Reiki

Rei = Spiritual Ki = Energy

Reiki is an expression of the universal life force surrounding and permeating each one of us. Connecting to this universal healing energy is profoundly relaxing and restorative. Each session includes an intuitive assessment and balancing of the energetic weaves of the body to allow the energy to flow more freely. I also bring advanced energy healing techniques I have learnt over the years into my practice.

Cost:

30 mins $50
60 mins $90

Available by appointment

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What is Reiki?

Reiki is a popular hands-on complementary therapy used widely around the world. It is not a replacement for medical treatment for any health condition, but it is a safe and non-invasive practice that is used by many alongside other conventional treatment plans.

The healing practice of Reiki was founded by Grandmaster Mikao Usui (1865–1926) following a metaphysical experience he had whilst meditating on Mount Kurama, just north of Kyoto, Japan. It is a healing art and a way to live in the world—a spiritual practice. As a healing art, it can be deeply relaxing, restorative and helps promote stress reduction by inducing the relaxation response within the parasympathetic nervous system (the branch of the nervous system responsible for our ‘rest and digest’ mode).

But what is it exactly? Indeed, there is much written about Reiki by those who study specific methods of practice and explore its lineages. I consider the art of Reiki to be one of many methods of accessing the energetic resonance of the universe—and a way to guide this energy in a way that promotes the recipient’s self-healing mechanisms.

In other traditions and teachings, this vibrational energy may be referred to as prana or kundalini within the chakras and nadis of traditional Indian practices, Qi (‘chi’) in the meridian system of traditional Chinese practices, the Celtic weaves, Tibetan rings, the auras, the heart field, biofield, or any other electromagnetic system or force in the universe that influences us.

I feel there is nothing supernatural about these things, though some are more easily measurable than others, it is merely a matter of time before we understand them all.

Image: On the way to the summit of Mount Kurama, near Kyoto, Japan, in 2017. I took this journey to connect to the birthplace of Reiki for myself.

A Reiki Analogy

The way I choose to understand what Reiki is and how we can connect with it is to imagine for a moment the atmosphere that we all breathe, and which connects us all here on Earth. We cannot usually see it, but we can often feel it and witness its effects. It is everywhere, even within us in the form of the gases in our lungs or transported through our arteries and veins. So is Reiki.

I also reflect upon how there are energetic forces that bind the forms (the ‘matter’) within the universe, each has a resonant frequency, and no matter how fast or exceedingly slow they may be, there are movements and energetic flows at play. One day we will be able to better explain what we refer to as Reiki; for now, many people feel it and the more you work with Reiki, the more obvious is becomes.

Reiki as a spiritual practice

The Reiki precepts or principles given below were translated from the memorial stone of Mikao Usui at the Seihoji Temple, in Tokyo.

Today,
Do not anger
Do not worry
Express gratitude
Work with diligence
Be kind to others

I do my best to live by these principles and reflect upon them often. They offer simple wisdom and a way to live in the world with more ease.

What is a Reiki lineage?

Simply put, this is the line of teachers that leads back to Grandmaster Mikao Usui. Once aligned with Reiki energy—and with regular practice and by following the Reiki principles—a practitioner becomes ever more open to sensing these universal flows and has a greater awareness of the connection to the broader spiritual network of all Reiki Masters that came before. It’s a bit like a family tree—as all lineages lead back to the same source, the Reiki ‘family’ are all connected.

The key to a successful Reiki connection is time and practice, not simply an attunement. Living the Reiki principles, meditating with the symbols and mantras, and channelling the flows are what define the Reiki connection and reveal the breadth of this universal energy.

Image: Grandmaster Mikao Usui (1865–1926)

As someone attuned by two Reiki Masters in separate hemispheres, I have two lineages to draw upon. My personal and professional practice over the past 25+ years in several countries has also consolidated my understanding and awareness of the truly universal nature of Reiki.

Is there evidence for Reiki?

Whilst there is a lot of interest in Reiki as a healing art, not many rigorous studies have been performed. In those reviewed, the conclusion is that receiving Reiki is better than placebo, and it has broad potential as a complementary health therapy [1].

The results of these studies have shown that Reiki recipients experience better sleep; improved mood and emotional wellbeing; improved anxiety and pain management (this study was in cancer patients); lower blood pressure, anxiety, and pain (this was in patients undergoing surgery); reduced stress and increased relaxation.

All these benefits could be attributed to the effects of Reiki inducing the aforementioned relaxation response, meaning the recipient experiences a deeper sense of calm (which would be healing and restorative). Indeed, our body cannot heal effectively when in a state of stress and tension. I always feel calm and balanced when connected to Reiki energy.