Reiki for natural stress relief and tranquility

Reiki is some what misunderstood in my opinion. Today I'd like to share with you my feelings on this Japanese healing modality. 

When reading and researching Reiki, you may find all kinds of information- fantastical healings, super powers, and amazing testimonials from people all over the world stating that this "laying on of hands" has cured their aliments.

Maybe there is truth to those accounts but I have never come across something that powerful when conducting a session or having reiki performed on me. What I CAN say about this style of bodywork is that it's extremely relaxing and does create a space for the body to heal itself. Much like massage therapy, Reiki allows the parasympathetic nervous system to do its job. This "rest and digest"  side of the autonomic nervous system switches on and helps our bodies recover from injuries and daily stress. 

Reiki comes from a place that has lots of traditions and rituals and that is why they exist in this healing system. "Powerful" Japanese symbols or kanji are used to create an intention or specific reason for a reiki session. Just like setting goals or affirmations- setting your mind to something always has a good outcome. They were kept secret for many years to make reiki seem special but one rule that is true for reiki is that anyone can do it. It doesn't take a healer to perform this bodywork. Just a person who wants to help others or themselves ease the stress and pain that so many people have everyday.

The system of reiki is very simple- First, there must be consent from the receiver. Rule #1 of reiki is that the receiver MUST consent to have reiki given to them- otherwise, reiki is not being used.

Once you have consent and the persons main desire for getting a reiki session, the system  consists of three pillars of treatment and  five guiding principals or affirmations that are all  taught  in Level one of the three part reiki training.

The three pillars are in Japanese and are called:
Gassho, Reiji-ho, and Chiyrio.

Gassho means hands together. This begins the meditation and focuses the attention on the session that is about to begin.
Reiji-ho means asking that reiki, or universal life energy, begins to flow for the highest good of the client of person being worked on. This is just another level to the meditation.
Chiyrio means treatment. This is when the reiki practioner uses the hand placements learned in their training and begins the session.

The five guiding principals of reiki are:

Just for today, I will not be angry
Just for today, I will not worry
Just for today, I will be grateful
Just for today, I will do my work honestly
Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.

These principals are not dogma, but just a simple meditation to get us in to the mind frame of giving reiki to ourselves in a self reiki session or giving reiki to others.

In my opinion, reiki is another tool for self help or to soothe and calm other people or even animals- (My dogs love reiki!)
I have been asked why I do this kind of "energy" work if I don't believe in the outrageous claims of healing and all the  hype that is attached to this modality and the answer is simple. I have seen it do wonderful things for many people. Maybe it is a placebo effect but the positives out weight any negatives- because there aren't any. 

Reiki can not hurt anyone. It's 100% safe. it can be used by childern or adults and it gives people tools to connect with others and do something to help in times of need. Touch is something that is so important for our development as people and has been proven to make a big impact on our psychological and physical health.

It's all good-

The dangers come when people over exagerate about the true benefits and get their ego tied up in it. 

Our bodies heal themselves, when they are ready, on their own time. We can only create an environment for healing to take place. It maybe in a massage treatment room or in a doctors office but where ever it is, It's not being done by anyone in particular- and illness or stress happens to us all.

Some of these ideas are not popular ones but they are mine.
Leave me your thoughts on this post in the comments section.
I love hearing from you!

Here's some inspiration-
QUESTION:
Have you ever tried a Reiki Treatment?

What kind of things do you do to take care of your health?
 



 

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Gaia Bodywork PLLC is the private massage practice of Hillary Arrieta LMT and is located in Richardson, TX. Visit Gaiabodywork.com for more information.

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