There are so many different avenues for self-care these days (aren’t we lucky!) that it can be very difficult to know what to go for first, but if it’s holistic health and wellbeing you’re after at the moment, then you might find that reiki has all you’re looking for and a whole lot more besides.
What is reiki?
As a spiritual practice, reiki’s origins can be traced back to 1920s Japan, a method of healing based on deep understanding of the body’s own energy system.
The word ‘reiki’ is actually formed from two Japanese words: ‘Rei’, meaning ‘God’s wisdom’ and ‘ki’, meaning ‘life force energy’, with the practice used to treat the body, mind and spirit to encourage a deep state of relaxation, reducing physical pain but also helping to address mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety and depression.
The belief is that your reiki practitioner serves as a conduit between you and energy. A typical session lasts between 60 to 90 minutes, where you lie (fully dressed) on a massage table so that your practitioner can place their palms over your body’s different energy zones, transferring this energy to where it’s needed the most.
People often think that reiki involves actual massage, but your practitioner will only use light touch at the very most. You may, however, experience certain sensations during your therapy session, including heat, tingling or pulsing. You may even find that you’re so relaxed that you fall asleep!
What are the benefits of reiki?
The aim of reiki is to restore balance to the energy within and around your body, while removing any energy blocks that may have built up to encourage healing and return you to full strength.
There are all sorts of benefits associated with the practice, ranging from relaxation and stress reduction to pain relief, reduced blood pressure, reduced anxiety and depression, better sleep, an improved sense of wellbeing, increased self-esteem and confidence, a more positive outlook and a greater sense of connection with both yourself and the outside world.
As a complementary therapy, reiki can be used successfully alongside other traditional medical interventions. Although it cannot treat or cure health conditions by itself, it has long been offered as a treatment option alongside more conventional methods, with many people finding that it can help ease their symptoms and make them feel more spiritually connected.
Even if you don’t have any specific ailments that you’d like to address, reiki can be a wonderful way to unwind and truly relax.
There are no known side-effects to the practice, although you may find that you experience some kind of emotional release during your session… but you’re also likely to find that this is ultimately freeing, leaving you feeling lighter and less burdened as a result.
Want to find out more? Get in touch with the 50 Hill Rise team to book in your therapy session today.