| Learning Reiki has changed my life in the most | | | | a quiet place and focus on your breath as you gently |
| profound, positive and illuminating way. Reiki is a holistic | | | | and slowly inhale for a count of three and exhale for a |
| technique for relaxation and stress reduction and it | | | | count of six. After a few minutes, you should feel a bit |
| promotes healing. It is an amazing technique to learn | | | | calmer. Any meditation, even in small doses, will bring |
| and practice. However, many other positive living | | | | some benefit! |
| aspects flowed into my life as an accompaniment to | | | | 6. Use positive affirmations. Many of us were brought |
| my Reiki path. | | | | up thinking negative statements about ourselves and |
| I say with emphasis that I am the happiest, most | | | | our lives. These thoughts can leave us feeling drained, |
| optimistic and joy-filled that I have ever been in any | | | | dismal and unbalanced. By consciously and consistently |
| previous time in my life. And my health has followed | | | | replacing them with positive statements, you can steer |
| along. What did I learn that changed me so | | | | your life in a more uplifting direction. Affirmations are |
| dramatically? Here are 10 suggestions that I have | | | | powerful and transformational. Start today with this |
| incorporated into my life. Begin your own | | | | simple affirmation: I relax into the flow of life and trust |
| transformation, a step at a time -- and you don't have | | | | that the Universe provides all I need easily and at the |
| to be a Reiki Master! | | | | right time... |
| 1. Learn the Five Reiki Precepts and make them part | | | | 7. Capture the moment and live in the now! Much of |
| of each day. These are the foundation of Reiki, | | | | the time, we let the present just slide past us, worrying |
| devised by Mikao Usui, the originator of Reiki. These | | | | too much about the future, or wallowing in the regrets |
| are timeless principles -- simple, yet profound. | | | | of the past. The power of living in the now keeps us |
| Just for today: I will not anger (or become angry); I will | | | | focused, centered and connected to our inner |
| not worry; I will have gratitude for my blessings; I will do | | | | guidance. It is said that living in the present results in |
| my work honestly; I will be kind to all living things. | | | | more vibrant feelings of well-being, calmer blood |
| Say them aloud to yourself every day, paying special | | | | pressure, and reduction in stress. We need to train |
| attention to the meaning of each as you speak each | | | | ourselves to be aware of our thinking habits. So right |
| one. For example, give some real thought to gratitude. | | | | now, focus on feeling joyful! |
| What are you grateful for in your own life? | | | | 8. Connect with like-minded people who share your |
| 2. Practice self-healing and positive energy for yourself. | | | | views and optimism. I've heard it said that each of us is |
| In Reiki, we learn that in order to help others, we first | | | | a reflection of the five people who we spend the |
| need to experience our own healing. We learn many | | | | most time with (this is not necessarily your "five favs" |
| techniques for this, but anyone can use imagery. One | | | | on your mobile phone!) If we are the sum total of |
| easy idea is to see yourself in a "bubble" of white | | | | these friends, then think about your own immediate |
| healing light. Visualize yourself as being filled with this | | | | social circle. If they are mainly "gloom and doom", then |
| radiant light, each organ and every cell of your body | | | | perhaps it is time to add some new, more uplifting |
| being revitalized and healed. Have faith in your own | | | | acquaintances to your inner circle. Join an association, |
| ability to self-heal! | | | | club or organization that resonates with your interests |
| 3. Learn the Universal Laws -- most importantly the | | | | and attitude. |
| Law Of Attraction. If you've never heard of it, watch | | | | 9. Make exercise and movement part of your routine: |
| the DVD "The Secret" -- which is the movie that | | | | keep yourself moving, fluid and flexible! It's good for |
| started the wide recognition of the this concept. | | | | your heart, your life, and your outlook! If it's tough to go |
| Basically, the law of attraction is this: "That which is like | | | | the traditional route of 3 or 4 days at the gym, try a |
| unto itself is drawn." We create our own realities. | | | | brisk walk. Take the dog for a hike around the |
| Energy flows where your attention goes. What you | | | | neighborhood -- it will be good for both of you. Do |
| focus on expands. So what we focus on -- in both | | | | some physical "labor" within the house -- clean out a |
| thoughts and feelings -- determines our own energetic | | | | closet, basement, or your entire living space -- and do it |
| vibrations, and what will flow into our own experience. | | | | with gusto! You will burn calories and get some cardio |
| 4. Elevate your sense of humor and live your life with | | | | at the same time. Be creative to keep yourself limber. |
| laughter! People claim to have been healed from | | | | Do what it takes to motivate yourself! |
| serious conditions from extreme laughter and humor in | | | | 10. Last but not least: reflect on what you put into your |
| their lives. Whether or not this is true, there is no doubt | | | | body -- yes your diet! I found that changing my way of |
| that real and authentic laughter raises our vibration and | | | | eating to a much healthier and "green" diet has made a |
| just makes us feel good, even ecstatic! Fill your life | | | | huge impact on the way I feel. For starters, lose the |
| with fun, chuckles and belly laughs -- and reap the | | | | volume of fattening, processed food and rev up the |
| benefits! | | | | number of servings of fresh fruit and vegetables, |
| 5. Meditate on a daily basis. Our fast-paced lives are | | | | preferably organic ones! |
| filled with extreme multi-tasking. Meditation comes in | | | | So go ahead, try one -- or all - of these tips right now, |
| many forms so do what feels right for you. One | | | | and go forth and be happy, vibrant and inspired! |
| starter suggestion is a simple breathing technique. Sit in | | | | |