Reiki Q&A Part 1: What is Reiki?

Simply put, Reiki is a Japanese technique of stress reduction and deep relaxation that also promotes healing. It is a light touch method that works with the body’s energy systems including the aura, the chakras, and the meridians. Reiki will strengthen the body’s energy systems by unblocking stuck or stagnant energy which will increase the natural flow of energy throughout the body, bringing it into balance. The result is the creation of conditions in the body by which the body can do what it is designed to do – heal itself.

Reiki works by accessing the highest vibration in the Universe, the energy of love. The Reiki practitioner connects with the Universe, harnessing the highest form of loving and healing energy, moving it through the body of the practitioner, who acts as the channel, and out through the palms of the hands. The receiver then takes the Reiki energy that is being offered through the practitioner and accepts it into the body where it will automatically move throughout the receiver’s body, impacting the body’s energy systems, which will in turn effect the body’s physical systems. We can observe the same process with the energy of electricity. A current of electricity that is being directed into a light bulb will diffuse energy throughout the room. Take the same electrical current and focus it into a laser beam and you will have energy powerful enough to cut through metal.

The Reiki energy is transferred from the Universe through the practitioner through a process called an attunement, which opens the chakras and allows the energy to flow through the body to the palms of the hands. The palms of the hands are natural healing centers of the body. This is evidenced by how we respond to injuries. For example, when we bang our elbow on the desk corner, or our knee on the edge of the coffee table, what is the first thing we do? We ease the pain by putting our hand over it. Every parent knows that the touch of the hand to the child’s back, forehead or face will sooth and comfort.
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The process of Reiki is simple. The receiver can lie on a massage table or sit in a chair. The practitioner will lightly place the hands on the body, moving them from the head to the feet, paying particular attention to the areas of the chakras or in any specific places of current pain or discomfort. The receiver typically experiences a deep sense of relaxation and connection with the inner self. Generally, the longer the Reiki session, the stronger the effect on the receiver, however, Reiki acts more like an antibiotic than a shot of morphine and the full impact may take a few days.