What is Reiki? How does Reiki work? What are the benefits?

An Ancient Science

Reiki is a form of energy healing that originated in Japan in the early 20th century. It was developed but the Buddhist priest Mikao Usui. After three weeks of fasting and meditating on Mount Kurama, a sacred mountain in the north of Kyoto, Japan, Usui claimed to have the first experienced feeling the Reiki energy. Though he had been starving and near death from fasting, the burst of intense healing energy gave him a sense of vitality and awareness that he's never felt before. Shortly after his experience, Usui opened a clinic in Tokyo to practice the healing technique. The word "Reiki" is a combination of two Japanese words: "rei", which means "God's wisdom", or "the higher power", and "ki", which means "life force energy". "Ki" is the life force energy that animates all living things. Put together , "rei" and "ki" mean "spiritually guided life force energy". The practice is based on the idea that we all have an unseen "life force energy" flowing through our bodies. The Reiki practitioner uses gentle hand movements to guide the flow of healthy energy through the body to reduce stress and promote the recipient's self-healing abilities. The Reiki practitioner doesn't cause the healing, nor are they the source of that energy healing; they're a channel for the energy - similar to the way a garden hose acts as a channel for water. Each hand position focuses on a different part of the body - including the head, shoulders, stomach, and feet  - and is held for roughly 3-10 minutes, depending on the person's needs. There is very little to no talking during sessions, which typically last between 40 and 90 minutes. Reiki is a form of complementary medicine intended to be used alongside standard medical treatments - not in place of them. There is evidence it can reduce daily stress and help with management of some chronic diseases. Reiki gives your body a break from the stresses of daily life, helping your body return to a state of relaxation. Once in this state, your body is able to heal any damage brought on by stress, injury, or disease. By helping a person experience deep relaxation, Reiki enhances and accelerates our own natural healing process. Reiki practice can help with a variety of physical and emotional problems, including insomnia, stress, depression, anxiety, and pain. Because Reiki is so balancing to the system overall, it can potentially benefit any situation. Benefits of Reiki may include and are not limited to the following;

• Promote harmony and balance

• Relaxes and Releases Tension from the body

• Breaks down energy blocks, improving the flow and balance of your energetic system to support healing.

• Cleanses the body of toxins and supports the immune system

• Clears the mind and improves focus

• Helps you sleep better

• Helps spiritual growth and emotional cleansing

• Accelerates the body's self-healing ability