What is Reiki?
This is without a doubt the question I get asked most and I promise I will answer this question, but first I would like to explain what Reiki is to me.
Since beginning this journey and committing to the path I’m on, the biggest challenge I have had to face is surrendering control and how other people view me. As a former educator I was never questioned by people as to what I did and why, my title carried a certain level of pride and integrity, it felt safe. Leaving that comfortable world behind and stepping into my spiritual calling as a Reiki Master/Teacher, has meant that I have had to let go of the respectability and control I once had and explain myself and my choices on numerous occasions. There has almost been a coming out process where I dropped the “I’m a Teacher” label so I could begin saying “I’m an Energy Healer.”
So why did I choose Reiki? Why did I choose to leave teaching and a comfortable career? Well, I was simply looking for more. Before I fell pregnant with my first child, I was already suffering from severe burn out, but I has scared to lose the security that my ongoing position offered me, so like many other women I’ve spoken too since I stayed in the comfortable.
The first step on my new journey occurred whilst on my one-and-a-half-year maternity leave period when I decided that I would “find myself” so that I wouldn’t have to return to a job that was making me so unhappy. I’m sure as you’re reading this you’re having a little giggle at my naivety, knowing that “finding yourself” doesn’t adhere to timelines and if it was that easy everyone would be in their dream job. Anyway, fast forward seven years and two children later I was at rock bottom. I had put my wellbeing on the backburner for too long as I tended to the needs of my family in a way that I thought was unselfish, when really it was the opposite, and I still hadn’t “found myself.”
It wasn’t until someone I knew who could see Auras (the energy field that surrounds our bodies) took one look at mine and said, “you have to try Reiki!” I had never heard of Reiki before, but I was open to try anything that would help me get out of the hole I had dug myself. So I went along with an open mind to have my first Reiki session.
Upon opening the door to the small rooms my Reiki Practitioner worked out of I was hit with the gentle smell of incense burning in the corner and the soft swell of calming instrumental music playing, I felt instantly peaceful. Im Reiki practitioner asked why I had made the appointment and talked me through the process. I did a lot of nodding as I was just eager to experience Reiki. I remember distinctly during this first session that at one stage I let out an uncontrollable burst of laughter that was tied to no thought or situation. Afterwards the Reiki practitioner explained it was a release of pent-up energy and asked if I was a person who liked to laugh. I definitely am and answered as such, she then followed this up by asking when was the last time I had laughed like that? I couldn’t remember. My house of late had been very volatile and everyone was getting frustrated with each other so there definitely wasn’t a lot of laughing going on.
Now the old Emma was someone who kept her cards close to their chest, but on this day there had been a shift within me and I heard and saw myself pour five years of pent up feelings and emotions out to this stranger and she just sat and held space for me. At the end I felt so much lighter, she sent me away with some strategies for self care and I remember walking away so empowered that I could do something to help myself. From that moment on I was hooked. I went home and researched and read everything I could about Reiki and worked my way through the three degrees until I reached the Master/Teacher level.
No two experiences are the same when it comes to having Reiki, but I would like to give you some information to help you make the best decision for you and you’re wellbeing. I’m not saying you’ll have a life changing experience like I did, though you might, but something has led you to this website, this blog, to this modality, trust it.
What Is Reiki?
Energy is everywhere. The body both produces and consumes energy to sustain life.
A common term for this life sustaining energy is life force energy.
Reiki practitioners have been trained to channel universal energy (A.K.A life force energy) through their hands and into a person’s body to promote relaxation and healing. I can hear your brain ticking here, but if you think about it you probably already use a bit of Reiki in your life. If you or your child gets a sore or a pain, what do you do? You hold or gently rub the effected area. Human touch conveys warmth, serenity, and healing.
Reiki is a complimentary therapy that stimulates the body’s own innate healing system and as such isn’t a quick fix. Some people may need only one session to trigger the healing process, others suffering from chronic conditions may require regular or ongoing support.
Reiki can be utilised as a stand-alone complementary therapy or can be used to support orthodox and other complimentary medicine modalities as it does not interfere with other health practices.
What Reiki Is Not.
Now that we have discussed what Reiki is I’d like to share what Reiki is not. People are sometimes hesitant to try Reiki out of fear that it uses ‘dark forces’. It is important that you understand the very foundation of Reiki is that we cannot violate free will and we must use pure intent for your highest good. If we do not come from this space Reiki simply will not work.
Who Is Reiki For?
Everyone! Humans, animals even plants can benefit from Reiki. As mentioned above Reiki can be used to compliment more orthodox treatments such as supporting Cancer patients during their treatment, post-surgery clients and pain relief for common aches and pains. Though professional medical advice should always form the basis of treatment for any illness, Reiki is a great way to look after your wellbeing.
What If I Don’t Have a Chronic Health Concern? Is Reiki Still For Me?
Absolutely! One of the biggest benefits and mechanisms of actions for Reiki, is relaxation. When we are in a state of relaxation our body can get to work healing itself and resetting itself back to its natural rhythm. The most common feedback that I get from a client following their session is how well they slept that night. Reiki doesn’t stop once you walk out the door the flow on effect can reach different areas of your life including your quality of sleep, and we all know how important sleep is to not just our physical health but also our mental health.
I hope I’ve been able to answer your questions about Reiki. Reiki has converted this fact based scientifically minded, former teacher, and I urge you to give it a chance too. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have I’d love to hold space for you.