On understanding Reiki, and why I became a Reiki Practitioner.

Reiki involves channelling energy, universal energy, which as a Reiki practitioner you learn how to tune-in to and allow to flow through you. This idea may sound strange and unbelievable to some people. I can totally understand that, but I can also tell you that for me and many others, Reiki and the connection to this energy, and channelling it as a healing practice is very real. It is something that can be physically felt and, for some people, can be perceived in a visual way too.

‘Reiki’ is a Japanese word which means: universal or spiritual (Rei) energy (Ki). To quote from my Reiki practitioner manual about Ki: “this vital [life] energy surrounds our bodies, keeping them alive, and is present in all organisms. When the Ki leaves the body, this body ceases to have life.” Reiki as a healing mode is about keeping this vital energy and the channels in which it flows in our body, balanced and functioning optimally.

I was first drawn to Reiki as I began to feel strong tingling sensations in my hands during times when I was meditating or after yoga, and I wanted to learn more about energy within the human body and the hand chakras. I am a person who is quite sensitive or in tune to my surroundings, and I feel comfortable with the label ‘Highly Sensitive Person’ or HSP which is a personality trait that is being increasingly accepted and believed to be experienced by 15-20% of the population. It involves a heightened sense of awareness and increased perception through the senses. I particularly like this post about HSP’s if you are interested in learning more https://www.expansiveheart.com/hsp.

I had heard of Reiki, but there was something which I was experiencing on a physical level (the tingling hands during times when I was meditating and after yoga) which encouraged me to learn more about Reiki. It was through a series of amazing events whilst travelling in Mexico that I met a woman who is a Reiki Master Teacher. She became a very special support, friend, and mentor, and went on to become my Reiki Teacher.

During the first level of Reiki practitioner training, you learn how to use Reiki as a healing and connection mode for yourself first. To ‘qualify’ as a Reiki practitioner it is expected that you give yourself a Reiki treatment every day for 21 days, which involves holding your hands over 12 different areas of your body for three minutes in each position. It is expected that you do this for 21 consecutive days and if you miss a day you have to start from the beginning again at day one! This is a great practice as not only do you rebalance and heal on an energetic level, you also form a new life habit too.

The practice of energy channelling appears in different forms in many cultures. If you are interested in learning more about Reiki, please get in touch. I would be happy to answer your questions.