Reiki - A must for centering yourself

Developed in 1922 by Mikao Usui, Reiki is an ancient healing art that promotes the body’s natural abilities. It is used in many hospitals, clinics and wellness centers around the world. It is the art of energy healing.

· Reduces pain, stress and anxiety
· Strengthens immune system
· Maintains and enhances health
· Accelerates recovery from surgery or illness
· Aids a peaceful transition at end of life

I accompanied one of my sisters to a Reiki session back in January. She has been studying this ancient art as part of her healing and grieving process after her husband’s battle with cancer ended 6 months ago. I was telling her, I need a class to learn how to meditate. My mind is always racing and being Peri-menopausal, I am feeling out of balance on a regular basis. She is an excitable personality, as I am myself and honestly, each time I see her, she seems more at peace. The stress of standing by and watching her husband, during his painful exit of this world, had transformed her bright beautiful aura to a look of tired sorrow. A heavy invisible weight was on her. A stranger wouldn’t notice, but those close to her could see it.

She has been taking classes with New England Reiki Center, Inc. out of Nashua, NH. Seeing her now, she looks lighter, her eyes are bright again and an aura of peace seems to surround her. Reiki was a big part of that transition.

I joined her for my first appointment with an open mind and open heart at the senior center in Nashua, NH, this past January. Cost is $20 for half hour session and the first appointment is free, can’t beat that. As we waited for our turn to go into the Reiki room, I could hear soothing new age music coming from behind the closed door. When the time came, a woman rang a little bell outside the door, signaling those inside their time was over. Four or five people, both young and old, came out quietly taking the water bottle offered them and said their solemn goodbyes as they headed off.

I entered a dimly lit room with four tables. Each table was softly padded, covered with a sheet and two pillows, one on each end. I removed my shoes and glasses and picked a table with two women patiently standing by. There was a male practitioner in the room, but I felt I would be more comfortable on my first visit with the women. The women seemed pleasant and introduced themselves as I laid my head on a pillow and propped my legs up on the other. They asked if this was my first visit, if I had any questions or concerns, did I have any areas they should concentrate on, etc. None that I could think of, except of course my racing mind.

The room quickly settled into just the soft, calming music. I shut my eyes as one woman lightly placed both her hands over my forehead and eyes. The other woman, in the same fashion placed her hands on my right arm. Here I was surrounded by peace, serenity and warmth from the hands on my body. No one spoke as I settled into the moment, it felt right. My body was calm and my mind quieted quickly, which never happens. They say Reiki is the missing link for the spiritual and emotional connection to your body. There was a gentle, non-evasive energy entering my body and thou not a mark on the Richter scale, I know I felt it. I am sure this must be different on an individual basis. I ask myself, was it just the warmth of two sets of hands? What were they thinking as they channeled this energy through me?

On an average of every 3 to 5 minutes, their hands would change position, arms, shoulders, top of my chest, stomach, thighs, legs and hands wrapped around each foot. Just resting on me, never rubbing or moving in between changing positions. Before I knew it, I heard the bell. At that moment, I came to realize I didn’t like that bell. It signaled my time, my moment of peace was over. The practitioners’ ran their hands above my body from one end to the other 3 times to break the connection before I rose. I thanked the women, put my shoes and glasses back on and wearily headed out the door into the light. I was offered a water bottle, scheduled my next appointment and left in a calm fog.

My next visit was 2 weeks later. I anxiously anticipated the exact same experience, but I soon realized, even though it was just as relaxing and calming, one of the practitioner’s wasn’t as skillful as the other and left me feeling lob-sided. One woman worked my head, shoulders, chest and stomach quite well. The other only touched one arm and stayed at my feet the whole time. Did she feel my feet needed extra attention? I don’t know, I hate to complain and it sounds like I am, but I didn’t feel energy coming from her as I did the other women. So, I guess it is, as would naturally be, some people are better at this practice than others.

My third visit confirmed I am feeling something. The thoughts and images I see during these sessions are mine to keep. Reiki has helped me in quieting my mind. I feel more focused and I feel a silent connection with everything around me. I can see that some people might say that Reiki is a placebo effect. If you are open to a new mind set of healing, self healing on a spiritual level, then the alternative health option of Reiki is for you. It is all about balance, feeling centered in your life. I can see how this type of healing would benefit the elderly, the sick, the dying. Having human contact in such a loving way, with no expectations, just receiving this energy would certainly aide in the feeling of loneliness and suffering during their time of need. Reiki is bonding on a spiritual level, with the energy of life, not the people channeling it as you might think.

I feel centered when I leave my half hour appointment, unfortunately by the time I get home and back to life as usual, the family sucks all that peace out of me by 7pm that night. One night, after an appointment, the kids and my husband started bickering about who knows what. I found myself trying to hide from them, wanting to stay in my peaceful place, not wanting to get pulled into the drama kids pull you into. Of course I was found and mom had to report for duty, yet again, to remedy the situation….next appointment 3/19, can’t wait.