What is Reiki?
Reiki is a practice that aims to reactivate self healing abilities by techniques of relaxation and application of hands. This holistic approach to energy harmonisation is of Japanese origin and is based on the fact that objects, living beings and the entire universe are energy. For Reiki, this energy of which we are made, too, must flow freely in our body to ensure our well-being and our physical and emotional health.
Unlike magnetism, where the therapist draws on his own energy to help the energy circulation to be done freely, Reiki uses the energy that surrounds us and will make it available to the patient to bring him a physical, spiritual and emotional well-being. In a Reiki session, the practitioner focuses on the universal energy and, using a relaxing touch, and sometimes symbols and mantras, he redirects it to different parts of the patient’s body. It also helps the patient to find the resources he has in him and teaches him to control his energy circuit, in order to release the physical or psychological tensions born from the blocking of the internal energies. Reiki treatment may have a spiritual basis but is not related to any specific religion.
According to the Reiki practice, following emotions or shocks that we suffer, the energy that circulates in our body will be blocked. If these blockages persist, they can cause pain that can then turn into disease. The Reiki practitioner will therefore clean the energy balance, realign the vibratory field and remove the perverse energies in the consultant’s body. By releasing energy nodes it will also supplement the body with energy to act on all levels. Thus, on the physical level, Reiki will help to regain its dynamism and revitalise the body. It can then be useful for cuts, burns, blows, pimples, some back pains or toothaches. It can also help to strengthen the immune system and promote the elimination of toxins. This can help people who take heavy treatments.
On the emotional level, Reiki will help lower the emotional charge to help refocus and get rid of negative emotions like anxiety, anger, jealousy, worry or stress and regain serenity and clarity of mind. On a psychological level, Reiki can also have a revitalising role to restore morale and make it more efficient. At the spiritual level, it allows one to connect to his environment, to better understand what we do, what we say, what we think and have more self-confidence. Finally, at the energy level, Reiki will fill the deficits, calm the hyperfunctions present in the energetic body, which allows the body to recover its self healing abilities. The problems with which this therapy is addressed are therefore multiple.
With whom?
There are a large number of Reiki schools. They differ in their more or less spiritual approach to therapy or training protocols. Most of the Reiki techniques are based on traditional Reiki, called Usui Reiki, which bears the name of its founder. It is also called Japanese Reiki. There are also other branches of Reiki, known as Western Reiki and New Age Reiki. In all cases, it is recommended to choose a practitioner whose professional skills you have checked because it must be kept in mind that some Reiki practices can lead to sectarian excesses. A practitioner who will be transparent about his training, his curriculum and his practice, will therefore seem more serious. There are four levels of knowledge and expertise in Reiki. The first two levels (Shoden and Okuden) are for those who want to learn to master energy and symbols. It is only from the 3rd level of initiation that one can start working as a practitioner. The 4th level is reserved for those who decide to teach and become a Reiki Master (Shinpiden).
Conduct of a session
Usually the first session lasts 1h30. After an interview with the consultant, the Reiki practitioner will practice applying hands to various areas of the body, from head to toe. The practitioner does not necessarily touch the consultant who is lying on his back, the apposition of hands can be done a few inches above the body. The practitioner focuses on various points that are often energy points and spend about 3 minutes on each point. When a painful area is clearly designated, the practitioner spends more time around the area. After a session, there is a moment dedicated to rest and exchange. Some patients may experience fatigue at the end of the session, others will immediately feel relaxed and energized. For a simple general relaxation, a session is enough. For a more complex problem that blocks more deeply, count 4 sessions to be done intensively (several times a week).
Note: Reiki is not only for humans, universal energy can be given to animals, plants or minerals; some practitioners also work remotely.