This long-revered alternative treatment is now being incorporated in medical facilities such as The Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic with excellent results
What is it?
Developed in the 1920s by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui, Reiki is the use of universal healing energy delivered through the hands of the practitioner. Rei means spirit, soul or spiritual intelligence, and Ki means universal life-force energy. Reiki can be delivered as a hands-on or hands-off treatment where energy is channeled through the practitioner to the recipient to relieve pain, calm the mind and provide a sense of peace. The Reiki practitioner will have been attuned to the Reiki energy during a course, achieving Level I, II, or III, this last one being called Reiki Master. Reiki energy will flow to where it is needed in the mind or body, and cannot do any damage or harm. As the energy doesn’t come from the practitioner, but rather flows through the practitioner, the treatment effects should be same, regardless of the qualification level and heals on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.
How does it feel?
I have always described Reiki as “meditation, where someone else does the work for you”. It is hard to sit and meditate to quiet the mind from the constant run of day-to-day thoughts, but during a Reiki treatment, it seems to happen so much more easily. During the first 10-15 minutes, my mind is still normally very active, after that, however, I enter a state of deep relaxation as the Reiki practitioner gently places hands over my head, neck, heart, shoulder, stomach, hips, legs and feet. The practitioner may stay longer in some areas where they feel more energy is needed. An experienced practitioner may also pick up on certain areas of the body where more heat was felt and ask about any issues related to the area.
What are the effects?
Relaxation and mental calm are the best and most immediate effect of Reiki. The feeling, for me, is unlike any other treatment, and certainly can’t be compared to the type of relaxation felt after a massage or a facial. During the treatment, some may see colors in the mind’s eye, and some may fall asleep.
Sara Jones is a Spa, Wellness & Lifestyle Expert and Founder of Spa & Wellness Mexico magazine www.spawellnessmexico.com.
