USUI REIKI |
The scoop on Reiki Healing
This is the treatment you've heard about a bunch of times, but still don't really understand. We know, it sounds a little out there... but bottom line, you can't argue with results! It's the most relaxing treatment Aria has ever received (though a particular body wrap facial combo with a practitioner who had this beautifully compassionate touch is admittedly right up there with it).
Aria believes that a large part of the healing that takes place in the space of bodywork or energy healing is in the act of surrender. No, not like a dog who has turned belly-up in the face of a threat. Surrender as in letting go of mental resistance. We all have a section of our mind that wants to question everything, to figure out what's going on and try to control it. It isn't an inherently bad thing; it helps us make decisions and assess dangerous situations in life. However, a skill we all need to learn if we are going to release some of the stress we accumulate from day to day is to let go for a while. Relaxation practice. At the reiki clinic it means allowing yourself to become completely vulnerable, and trusting that you'll be taken care of. Allowing someone to be fully present with you, focusing wholly on your wellbeing, and allowing yourself to just receive. Not feeling guilty. Not feeling like you have to give something back. Giving yourself permission to be cared for. To receive love.
Giving reiki is giving love. It is the art of focusing all your compassion, biding it and building it, and giving it over to another person (and don't forget borrowing some of the vast compassionate healing energy of the universe-- Universal Life Force Energy). The practitioner clears their mind of chatter and focuses solely on the energy field in front of and around them. They train their sensitivity to subtle energy shifts, and feel imbalances as heat, electricity, throbbing, or a sensation of semi-physicality (I know, a little hard to explain). Symbols are used to guide and focus Life Force Energy. Reiki crystals, crystals who have been present during at attunement (the process a practitioner undergoes in order to form a stronger bond to the Source) or otherwise charged with energy Reiki-style, are often present in the space or placed strategically during sessions according to the intuition of the healer.
Whether you put stock in a greater benevolent entity or not, it is undeniable that there is healing power in compassionate touch. We have all being doing it instinctively our whole lives. When a child falls and injures a knee, they put their hands on it, or rub it gently. When a friend is crying from emotional pain, we put a hand on their back or give them a hug. A reiki master has honed the skill of giving a touch which is hyper-charged with loving intention. It can be as simple as that.
In the greater Los Angeles, Culver City, Santa Monica areas? Try it out for yourself... today!
Aria believes that a large part of the healing that takes place in the space of bodywork or energy healing is in the act of surrender. No, not like a dog who has turned belly-up in the face of a threat. Surrender as in letting go of mental resistance. We all have a section of our mind that wants to question everything, to figure out what's going on and try to control it. It isn't an inherently bad thing; it helps us make decisions and assess dangerous situations in life. However, a skill we all need to learn if we are going to release some of the stress we accumulate from day to day is to let go for a while. Relaxation practice. At the reiki clinic it means allowing yourself to become completely vulnerable, and trusting that you'll be taken care of. Allowing someone to be fully present with you, focusing wholly on your wellbeing, and allowing yourself to just receive. Not feeling guilty. Not feeling like you have to give something back. Giving yourself permission to be cared for. To receive love.
Giving reiki is giving love. It is the art of focusing all your compassion, biding it and building it, and giving it over to another person (and don't forget borrowing some of the vast compassionate healing energy of the universe-- Universal Life Force Energy). The practitioner clears their mind of chatter and focuses solely on the energy field in front of and around them. They train their sensitivity to subtle energy shifts, and feel imbalances as heat, electricity, throbbing, or a sensation of semi-physicality (I know, a little hard to explain). Symbols are used to guide and focus Life Force Energy. Reiki crystals, crystals who have been present during at attunement (the process a practitioner undergoes in order to form a stronger bond to the Source) or otherwise charged with energy Reiki-style, are often present in the space or placed strategically during sessions according to the intuition of the healer.
Whether you put stock in a greater benevolent entity or not, it is undeniable that there is healing power in compassionate touch. We have all being doing it instinctively our whole lives. When a child falls and injures a knee, they put their hands on it, or rub it gently. When a friend is crying from emotional pain, we put a hand on their back or give them a hug. A reiki master has honed the skill of giving a touch which is hyper-charged with loving intention. It can be as simple as that.
In the greater Los Angeles, Culver City, Santa Monica areas? Try it out for yourself... today!
Energy Healing and Chakra Balancing
The chakras can be considered the major structural energetic system of the body. "Chakra" is Sanskrit in origin, and translates to "wheel" or "vortex." There are seven chakras, located along the midline of the body from the tailbone to the crown of the head. They are energetic centers, focus points for the energies of the body. Each is associated with an aspect of being, and imbalances there will cause distress in that realm, and vice versa.
They act as organizing centers for the reception, transmission, and absorption of energies. The subtle energies we encounter from moment to moment, which are all connected to and expressions of the Universal Life Force, are encountered constantly and relentlessly through our interaction with other beings as well as the forces of nature. Our own thought patterns also vastly affect the wellbeing of our energy centers. When we ruminate on negative events or feelings, and roll them in our minds and build on them, we are accumulating negative energy in the chakras associated with the facets of life which are relevant. When the chakras receive an excess of negative energy, they become unbalanced or blocked. The chakras must remain as open channels for optimum health, well-being, and clarity of mind. Reiki helps the chakras remain balanced and vibrant, resulting in better physical, emotional and spiritual health.
They act as organizing centers for the reception, transmission, and absorption of energies. The subtle energies we encounter from moment to moment, which are all connected to and expressions of the Universal Life Force, are encountered constantly and relentlessly through our interaction with other beings as well as the forces of nature. Our own thought patterns also vastly affect the wellbeing of our energy centers. When we ruminate on negative events or feelings, and roll them in our minds and build on them, we are accumulating negative energy in the chakras associated with the facets of life which are relevant. When the chakras receive an excess of negative energy, they become unbalanced or blocked. The chakras must remain as open channels for optimum health, well-being, and clarity of mind. Reiki helps the chakras remain balanced and vibrant, resulting in better physical, emotional and spiritual health.
Understanding the Chakras
ROOT CHAKRA | MULADHARA
Location: At the base of the tailbone
Element: Earth
Association: basic needs (food, water, shelter), sense of security, and our physical bodies' interactions with nature.
Common imbalance symptoms: Money problems
When balanced, we feel stable, safe, supported and grounded.
SACRAL CHAKRA | SVADHISTHANA
Location: A hand's width below the navel
Element: Water
Association: Our sense of self, creativity, sexuality, playfulness, joy, abundance, and desire
Common imbalance symptoms: Shame or self-doubt
When balanced, we are able to pursue our passions, outlet our creativity, and go with the ebb and flow of life.
SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA | MANIPURA
Location: At the navel center
Element: Fire
Association: personal power, motivation, will, and ability to manifest our desires
Common imbalance symptoms: Feelings of helplessness or stagnation
When balanced, we experience healthy digestion resulting in higher levels of energy
HEART CHAKRA | ANAHATA
Location: At the center of the chest
Element: Air
Association: love, compassion, forgiveness, connection and understanding. Physically, the arms and chest (think hugging)
Common imbalance symptoms: depression, anger, uncontrollable emotions
When balanced, we experience compassion and understanding toward others and ourselves.
THROAT CHAKRA | VISHUDDHA
Location: At the base of the throat
Element: Space/ether.
Association: Communication. Also physically the throat, ears, jaw, and neck, and the thyroid.
Common imbalance symptoms: Being unable to speak up for yourself, or express your viewpoint, needs, or desires.
When balanced, we communicate clearly and authentically, and practice good listening.
THIRD EYE CHAKRA | AJNA
Location: between the eyebrows
Element: Light
Association: intuition, wisdom, intellect, knowledge, understanding, and imagination
Physically governs the pituitary gland, lower brain, eyes and skull
Common imbalance symptoms: skepticism, delusions, paranoia, anxiety, depression
When balanced, we are able to sense truth, separate from our judgement, expectations, or conditioning from our past.
CROWN CHAKRA | SAHASRARA
Location: The crown of the head.
Element: Thought
Association: Connection to spirit, universal consciousness, enlightenment, wisdom, unity, and self-knowledge
Common imbalance symptoms: Close-mindedness, lack of empathy to the beliefs of others, or the superficial latching on to belief systems in an effort to appear spiritual or wise, without cultivating true understanding or wisdom.
When balanced, we feel interconnected with all beings.
Location: At the base of the tailbone
Element: Earth
Association: basic needs (food, water, shelter), sense of security, and our physical bodies' interactions with nature.
Common imbalance symptoms: Money problems
When balanced, we feel stable, safe, supported and grounded.
SACRAL CHAKRA | SVADHISTHANA
Location: A hand's width below the navel
Element: Water
Association: Our sense of self, creativity, sexuality, playfulness, joy, abundance, and desire
Common imbalance symptoms: Shame or self-doubt
When balanced, we are able to pursue our passions, outlet our creativity, and go with the ebb and flow of life.
SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA | MANIPURA
Location: At the navel center
Element: Fire
Association: personal power, motivation, will, and ability to manifest our desires
Common imbalance symptoms: Feelings of helplessness or stagnation
When balanced, we experience healthy digestion resulting in higher levels of energy
HEART CHAKRA | ANAHATA
Location: At the center of the chest
Element: Air
Association: love, compassion, forgiveness, connection and understanding. Physically, the arms and chest (think hugging)
Common imbalance symptoms: depression, anger, uncontrollable emotions
When balanced, we experience compassion and understanding toward others and ourselves.
THROAT CHAKRA | VISHUDDHA
Location: At the base of the throat
Element: Space/ether.
Association: Communication. Also physically the throat, ears, jaw, and neck, and the thyroid.
Common imbalance symptoms: Being unable to speak up for yourself, or express your viewpoint, needs, or desires.
When balanced, we communicate clearly and authentically, and practice good listening.
THIRD EYE CHAKRA | AJNA
Location: between the eyebrows
Element: Light
Association: intuition, wisdom, intellect, knowledge, understanding, and imagination
Physically governs the pituitary gland, lower brain, eyes and skull
Common imbalance symptoms: skepticism, delusions, paranoia, anxiety, depression
When balanced, we are able to sense truth, separate from our judgement, expectations, or conditioning from our past.
CROWN CHAKRA | SAHASRARA
Location: The crown of the head.
Element: Thought
Association: Connection to spirit, universal consciousness, enlightenment, wisdom, unity, and self-knowledge
Common imbalance symptoms: Close-mindedness, lack of empathy to the beliefs of others, or the superficial latching on to belief systems in an effort to appear spiritual or wise, without cultivating true understanding or wisdom.
When balanced, we feel interconnected with all beings.