This is an article Jo Homar wrote about Reiki, published in Natural Nutmeg Magazine. If you are interested in learning more about Reiki contact me for a Reiki session or to attend a Reiki training class.
Are you looking for a way to manage your stress, fatigue, aches and pains, anxiety, headaches, and loss of interest? Or perhaps you are looking for self-development and personal growth.
Reiki may be the answer for you. Reiki is a Japanese word meaning "Universal Life Energy". "Rei" describes the cosmic, universal aspect of this energy and "ki" means the fundamental life force flowing and pulsating in all living things. Reiki is a natural simple technique for transferring healing energy from a giver to a receiver. Reiki originated in Tibet, is one of the most ancient healing methods known to mankind, and is finding its way into institutional settings from hospitals to hospice, to workplace settings, and into the everyday mainstream.
What Does Reiki Do?
Simply stated, Reiki activates the body's natural ability to heal itself, and balances the body's energies. Reiki promotes physical well-being and has a positive effect on your emotional and spiritual equilibrium. You can use it to replenish your vital energy, to strengthen your immune system, to speed up elimination of toxins, and to ward off disease. Reiki can be used during pregnancy; is appropriate for adults, children, and animals; can be utilized during end-of-life issues to address physical and emotional symptoms and improve quality of life; and can be beneficial pre and post surgery.
Reiki helps in the healing of ailments and illnesses such as headaches, body tensions, exhaustion, depression and fears. Reiki simultaneously treats the spiritual and mental causes of an illness, not merely the physical symptoms. You can look at Reiki as a means to replace energy which is used up in everyday life. Through the use of Reiki you can bring harmony and well-being into your life.
Reiki and Chakras:
The Reiki treatment hand positions correspond with the seven main chakras of the body. Each chakra is "linked" with a certain organ and region of the body and has an influence on its function. Chakras are simply spinning "wheels" of concentrated energy. Chakras take in, incorporate and emanate energy to keep us functioning at optimal levels. Our well-being on all levels can affect and is affected by the chakras and Reiki helps to strengthen the body's energetic flow to bring back balance and promote well-being on all levels. Each chakra relates back to physical areas of the body as follows.
Root Chakra is located at the base of the spine and is associated with the color red. The associate body parts include the bones and skeletal structure, legs, feet, and spine. The main issues in this chakra relate to survival and physical needs, and, when balanced, you enjoy high physical energy, are grounded and healthy.
The Sacral Chakra is located in the lower abdomen about two inches below your belly button and is associated with the color orange. The associated body parts include bladder, prostate, womb, sexual organs, circulatory system and sciatic nerve. This chakra relates to family, relationships, creativity, emotional balance and sexuality. When balanced you are trusting, expressive, and creative and attuned to your own feelings.
The Solar Plexus Chakra is located between the naval and base of the sternum, and is associated with the color yellow. This is the area where we hold our secrets and where we push our emotions down by not speaking up. The associated body parts include your digestive system and muscles. The main issues in this chakra relate to your personal power, responsibility, and self will. This is where we identify who we are and our relationship with ourselves. When balanced, you have a respect for yourself and others, are uninhibited and spontaneous.
The Heart Chakra is located in the center of the chest and is associated with the color green or pink. The associated body parts include lungs, chest, heart and circulation. The main issue in this chakra relates to creativity, self-awareness, beliefs about love and relationships. When balanced you are nurturing, compassionate and love unconditionally.
The Throat Chakra is located at the base of the neck and shares the shoulders and arms with the heart chakra and is associated with the color blue. The associated body parts include the neck, mouth, teeth, and throat. The main issue in this chakra relates to self-expression and communication. When balanced you will find it easy to meditate and are a good communicator.
The Third Eye Chakra is located above and between the eyebrows and is associated with the color indigo. The associated body parts include the base of the skull and your eyes, nose, ears. The main issue in this chakra relates to intuition and wisdom. When balanced you will be charismatic, be highly intuitive and not attached to material things.
The Crown Chakra is located at the top of the head and is associated with the color gold, white or violet. The associated body parts include the upper skull, skin, central nervous system and cerebral cortex. The main issue in this chakra relates to spirituality and selflessness. When balanced you are at peace with yourself.
What to Expect During Treatment:
Reiki treatments are done in a safe and caring environment. You can expect your practitioner to talk to you before your treatment to discuss any areas of concern you may have. Reiki treatments are done mostly while lying down fully clothed on a massage table. Treatments can also be done while in the seated position and can also be given long distance. Your practitioner will set the healing room to be relaxing with dim lights and relaxing music. You can expect your practitioner to either apply light touch along the chakras or simply hold his or her hand about one inch above your body. At the end of the session your practitioner will do a final balancing, and have a discussion with you about the session.
Five Reiki Principles:
Just for today, I will not be angry
Just for today, I will not worry
Just for today, I will be grateful
Just for today, I will do my work honestly
Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing
Reiki Training:
Jo Homar, Reiki Master, offers Reiki training classes for all levels of Reiki at her Rocky Hill, CT location. Contact me to schedule a Reiki session or to get certified and attuned to Reiki by attending one of my classes.