Alternative methods of healing have existed since time immemorial. But with the help of the internet, they’re gaining recognition far from the lands of their origin. One such alternative healing method is Reiki. Many swear by Reiki, especially when it comes to relieving pain, healing injuries and building immunity. Reiki was developed in Japan, but today you will find its practitioners all over the world.
But, what is Reiki?
The Japanese term is made out of two words:
i) ‘rei’ which means universal
ii) ‘ki’ which means energy
The meaning of the term Reiki is universal energy. It is a form of healing that uses this invisible energy to bring relief to people, be it from physical pain or mental health issues. Alternatively, it is called ‘energy healing’ or ‘palm healing’.
Reiki concentrates on the flow of energy from the practitioner to the patient simply through the hands of the former!
As you’ve probably guessed, Reiki is mainly about the flow of energy which is believed to become stagnated at a single point in the body when a person goes through physical injury or emotional turmoil. So, it aims at removing these blocks to restore the flow of energy, thereby easing the discomfort.
It is believed to have been developed by a Japanese Buddhist called Mikao Usui in 1922 but due to people finding it effective, spread to other parts of the world. In fact, according to the site of the International Centre for Reiki Healing, India alone has about 10,00,000 members and the numbers keep growing!
What does a typical Reiki session look like?
In the beginning, you will be made to sit on a chair or lie down. The practitioner will then place their hands on or right above the problem area. So, let’s assume you hurt your knee but the pain won’t go away, then the hands will be placed on or above your knees. Similarly, if you’ve been experiencing stress due to your job, then the hands may be placed above or on your forehead.
The practitioner will move their hands on or over the affected area for about 4 to 5 minutes. It is believed that energy transfer takes place during this session.
Some people report feeling warm or tingly, especially over the area being treated.
Once the practitioner feels that energy exchange has taken place, they might move their hands to another region.
What to keep in mind if you’re going in for Reiki
Many people swear by Reiki when it comes to treating the harmful effects of stress and reducing pain in the body, it does bring about some relief and you should definitely give it a try to understand exactly why so many people believe in its healing powers.
