What is Reiki?
Reiki is a powerful healing modality originating in Japan in the early 20th century, and has gained popularity worldwide for its gentle approach to promoting holistic well-being. But what exactly is Reiki, and how does it work?
At its core, Reiki is a spiritual practice that aims to balance the energy within the body, promoting relaxation, stress reduction, and healing. The word "Reiki" is derived from two Japanese words: "rei," meaning universal, and "ki," meaning life energy or vital force. Thus, Reiki can be understood as "universal life energy" or "spiritually guided life force energy."
Practitioners of Reiki believe that this universal life energy flows through all living beings, maintaining their health. However, factors such as stress, illness, and negative emotions can disrupt the flow of this energy, leading to blockages, imbalances, and discomfort. Reiki aims to restore harmony by channeling this healing energy through the practitioner's hands to the recipient.
During a typical Reiki session, the recipient remains fully clothed and lies down on a massage table or sits comfortably in a chair. The practitioner places their hands lightly on or just above various parts of the recipient's body, following a sequence of hand positions that correspond to energy centers or chakras. As the practitioner channels Reiki energy, the recipient may experience sensations such as warmth, tingling, a sense of relief, or deep relaxation. Some people report visualizations, emotional releases, or insights during the session. The effects of Reiki can be subtle yet profound, often leaving recipients feeling more balanced, peaceful, and energized.
Extensive scientific research has been done on Reiki, and is still evolving. Additionally, countless people attest to its numerous benefits, including but not limited to:
Stress reduction and relaxation
Pain relief and improved physical well-being
Enhanced emotional healing and mental clarity
Relief from digestive issues
Strengthened immune system and overall vitality
Accelerated recovery from illness or injury
Support for spiritual growth and self-awareness
It's important to note that Reiki is not a substitute for medical treatment, but rather a complementary practice that can enhance one's overall wellness.
Learning Reiki
One of the unique aspects of Reiki is its accessibility to people of all backgrounds and abilities. Unlike some healing modalities that require extensive training or innate gifts, Reiki can be learned and practiced by virtually anyone with a sincere intention to help themselves and others.
Reiki training typically involves a series of attunements or energetic initiations that connect the practitioner to the Reiki energy. These attunements open the channels through which Reiki flows, allowing the practitioner to become a conduit for healing energy. Training also includes learning hand positions, self-care techniques, and ethical principles to guide one's practice.
In a world where stress, illness, and disconnection are all too common, practices like Reiki offer a beacon of hope and healing. By tapping into the universal life energy that flows through us all, Reiki invites us to reconnect with our innate capacity for balance, resilience, and well-being. Whether you're seeking relief from physical discomfort, emotional distress, or simply a deeper connection to yourself and others, Reiki holds the potential to support your journey toward wholeness.
How Did I Get Into Reiki/What Did My Journey Look Like?
I have several naturopathic/holistic practitioners in my family, and therefore have been familiar with natural and “alternative” healing practices for as long as I can remember. Additionally, my older sister has her yoga instructor certification and has been a master reiki practitioner for many years, so I have known about reiki and other energy balancing modalities for over a decade.
I took a personal interest in naturopathy and eastern medicine around 2012, when I took a Nutrition course as an elective at community college. For the first time I was introduced to the idea of a homeopathic approach to wellness and the connection between diet and health. This piqued my interest in the importance of diet and the power of “alternative” healing modalities. My instructor was an alumni of Bastyr Naturopathic University in Washington state, where I would end up pursuing my degree in Science. I thrived in an academic environment and took pleasure in the subjects of Biochemistry and Anatomy & Physiology. Understanding the human body on such a detailed level was fascinating to me, and I came to believe the human body is innately a perfect technology and the world's most advanced machine (when properly taken care of). Attending a naturopathic university surrounded me with like-minded, talented individuals and exposed me to a wealth of knowledge and practices regarding health and wellness.
Later, I began receiving acupuncture, practicing meditation, and receiving reiki consistently. I also discovered that I have innate abilities to channel energy and tune into my own intuition. I began practicing reiki on friends as an amateur, and received great feedback. I believe my prior knowledge of human anatomy helped. This motivated me to eventually pursue my own formal reiki practice, which became Reiki With Sue.
I was inspired to intentionally add elements of acupressure to my practice when I noticed I was intuitively beginning to incorporate elements of acupressure into my reiki, drawing upon knowledge I had gained over the previous years. After intentionally combining the two modalities, I began receiving more positive feedback and noticed more powerful effects on my clients, friends, and family.
I love using my knowledge and abilities to help heal and teach others, empowering them to take control of their health and live with intention. Thank you for wanting to learn more about my journey with reiki, and I eagerly await the miracles and lessons that are yet to come! Please don’t hesitate to contact me or book a free discovery call below if you would like to know more about reiki or my practice...
If you are interested in learning the sacred practice of reiki, I offer Usui reiki level one certification that you can book below...
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