Reiki: The What, How and Why

This past weekend I embarked on one of the most transformational experiences of my life: a two-day Reiki training with the incredible Kelsey Patel. Reiki is a somewhat new practice, and while I am sure many of you have heard of it, I understand that most people are still a little unsure about what it is exactly and how it works.

A good definition that Kelsey uses for Reiki is as follows: Reiki is a Japanese healing modality that works to bring the body’s energy into balance and harmony. It is a tool to achieve health, well-being, balance and spiritual fulfillment. “Rei” means “God’s Wisdom” or “Higher Power” and “Ki” means “Life Force Energy.” Therefore, Reiki is “Spiritually Guided Life Force Energy” or “Universal Life Force Energy.”

Albert Einstein proved that everything is made up of energy, so there is actually some science behind Reiki. As quoted on Kelsey’s website from one of her Reiki masters, “Scientifically, Reiki is the bio-photon (light) emission conducted from one organic species to another. Reiki is from the light of lights and light is science. Reiki balances the recipient’s disturbances in their body’s bio-energy field. As Albert Einstein told us back in the 1920’s, through his equation, everything, including our bodies, is composed of energy.” So, considering Reiki is working with Life Force Energy – it has been around forever. But Reiki as a healing modality was said to be discovered by a Japanese monk in the early 1900’s, hence why it is considered a fairly new practice.

A really great analogy to help understand Reiki is acupuncture. Acupuncture is a Chinese technique and healing practice that also works to bring the body’s energy into balance. In Chinese medicine, they refer to our life force energy as “Chi” just like “Ki,” which is the Japanese term. In acupuncture, needles are used as a way unblock and bring “Chi” into balance. Whereas in Reiki, we use our palm chakras. Say what now…

I am sure you have heard of the seven chakras, but our body actually has more than just seven, and our palms are each a chakra as well (a chakra is just an energy center). The practitioner uses his/her palm chakras to channel Reiki. This channel connects to Reiki Source, the lineage of Reiki, Spirit as well as any guides or angels for those involved.

During a Reiki session, the person receiving Reiki would simply just lay down, similar to when getting a massage. Reiki works through clothing, blankets, casts, etc. and the practitioner does not have to actually touch the person receiving Reiki (the hands hover). The practitioner would start with a simple meditation to tap into his/her intuition, the Reiki channel/lineage and to call forth any spirits, guides or angels for the person receiving. All is asked to come forth in honor of the best and highest good of the person receiving Reiki. There are techniques when it comes to how to go through a Reiki session, and in order to preform Reiki on another person, you do have to get “attuned.” I won’t explain too much about either at this point, but it is just to say that there are certain requirements one needs to go through in order preform Reiki on another person. However, the one thing I want to drive home is that Reiki is something we ALL have access to. Yes, YOU too!

Because Reiki is Universal Life Force Energy, and we are all energetic beings, we all have the ability to tap into the healing powers of Reiki. Yes, you too can even do Reiki on yourself! Similar to meditation, there are certainly techniques and places you can get guidance because I understand it’s hard to just start practicing Reiki on yourself. But just know that it does not require some crazy form of “enlightenment” or “spirituality” or whatever. It is simply within all of us. Just like we all have the ability to meditate and connect with our higher selves, we all have the ability to tap into our Reiki. One great resource for this is Kelsey’s Mind Body Green course, which is under $100. I am also going to be bringing this into my offering for clients, so feel free to head on over to my Connect page if you have any questions.

Now I have given you some background and how it works, but I just want to leave you with why. Why would you want to consider doing Reiki, work with me or get Kelsey’s course? Well, that’s simple. I am sure that you have dealt with some forms of stress, trauma, depression, anxiety, feelings of being overwhelmed, etc. (that list can go on). All of these things cause us to get out of alignment, right? They cause us to get “off balance.” These very normal life situations can also manifest in our bodies in ways we might not even realize. What I mean is that stress, depression, anxiety, lack of sleep, all of these very regular occurrences and feelings can cause way more harm to our bodies and be building up in areas or in ways we are currently not totally aware of. Until it turns into a horrible migraine, sever stomach issue, or worse.

I am not saying Reiki is a “cure all” for all alignments and disease. I am saying that Reiki can help heal and help prevent by clearing those energetic blockages that are manifesting on a daily basis, removing toxic energy and creating more balance and more harmony within our bodies. And well, that sounds pretty fantastic to me!

I know this is A LOT of information, so if you have made it this far, thank you! I am so grateful for your support in reading this, but also taking the time to learn about another natural form of healing. Please head on over to my Connect page if you have any questions at all. I would love to hear from you and support you on your journey to health and balance.

With love,

Nicolette