FAQ
What is Reiki?
The short answer is: A Japanese healing technique for the self and others.
The system of Reiki is unique, which explains why it has become the model for many contemporary energetic forms of healing. You can either experience a Reiki treatment or undertake a Reiki course. A Reiki treatment is approximately one-hour long and is useful for specific healing or general relaxation. A course will teach you a spiritual practice and how to perform Reiki treatments.
Reiki is the energy that moves through your body, in fact Reiki practitioners understand that Reiki is the energy that moves through everything and is technically translated from the Japanese to mean ‘Spiritual Energy’. This energy is what is utilized within the system of Reiki teachings.
Origins – The founder of the system of Reiki was a Japanese man called Mikao Usui (1865-1926). The influences upon his teachings included his Japanese martial arts practice, Shintoism (the traditional Japanese folk religion), Japanese Buddhism (namely Tendai) and Shugendo (a spiritual mountain practice). Naturally, the Japanese
culture and philosophy that was apparent during Mikao Usui’s lifetime was also a great influence upon what has developed as the system of Reiki.
Reiki Treatments – A Reiki treatment is approximately one-hour long and is useful for specific healing or general relaxation. The client remains fully clothed at all times as the Reiki practitioner goes through a set healing process placing hands on, or just off, the body as agreed with the client prior to the treatment. Sex, age, species, and condition are of no concern as the client’s own body controls this energetic process. During the treatment the body will only take the amount of energy that it requires. A treatment is not intrusive and clients do not remove clothing and no private parts of the body are touched.
Reiki Courses – There are three levels of training within the system of Reiki.
Shoden Reiki Level I
A minimum of two full days in-person Reiki training plus receiving ongoing support including:
■ Reiki meditations and techniques to strengthen and clear your energy are taught for personal benefit
■ Learning about the Japanese energetic system (the three diamonds)
■ Gaining a clearer understanding of the working of energy in your life and its benefits
■ Finding a spiritual connection to life helping you to feel happier and healthier
■ A method of healing the self and others using hand positions on or near the body
Okuden Reiki Level II
A minimum of 1 full day in-person Reiki training plus extra training in professional Reiki treatments and receiving ongoing support including:
■ Studying further Reiki meditations and techniques for moving deeper into your personal spiritual practice
■ Learn the three Reiki mantras and symbols and their relationships to the Japanese energetic system
■ How to treat others using a variety of Reiki methods
Shinpiden Reiki Level III
A minimum of three full days in-person Reiki training plus receiving ongoing support and the option of ongoing training as a professional Reiki teacher including:
■ Further Reiki meditations and techniques for moving deeper into your personal spiritual practice
■ The fourth Reiki mantra and symbol and its relationship to Japanese cosmology
What is a Reiki Treatment?
Upon entering the treatment room you will first have a brief consultation with your Reiki practitioner. She will ask you some specific questions about your personal well being. These questions depend upon your reason of visit and might be; Do you sleep well? Do you currently have any pain? Do you want to focus on something specific during the treatment? etc… The clearer you answer these questions, the better the practitioner will understand what kind of Reiki treatment to offer you as, due to an individual’s circumstances, each treatment is unique. A Reiki treatment is not a psychic session and therefore it is better to share with the practitioner what is going on with you before the physical Reiki treatment begins.
If this is your first treatment you will be asked to fill in a form with your personal details. These details are confidential and stored in a safe place.
There is no need to take off any clothes. It is, however, advisable to take off shoes and any items that might restrict you when laying down on the massage table. Once you are on the massage table, the practitioner will instruct you to take a couple of deep breaths in order to encourage your mind and body to relax. You are then asked to set your intent that you want to heal yourself and that you might receive whatever you may need for this healing to take place. You can keep your eyes open, but most of the time it is better to keep your eyes closed as this helps you to stay more relaxed. The practitioner may also play some calming music to support you in finding a state of peace throughout the treatment. The practitioner will initially go into his or her own meditative space to support the process of being a clear vehicle for the energy to flow through. The clearer the vehicle, the more energy that will flow through it and thus the deeper the healing.
It is you, the client, who does the actual healing and the practitioner is the facilitator for this. He might physically place hands on your body or work slightly off the body, this will depend upon the sensations he feels. The practitioner is not there to judge or diagnose but merely to stay open and calm so that the energy can do its work.
During the treatment you might feel some energetic sensations like heat, tingling, coldness and pulsating. Some people might have visions, see colors or hear things, while others feel nothing. It is not necessary to feel or see anything to experience the benefit of the treatment. These sensations are merely a by-product of the treatment. A lot of people fall asleep during a treatment – entering into a deep healing space. Some people might also experience emotional or physical release which can manifest in crying, or pain, or even laughter. Again, this is perfectly normal as the energy is clearing old attachments, emotions and physical issues. Some clients might wish to know what these sensations mean, but, again there is no real place within the system of Reiki for diagnosing. These sensations signify that something is shifting within your own being for the benefit of your own healing.
At the end of the treatment the practitioner might slowly massage your feet, ring a bell, or simply tell you that the treatment is finished and that you can slowly sit up. Take your time as sometimes you might feel a bit dizzy or disorientated due to having been in such a deep healing space. The practitioner will offer you some water so that you can slowly regain your balance. There is no rush, and the practitioner should allow you to regain your full balance before you go return to the busy world.
After the treatment the practitioner might talk with you about the treatment. At this time you can ask the practitioner any questions you may have about the treatment itself.
Be aware that the treatment doesn’t necessarily stop when the practitioner finishes the physical treatment – energy is still clearing and working. In fact, later in the day you might feel some emotional, physical, mental or spiritual issues surfacing. This is perfectly normal after a Reiki treatment. Make sure you drink lots of water and if there is anything specific you want to talk about, contact your Reiki practitioner.
If you are looking for some serious healing to take place, you are advised to undertake three one-hour sessions over three consecutive days. If this is not possible then the next best option would be to have three treatments in one week, and the next option after that would be to have one treatment a week over a three-week period.
Copyright © www.shibumireiki.org
How does a long distance session work?
At the time of appointment, Christi will call you to discuss any goals or focus you have for the session, answer any questions, and for human clients- guide you through some breathing and relaxation techniques. She will then end the call and facilitate the session while you and/or your pet relax comfortably for 45-60 minutes. Christi will then call you back to discuss what you noticed during the session, answer any questions, and receive any feedback from your experience. A photo of her session notes will be sent to you for your reference.
How can Reiki benefit me/my pet?
Results may include:
Relaxation
Reduced Pain
Accelerated Healing from Injury or Illness
Improved Medical Condition
Increased Effectiveness of other Therapies
Behavioral Changes
Less Stress
Ease with End of Life Issues
Why should my pet have a Reiki Treatment?
Our pets, like us, can have not only physical problems, but emotional and mental ones as well. Animals that live with us often take on our problems. If the animal is unable to discharge this energy, they can get sick- even to the point of physical disease. Animals with a history of abuse or other trauma (perhaps before they came to adopt you) can carry trauma in their body that needs healing and/or release. Reiki can be beneficial to animals in all life stages, including end of life care. Though pets are our healers, sometimes they need healing too!
How long does a Reiki treatment take?
An initial session is one hour for a person or an animal. Follow-up sessions for animals may be a half hour depending on circumstances. (Includes pre and post session calls for distance sessions).
What are the rates?
Current rates are $90 per session. Payable via CashApp, Venmo, Zelle, etc.