| Reiki is a form of energy healing that has become a | | | | or her hands lightly on, or slightly above, the person's |
| popular complement to modern medicine as well as an | | | | body. The hands of the healer are held palms down |
| alternative healing therapy used throughout the world. | | | | with fingers and thumbs extended. During the session, |
| Although its roots can be traced back centuries, it | | | | the Reiki therapist will move his or her hands to |
| developed in its modern form in Japan in the early | | | | particular locations on the body, following a specific |
| twentieth century. And, it is from two Japanese words | | | | routine. There are 12-15 Reiki hand positions which |
| (rei and ki) that we get the word Reiki. Roughly | | | | correspond to energy centers. The healer will stop at |
| translated, Reiki means "universal life energy". | | | | each of these locations to transmit energy. The healer |
| Practitioners of Reiki believe that there is a type of | | | | will pause at each location until the flow of energy |
| subtle energy that flows in and around everyone and | | | | seems to subside or stop. When the energy flow |
| everything in the universe. It is this universal life energy | | | | subsides, the therapist will move to another hand |
| that a Reiki practitioner attempts to channel to the | | | | position, working from head to feet. It is important to |
| afflicted person during a healing session. | | | | note that a Reiki healer does not direct the energy in |
| Reiki practitioners believe that all illnesses have | | | | an active sense. The Reiki practitioner is merely a |
| non-physical components. The purpose of a Reiki | | | | conduit. He or she simply adopts the intent to heal. The |
| healing session is to channel additional life energy, or ki, | | | | life energy itself is intelligent. It goes where it is needed. |
| to the person who suffers from some type of physical | | | | A sensation of heat is often taken as an indication of |
| or mental trauma. The additional energy clears | | | | Reiki energy flow. However, a wide range of personal |
| blockages and establishes an increased, and more | | | | perceptual experiences may be reported by both the |
| efficient, internal flow of energy within the person. As | | | | healer and the recipient. Among other things, a tingling, |
| this occurs, true healing can begin. | | | | coolness, warmth, or the sensation of colors may be |
| The time needed for an individual healing session | | | | experienced. |
| varies depending on the client and the particular | | | | According to Reiki therapists, people typically leave a |
| problem addressed. However, Reiki therapists | | | | Reiki session feeling very relaxed and tranquil. |
| generally schedule their sessions for 45-60 minutes. | | | | However, recipients of Reiki therapy sometimes |
| The client remains fully clothed during a Reiki session. | | | | experience what therapists call a cleansing crisis. They |
| He or she may lie flat or sit upright. It is especially | | | | may feel headachy, nauseous, dizzy, or weak. For |
| important that both the healer and the person who has | | | | Reiki practitioners, these symptoms are the result |
| sought out healing feel comfortable, peaceful, and | | | | simply of the body getting rid of toxins and realigning |
| serene during the healing session. Soft lighting and | | | | itself to the flow of ki. Rest and increased fluid intake |
| relaxing music are often used by Reiki practitioners to | | | | are often recommended to help the person cope with |
| increase these feelings. | | | | these symptoms. |
| When the client is comfortable, the therapist places his | | | | |