Reiki

Would you like to experience deep relaxation and return to your more balanced and contented self? If so, Reiki, a gentle yet profound and nourishing treatment may be for you. Angela our practitioner and Reiki Master was first attuned in the early ’90s and has been giving energy healing sessions ever since. 

 

Can I get Reiki Covered by My Private Insurance Plan?

Not usually, but the GREAT NEWS is if you wish to have some acupressure added or  have a few gently placed acupuncture needles it will be covered under acupuncture benefits. We can do this!

What is Reiki?

In order to understand what Reiki is, we must first understand in Asian philosophy and medicine that we and everything in the universe is made up of life force energy and is connected. When this energy is in the right amount and is flowing freely we are in a healthy state. When our energy is depleted, excessive, unbalanced, stuck, or going in the wrong direction, illness or disease of the body, mind, and spirit can occur. 

There are many treatments that help bring a person into health and balance, including but not limited to acupuncture, acupressure, sound healing, shamanic healing, massage, cupping, exercise, herbs, and Reiki. All of these modalities (and many more) have an effect–some more so on the body than others, and some more on the energetic system that is more ethereal in nature. Each will have an effect on the body, mind, and Spirit as it is impossible to separate one from the other.  

Reiki is a gentle yet profound energy healing method made known by Mikao Usui in Japan approximately 100 years ago*. He synthesized this system from the wisdom of ancient Eastern masters, various Buddhist sutras, and experiences during meditation. 

In this system the practitioner visualizes themselves as a hollow reed, allowing pure universal healing energy to flow through them through their crown to their hands to the person they are treating. The energy then travels through the aura to the meridians/nadis/chakras to cells, tissues and organs of the body allowing energy to become balanced, inviting wholeness to return to the individual. The body is thus more able to heal itself.  

Treatments can be performed in any setting, most often with the client lying fully clothed, on a massage table. The practitioner then places their hands on various positions either just above the body or gently upon it in a safe, non-invasive manner.  People often request Reiki for stress relief and spiritual growth. People also benefit  when in hospital or going through the dying process. It can also be given to pets, plants, areas of the world where there is strife, or even chemo IV bags. It is a wonderful adjunct to the medical system and can even be given over distance with the willingness of the client. 

During a session people often report a feeling of warmth, tingling, peacefulness, and deep relaxation. Shifts in stuck energy patterns, belief systems, and negative emotional holding can occur. Some benefits of Reiki include deep relaxation, easier access to inner wisdom, intuition, and creativity, and an easing of pain and discomfort. 

To get the most out of a Reiki session, for 24-48 hours before a treatment it is best to avoid eating red meat, drinking alcohol, smoking, or taking recreational drugs. If you can’t, you will still benefit, but to a lesser degree.  It is recommended to wear loose clothing to a treatment. 

How to Help Yourself Heal from a Reiki Perspective

Usui, the founder of Reiki, also said to get the most out of Reiki treatments, clients must also take responsibility for their own health. This is also true in any wholistic healing system. In particular, Usui gave these principles to assist both the practitioner and client in their healing journey. The following is to be said daily with reverence:

Just for today do not anger

Just for today do not worry

Just for today be humble

Just for today be honest

Just for today be compassionate to self and others

How is a person able to practice Reiki?

In order to become a Reiki practitioner, a student receives instruction and “attunement” from a Reiki Master. In many systems, there are 3 levels that can be attained. Honouring lineage–our teachers– is important in this tradition. Angela received her Reiki Level 1 and level 2 certification in 1992 and 1993 respectively in Vancouver from Phyllis Victory of the Conscious Healing Institute. She then received her Advanced Reiki Training/ Level III Master certification in 2006 from Debbie Shkurattoff of Reiki Wellness in the Cowichan Valley. She later received attunement for the Christ symbol from Sister Eileen at Queenswood in Victoria in 2008 and was recently tuned up by Zoe Baldwin of Mountain Heights Healing, Sooke, July 2022.

Do you have to be religious or change my religious beliefs to get a Reiki treatment?

In one word–No. Reiki is honoured by all religions of light and is in itself not a religion. Jesus used energy healing as did Mohammed as did the Medicine Buddha. Reiki is practiced and received by people of all beliefs (including no beliefs) and walks of life. 

What does the calligraphy for Reiki Mean?

 The character for Reiki can be divided into 2 Chinese radicals. The top one “Rei, or Rai” means “sacred”. In Chinese it is pronounced “ling”. The second, lower radical “ki” translates into Chinese as “Chi”, or life force energy that makes up the entire cosmos, from vapour to solid cooked rice. Interestingly the Reishi mushroom, also known as Ling Zhi in Chinese literally means divine mushroom and is thought to open the heart. Here we also see the same root word “Rei” (Japanese) which corresponds to “Ling” in Chinese. (In case you were wondering, Zhi means mushroom). 

(Reiki calligraphic image provided from Wiki Creative Commons https://www.flikr.com/photos/cyberdespacio/65661140)

*although the Usui Reiki system originated in Japan, the idea of healing with energy is ancient. In China the age-old practice of external Qi Gong likely originated earlier than Taoism thousands of years ago. Chinese techniques have a focus on dan tien, (aka the hara, tan den, lower cinnabar field etc) while transmitting energy. This is a region located just below the belly button and is considered to be the body’s greatest energy centre. Interestingly enough,  energy can be mobilized for both healing and in self defense–many martial arts practice rallying the power of Dan Tien to make their moves more effective.