What is Reiki?

Learn Reiki Online.

Although some massage therapists use this energy technique as part of a massage session, you do not have to be a professional to use this energy. Everyone can tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve health, enhance the quality of life, and balance and amplify physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energy.

For a typical treatment, you lie fully clothed on a padded table. The practitioner uses a sequence of standardized hand placements, typically staying three to five minutes in each position, to transfer energy. The practitioner is adding to your energy, not manipulating or moving it around.

Practitioners generally place their hands over the body's major energy centers and organ systems, starting at your head, and then moving to your abdomen from just below the ribs to the lower belly. After you turn onto your stomach, the practitioner works from the top of the back to the tailbone. A full session usually takes about an hour.

Practitioners draw energy from the environment, not using their own personal energy. The transfer of energy depends on your ability to use it and willingness to receive it. Reiki works to the level that you are willing and able to use the energy. If you are not willing to receive the energy, the practitioner cannot transfer it to you.

People feel the energy in different ways, often experiencing it as warmth. Some feel a mild tingle and some feel a pulsing or throbbing sensation, while other people don't feel anything physically but may have mental or emotional sensations, such as calmness or peacefulness. Most people find a treatment deeply relaxing.

Reiki Training

The three levels of training are:

• In First Degree training, students learn self-treatment and hands-on treatment for individuals. Several initiations open a student's energy channels so that the person will not use his/her own energy when giving reiki.
• Second Degree training teaches the student special techniques to enhance the level of energy transferred and how to give "distance" treatments. Distance treatment involves the transfer of energy without physically touching the persons receiving treatment.
• Third Degree, or Master Training, qualifies students to teach. This intensive training usually takes place over an extended time period and includes supervised teaching time.

Reiki for Holistic Health is a Web site with information about this natural, complementary, healing modality that can restore and maintain health by balancing the chakras and auras. The greatest benefit is stress reduction and relaxation, which triggers the body's natural healing abilities.

Or visit this professional association or non-profit training organization dedicated to the re-establishment of this energy in our modern world.

A Basic Reiki Exercise

To get started simply sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Put on the music of your choice and relax. Place your hands over your face with your palms over your eyes. Touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth with the tip of your tongue just behind your front teeth.

As you inhale just open up and feel the energy flow down through the top of your head and down to your heart chakra, then feel it flow out along your arms and out through your hands and into your face. At the simplest level that is ALL you have to do. The energy will go wherever it’s needed and do whatever is required of it. You don’t have to send it anywhere in particular or try to control it.

Getting Deeper

About the Author

Robert Morgen is a Reiki Master who currently holds a Blackbelt in Hoshin Roshi Ryu. He's also the founder and moderator of the Kundalini Awakening Discussion Group.



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