Reiki
Reiki is a relaxing and gentle energy healing modality, beneficial for all types of physical, mental, and emotional dis-ease. Just like acupuncture uses needles to shift the flow of energy in a recipient’s body and promote wellness, Reiki does this with the use of the practitioner's hands. Recipients are guided into a deeply relaxing state in which the body can rest and heal itself.
Reiki (pronounced “Ray-Kee”) is a combination of two Japanese words: “Rei,” meaning “Universal” and “Ki,” meaning “life force energy.” Oxford Dictionary defines Reiki as: “A healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes of the patient’s body and restore physical and emotional well-being.” But Reiki is much more than the spiritual and energetic healing system we know it as today. Reiki is the energy of all consciousness. It is source energy – that vital universal life force that animates all things.
Where does Reiki come from?
Although the use of life force energy to heal others is described in Sanskrit Sutras, the holy books of Buddhism, the Bible, and other ancient texts, Reiki as the healing practice we know today was developed in the late 1800s in Japan. Dr. Mikao Usui was a physician and scholar who was studying Buddhism when he saw a beam of light coming down to him from the sky. The light entered Usui’s body, knocking him unconscious. When he awoke, the energy had changed the vibration of his own body so that he could be a vessel for this high-vibrational life force energy. He went on to develop Reiki Ryoho (Reiki Healing Method) and to found the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakki (Usui Reiki Healing Method Society) which is still in existence today.
With this energy, Usui began to practice healing on the streets of Kyoto. During his lifetime he taught and initiated roughly 2,000 people into Reiki – one of these being Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American woman who brought Reiki to the US by way of Hawaii. When a person wishes to become a Reiki practitioner the energy must be passed from a Reiki Master/Teacher into the body of the student; this process is called the “attunements.” Therefore all current practitioners of Usui Reiki are connected to Dr. Usui, as Reiki has been passed through a lineage of practitioners since his original 12 students.
What will I feel during my Reiki session?
During your Reiki session, you may feel relaxed – finding it easier to breathe deeply. You might even fall asleep. Depending on which energy-center the practitioner is working on, you may feel pressure there. For instance, if the practitioner is working on your Third Eye Chakra, the energy center between your eyebrows where your intuition resides, you may feel heat in that spot. If the practitioner is working on
your Solar Plexus Chakra, the energy center above your navel, known as your “Power Center,” you might feel slightly nauseous for a moment while the energy shifts.
Energy moves even when we are not moving. People have been known to experience sensations of movement – such as rocking on a boat, swaying in a hammock, swinging back and forth on a swing-set, or bobbing up and down on a see- saw – while their bodies are lying completely still. You may have the
sense that the practitioner touching you, even if they are not. None of these sensations are to be feared, in fact they are great signs that the energy is moving through you.
Is Reiki a religious practice?
Reiki is not a religious practice as does not conflict or interfere with any religions. In fact, all religious traditions are honored by Reiki, which teaches that all things are connected by a universal web of loving energy.
What should I wear for my Reiki session?
Please wear any comfortable clothing. You will remain clothed during the Reiki session.
Will the Reiki practitioner touch me?
Reiki is typically done with the practitioner hovering their hands over the recipient’s body, however the practitioner may use gentle touch occasionally over your head, shoulders, or feet.
How many sessions do I need?
The number of sessions is completely up to you. It is safe to receive Reiki every day, and some people going through a major illness, loss, transition, or trauma, may wish to schedule Reiki sessions every few days during that difficult time. When first beginning (or returning to) Reiki, it can be beneficial to 3 weekly sessions in a row (one each week) to help balance any acute stress or pain and to evaluate
whether or not it is a helpful modality for you. Similar to massage, consistent Reiki sessions can help “reset” the body and cleanse and balance any energies or emotions you pick up over time.
What are Christine’s qualifications to practice Reiki at Elevate?
Christine is a Reiki Master-Teacher. She was trained in her Level 1 (Shoden) and Level 2 (Okuden) Reiki through an immersive one-on-one journey with Reiki Master-Teacher Hazel Llwellin of Hazeology Healing in Hastings, England. She trained to become a Reiki Master with Reiki Master-Teacher Liana Gerdov, at Lotus Wellness Center in Palatine, IL and received her Reiki Master Attunements from both
Hazel Llwellin Liana Gerdov. Christine is certified in the Pregnancy Reiki system channeled by Nicole Lanning and is a DONA International trained Birth and Postpartum Doula. Through Sunshine Academy of Metaphysics and Natural Therapies, Christine has studied Faery Reiki, a system that focuses on
channeling the natural elements of the earth. Christine is also a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) and is certified in Mental Health First Aid.
Can I learn how to do Reiki on myself?
Yes! Christine offers one-on-one training at Elevate for Reiki Levels 1 and 2. Reiki Level 1 is a 6-week process and focuses on self-healing. Reiki Level 2 is a 4-week training process and focuses more on being a Reiki practitioner and healing others.
60-minute session $80
90-minute session $130 (First time clients please book 90 minutes for 1st session)
The text written above is from Christine S.