USUI REIKI |
The scoop on Reiki Healing
Reiki (pronounced Ray-key) is a form of Japanese Energy Healing. "Rei" loosely translates to "universal," and "Ki" means "life force energy." This life energy is sometimes called "bioenergy" or "intelligent living energy" in the West. Usui reiki is the lineage that holds most closely to the original practice as laid out by Dr. Mikao Usui.
A Reiki practitioner acts as a vessel, and channels universal life force energy from the Source into the receiver. A healer in training goes through several "attunements" to this energy to make the process possible. It is very similar to the Christian "laying on hands," but is not attached to any specific religious practice. Many people do, however, seek the treatment as a spiritual development aide; since common benefits include clarity of mind, relief of emotional stress and trauma, and feelings of lightness or euphoria. Symbols are used to guide and focus Life Force Energy. Reiki crystals, crystals which have been present during at attunement or otherwise charged with energy, are often present in the healing space or placed strategically during sessions according to the intuition of the reiki healer.
Reiki healing is helpful in healing a variety of illnesses, both physical, spiritual, and emotional. It is based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine idea that energy runs throughout the entire body in channels, with different sections and points correlating to various organs and body systems, with the chakras being main energetic holding points. All illness can be found and treated as a variance or blockage in the flow of energy. Reiki practitioners have trained their sensitivity to this subtle life force energy, so that they are able to feel where treatment is needed. It is also understood that Universal Life Force Energy is itself innately wise in healing, and flows to where it is needed.
Afflictions which are treatable by reiki include...
In addition to the application of energy work, reiki healing offers the added benefit of Healing Touch therapy. 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 (as well as borrowing some of the vast compassionate healing energy of the universe). The practitioner clears their mind of chatter and focuses solely on the energy field in front of and around them. The simple act of accepting the loving touch of another person, and relaxing in their hands in full vulnerability and trust, is incredibly healing. There is even Reiki for pets!
What to expect in a typical Reiki session
Reiki is both relaxing and uplifting. Expect to enter a state of conscious deep rest, in which you are aware of everything around you, but your body is deeply relaxed, as in sleep. You may actually fall asleep, but not to worry, the healing will not be diminished.
In a typical session, the receiver lies down in a comfortable position with the intention to receive healing. The therapist begins by scanning the client's body for energetic malalignments or blockages, focusing on the chakras, then systematically works their way from head to toe. Sometimes their hands hover above, and sometimes they will rest gently on the client. Discuss with your reiki healer prior to your session if you have sensitivities to certain areas being touched-- but keep in mind this often means healing is needed there.
Many people experience a warming sensation, and subtle physical sensations akin to energy moving through the body. Emotional release may occur, and such experiences should be embraced rather than resisted. Again, the healing is in surrender. Know that your therapist welcomes any experience you may be having, and that you are in a safe, judgement-free space. Crying and laughing are just two examples of healthy emotional release that may occur during your session. You may find it difficult to allow strong emotion to move through you and give it expression, since most of us automatically restrain our emotions, especially in the presence of others. If that is the case, take a meditative stance. Simply observe the reactions of your body and your mind. Notice your reaction to your own emotion, without judgement. Practice having compassion for yourself, if only for that hour or so. Give yourself permission to be however you are, see yourself clearly, and feel the weight lift off your shoulders or chest. Note that some people are more sensitive to the energy than others, so intensity varies. However, the experience is never negative or harmful, and the same benefit should be received regardless of personal sensation experienced.
After the session, you can expect to feel more relaxed with a lifted mood, and like the stressors in your life have released their grip a bit. Many describe the sensation as a weight having been lifted, and report that even their bodies feel less achy or sore. Expect more mental clarity, and a lessening of the normal "mental chatter" that you may experience.
In the greater Los Angeles, Culver City, Santa Monica areas? Try it out for yourself... today! 310-905-3532
Check out Reiki for Pets
A Reiki practitioner acts as a vessel, and channels universal life force energy from the Source into the receiver. A healer in training goes through several "attunements" to this energy to make the process possible. It is very similar to the Christian "laying on hands," but is not attached to any specific religious practice. Many people do, however, seek the treatment as a spiritual development aide; since common benefits include clarity of mind, relief of emotional stress and trauma, and feelings of lightness or euphoria. Symbols are used to guide and focus Life Force Energy. Reiki crystals, crystals which have been present during at attunement or otherwise charged with energy, are often present in the healing space or placed strategically during sessions according to the intuition of the reiki healer.
Reiki healing is helpful in healing a variety of illnesses, both physical, spiritual, and emotional. It is based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine idea that energy runs throughout the entire body in channels, with different sections and points correlating to various organs and body systems, with the chakras being main energetic holding points. All illness can be found and treated as a variance or blockage in the flow of energy. Reiki practitioners have trained their sensitivity to this subtle life force energy, so that they are able to feel where treatment is needed. It is also understood that Universal Life Force Energy is itself innately wise in healing, and flows to where it is needed.
Afflictions which are treatable by reiki include...
- depression and heartbreak
- anxiety and stress disorders
- insomnia/hypersomnia
- eating disorder/body image issues
- fibromyalgia and pain disorders
- trust issues
In addition to the application of energy work, reiki healing offers the added benefit of Healing Touch therapy. 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 (as well as borrowing some of the vast compassionate healing energy of the universe). The practitioner clears their mind of chatter and focuses solely on the energy field in front of and around them. The simple act of accepting the loving touch of another person, and relaxing in their hands in full vulnerability and trust, is incredibly healing. There is even Reiki for pets!
What to expect in a typical Reiki session
Reiki is both relaxing and uplifting. Expect to enter a state of conscious deep rest, in which you are aware of everything around you, but your body is deeply relaxed, as in sleep. You may actually fall asleep, but not to worry, the healing will not be diminished.
In a typical session, the receiver lies down in a comfortable position with the intention to receive healing. The therapist begins by scanning the client's body for energetic malalignments or blockages, focusing on the chakras, then systematically works their way from head to toe. Sometimes their hands hover above, and sometimes they will rest gently on the client. Discuss with your reiki healer prior to your session if you have sensitivities to certain areas being touched-- but keep in mind this often means healing is needed there.
Many people experience a warming sensation, and subtle physical sensations akin to energy moving through the body. Emotional release may occur, and such experiences should be embraced rather than resisted. Again, the healing is in surrender. Know that your therapist welcomes any experience you may be having, and that you are in a safe, judgement-free space. Crying and laughing are just two examples of healthy emotional release that may occur during your session. You may find it difficult to allow strong emotion to move through you and give it expression, since most of us automatically restrain our emotions, especially in the presence of others. If that is the case, take a meditative stance. Simply observe the reactions of your body and your mind. Notice your reaction to your own emotion, without judgement. Practice having compassion for yourself, if only for that hour or so. Give yourself permission to be however you are, see yourself clearly, and feel the weight lift off your shoulders or chest. Note that some people are more sensitive to the energy than others, so intensity varies. However, the experience is never negative or harmful, and the same benefit should be received regardless of personal sensation experienced.
After the session, you can expect to feel more relaxed with a lifted mood, and like the stressors in your life have released their grip a bit. Many describe the sensation as a weight having been lifted, and report that even their bodies feel less achy or sore. Expect more mental clarity, and a lessening of the normal "mental chatter" that you may experience.
In the greater Los Angeles, Culver City, Santa Monica areas? Try it out for yourself... today! 310-905-3532
Check out Reiki for Pets
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 and other energy healing 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 and other energy healing helps the chakras remain balanced and vibrant, resulting in better physical, emotional and spiritual health.
Understanding Each Chakra
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.