Understanding Reiki

Described as an energy healing therapy, we ask Therapy Directory member Sophie Masi a few questions about Reiki, Reiki drum healing and what you can expect from a Reiki session.  

For those who haven’t heard of it before, could you explain what Reiki is?

Reiki was developed in Japan by Mikao Usui in the 1920s and was originally a journey to enlightenment. By working on themselves, pupils would find healing.

But in the west, people are busier; they have less time to do endless meditations so only the healing part of the system has been emphasised. So Reiki is presented as a complementary therapy in the west. Reiki is a simple energy method and it is based on the idea that energy channels or meridians run through our body.

An idea that many systems also support like acupuncture, Chinese medicine, Tai chi to state only a few.

This energy, also called Ki or Chi, might gets blocked sometimes due to stress or other factors which results in some malfunctions in our body. Reiki rebalances this energy, unties all blockages so that energy flows nicely again, melting tensions, pains and aches. Reiki works on all levels – mental, emotional, spiritual and physical.

You mention in your profile that you use drum healing too – could you explain a little more about this?

Reiki drum healing is a combination of Reiki and drum healing. Drum healing is probably one of the most ancient form of healing and has been used around the world.

Drumming is associated with several health benefits like strengthening the immune system for example, stress reduction, emotional traumas, etc. The beat waves of the drum induces synchronisation of the brain, it reconnects the two hemispheres.

Drumming activates and coordinates the both sides of our brain which leads to deep relaxation, deeper self-awareness. Drumming induces relaxed mental states, reduces anxiety, and tension. And when your body achieves a state of balance, healing can then take place.

What concerns, in your experience, benefit the most from Reiki?

It is really difficult to state the best benefits from Reiki as the energy works on everything and on all levels. It also depends on the nature of the ailment, how long the dis-ease has been there and also on the person. How much is he/she willing to heal?

But personally, I can say that I achieve good results on people with depression, muscles pain, back and knee pain.

Reiki is an excellent emotional healer too. I had a few people who could not accept the loss of their loved one; they got back on their feet after one session.

I would say that the first factor that Reiki helps with is to release stress and anxiety. After a session, most people report a sense of immense wellness and serenity.

They feel more positive with a sense of calmness. They also seemed to cope better with normal life situations.

Can you describe a typical Reiki session?

A typical Reiki session lasts for about 45 to 60 minutes. When clients come for a Reiki session, they normally lie down on the couch, fully clothed with a blanket if they feel more comfortable (that does not stop the energy as some people may think). Soft, relaxing music is played in the background. There might be incense or candles burning to set a relaxing atmosphere

The healer then ‘connects’ to the energy for five to 10 minutes then he/she starts laying his/her hands gently on the recipient‘s shoulder to ‘connect’ to his/her energy. Some practitioners might then ‘scan’ the client by hovering their hands above the physical body to find out which area needs healing. I tend to work intuitively, and let myself be guided to the area which needs healing first and do not use standard hand positions. Reiki is administered by ‘laying on hands’ above different location of the body.

To finish the session, the healer performs a couple of long swipes from head to toe to help the energy settle down and then step away from the recipient, he/she might shake her hands to disconnect from the energy. A Reiki session always ends with a thank you. After all, all energy work is sacred work and each treatment should be treated with respect and reverence.

Have you tried Reiki? Share your experience in the comments below!

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