What is Reiki? Where does it come from and what can it do?

-reiki is a system that was created/discovered by a man named Usui Mikao in Japan in the early 1900's. It is more then what most westerners think "reiki" is. It's important to remember that in Japan, there has always been a focus on treating the "whole" person (or animal) and not just giving out a prescription when something is wrong of "off" with someone. Reiki helps balance and heal energies that are out of balance or blocked. The reiki practitioner does NOT give energy from themselves, but rather, channels healing energy through themselves TO the recepient. The practitioner is a condiut, in a word. 

I can only speak very for myself, but reiki helps me reconnect with my true spirit, allowing me to be free from negative energies. That may be oversimplifying, but as this is just an FAQ, I may have to continue a larger discussion of reiki on my blog! Reiki is NOT a religion. It does not work against any religions, and in fact, there are nuns, ministers and others who practice reiki in harmony with all of their religious beliefs. If you have any concerns, please send your questions along. I will always do my best to educate and clarify as necessary. 

 

What can I expect from a Reiki treatment? How is a treatment given and how do I know if it's "working"?

The reiki experience varies as much as individuals do. No two individuals will experience the exact same thing, but one may feel variations in temperature (feeling warmth or coolness), a "fuzzy" feeling, one may see rainbows or colors, Sometimes past traumas or experiences may be released and a client may feel a huge rush of emotions. Crying is absolutely ok and is GOOD! (for the "people" clients). It means you are letting go, and that is a positive thing. It's a release of negativity in the mind, heart, spirit/soul and body. Some might feel energized, while others may fall asleep, as reiki is very relaxing and gives a sense of quiet and peace in most cases. Reiki given to animals and people is VERY different. I won't go into all the specifics, but we never "force" reiki on an animal. We offer it to them, and if they want to participate, it's wonderful, but we want to respect them and never take away their will. Animal reiki is almost always "hand's off".  I will explain and talk through what I'm doing with the animal's caregiver or caregivers before I start so they will know what is happening and what to expect. If I feel anything specific, I will mention it either during or after the treatment.  Animals usually respond to reiki by falling asleep, to be honest. They often close their eyes and seem to go into almost a meditative trance state. It's a great thing to see! They usually recline, relax, roll over, yawn and just stay still, feeling the energy that is sent to them. There is always the possibility an animal will absolutely not want reiki. Luckily, I'm very sensitive to this. I can tell almost immediately if they're disinterested and I will respect that and let their caregiver know. Just because they do not want it once doesn't mean they won't ever want it. Animals are more like us then we give them credit for. Some days they just might not feel like it, another day they might! The important thing to realize is that we have to allow them to decide when it's right or if it's right for them. As much as we want to "fix" things for them, they have to be willing participants. It is the only way healing can work efficiently. It MAY help to offer reiki to one who doesn't want it, but I prefer to have my client willing to work with me to help them. The effects of a treatment vary from individual to individual as well. Some say they feel the effects of a treament for the first 24 hours all the way up to a week, but it depends on what the energy is actually healing. If there is a huge emotional release, it could be that for the first day, that individual may be feeling peaceful, or energized, or a sense of closure, and the positive effects of that can be experienced indefinitely as they've let go of something negative. It can change everything around them for the better. Again, it's all unique to each soul. 

 

What do I need to know about how Reiki works with animals?

-One of the most important things to realize is that we can not "force" an animal to enjoy or even deisre Reiki healing. As humans, we can decide what's best for us or if we are willing and open to receiving healing energy. Animals cannot speak and tell us if they desire healing or if they don't, so we have to be respectful of that. I offer Reiki healing energy to an animal and I can usually feel if they are willing to accept it or if they're not at all interested. If they do NOT want Reiki, I may still put a healing space in the area and invite them in if they would like to try it, but I'm mindful to never force anything. I find that very few animals don't want to enjoy Reiki. On average, most animals are actually drawn to it and "feel/recognize" the energy and almost immediately respond to it. They're so much more sensitive and responsive to it then we are as humans. Usually,  living things want to improve, to feel better and often, animals are much more open to healing energy work. 

 

What problems, issues, illnesses and diseases can be treated with Reiki? What are the benefits of Reiki? 

Literally all problems and issues can be addressed with reiki. As stated previously, it all depends on the individual how it will be received. There are cases of healing from various illnesses and diseases being helped/healed with reiki, but again, it's a case by case issue. The benefits are almost too many to list. Reiki offers a sense of peace, of healing, of universal, unconditional love, it helps one to reconnect with their true self, to discover things they may have forgotten over time or through trauma. It helps heal past hurt. The thing to realize is that if your mind and soul, heart or spirit are a mess or unhealthy, how can your body be healthy? That, to me is the essence of reiki. 

 

​Do I need to do anything special or need to bring or have anything available during the treatment?

All I ask is that you bring a relaxed and open mind. It does help to drink water after a treatment to facilitate cleansing and rehydrate. I often travel with my own table and oils. For animals, we just need a quiet space where they feel safe. It helps to plan a peaceful time to have a treatment. A bad time would be when kids are coming home from school, when everyone is getting ready for dinner, etc. Mid-morning or after dinner are ideal reiki times to me. I'm flexible in my treatment hours as well. I'm available almost any time. 

 

Is Reiki a religion or a type of religious treatment? 

No. A religion requires a belief in and worship of a supreme God or gods, There is no dogma in reiki. It is not a religion or a religious system. Reiki has no deity or deities, it doesn't involve any sort of worship and in fact, it compliments most belief systems. Many nuns and ministers practice reiki and find no issue with it being against their religions. It's no different then accupuncture, holistic medicine or massage. It is a healing art, not a spiritual system. These are important things to remember.  Reiki is very complementary to religious values as it promotes wellness, healing, positivity and love. Reiki is practiced and received by people of all beliefs and it doesn't "judge". 

 

What does a Reiki practitioner do to learn how to give Reiki? 

Reiki is considered a "gift" when it is passed on to a practitioner from a teacher. A reiki student can be Level One, Level Two or Level Three, which is considered the master or master/teacher level.

At level one, in my particular lineage of training, reiki healing is usually concentrated on the SELF, meaning at level one, I focused on healing all MY past hurts, issues or concerns. How can I help someone else if inside I am in disarray? A reiki practitioner needs to be very self-aware and be the best person they can be in order to help others. In reiki two, I learned more about sharing reiki, both in person and in distance healing. After my level 2 class, I took Animal reiki level 1 and 2.

All of my training has been a journey, and a student must always remain a student, even if they are called a reiki Master after level 3. I will take level 3 soon, but each class is a process.

I like to say I don't trust anyone who says they know it all, and you shouldn't either! Reiki is a lifelong healing journey and I enjoy every step of it. I read and study, meditate and practice daily, whether or not I'm working with clients. If I'm not with clients, I work on myself to help reach my highest potential, so I can help others achieve that as well.

I am a huge advocate of EVERYONE learning reiki. I am happy to come give reiki to you or your animal friends, but you can learn it and do it every day if you really want to.  If I don't know a reiki teacher in your area, I can easily find some to recommend. I do NOT think just looking one up and choosing without knowing details is a good idea. Sadly, like in every profession, there ARE people out there who are happy to take your money without doing right by you. I am happy to help you avoid those people if you are interested in learning reiki for yourself, and as I said, I absolutely think it's a great tool to have in your tool box, whether you're an animal lover, advocate, rescuer, foster parent or just a person who wants to feel better and help themselves, family and friends. Learning reiki does NOT mean you have to go run out and be a practitioner. You can just do it for you and your dog/cat/horse/kids/etc. That's how I started! I just wanted to help my senior dogs.  Now my life has taken a whole wonderful direction I never expected. 

 

Is Reiki safe for pregnant women, babies and children?

Absolutely! There are many women who get regular reiki treatments leading up to and after they give birth. Reiki itself can not harm, it can only promote healing and a sense of peace and wellness, which are all wonderful things for new moms and their babies. Reiki can also help the bond between mother and child, offering a sense of connection they may not have felt as strongly before. 

 

Are there any side effects to having a Reiki treatment?

Again, this all depends on the individual. Some side effects could include a sense of peace, increased energy, strange or odd dreams, new sleep patterns or thought patterns, noticing things you might have not in the past. If there is a larger scale release of negativity or past trauma, an individual may experience what is known as a "healing crisis". They may experience headaches, stomach aches or other discomfort as the toxins within are released. This is why I recommend rehydrating, drinking water to help flush the system. It also helps to eat lighter, healthier meals, rest and focus on letting all that negativity go.  A healing crisis means the body is cleansing itself so it can heal, so this is not a bad thing. 

 

Once I start getting Reiki for myself or my pets, do I have to keep getting it? 

Regular reiki treatments are beneficial for everyone. I personally give my dogs reiki several times a week, often daily. An individual does NOT have to have a disease, issue or illness to get reiki. It is used by many to just reinforce and foster ongoing wellness. Doing a few reiki treatments may benefit an animal or person with some issues or illness to work through, then just having one occasionally or as needed will be helpful. Most get used to just "knowing" when they need reiki after experiencing it. Those with chronic disease or illness may benefit from ongoing treatment. It all depends on the individual's needs. 

 

Are there any scientific studies about Reiki? Is it recognized by western medicine?

I don't believe ANY reiki website has a better answer and links to study's then the IHR website. Frans Steine is one of the foremost authorities on reiki and has written some of the best books available. He has a couple pages on his website that I could never top, so I'm just sharing the links. There is SO much to read and learn.  The first link is to a list of articles on Reiki and Healthcare . The second is on Reiki Scientific Studies. I highly recommend anyone interested in reiki spend a LOT of time on the IHR website. The blog posts are wonderful and very enlightening. 

 

 

Do I have to keep seeing my doctor or does my pet still have to see a vet if we get Reiki treatments? Absolutely! Reiki should never take the place of any regular medical check ups. It is meant to help with overall well-being and healing, but it is a complementary treatment. It can be used in conjuction with many healing modalities such as healing oils, hydrotherapy, massage, accupuncture or accupressure, laser therapy and others, but it should never be relied on as the only treatment. Visits to your regular doctor or vet are recommended. In fact, I encourage it if for no other reason then to have them say "You're doing great! What have you been doing?" and you can say "I've been getting reiki!"  I'm happy to say I get yearly physicals and I get high-fives from my doctors and they're amazed at my overall health. I love going to them now because I thankfully have only received good news! 

 

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact me and I will answer as promptly and clearly as possible. Reiki can be a very personal experience.

This is very important to remember. 

*Please note disclaimer at footer of each page. Thank you!