into reiki itself, and is able to heal without depleting their own energy. Whether we give reiki or receive it, we all benefit. 

You may seek out reiki to to aid in the following:

Balance of mental health (fear, anxiety, depression)

Rest and relaxation (stress reduction)

Letting go of grief and loss (changes around jobs, relationships, and loss of loved ones)

Preparing for surgery (pre and post)

Self-care practices for cancer and HIV (side effects of chemotherapy and HIV medications)

Creating big life changes (changing thought, belief patterns, conditions that are no longer working)

According to the International Association of Reiki Professionals, "Reiki is not a cure for a disease or illness." That said, "It may assist the body in creating an environment to facilitate healing." You can use reiki as "a complement to traditional medicine," as it "is practiced in many hospitals and medical care settings."