Authored by Lynn Salmon-Easter 7/19/2019
Photo taken by Emma Freeman
Reiki is a form of energy healing that has origins in Japan. The word Reiki comes from a Japanese word (Rei) which means “Universal Life” and (Ki) which means “Energy.” As a treatment, Reiki addresses healing on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. Individuals that have not yet resolved their health concerns with other forms of treatments often benefit greatly from an energy healing session.
Reiki accesses healing on a subconscious, nonverbal and energetic level. Working in this way, individuals are able to let go of unwanted energies and negative ways that have kept them stuck and confused in their lives. Deep relaxation is one of the greatest benefits of a Reiki session. When our bodies deeply relax—they naturally heal and come back into balance and harmony. What will you experience during a Reiki session? My Reiki sessions begin with a heart-centered conversation about your hopes and wishes and how you envision Reiki fitting into your life and wellness plan. Working from our conversation, together we will set an intention which will guide the direction of our session together. An awareness of what you would like to ‘let go of’ or ‘bring in’ during your session aids and assists the movement of old stuck energy as well as helps to draw in the positive energies desired. During a Reiki treatment, you will remain clothed and lie on a massager table, light hands on touch is used throughout the session. Usually, I start at your feet and work up one side of your body to your head and then back down to your feet again. During the entire session, I listen intuitively to the unique energetic needs of your body. As a result, each session is unique and individualized. Clients often fall into a relaxed state between wake and sleep, which naturally fosters the body to recalibrate energetically, emotionally and physically. You may experience a warm or tingly sensation in your body during the session, this is the Reiki at work. At the end of the session we will spend 10-15 minutes talking about your experience, answering questions and speaking about the energies that were cleared away or new energies that were brought in while working together. This intuitive conversation is an important an integral part of the session and will help you to glean insights from our time together. I enjoy helping clients continue their work outside of our session by teaching simple tools to support their wellness when appropriate. What to expect after your session? Post treatment effects can vary according to the individual based on their sensitivity. Each person and situation is different in regards to the way they respond to a treatment. Most individuals leave feeling more emotionally and physically balanced, calm and grounded. Please know, Reiki and energy work can bring emotions to the surface. It can be helpful for an individual to continue working through their emotions at home by journaling, creating artwork, doing meditation or yoga. I often recommend easing slowly back into your regular routine on the day of your treatment. It is also best to drink extra water, possibly take an Epsom salt bath or take time to be in nature to ensure unwanted energies continue to release and clear. Follow-up sessions are highly recommended as Reiki sessions work by clearing old energies and traumas layer by layer. Most of us do best with a bit of time and space between our sessions. I usually recommend clients come every 3-4 weeks for treatment, unless there is an acute situation taking place. In this case, I would recommend treatments every 1-2 weeks until the situation is resolved. Packages are available for individuals interested in continuity of care. Is Reiki right for you? Although I believe anyone can benefit from a Reiki session, from my personal experience, it is those individuals that are deeply affected by the surrounding environments and the energy of others that greatly benefit from energy healing sessions. Individuals that are highly attuned to their external surroundings and the energy and emotion of others easily feel overwhelmed, can be set off by hectic environments or crowded spaces and often need extra time and space to retreat or be alone so they can recuperate, reset and rebalance. If you can relate, please know you are not alone. I am a highly attuned person myself and I have personally found great benefit in receiving energy work on a consistent basis to help keep me calm, clear and balanced. Here are four ways Reiki and energy work can support you (whether you are highly attuned or not):
deep relaxation
reset and regulate your nervous system
bring clarity, calm and balance back into your body and mind
release stuck energy and emotion