I remember first learning about Reiki when my mom came home from work one day. She mentioned that a coworker practically lived for her regular reiki appointments and swore by the practice.

I was a teen then and had never even heard the word before. My sister later reintroduced me to reiki and my sister-friend spoke with me about it while she went through her level I and level II training. I decided to go through the training myself and am now certified at the Master/Teacher level. So let me share my understanding of reiki, how it is integrated into my existing healing practice, and how I apply it in my life and my work. 

The Usui Shiki Reiki Ryoho healing modality, in which I was trained, was formalized by Dr. Mikao Usui in the late 1800s. It is believed that during a mountain spiritual quest, Usui had an enlightenment experience where he was awakened to healing energy and he received a vision of the symbols that correspond to different facets of the healing practice. Though Usui is credited for the Reiki modality of healing touch, understanding healing through energy has existed for centuries. Some alternate names for “energy” that you may recognize are Qi (or Chi), Ki, or Prana. What has been labeled as “Eastern” practice often refers to holistic and spiritual approaches to living, with origins traced to various regions of Asia. Research has traced energy healing practices as far back as regions of Kemet also known as Ancient Egypt. These practices encompass physical health, emotional and mental wellness, and understanding the delicate balance between our lives as being influenced by both tangible and intangible forces. This way of living and understanding life has existed alongside the evolution of humans. Each framework just has different words to describe it with overlapping methods of engagement.

Reiki allows an individual to tap into the universal light energy that flows through us all. The practitioner does not necessarily send energy to the recipient, the practitioner embodies the energy, and the recipient, in a receptive fashion, takes what is needed at that moment. The energy acts intuitively between practitioner and recipient and simply flows from the hands of the practitioner to the recipient. Today, many practitioners, including myself, also incorporate an understanding of the Chakra System framework to gain an even deeper understanding of what energy areas may be imbalanced. Whatever information is intuitively gathered, if any, is generally discussed before or after the session, to provide clarity and ways to support healing. 

The immediate effects of Reiki range from person to person. Most people report feeling a sense of deep relaxation, while some may feel no different in the moment. Others have reported visions, out-of-body experiences, feeling warmth in different parts of the body, or spontaneous healing. Some may come to deeper emotional awareness and discover the impacts of subconscious emotional wounds on the body itself. As I mentioned, this energy is intuitive and despite the range of effects, I believe healing takes place in whatever way it needs to at the moment. While Reiki has traditionally been practiced using either direct touch or with the hands simply hovering over specific areas of the body, remote or distance Reiki is still very much effective.

Utilizing spiritual methods for healing has been a part of my life for many years. I learned Reiki as an alternative and focused method and have used it to support healing for myself and others. Reiki can also be used with pets and even for balancing energy within homes or workspaces. This practice is safe and can certainly work well as an added intervention to modern medical treatments. It is important to note that speaking with a healthcare provider is always recommended for medical concerns.

I hope this was a helpful overview of Reiki. If you’d like me to join your healing journey using Reiki and my integrated energy healing practice, Contact me to schedule your free consultation!

In Love, Light, and Tons of Compassion,

Dr. Steph