What is Reiki?

There is energy in the world around us, and there is energy in all living things. This energy is called Chi, Ki, and Prana among many, many other names around the world. In the planet, it runs through ley (pronounced (lay)) lines that criss-cross the planet. In humans and animals it runs through invisible veins called meridians, as well as chakras (energy centers in our bodies). It also surrounds us, and this energy field is called the aura. The proper flow and amounts of this energy are essential to our health and well-being. It is when there is not enough life energy or it is moving too slowly that illness can result. Reiki restores our life energy so our bodies can stay healthy or heal. Reiki practitioners channel this energy from the universe (not their personal energy) into the client's body.

How does it work?

No one is 100% sure exactly how Reiki works, however it is believed that the body knows where it needs the energy to go. The practitioner, who has become like a Reiki straw, simply places their hands on the client and the client's body pulls the energy through, as much as it needs. The body then uses that energy to fix what needs fixing and keep up general maintenance.

Reiki works not only on the physical level, but also on the mental, emotional and spiritual levels, healing wounds, past hurts, and making you whole, body, heart and soul.

Note: If someone is dying, Reiki may not help them live. Instead, Reiki can be used to make their transition easier, bring them peace of mind and accept it with less fear.

Is it safe?

Reiki is 100% safe. The practitioner merely provides the channel through which the energy travels, and your own body pulls it through and puts it to use.

Some clients may feel an increase in pain or other symptoms while having Reiki done. In cases such as these, Reiki is condensing the illness, letting it run it's course in a shorter amount of time in order to get it out of your body faster. Imagine having a cold that would normally last 3 or 4 days, being condensed down into 1 or 2; all the symptoms in half the time.

Also, since Reiki works on not only the physical level, but also emotional, mental and spiritual levels, sometimes clients will have emotional releases or flashbacks to traumatic events. Releasing pent-up emotions can be the first step to healing old wounds.

I'm using other treatments/taking medications. Can I still get Reiki?

Reiki will not interfere with other medications or treatments, though it can boost their effectiveness. In fact, clients who are on blood-pressure or diabetes medications should monitor themselves; there have been reports of Reiki clients needing lower doses of their medications after a while.

What can Reiki be used for?

Reiki can be used for any health problem, from depression and anxiety to diabetes and cancer. Headaches, migraines, beestings, stubbed toes, ailments large and small, acute and chronic, all respond to Reiki. Reiki can be used to ease childbirth for both mother and child. It can even be used before an operation to reduce anxiety and recovery time. For those who are dying, Reiki will most likely not keep them alive, however, it can make the final transition easier for them.

Who can get Reiki?

Anyone, from the youngest child to the oldest elder can receive a Reiki treatment. No matter how healthy or ill a person is, Reiki can help. Animals, plants and mechanichal objects also respond well to Reiki.

Can Reiki be used on animals?

Yes! Animals often LOVE Reiki and some will even go to great lengths (including pushing clients off their owners' Reiki tables) to get it.

What does it feel like?

Reiki sessions vary from person to person, time to time, and even practitioner to practitioner. Some clients have reported feeling nothing during the session, even though afterward their health had improved somewhat. Most often, however, clients report heat or vibration in the practitioner's hands and a sense of peacefulness and relaxation. Some clients don't feel heat from the practitioner's hands, but instead feel coolness or even cold during a session.

What is a session like?

A traditional Reiki session is done with the client fully clothed, usually laying on a massage table. The practitioner then lays his or her hands down on the client from head to toe in a series of pre-determined hand positions, each lasting about 5 minutes. The client is then asked to roll over, and the hand positions are continued down the back. Wei Chi Reiki has no pre-determined hand positions, instead relying on the practitioner's intuition as to where Reiki is required.

In some cases, the client cannot lay on their front or back. In these cases, Reiki can be done with the cleint laying on his or her side, or sitting or standing.

How long before I see results?

Results rely on the nature of the problem (acute or chronic), how much Reiki is given, and the body's and soul's desire to heal. In general faster results can be expected with acute problems and/or when lots of Reiki is given. Chronic problems and/or less Reiki require more time for results appear. A good rule of thumb for ANY holistic healing goes as follows: The length of time it took for your body to get to the level of injury/illness it is at today is the same amount of time it will take for your body to heal.

In short, it will probably take at least two Reiki sessions before results are seen or felt, though exceptions can always occur.

How do I find a Reiki Practitioner/Master?

Contact hospitals, health food stores, or other alternative practitioners in your community. Polarity Practitioners, Massage Therapists and Reflexologists usually are the best sources of information when trying to find Reiki Practitioners.