Let me begin with a question. How are you feeling right now?

Are you struggling with your emotional and mental state? Do you often experience:

• Overwhelm
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Depression
• Disconnection from yourself and others
• Fear
• Tension
• Pain
• Dis-Ease / Discomfort
• Irritation / Irritability

Have you tried different things, but still feel like there must be something else out there to help you?

Based on three years of experience of practicing Reiki on myself and others, I can truly say:

Reiki can help you feel better.

We all know that stress plays a major role in the imbalance and lack of energy we experience in daily life. Over time, continued stress can weaken the body and increase the risk of dis-ease. When energy is depleted, it needs to be replenished. Reiki is a gentle way of doing that - and helps us discover the unlimited source of energy within us. In a natural, safe, and holistic way.

So... what is Reiki?

Reiki (pronounced “ray-key”) is a non-invasive form of vibrational healing that helps restore balance to body, mind, and spirit.

It is a hands-on, natural healing system that originated in Japan, with a strong foundation in mindfulness. The translation of the word Reiki means “life force energy” or “spiritual energy.” In the book, The Japanese Art of Reiki, by Bronwen and Frans Stiene, “it can be described as the energy of everything. To work with this energy is to experience life as its fullest, to be one with all that can be seen and not seen. The system was created to give us this full life experience so that we may remember our connection to life and live in alignment with it.”

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in the United States, Reiki is considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. However, based on its Japanese origin and development, Reiki is primarily considered a spiritual practice that includes hands-on healing and meditation.

In addition to improving overall health and well-being, people turn to Reiki when coping with life’s stresses as well as for support during health and emotional challenges and medical treatments.

Reiki recipients and practitioners have reported:

• A more positive outlook
• Better ability to deal with anxiety and stress
• Decreased pain
• Improved sleep
• Increased focus and concentration
• More resilience
• Feeling like themselves again

Reiki treatments always take place with the recipient fully clothed on a massage table. There is no pressure, manipulation or massage, and sensitive and intimate areas of the body are never touched. Please note that Reiki is no substitute for conventional medical or psychological care. There are no claims or guarantees of healing or curing disease.

There are many styles of Reiki out there, some are hands-on, hands-off, use crystals, or mix Reiki with other modalities. Whichever one you choose, always ask the practitioner if s/he was trained by a Reiki teacher in person, about the treatment format and style, and if s/he practices Reiki self-care, ideally daily. You want to feel safe and comfortable with the person who is practicing Reiki with you, so that you can fully enjoy the session.

I was trained in the two main traditions of Reiki practice, Usui Shiki Ryoho and Usui Reiki Ryoho, and practice Reiki without any add-ons, bells and whistles.