What is ‘Reiki’?
My name is Darlene Labine and I’m one of the massage therapists at CLINIC. I am pleased to announce that I am now certified in Reiki. I realized that many people are uncertain what Reiki is, so I wrote up a short explanation.
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing technique.
“Rei” means “Universe” or “life force”. “Ki” (or qi) means “physical energy of the body.” Together, Reiki translates to “Universal life force energy.”
Reiki is a way of giving the body extra energy to heal itself using “chakras” or “energy centers” in the body. Chakras are thought of as spinning disks of energy, which should remain open for optimal health. Each chakra corresponds to a certain area of the body, as well as different aspects of physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
It is thought that if energy stagnates in an area, it may cause an “energy block.” This in turn, may lead to physical tension or pain or cause negative emotions. Using Reiki helps to open and remove these blocks, thereby improving the flow of energy within the body. As a result, the body can increase healing, promote relaxation and decrease pain.
During a Reiki session, the client either sits or lies down. If done in combination with a massage, the client remains lying on the table afterwards. If no massage is done, the client may remain clothed in loose-fitting garments. The practitioner places their hands on or over the chakra points for 3-10minutes. During this time, a transfer of energy occurs, often felt as heat or tingling. One or more sessions may be beneficial depending on the individual.