Reiki
I love Reiki and I feel privileged to live in a time and place where it is so widely accpeted, relied upon and enjoyed!
If you want to read more about this gentle yet powerful modality then have a look below.
Learn more about Reiki
What is Reiki? Reiki is an ancient Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is non-invasive yet powerful. The word Reiki is made from two Japanese words - Rei meaning "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki meaning "life force energy". We Reiki therapists have been trained to channel this energy into you by way of touch, to activate your body’s natural healing processes, restoring physical and emotional balance and well-being. We all have an unseen "life force energy" flowing through us and if your "life force energy" is low, then you are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, you are more able to be happy and healthy. Simple! Reiki is practiced worldwide and crosses many cultures and belief systems. Everyone can benefit from Reiki whether you are receiving it from a practioner or you are able to use it on yourself. Everyone’s experience with Reiki is different and no two treatments are the same, as we are different to each other and also not the same person from one day to the next. Most people’s experience with Reiki ranges from feeling very relaxed right through to profound emotional and spiritual experiences where deep releasing and healing make you feel lighter, cleaner and ready for the world again.
How does Reiki work? In Eastern medicine, qi (or chi) is the energy life force that flows through all of us. To achieve optimal well being you need to balance your energy. Reiki is the transfer of this energy through the practioners hands to you. This energy should be flowing freely through us at all times. Physical traumas, emotional upsets and stress can interrupt this flow of energy causing it to get blocked or stuck in certain parts of our body. The Reiki practioner through their training will be able to detect these blockages and release them, returning the balance back to the body through natural energy flow. For you the client, this may be experienced in many different ways, often simltaneously and often hard to describe accurately. Many people feel heat, tingles or pressure as the energy starts to flow through them. For many others it is a more emotional experience where they feel old feelings coming up to be released, for some it is a visual experience where through their closed eyes they see colours and displays that ebb and flow with the energy, for most it is a combination of all of these experiences. Like I said, it is almost impossible to accurately convey the experience with mere words. Every treatment is equally as valid and powerful regardless of the experience. On a personal note I love it when I hear snores coming from the table as this means your conscious mind is no longer getting in the way of the treatment as can easily happen when people try to rationalise what is currently happening to them or try and control the experience. When you are asleep the energy can go where it needs to go and do what it needs to do on it’s own with no obstruction.
What can Reiki treat? Reiki is now widely accepted to help with a wide array of conditions. Those suffering with complex chronic conditions such as autoimmune disorders have reported improvements in their health. More serious conditions have also found to be aided by regular Reiki treatments used as a complimentary modality. Reiki can be very gentle and this can greatly help to calm an anxious mind or lighten a depressed mind. The day to day stresses of modern life can be greatly reduced by periodic Reiki treatments as it allows the stress levels to drop back down instead of continuously creeping up and up. It is widely reported that after Reiki treatments people feel that they feel better equipped to go back out and face the world again and don’t feel that their energy is being constantly depleted. Reiki can be very empowering for many and this can be used to help with low self esteem or lack of self confidence. Pain levels can be reduced during Reiki treatments so much so that many maternity hospitals now offer Reiki as part of pain management during childbirth. I try to convey to as many people as possible (especially men) that it is a very good alternative to talk therapy. Many men find it hard to open up and talk about their emotions, Reiki offers a means for people who are not comfortable with talking to receive treatment that can make them feel better. Here’s a list for those who like lists! •Stress reduction •Boost the immune system •Combat fatigue •Promote relaxation •Improve self-confidence •Improve focus and clarity of mind. •Help with grief •Ease anxiety over death •Accelerate the healing process after injuries and surgery •Benefit chronic and acute medical conditions •Help to maintain health and well-being •Compliments conventional therapies
More Reiki FAQs Are there any side effects of Reiki? Reiki is about releasing and letting go, this can often lead to stored toxins being expelled from the body. A person my experience a headache, stomach upset or may feel weak after a treatment. This is a natural cleansing of the body and the best thing to do for this is drink more water, eat light healthy food, get plenty of rest and be gentle on yourself. I tell my clients that after sessions you may feel emotional as you are still in the process of letting go. Because of this you may get triggered more easily or be more easily upset for a short time afterwards. I advise my clients to think before talking for the remainder of the day after their session as they may just be sharper with their words than usual. This is only for a short time and is a sign that they are bringing up old emotions to finally let go of them and stop carrying them around. So, it’s all good, just take a breath before reacting to someone or something! What do I wear for a Reiki session? Wear something loose and comfortable. You will be taking of your shoes but other than that you can wear what makes you feel comfortable. Socks, definitely socks! What about Jewellery and Electronics. I ask that all electronic devices be switched off just so you can feel the peace of detachment from your devices. Jewellery can stay on or off, some metals conduct energy and so it’s best if possible to remove all jewellery if you are OK with this. It’s not a hill I chose to die on so I am flexible enough about that but all phones, smart watches and such like are away from the body and turned off. Can I have Reiki when I am already seeing a doctor or psychologist? Yes. Reiki works very well in conjunction with regular medical or psychological treatment. Just check with your healthcare professional before starting your treatment to ease your mind. Reiki works very well with all other forms of healing, including medications, surgery, psychological care or any other method of alternative care and will only help improve your situation. Is Reiki a religion? Reiki is a very spiritual practice but it is not a religion. Reiki therapists exist across a spectrum of cultures and creeds. How long does a Reiki session last? Anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour, depending on what is going on with you on the day. How much does a Reiki session cost? One session cost’s €50. Great value I know! What will I feel during my Reiki treatment? You may experience your treatment in many different ways, often simltaneously and often hard to describe accurately. Many people feel heat, tingles or pressure as the energy starts to flow through them. For many others it is a more emotional experience where they feel old feelings coming up to be released, for some it is a visual experience where through their closed eyes they see colours and displays that ebb and flow with the energy, for most it is a combination of all of these experiences. Like I said, it is almost impossible to accurately convey the experience with mere words. Every treatment is equally as valid and powerful regardless of the experience. On a personal note I love it when I hear snores coming from the table as this means your conscious mind is no longer getting in the way of the treatment as can easily happen when people try to rationalise what is currently happening to them or try and control the experience. When you are asleep the energy can go where it needs to go and do what it needs to do on it’s own with no obstruction. Who can learn how to practice Reiki? Anyone. How do I choose my Reiki practioner? This is a tricky one as you have to go with your gut. For me, as a practioner, Reiki is about me getting out of the way to allow the clean transfer of universal energy. I do not want my personal energy to be transferred to you during the treatment nor do I want your personal energy to flow back to me. I have several protective techniques and rituals to ensure this so its best to talk to your potential practioner and try to get a feel for them. It’s all about the vibes!
How did I discover Reiki? A very wise woman (my mother) introduced me to Reiki in my 20’s but I was not interested and brushed the whole thing off as “woo woo”. The arrogance of youth. I felt drawn back to it in my 30’s and started to receive regular treatments to deal with anxiety. It was this relief that I felt immediately during and after every treatment that confirmed to me that there was something to it after all. Over the years I started to train with Reiki teachers so that I could practice on myself as a means to empower myself and be my own remedy. I love Reiki and I wanted to share this with others as it had delivered so much for me, so eventually I started to practice for others too. I still feel very strongly about Reiki and continue to routinely practice Reiki on myself as everyone is on a journey and very few (speaking for myself here) can say that they are ready to stop working on themselves. I have my Reiki Level 3 and soon plan to start teaching this amazing therapy. It’s too good to not share.