Reiki

Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key, meaning "universal life force energy") is a system of healing which originated in Japan in the early 20th century.

Central to Reiki is the belief that we live in a world of energy that nourishes and maintains all living things. When this energy flows uninterrupted there is balance and harmony within and around us and we experience a sense of well-being. If this life force energy is low, we are more likely to get sick or feel stress. Reiki works at bringing us into balance and is believed therefore to reinforce the body's natural ability to heal itself at all levels, whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. It is a tradition that is open to any belief system.

Reiki is based on the principle that the practitioner can channel natural energy into the recipient via their hands and fine-tune their energy field to a higher vibrational level, thus activating the body's natural healing processes and restoring well-being. The recipient's body will draw the energy to wherever it is most needed.

The most common way of receiving Reiki is with the recipient lying fully clothed, shoes off, on a therapy couch, while the practitioner moves around lightly placing their hands on or near the recipient's body. There's no massage or manipulation and the whole person is treated rather than specific symptoms.

Reiki sessions are extremely soothing and relaxing. They help with deep-rooted physical and emotional issues, alleviating symptoms of illness and promoting a sense of peace and balance. During a treatment, the recipient will typically enter a deep state of relaxation and often drift off to sleep. She or he may experience physical sensations such as warmth, coolness, a light breeze or mild tingling. After a session clients will generally feel calm, centred, uplifted and secure and may often get insights on how to work through their problems.

Reiki treatments are safe, gentle and non-intrusive. They're suitable for people of all ages, including babies, pregnant women, the frail and the elderly and anyone taking medication or recovering from surgery.

Please note: whilst Reiki can support and enhance other forms of treatment, including conventional medicine and other natural or alternative therapies, it does not take the place of conventional medicine. Always consult a GP for acute or infectious conditions and for problems of urgent concern.