Reiki and Animals

If you read my blogs about Reiki and/or you have received a Reiki session, you know what a wonderfully healing holistic modality this is.

As my animal clients will confirm, Reiki is also a wonderful treatment for them. Reiki can help our animal friends in their lives. It can be used to calm, heal an injury, maintain good health and even help animals to pass more peacefully. Kathleen Prasad is co-founder of the Shelter Animal Reiki Association (SARA) and has made it her mission to help shelter and sanctuary animals through the use of Reiki. See her video on Healing Quest TV.

Finding A Reiki Practitioner

If you would like to receive Reiki you will need to find a trained practitioner. There are no uniform standards for Reiki training, it's not possible to know a practitioner's skill by the level of certification.

Traditionally, there are three levels of Reiki practitioner.

• First degree training is usually 8 - 12 hours. The student learns history, standards, protocol, self-treatment and treatment of others. 
• Second degree training is usually 4-hours. The student learns distance healing and specific symbols as well as more hands-on training. 
• Reiki Master is usually a long and intense training and a Reiki Master is the only level that can teach and initiate students into Reiki.

Most Reiki practitioner professionals are well trained, experienced and practice with integrity. Find someone who suits you and your needs.

Briefly interview the practitioner on the phone before you make your appointment. Here are the questions you need to ask:

1. When did you complete each level of training and how many hours were involved? 
2. Were you physically present with the Reiki master giving the initiations? In person training and initiations are preferred. 
3. Do you practice daily self-treatment? This is a practice - daily practice is essential.
4. How many years experience? Approximately how many people have you treated.
5. How do you describe Reiki? A professional should be able to communicate their practice clearly without making claims. This answer will tell you a lot about the practitioner.
6. What can I expect during your session?
7. What is your fee and how is it to be paid? How long will the session be? Do you have a cancellation policy?

Just For Today, I Will Not Worry

Just For Today, I Will Not Worry is the first of the Five Reiki Precepts.

Worry is when we sit in fear and powerless about a perceived possibility or probability of a negative or unwanted outcome.

Concern is different. Concern is an awareness of a potential problem and thinking or acting with a solution.

So, just for today, I will not worry.

Dr. Oz talks about Reiki

Dr. Oz talks about Reiki as a balancing process and to cure what ails you in his January 6, 2010 program. Here's what he says "Reiki is another popular energy healing therapy, which is typically performed by a trained Reiki master. Here the practitioner's light touch on, or slightly above, specific areas of the body is used to balance the flow of energy throughout the body. The laying on of hands on the head, face, neck, chest, abdomen and back delivers varying degrees of natural vibrational 'heated' energy as needed, to strengthen the body to heal itself. Reiki can also be self-administered."

For thousands of years people have used holisitic or alternative medicine for mind, body, and spirit health. Ancient cultures relied on tools in nature such as herbs, food, crystals and hands on healing for their health and well being.

However in modern times, these practices have been overlooked in Western medicine due to lack of research and scientific evidence even though many holistic therapies such as acupuncture, herbs, qi gong and yoga are commonly utilized in the East. The National Institutes of Health reports that 36% of adults reported using CAM (complimentary or alternative medicine) in some form, however some people are still hesitant to try holistic or CAM therapies without the endorsement of their doctors.

While the medical field is slowly beginning to embrace CAM therapies, some doctors like Dr. Oz are paving the way for the integration of CAM therapies with traditional Western medicine. One CAM therapy Dr. Oz endorsed on “The Dr. Oz Show” which aired January 6, 2010 is reiki, a form of energy healing or laying on of hands.

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a simple and effective form of hands on healing that uses Universal Life Energy to help dissolve problems in the body, mind, and spirit. It is a natural approach to healing that is safe, gentle and non-invasive.

Ancient cultures, including the Japanese, Chinese, Indians, and Egyptians believed that life energy flows through the body, which deeply affects our body, mind and emotions.

Current research strongly suggests that energy does extend throughout and beyond the physical body. Disruptions or imbalances in its flow result in physical, mental and emotional illnesses. Reiki addresses these imbalances to support overall health and well-being.

Reiki is useful in releasing energy blockages, and returning the body to its natural, balanced state. Reiki produces a feeling of total relaxation and well-being, and provides pain reduction and rapid physical healing.

10 reasons why people use reiki

1) Release physical pain

2) Relaxation and stress relief

3) Remove energy blockages

4) Comfort from chronic or incurable disease

5) Facilitate spiritual, mental and emotional growth

6) Sense of joy and peace of mind

7) Improve sleep

8) Increase physical energy

9) Release uncomfortable emotions

10) Maintain overall health and wellbeing

Reiki is a wonderfully versatile form of healing. It is now being performed in hospitals, hospice, spas and wellness centers across the country. It can be used alone or in combination with traditional medicine. For example, people receive reiki before and or after a surgery for best results. It can be done directly or by distance. You can also learn to do reiki for yourself by taking a training course from a reiki master. Try reiki for yourself and find out all the ways it can enhance your life.

See the Reiki portion

The Reiki Session

Reiki is an ancient, totally non-invasive therapy that helps the body heal itself by working on mind, body and spirit. Even if you are in good health, Reiki offers a pleasant way to relax, relieve stress and to increase energy and vitality. A natural therapy, Reiki can be given even if you are already on conventional medication.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A REIKI SESSION?

Traditionally Reiki is carried out on a therapy couch. However, a treatment can easily be adapted for a seated recipient. There is no need for the recipient to remove any clothing. To be comfortable, you should wear something loose and comfortable.

Before the treatment I ask questions regarding how you’re feeling or if there are any specific concerns. It’s just a friendly conversation where I gather information so that I may serve you where needed.

The treatment usually begins with the client on their back. The practitioner will either start the treatment at the head or the feet. I usually start my treatments with an essential oil or two to calm and soothe or perhaps address a given situation. I work mainly with the recipient on their back, however, at some point, I may ask the recipient to turn over depending on where I feel that the energy needs to go.

Reiki is a powerful healing technique that will continue to work long after the treatment is over.

HOW LONG DOES A SESSION TAKE?

A ‘full' session lasts 60 – 90 minutes. If time is limited or we’re being very specific, a modified session could be 30 minutes. Just so you know one session is not going to set you totally right. I recommend a series of six sessions twice a week then maintenance sessions.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO FEEL?

You may feel heat, coolness or tingling from my hands or within your own body or you may feel nothing at all! Whatever you do or do not feel, you will receive exactly what you need.

REIKI DURING A FACIAL OR WITH A REFLEXOLOGY TREATMENT

There is no reason that these services cannot be combined. In fact, adding the Reiki will enhance these treatments by calming muscles and easing tension. Your entire body will glow as the Reiki goes where it is most needed!

There are 3 Levels of Reiki Training

We each have universal healing energy that flows through us. The 3 levels of Reiki training help to activate and amplify this energy. Reiki is a healing art that takes into account - the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of its recipients.

There are three levels or degrees of Reiki training that can be achieved. This training can only be given by a Reiki Master (RM):

• Level I allows for hands-on healing and gives the first level energy activations called attunements. Instructions in hands-on treatments for yourself and others are giving in this training. In addition, you learn the dynamics of energy management, how to read energy with your hands, plus simple methods to treat each the physical, mental, emotional and spirit/energy bodies.

• Level II amplifies the universal healing energy that was received in Reiki I and allows for distance healing. With Reiki II you are able to heal at a distance. You are able to direct and use energy beyond the physical body to clear energy at a distance and in physical spaces. You will receive further attunements and learn some symbols to add power to your Reiki.

• Level III or Reiki Master allows you to activate others. This master course is for those who have a calling to work on a broader scale of healing. With Level III you are able to activate others to Reiki levels I, II and III. Each degree promotes an expanded consciousness and amplifies the universal healing energy beyond the previous level.

All three of these training levels are available through me. They are taught in small groups in a quiet serene place. In my opinion, everyone should be at the Reiki I level. Its an amazing experience.

The next blog will talk about the actual Reiki session - what to expect when you are a receiver of Reiki.

Reiki

Currently, I am a certified Reiki practitioner in the Usui line and am working toward my master's designation with my Sensei. I plan to tell you some things about this practice. But, for those who are unfamiliar, some education is in order.

Reiki pronounced "Ray´-Key" is healing and balancing energy transmitted through the hands that lifts your spirits and allows one to come into balance. When one is balanced one is less stressed. So, Reiki is relaxing.

Reiki, developed in the mid-1800's by Dr. Usui in Kyoto Japan, is the art and science of activating and directing universal life force energy to promote wellness and balance with a sense of peace and connection that resonates from within.

The Japanese characters represent the concept of "universal life force energy" Rei, meaning universal and Ki, meaning life force energy. Combine the two and you have a very powerful balancing and healing potential.

Reiki energy is whole. It is safe to use any time - any place. When in balance we have access to authentic self expression on all levels of body, mind and spirit. Our life path unfolds before us as we live true to ourselves.

Benefits of Reiki:

• Helps lift the spirits and bring balance.
• Benefits the receiver and the giver.
• Safe to use at any time on anyone.
• Works to heal the cause to eliminate the effect of imbalances.
• Not a religion and will not conflict with religious beliefs.
• Reiki may be combined with other therapeutic and healing techniques.
• Reiki does not conflict with medical procedures or medication.
• May be used on pets, plants and spaces.
• Beyond relaxation, Reiki brings a sense of peace and being centered.
• Used regularly, Reiki helps to lessen the affects of daily stressors.
• Once you are attuned to Reiki, you are attuned for life.
• Reiki is a simple, easy and safe way to help yourself and others.

Next time I'll write about the levels of Reiki then about Reiki sessions.

Namaste