What is Reiki?
Reiki (pronounced "Ray-Kee") originates from ancient Japan and the translation of the meaning of Reiki is 'Life Force Energy' - otherwise known as ‘chi’. The word Reiki derives from the Japanese word ‘Rei’ (Universal Life) and ‘Ki’ (energy). This subtle life force energy exists everywhere within our universe, all living things and our own bodies, and also forms the basis of many other complementary holistic modalities such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Acupuncture, and Pranayama (meditation breath work).
Reiki is a subtle yet effective form of energy healing work using ‘touch’ therapy that helps to promote deep relaxation and restore a sense of wellbeing and balance of the mind, body, and spirit to the recipient. This is done through the Reiki Practitioner channeling this life force energy to where the energy is most needed to alleviate and release any tension or stress being held within the body or mind.
How does Reiki work?
In the same way that our physical bodies have a circulatory system to facilitate the flow of blood and oxygen to nourish and maintain our bodies, energetic pathways also exist to allow the flow of life force energy to help nourish our nervous system. However, when blockages exist within our energetic systems, as a result of physical/mental trauma, injury, stress, anxiety and depression - the natural flow of chi becomes disrupted and causes an energetic imbalance. These blockages may manifest in the form of continued physical ailment/pain and experiencing emotional imbalance showing up as stress, anxiety and depression. These symptoms may persist until these blockages are removed in order to restore the natural flow of energy (chi).
Reiki, therefore, helps to support the natural healing process of our bodies by supporting the free flow of energy to alleviate energetic blockages, and encourage a state of energetic equilibrium to the body to help speed up the healing and recovery process. Through the process of facilitating the flow of good energy, Reiki also helps us to eliminate an accumulation of unhealthy negative stagnant energy held within the body resulting from stress, grief, fear and anxiety etc. And, for these reasons, hospitals are increasingly incorporating Reiki Programs as a complementary treatment to aid existing medical care to support both physical and mental wellbeing of their patients.
How can Reiki benefit you?
Pretty much anyone who is open to being a willing recipient of Reiki can benefit from receiving Reiki regularly.
People receive Reiki for a variety of reasons. However, from my own experience, many clients seek out Reiki as a alternative way to find relief and alleviate the symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue.
It is common for people to explore Reiki when other more conventional treatments have proven to be insufficient with providing the desired results they need – either as an alternative form of treatment to alleviate symptoms and accelerate the healing/recovery process, or as a complementary form of treatment in addition to existing medical treatment.
Some potential benefits that clients may experience include:
Deep state of relaxation – helps the body to release stress, tension
Minimize the impact and help manage anxiety and depression.
Promoting better quality and deeper sleep.
Lower high blood pressure.
Acceleration of body’s natural healing process - aids recovery post-injury or post-surgery.
Alleviate physical pain and side-effects of drugs/medical treatment such as chemotherapy.
General relief for sufferers of chronic medical conditions and terminal illness such as Cancer.
Removal of stagnant energy blockages enables free flow of energy within the endocrine and nervous system to restore general sense of balance and wellbeing to the body, mind and spirit.
Raising the energetic vibrational frequency of body and spirit and vitality.
Assisting the body release accumulated toxins
Greater connection to one’s intuition and higher self – and in doing so, Reiki can help support spiritual growth and emotional healing.
Providing greater sense of emotional balance and mental clarity to positively navigate major ‘life’ transitions/changes – both difficult situations such as job loss, loss of a loved one, relationship break-ups/difficulties more effectively as well as pivotal life stages of personal transformation and growth.
What is Distance Reiki and how does it work?
For most people the idea of Distance (remote) Reiki whereby the recipient of Reiki healing can still receive the benefits of energy healing without having to physically be in the same room as the Reiki Practitioner - is perhaps a rather tough concept to grasp! However, this article explains the concept of Distance Reiki and how it works rather well: https://kripalu.org/resources/sending-healing-energy-across-space-and-time-practice-long-distance-reiki
What should I expect during a Reiki Session?
A session is normally either 60 or 90 minutes long. Typically a quick discussion will take place to understand the client’s needs/issues prior to the session and answer any initial questions.
For the actual session, the client will relax fully clothed on a massage table on their back with their shoes removed. Reiki can also be performed with the client sitting comfortably in a chair as well if preferred.
The session will usually be hands-on, whereby light touch will be used during the session (usually starting at the head or feet before moving to other areas of the body to direct energy where needed the most), or hands-off with hands slightly above your body. A client may indicate if they prefer not to be touched before the session begins, although typically, I will use intuitive light touch.
I may also incorporate meditation, sound healing, crystal healing and essential oils as part of my sessions to enhance the healing experience and tailor the session to the individual needs of the client. However, clients may opt out of any of these additional options if desired during their reiki session.
What may I experience during a Reiki session?
The experiences during a Reiki session may vary from individual to individual, and even from session to session depending on your energetic state at the time. Some of my clients have reported:
Feeling a deep sense of relaxation, bliss and peace.
Falling asleep or entering a ‘dream-like’ state.
Feeling warmth, tingling or gentle pulsing from the palms of the practitioner.
Feeling a ‘floating’ sensation.
Experiencing an actual feeling of energetic release during the session that restores lightness and greater sense of peace/stillness.
Feeling a profound sense of stillness and connection within themselves.
Also not unusual to experience seeing chakra colors with your eyes closed since Reiki helps to energetically clear your ‘chakras’ **
Whatever, the individual experience maybe for the client - the session should be an enjoyable one that is pleasant, relaxing and invigorating.
** chakras are seven energy center points that exist within your body from the base of your spine to the crown of your head, and interact with various physiological and neurological systems within the body.
What will my first Reiki session be like?
New clients will typically have a quick initial consultation with the Reiki Practitioner. This provides an opportunity for the Practitioner to explain what to expect during the session, understand more about the reason(s) why the client is seeking Reiki, and to answer any questions that the client may have.
Personally, I like to find out more about the client’s individual needs and reasons for seeking Reiki as this helps to provide some useful context for me as the Practitioner. I will always do my best to tailor my approach according to the individual needs of the client rather than taking a ‘cookie cutter one size fits all’ approach. For example, I may incorporate guided meditation at the start of the session to allow a client to get into a deeper and quicker state of relaxation if I sense that this is needed. Or, I may use crystals to enhance the healing experience and help unblock chakras (for an explanation of chakras – refer to the section above titled - What may I experience during a Reiki session?).
My goal is to ensure that ALL my clients are completely comfortable during the session, and that they leave the treatment room feeling physically/emotionally more relaxed, rested and rejuvenated than when they first entered the room!
Are there any side effects from receiving Reiki?
Generally, people will feel super relaxed and rested after a Reiki session. However, as Reiki helps to release accumulated stagnant energy held within our bodies, some clients may occasionally feel the associated effects of detoxing or even purging, as part of the natural process of their bodies rebalancing new energy.
Therefore, one should not be alarmed or worried if you experience some, or any of the following after a Reiki session:
Tiredness/feeling sleepy.
Unexpressed or suppressed emotions such as sadness, or even anger showing up (either during or post session).
Feeling emotional/tearful either during or post session.
Feeling super alert, high energy and unable to sleep.
Feeling light-headed.
Any less than desirable side-effects are temporary and totally normal part of the process. If anything, clients will often find a greater awareness of what mental/emotional blockers exist within their being (either conscious or subconscious) so that this can be dealt with as part of their healing journey. Any unpleasant emotions that are triggered or surface, as therefore, just helpful signposts that can help guide you.
Clients are always recommended to drink plenty of fluids to rehydrate and help their bodies to flush out toxins (in the same way as post-massage), and to ensure that they get plenty of rest after a session to allow their body to fully reap the benefits of the Reiki treatment.
How often should I have Reiki to experience optimum benefits/results?
Regular ongoing Reiki sessions are recommended to aid continued improvements with general well-being and health – particularly for new clients who may benefit initially from more frequent visits until a greater sense of balance and wellbeing has been restored.
Just like a car, our bodies benefit greatly from ongoing ‘regular maintenance’ as opposed to waiting until we feel like we are desperate need! So, regular Reiki sessions, just like other treatments such as massages, are advisable in addition to regular exercise as a way to maintain a more holistic and balanced approach towards our health and wellbeing.
A single session is obviously helpful to alleviate energetic blocks within the body as an initial release. However, individuals often find that regular Reiki treatments are extremely beneficial to offset the daily grind and stressors of life, and help them restore and maintain a greater sense of physical and emotional health.
And in support of encouraging the incorporation of regular Reiki sessions as an important part of my client’s overall well-being and health lifestyle choices – I offer cost savings for pre-paid block sessions, AND also discounts for eligible parties including individuals who suffer from medical conditions (proof required – see below) to make this accessible to more people. As a recipient of Reiki myself who has benefitted from regular Reiki, I would love the opportunity to share the gift of Reiki with others, and help them enjoy the benefits that I have also experienced on an ongoing basis!
I would love to have regular ongoing Reiki sessions. Are there discounts to help support and make this financially accessible for me?
For clients who wish to incorporate Reiki as part of their ongoing well-being routine, I am pleased to offer a range of discounts to help make ongoing and regular Reiki treatments financially accessible to:
New clients
Clients who are enrolled into a monthly membership
Clients who pre-pay for either block sessions, or pre-schedule immediately after a session
I also offer discounts (proof required) to support certain individuals within the community who are:
Medical/Health workers
Yoga Instructors including trainees
Retired
Military and Veterans
Children
Individuals with a medical condition
Please refer to my Pricing page for further information around the discounted sessions fees, or alternatively please contact me if you wish to discuss further to see what pricing option best suits you.
Is Reiki something that anyone can receive?
Although there is a spiritual aspect to Reiki, the practice of Reiki is available to everyone irrespective of their religious beliefs, age and physical condition. So, you do not need to be 'spiritual' to receive Reiki and experience its many benefits...just open to receiving!
In fact, Reiki has also been found to be beneficial for children and even pets to help alleviate anxiety, stress and promote a sense of calm and relaxation.
Furthermore, Reiki is increasingly being adopted by hospitals as a complementary form of treatment in addition to existing medical treatment to promote a greater sense of emotional and physical well-being for patients receiving treatment. For example, pre- and post-surgery patients and patients who are receiving medical treatment for terminal illness such as cancer.
Can Yoga help me manage stress, anxiety and fatigue better?
Yes, absolutely! In fact, stress and depression during a particularly difficult stage of my life, was what initially encouraged me to ‘come to my mat’ to explore yoga along with meditation many years ago.
As a busy HR professional working in the Corporate world during the day, I am more than aware of just how challenging and stressful it can be to juggle the pressures of our working lives, along with the demands of our daily personal/home/family obligations. Yoga is a perfect way to give ourselves permission to slow things down, release both the worries of the day in our over-active minds and any tension that we often hold subconsciously within our bodies.
Yoga can bring welcome relief to our world by allowing us to reconnect. reinvigorate and relax. Yoga is therefore, a gift to ourselves within the chaotic world that we live in. So, for those looking for a more balance, harmony and a sense of connection within themselves and their lives - Yoga will help you to better navigate and manage the daily stress, pressures and demands of our hectic lifestyles, and offer a holistic approach to self-care in addition to other exercises and a healthy balanced diet.
What are the benefits of Yoga?
A regular and committed yoga practice can allow you to experience a whole realm of benefits. Yoga is an all-encompassing form of exercise that goes beyond just the physical aspect i.e. holding a pose and building flexibility and strength. Yoga, also brings about a deeper connection to oneself (our inner world), as well as our external world and others, through the incorporation of pranayama (breath work) and even meditation, and in doing so, benefits our physical, mental and emotional health.
The practice of yoga brings balance, strength and connection to your mind, body and emotional spirit, and commitment to a regular yoga practice can provide the following health benefits:
Increased flexibility and suppleness (which also helps to reduce risk of injuries)
Better muscle tone and physical strength
Improved circulatory and cardio health
Better quality sleep
Increased energy levels
Better mental focus and clarity
Emotional balance
Greater connection to your intuition and higher self
Enhance your spiritual connection
Enhanced sense of physical balance
Improved athletic performance
Detoxification of your organs
Improvements to your posture through focus on alignment of poses
Helps to manage and minimize anxiety and depression
Helps with chronic pain management
Releases endorphins that improve your mood
What style of yoga do you teach?
I teach Hatha Yoga which is a style of yoga that focuses on 5-6 breath movements to allow students to focus on alignment, stretching and breath work (pranayama). Hatha Yoga is great for relaxation and building flexibility and strength along with enhancing one’s ability to foster a greater connection of breath with physical movement. I also teach Vinsaya Flow which is a faster flow (3 breath movements) and focuses on more dynamic movements and postures.
Where do you teach?
I teach part-time at Essencia studio located in Wheaton, Illinois. However, I am also available for private on-site 1:1 sessions and small private group sessions subject to availability during the evenings and weekends.
For clients located beyond a 6 mile radius – an additional charge of between $5-15 per session will be applicable to cover my travel time/mileage. These expenses will be dependent upon exact location and travel time for on-site private sessions.